SAPL News

Our Blog is Moving!

2011-06-13T10:32:00.002-05:00

This blog has been incorporated into a blog page for the San Antonio Public Library. It will now be located at: http://mysapl.wordpress.com/.

This location will no longer be updated. Please change your bookmarks and RSS feeds to the new web address.

We couldn't do it without them!

2011-06-10T09:36:00.016-05:00

At 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library on Sunday, June 12, the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees will honor individuals and organizations who have contributed to Library service in the community by presenting them with Library Champion Awards. Join us to celebrate the gift of volunteering!

This year's honorees are:

Councilmen Justin Rodriguez and John Clamp

Deedee Lu

Library Volunteer Marketing Team
Mari Aguirre
Mike Bacon
Angela Bartels
Becky Bridges
Jessica Cerda
Rosenda Rios
Andi Rodriguez
Anamaria Suescun-Fast

Mercedes O'Higgins

The Rackspace Foundation

Karen Sagun

Chairs of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation
Gene Ames
Pat Flynn
Kye Fox
Nick Hollis
Alice Lynch
Dennis Martinez
Mike Molak
Guillermo Nicolas
Carol O'Malley
Debbie Prost

Also being recognized are the three individual volunteers with the greatest number of service hours:

Richard Kierbow - 1,158 hours
Paula Parra - 845 hours
Pamela Miller - 693 hours

Thanks to all of you - we couldn't do it without you!

School's out - don't forget to add the Library to your summer plans!

2011-06-03T07:41:00.004-05:00

On June 3 Mayor Julián Castro helped kick off the San Antonio Public Library's Summer Reading Program, inviting children and teens up to age 18 to join the Library for a summer of reading and fun. Library staff say the goal behind Summer Reading is to show that reading is fun and reading just for the fun of it is a good way to spend some time.

For children, activities are planned throughout the summer, including special performances by popular magician Spikey Mikey, and the Magik Theatre presenting their hit version of If You Give a Pig a Party. For teens, there will be video gaming, puzzle parties, book clubs, or just hanging with friends. And for everyone who completes the Summer Reading program, there will be a book of your own to keep!

For more information on the children's Summer Reading Program, or to register, go here. Teens can sign up and find out what's going on at their library here.

To get a monthly report on what's new @ your library, sign up for our newsletter!

Bannwolf Library at Reagan High School discontinues public library service

2011-05-26T15:19:00.006-05:00

At 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, the Bannwolf Library at Reagan High School will discontinue its public-library operation. The opening of the new Parman Branch Library at Stone Oak allows the San Antonio Public Library to offer full-time public library service to the north central area, in turn allowing the Reagan High School facility to return to full-time service as a high school library. San Antonio Public Library items currently housed at the Bannwolf Library will be transferred to other branch libraries throughout the system.

The innovative school-public library partnership opened its doors in October 1999, and its success led to a second collaboration, the Pruitt Public Library at Roosevelt High School. The Pruitt Library will continue its dual service as both a public library and a school library.

Ramiro Salazar, Director of the San Antonio Public Library, thanked partner North East Independent School District: “We appreciate that the North East Independent School District and their librarians embraced this new service model to bring public libraries to underserved areas. The school district’s cooperation and support helped us offer public library service to new neighborhoods and continue to make a difference in our community.”

Former users of the Bannwolf Library are invited to visit the Parman Branch Library to take advantage of the full range of San Antonio Public Library resources, programs and services.

Job hunting? Start @ your library

2011-05-21T20:50:00.004-05:00

Whether you're just graduating from college or high school or thinking of a career change, you're probably making plans to start looking for a job. The San Antonio Public Library is the place to start. We have books and magazines, of course, but more than that, we have information to help you develop a résumé, write an attention-getting cover letter, and prepare for an interview - and it's all at your fingertips at the click of a mouse on our webpage, www.mysapl.org.

Or if you see yourself more as an entrepreneur, the San Antonio Public Library is your partner there, too. From one-on-one counseling with experienced executives to free market research to business and financial news, the Library is a one-stop starting point.

And don't forget: all libraries offer the assistance of trained information specialists to help you find exactly what you're looking for. The best part? It's all free! Visit the San Antonio Public Library today.

2011 Young Pegasus Poets try their wings!

2011-05-10T16:21:00.010-05:00

This weekend San Antonio's young poets will be recognized at the 85th annual Young Pegasus Poetry Awards ceremony, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at the Hermann Sons Grand Lodge, 515 S. St. Mary's. This year more than 2,000 poems were submitted for consideration, with 71 poems by 61 young authors - ranging in age from 6 to 18 - selected for publication in the 2011 Young Pegasus Poetry Anthology. Those lucky enough to attend will hear these creative young writers read their own poems aloud.

Items of interest:

Two new libraries are now open to serve you!

Mission Branch Library, 3134 Roosevelt Avenue 78214 (on the former site of the Mission Drive-in Theatre)
Parman Branch Library in Stone Oak, 20735 Wilderness Oak 78258

Don't forget it's almost time for Summer Reading, sponsored again this year by Mayor Julian Castro! For information on the kids' program, go here, and to find out what the teens are planning, go here.

We couldn't do it without them!

2011-02-03T13:10:00.005-06:00

Do you know someone - a volunteer - who is the support and mainstay of your local branch of the San Antonio Public Library? Someone who is always there to help with storytime, to shelve books, to assist teen services staff with projects? A business or organization that has sent volunteers or donated funds to support Library programming or provide new resources? The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees wants to hear from you!

The Library Board is seeking nominations for the 2011 Library Champion Awards. These awards recognize individuals (not employed by the Library), businesses, and community organizations for their substantial involvement with the Library system, or who have contributed time, talent or resources that resulted in the enhancement of library service in San Antonio.

Anyone may submit a nomination for Library Champion. Previous recipients are eligible for nomination. A nomination form is available on the Library's webpage or by calling (210) 207-2638.

The deadline for nominations is March 1. Recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 17, at the Central Library.

The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees created the Library Champion Awards in 1996 to honor notable contributions to the Library system. Past award recipients include Dr. Amy Freeman Lee, former San Antonio City Manager Alex Briseño, author Barbara Stanush, Wings Press publisher Bryce Milligan, the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, the San Pedro Hills Women's Club, the San Antonio Express-News, and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation.

How many of your New Year's resolutions have you broken?

2011-01-18T12:12:00.006-06:00

January is a little more than half gone. Did you make some New Year's resolutions back on January 1? How many of them are you sticking to? Guest blogger K.G. Wilkins reminds us that your public library is a great place to get the support you need to make those resolutions into reality (we've made just a few edits to make her advice fit San Antonio):

The tradition of starting the New Year right has been around for hundreds of years. Lately, it has sold lots of diet books and exercise equipment. We at the Library are ready for any resolution you might want to make - and at much less cost than the purchase of a new treadmill!

I will lose weight and get in shape: We have the popular diet books and cookbooks that go with finding a newer way to cook. We also have books and videos on exercise and yoga. Our OverDrive selections include e-books that you can read on your computer or portable devices (depending on the title and your device). [Editor's note: your local library might even have exercise classes. One San Antonio branch library offers tai chi, another, line dancing. To see what's available, call your branch library, check our online calendar of events, or pick up a copy of our "Bookmarks" quarterly calendar next time you visit your library.]

I will improve my computer skills: We have in-person instructors on a rotating basis at libraries throughout the system. Other branches offer practice sessions where you can get some personalized coaching from Library staff.

I will learn a language: We have books and CDs and online language courses that you can download from the OverDrive collection at the Library. And our librarians have developed a guide to help you find some of the best resources around - go here to see our recommendations.

I will travel more: We have lots of travel guides and public access computers if you want to shop for a better deal online. We even have a special online page to help you find new places to go and ways to get there. You can also come in and print out your e-ticket at the library from our public access computers or print out a map from Google or Mapquest for your driving vacations.

I will relax: We have books on stress management. We also have lots of music on CD that you can listen to. Exercise is a great way to work off stress, so don't forget all the library resources that can help you there. And don't underestimate the power of a good book to take you away from your daily cares. A lovely romance or an exciting suspense novel or a biography of a character that you admire can give you a regular way to de-compress.

I will do more with my children or grandchildren: Think of taking them to the library and helping them get library cards and visiting regularly. All San Antonio Public Library locations offer free story times and lots of special events through the year. Share the joy of reading and a few wonderful DVD movies and music. Your library card can make for some wonderful memories. (And, while it might not be exactly fun, you can help a struggling student by pointing him or her to our free online live homework help service, tutor.com.)

I will save money: Well, consider that you can check out a DVD, CD, audiobook or printed book free from the library any day. You can use the public access computers for free any day. We have free wi-fi for your laptop web-surfing, or for businesspeople to use if they need a place to work for a while. We also have books on saving money and investing for retirement - all free for you to use.

I will give back to my community: Systemwide, the San Antonio Public Library is used by more than 11,000 people a day. Donating to the San Antonio Public Library Foundation or joining the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library is a way to support our 900,000 plus library card-holders. Your gift will enhance every neighborhood and will support education and self-improvement. Happy New Year! May it be prosperous and healthy for us all.

Guest blogger K.G. Wilkins is a Children's Services Librarian at the Main Branch of the New Orleans Public Library.

Special thanks to the New Orleans Times-Picayune for allowing us to share Ms. Wilkins' article with our readers!

I have a new eReader - now what do I do?

2011-01-09T17:00:00.002-06:00

Get started with your eBook reader!

2011-01-05T10:15:00.004-06:00

Did you get an eBook reader as a holiday gift? Wondering what to do with it? Wonder no more - the San Antonio Public Library wants to help!

From January 10 through early February, the Library will offer free eReader clinics to help you get the most out of your eBook reader. Starting with the basics, you'll soon be using your reader to explore the entire Dewey Decimal System, as well as fiction!

Here's a clinic schedule:
January 10 6:00 p.m. Thousand Oaks Branch Library
January 13 1:00 p.m. Maverick Branch Library
January 15 2:00 p.m. The Tobin Library at Oakwell
January 20 2:00 p.m. McCreless Branch Library
January 22 10:00 a.m. Las Palmas Branch Library
January 23 1:00 p.m. Brook Hollow Branch Library
January 26 6:00 p.m. Great Northwest Branch Library
January 29 3:00 p.m. Cody Branch Library
January 30 11:00 a.m. Igo Branch Library
February 3 6:00 p.m. Central Library
February 5 12:00 noon Landa Branch Library

...and a chance to add to your movie and audiobook library...
With the increasing popularity of new formats such as downloadables, DVDs and CDs, items on tape are not being checked out as often - as a matter of fact, books on tape and movies on VHS account for less than 1% of our annual circulation. So we're giving you the chance to snap some up at great prices, and help the Library too!

On Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9, the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library are holding a special sale of audiobooks on tape and movies on VHS. Proceeds will benefit the Library.

If you're in the neighborhood, check out what's available at one of these locations:

Bazan Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Brook Hollow Branch Library
Saturday, January 8 • 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Carver Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Collins Garden Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

Cortez Branch Library
Saturday, January 8 • 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Johnston Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

Maverick Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

McCreless Branch Library
Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9 • 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

Memorial Branch Library
Saturday, January 8 • 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thousand Oaks Branch Library
Sunday, January 9 • 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Attention SAPL Spurs Fans!

2010-12-17T17:05:00.002-06:00

Are you a Library fan AND a Spurs fan? Here's your chance to support both! Friday, January 14, 2011, is San Antonio Public Library Night with the Spurs, and we're playing the Dallas Mavericks!

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for that night will benefit the Library. To pick your seats and order your tickets online, go here. Then:
• Enter special promotion code: Library
• Create a new account (or log in to your existing one)
• Pick your seats and location
• Enter your billing information and print tickets at home

Tickets are available at a variety of prices, so reserve yours now!

Giving e-book readers as holiday gifts?

2010-12-09T16:29:00.010-06:00

We keep hearing that e-book readers will be among the most popular gifts this holiday season - as we mentioned earlier, don't forget to tuck a Library card application in before you wrap your presents! Your gift recipients will appreciate the ability to download free e-books, audiobooks, movies and music online.

If you're wondering about what kind of reader to buy, probably one that can download from multiple sources would be best. To find out what kinds of e-book readers support free library downloads, go here - there's a wide range of compatible readers. The library also has more general information about digital resources and how to access them here.

And watch for more information about special sessions we'll be offering after the holidays to help you get started using your brand-new digital reader!

Holiday shopping? Think about a Library card!

2010-11-19T09:12:00.006-06:00

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, consumer electronic sales will reach the highest level ever this year. Here’s what this means: 7 out of 10 wish list items support e-Book reading.

Okay, so it looks like just about everyone on your gift list will want an e-Book reader this year. That makes shopping easy, but once the gifts have been unwrapped, where will all the recipients find books to read?

Here's a helpful San Antonio Public Library holiday hint: include an application for a Library card with every e-Book reader or mp3 player you give! We have more than 2,000 e-book titles and more than 4,000 audiobook titles available for free download 24/7 on our website. A San Antonio Public Library card is free, and any resident of Bexar County is eligible to receive one. You can pick up a library card application at any San Antonio Public Library location, and your gift recipients will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

It's ¡Tamalada! time @ the Library!

2010-10-25T14:39:00.014-05:00

UPDATE: All tickets have been distributed and are no longer available.

Tickets for the San Antonio Public Library’s popular annual holiday celebration ¡Tamalada! will be available at the Central Library, 600 Soledad, beginning Monday, November 1, when the library opens at 9:00 a.m.

¡Tamalada! gives San Antonians a chance to enjoy the long-standing tradition of getting together at the home of a friend or relative to make tamales for the upcoming holiday season. The Library’s version offers two classes on how to make tamales, with a choice of times, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., or 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m., followed at 2:30 p.m. by a preview presentation of the hilarious bilingual play Las Nuevas Tamaleras, a San Antonio holiday tradition in its own right.

This year’s ¡Tamalada! is scheduled for Saturday, November 20. All activities are free and open to the public, but seating is limited, and tickets are required for admission. Each customer may pick up two tickets for a tamal class and two tickets for the Las Nuevas Tamaleras performance, while supplies last.

The cooking classes are presented by Sandra Vásquez, the inventor of the Más Tamales masa spreader. Sandra offers glimpses into the long tamalada tradition while giving tips on short cuts and time-savers to help busy families make their own tamales.

A comedy which can be enjoyed by English-speakers and Spanish-speakers alike, Las Nuevas Tamaleras follows the adventures of three modern Hispanic women as they try their hands at making tamales for the first time. During their “ordeal” they are guided by the spirits of traditional Hispanic women who have been allowed to return as invisible angels to oversee the project.

Las Nuevas Tamaleras was written and is directed by San Antonio author and playwright Alicia Mena, and first opened in Houston at El Teatro Bilingüe’s First Annual Latino Playwright’s Festival. Its first San Antonio performance was in 1993 at the Guadalupe Cultural Center, and it has since become an annual tradition.

¡Tamalada! is presented by Bolner’s Fiesta Products, Burras Finas Productions, Mex-Sales Company, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, and the San Antonio Public Library.

Welcome home, Fiesta Tower!

2010-10-21T09:47:00.014-05:00

In October 2009, Dale Chihuly’s colorful glass sculpture, Fiesta Tower, was disassembled from its display location in the Central Library and placed in secure storage during roof work and replacement of the Central Library’s skylights located directly over the tower.

Now the Fiesta Tower has been reinstalled and the Central Library’s second-floor atrium will shortly reopen.

To celebrate the Fiesta Tower’s homecoming, the San Antonio Public Library will host a family craft event from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, in the second-floor atrium at the Central Library, 600 Soledad.

During the come-and-go event, local artist Susie Monday will guide participants in creating their own Chihuly-style works of art. The event is free and open to the public. One hour of free parking is available in the library parking garage with validated ticket.

A gift of the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts through a grant to the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, the Fiesta Tower was originally installed in the Central Library in 2003 as part of the celebration of the San Antonio Public Library’s 100th anniversary.

Notes: The Memorial Branch Library, 3222 Culebra Road, will close for renovations on Monday, November 8, 2010. The project is expected to take approximately one month to complete.

All San Antonio Public Library locations will be closed on Thursday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read

2010-09-24T16:11:00.003-05:00

Saturday, September 25, sees the kickoff of Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The website of the American Library Association, which originated the annual observance, says, “Intellectual freedom – the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular – provides the foundation for Banned Books Week, [which] stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.”

Most of the books spotlighted during Banned Books Week have been the subject of challenges about their inclusion in school or public library collections, or on students’ assigned reading lists. Books that have been challenged or removed include The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Twilight series, Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind, the Goosebumps series, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, A Wrinkle in Time, and probably some of your favorites (I know some of mine are in the list above.)

Why is it important to talk about this? I think it’s because we are reminded that if you or I can ban a book someone else likes, then it’s entirely possible that a book we find important can be banned as well. Part of the price of an open conversation is that sometimes we might hear something we don’t like.

If you’re interested in continuing the conversation about what we read, join us on Thursday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad, when Dotty Griffith, ACLU of Texas Public Education Director, will discuss the Banned Books report for this year. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird, she will also reflect on the book’s significance for us today.

What books would you want to protect? Drop us a line and let us know.

¡Viva Mexico! The San Antonio Public Library celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

2010-09-13T14:45:00.008-05:00

In 2010 nuestro vecino to the south is celebrating the Bicentennial of Mexican Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution, and the San Antonio Public Library is honoring this observance during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.

Join us at the Cortez Branch Library from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, for ¡Viva México!, a celebration in music, story and art of Mexico's battles for independence and democratic government.

All month long, there will be programs at branch libraries throughout the City. Pick up a calendar of events at your library, or visit our online calendar (click on "Hispanic Heritage Month" at the top of the page), and look for these activities:

Crafts, Humor and Short Stories - a series of short animated films focusing on the war for Mexican independence and the Mexican Revolution.

Rhythm of a Revolution - how corridos motivated the Mexican revolution, with special performances by Los Inocentes.

Children are also included, with El águila y la serpiente, a craft series based on the eagle and snake imagery of the Mexican flag. Call your branch library for details, or pick up a calendar of events on your next visit.

You're invited! All programs are free and open to the public.

Reminders: The Central Library, 600 Soledad, is open, even though renovations are underway.

The McCreless Branch Library, 1023 Ada Street, is currently closed for renovations

The San Antonio Public Library invites young authors to try their wings!

2010-09-08T09:56:00.009-05:00

For more than eighty years, the San Antonio Public Library's Young Pegasus Poetry Competition has encouraged young authors to try their wings. Open to all Bexar County teens and children eighteen or younger, the Young Pegasus Competition offers poets the opportunity to share their works with the community, and to have their talents recognized. Each year, these young authors are invited to submit their poems for consideration by the Young Pegasus judges. All poems selected are published in the Young Pegasus Poetry Anthology, and the writers recognized at the Young Pegasus award ceremony.

The call for entries for the 2011 Young Pegasus Poetry Competition opens September 15 and will run December 15, 2010. Poems may be submitted online, in person at any San Antonio Public Library location, or by mail to:

Young Pegasus

San Antonio Public Library

600 Soledad, 3rd Floor

San Antonio, Texas 78205

For more information and a list of competition rules, please go to http://guides.mysapl.org/youngpegasus.

Getting ready for back-to-school? Don't forget your San Antonio Public Library card!

2010-08-21T17:15:00.000-05:00

August in San Antonio means back-to-school. When you're shopping for school supplies, don't forget the most important one is free: a San Antonio Public Library card! A Library card gives you access not only to thousands of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs, but also to the Library's extensive online resources - full-text journal articles, e-books, downloadables, practice tests and more.

One of the most helpful of the Library's online resources is Live Homework Help. Students can visit this site for free tutoring in real time from qualified tutors in a safe online environment. Tutoring is available in math, science, social studies, and language arts, in both English and Spanish. Tutors are graduate students, teachers, and college professors. They must all undergo background checks and become certified. The Library's Live Homework Help connection is open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week, and it's free with your San Antonio Public Library card, which is also free! Visit the Library's website www.mysapl.org or call (210) 207-2500 for more information.

Getting ready for back-to-school? Don't forget your San Antonio Public Library card!

2010-08-18T08:42:00.009-05:00

August in San Antonio means back-to-school. When you're shopping for school supplies, don't forget the most important one is free: a San Antonio Public Library card! A Library card gives you access not only to thousands of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs, but also to the Library's extensive online resources - full-text journal articles, e-books, downloadables, practice tests and more.

One of the most helpful of the Library's online resources is Live Homework Help. Students can visit this site for free tutoring in real time from qualified tutors in a safe online environment. Tutoring is available in math, science, social studies, and language arts, in both English and Spanish. Tutors are graduate students, teachers, and college professors. They must all undergo background checks and become certified. The Library's Live Homework Help connection is open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week, and it's free with your San Antonio Public Library card, which is also free! Visit the Library's website www.mysapl.org or call (210) 207-2500 for more information.

If you plan to finish up your back-to-school shopping this weekend, look for the San Antonio Public Library Bookmobile! On Saturday, August 21, we'll be at Ingram Park Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and at Rolling Oaks Mall from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stop by, say hello and get a Library card!

Everyone has a story, and StoryCorps Historias wants yours!

2010-08-09T16:17:00.008-05:00

¡Cuénteme un cuento! Everyone has a story to tell, and StoryCorps Historias wants to hear yours! They will be in San Antonio on August 15, 16, and 17, at the Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road. All it takes is you and a friend or family member to have a conversation about your experiences, your memories, your thoughts, or your plans.

StoryCorps Historias is an initiative to record the diverse stories and life experiences of Latinos in the United States. This is an opportunity to record those stories your grandmother always tells you, share what you remember about your mother, honor that uncle who served in the armed forces, or tell why you are in San Antonio - anything meaningful to you and your community. Sharing these stories celebrates our history, honors our heritage, and captures the true spirit of our community. It will ensure that the voices of Latinos will be preserved and remembered for generations to come.

When you record your story, you’ll have a meaningful experience captured on CD to share with your friends, family, and community. With your permission, a copy will be archived at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear.

Individuals (the interviewer and the interviewee) are invited to make a reservation to record their stories by contacting Rebecca Alvarez at Las Palmas, 434-6394, during library service hours. Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m., end at 3:30p.m., and are scheduled at one-hour intervals. The recording session runs for approximately 40 minutes.

You're invited to visit the StoryCorps Historias website http://storycorps.org/historias-en/ for details, and a list of Great Questions to start planning your conversation.

We're still gathering opinions about our web page, www.mysapl.org. Please visit the page, then take a few minutes to complete this brief questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mysapl. Thank you!

It's a work in progress - give us your opinion!

2010-07-27T16:42:00.003-05:00

In 2009 the San Antonio Public Library launched its new website. Like all websites, it's under continual improvement. We'd like to ask you to take a few minutes to give us your opinion about the website. Please take a look at the page, www.mysapl.org, try out some of the features, then click here to answer a few brief questions.

Please ask your friends and family to visit our web page and complete the questionnaire at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mysapl as well.

Thank you for helping us make our website better!

WWE stars visit Central Library to promote reading

2010-07-23T15:59:00.003-05:00

WWE superstars John Morrison and Gail Kim will visit the Central Library, 600 Soledad, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, July 26, to promote the WrestleMania Reading Challenge. A partnership between the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and World Wrestling Entertainment, the Reading Challenge offers students from grades 5 through 12 the chance to win trips to WrestleMania in Atlanta on April 2, 2011, and $2,000 WrestleMania grants for their libraries. WWE stars are on a nationwide tour to promote the reading program. During their stop at the Central Library, Morrison and Kim will sign autographs for fans who show their library cards.

For more information on the WWE, go to http://www.wwe.com/, and to learn more about the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, go to http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/wrmc/wrmc.cfm.

The event is free and open to the public. One hour free parking is available in the Library parking garage with validated ticket.

The Old Spice Guy speaks up for libraries

2010-07-15T16:37:00.006-05:00

The Old Spice Guy, whose commercials promoting the men's toiletry line have gone viral on the Internet, stepped out of the shower long enough to say a few words about public libraries. It's official: guys can be real guys and enjoy a good book - or movie - or music.

Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu-KBxOtJxs.

It's not too late - you can still sign up for Summer Reading!

2010-07-12T09:04:00.004-05:00

Mayor Julián Castro has declared June and July "San Antonio Public Library Summer Reading Months," and urges everyone to spend some time reading this summer - see Mayor Castro's special Summer Reading message here! Noting that parents have a strong influence on their children's reading habits, he said, "It needs to start at birth - my wife and I read to our daughter every day." The Mayor and Mrs. Castro have also signed their little girl up for her first-ever Library Summer Reading Program.

The San Antonio Public Library offers Summer Reading activities for children and teens up to age 18. Participants can also win books to keep for themselves! For more information, or to register, visit the Library's web page, http://www.mysapl.org/.

And stay tuned for information about the Library's end-of-Summer-Reading parties!

Sometimes you want to buy instead of borrow...

2010-07-01T14:30:00.009-05:00

...pick up some great bargains and help the Library at the same time!

Friday through Sunday, July 9 through 11, the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library will hold their annual Tent Sale featuring books, videos, CDs, audiobooks and LP records (yes, real vinyl!) in the Book Cellar Used Book Store in the basement of the Central Library 600 Soledad. Sale hours will be 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Friends want to be sure everyone knows that the Book Cellar and the Central Library are open even though building renovations are underway.

The Book Cellar will be closed during the day on Thursday, July 8, to get ready for the sale, but will reopen from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening for a special preview sale for Friends members. Not a member? You can sign up at the door on Thursday, and get first choice at one of the biggest book sales around!

Proceeds from the sale benefit the Library. For more information, call the Book Cellar at (210) 227-9519.

Everbody's doing it! Join Mayor Castro and sign your family up for Summer Reading!

2010-06-21T10:32:00.004-05:00

Celebrate Juneteenth at Carver Branch Library!

2010-06-14T12:00:00.008-05:00

In observance of Juneteenth, the Carver Branch Library, 3350 E. Commerce Street, will host a special appearance by actress/author Bern Nadette Stanis, best known for her role as Thelma on the hit TV series Good Times. The event will take place beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 19.

Ms. Stanis is also the author of Situations 101 and For Men Only, a book of poetry. She will participate in a panel discussion on "Images of Blacks in Media: Literature, TV and Film." The panel will also feature authors Caleb Alexander, Chris Cannon, Darine Davis, T.L. James, R.L. Sloan, Cynthia Toliver, Kimberly Kaye Terry, Tamika Newhouse and Lorraine Elzia.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (210) 225-7801.

To learn more about Juneteenth, visit one of the branches of the San Antonio Public Library.

***

Do you remember Good Times? It was one of the hottest shows of the 1970s and featured Esther Rolle, John Amos, Jimmie Walker and Ja'Net DuBois, as well as Bern Nadette Stanis. Jimmie Walker's character J.J. gave us the catch phrase "Dy-No-Mite!" Add a comment and share your thoughts on Good Times.

Everybody's doing it! Join the Mayor and his family for Summer Reading 2010!

2010-06-06T20:19:00.007-05:00

Mayor Julián Castro has declared June and July "San Antonio Public Library Summer Reading Months," and urges everyone to spend some time reading this summer - see Mayor Castro's special Summer Reading message here! Noting that parents have a strong influence on their children's reading habits, he said, "It needs to start at birth - my wife and I read to our daughter every day." The Mayor and Mrs. Castro have also signed their little girl up for her first-ever Library Summer Reading Program.

The San Antonio Public Library offers Summer Reading activities for children and teens up to age 18. Participants can also win books to keep for themselves! For more information, or to register, visit the Library's web page, http://www.mysapl.org/.

And, speaking of summer reading, what books do you recommend for fun summer reads? One of my favorites is a science fiction classic, James Schmitz's The Witches of Karres. Share your recommendations in the "comment" section of this blog.

More IMAX fun for San Antonio Public Library cardholders!

2010-06-01T23:59:00.003-05:00

Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience

The IMAX 3D Rivercenter offers San Antonio Public Library customers the opportunity to purchase tickets for Shrek Forever After online at 50% off the box-office price of $14.00. Not only can you get a great discount, the IMAX will donate $1.00 to the Library for every ticket sold online!

To take advantage of this offer, go to http://www.imax-sa.com/offers/sanantoniolibrary, make your purchase and enter code LIB510. Offer available through June 6.

The San Antonio Public Library wants your opinion!

2010-05-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

As the next step in its strategic planning process, the San Antonio Public Library is conducting a public survey to gather community input on current library resources and services as well as new directions the library should take in the future. A questionnaire has been mailed to households throughout the City and County covering topics such as how people currently use the library, what needs exist for new resources and services, and what the priorities are for library service in the next five years. Both library users and non-users are included in the survey.

Library Director Ramiro Salazar emphasized the importance of responding to the survey. “Customer service is the highest priority of the San Antonio Public Library. As we plan the San Antonio Public Library of the future, it is essential to have input from the entire community, both those who use libraries regularly and those who use them infrequently or not at all. We ask that everyone who receives a survey complete and return it.” Mr. Salazar noted that, in order to ensure responses from a wide range of County residents, the survey was available in both English and Spanish.

The Community Needs Assessment survey is being administered by consultants ETC Institute and is funded through gifts and donations to the Library. For more information the public may call (210) 207-2631.

More IMAX fun for San Antonio Public Library cardholders!

2010-05-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience

The IMAX 3D Rivercenter offers San Antonio Public Library customers the opportunity to purchase tickets for Shrek Forever After online at 50% off the box-office price of $14.00.

Not only can you get a great discount, the IMAX will donate $1.00 to the Library for every ticket sold online!

To take advantage of this offer, go to http://www.imax-sa.com/offers/sanantoniolibrary, make
your purchase and enter code LIB510. Offer available through June 6.

Mark your (new) calendar!

2010-05-17T18:15:00.009-05:00

UPDATE: The calendar is now live! Check it out at http://www.mysapl.org/calendar.aspx.

On May 26, the San Antonio Public Library will debut its new online calendar system. Provided by Trumba Corporation, whose clients include the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University and the New York Times, the calendar comes with a host of new features for SAPL patrons. Need a text message reminder of an event or want to share an event on your Facebook wall? The new calendar has got you covered.

The simpler design and search interface will make it easier for you to find your favorite story times, book clubs and special events both at the library and in the community. Please note that e-mail and RSS feed subscribers to the old calendar will need to sign up for new subscriptions in order to keep receiving information.

We hope the new calendar will fit your needs and the way you plan your schedule more closely, and help you keep up-to-date with everything that's happening at the San Antonio Public Library!

San Antonio’s Young Poets Take Flight!

2010-05-04T17:39:00.007-05:00

For more than 80 years, the San Antonio Public Library has celebrated the talents of the city’s young writers with the Young Pegasus Poetry Competition. At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 16, in the Hermann Sons Grand Lodge at 515 S. St. Mary’s Street, the Library will present the Awards Ceremony for the 65 young poets selected in the 2010 Young Pegasus competition. Begun by the Library in 1927, the Young Pegasus Poetry Competition is the longest-running such program in the country. It has been a springboard for success in fields ranging from literature to the law. Previous Young Pegasus poets have included such outstanding San Antonians as Jay Brandon, Henry Cisneros, Naomi Shihab Nye and County Court-at-Law Judge Michael Mery.

Open to children 18 and under, the Young Pegasus Poetry Competition was begun to celebrate Book Week (now called National Children’s Book Week). This year 2,242 poems were submitted for consideration and 82 were selected for publication. The youngest poet recognized is 4 years old; the oldest is 18.

Join us as we celebrate the imagination and talent of our city's next generation of writers!

2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 16
Hermann Sons Grand Lodge
515 S. St. Mary's Street

We're starting the Mission Branch Library celebration early!

2010-04-30T10:37:00.002-05:00

The new Mission Branch of the San Antonio Public Library will open in 2011, but the celebration is starting a year early! On Saturday, May 1, at Mission San José, 6701 San José Drive, District 3 City Council Member Jennifer Ramos, Scholastic, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and the San Antonio Public Library will host a Reading Fiesta. The festivities will kick off at 9:00 a.m. and run to 11:30.

Highlight of the event will be two performances by musician/author/educator José Luís Orozco, one at 9:30 a.m., and one at 10:45 a.m. Local authors Diane Gonzales Bertrand, Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Roxanna Montes-Bazaldua and Carmen Tafolla will read from their children’s books, and and artist/illustrator Terry Ybáñez has organized family crafts based on the stories. Participants can also visit the Scholastic Literacy Caravan and the Library’s Bookmobile.

As part of the Library’s Be One in a Million Library card campaign, the Reading Fiesta will be an opportunity to sign up for a San Antonio Public Library card.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (210) 225-4728.

Congratulations to the George Washington Carver Branch Library!

2010-04-19T18:53:00.007-05:00

Carver Branch Library: 80 years of service to the community

In 1929, the George Washington Carver Branch Library first opened its doors in what is now the location of the Carver Community Cultural Center. The location has changed since then, but a library by that name has offered continuous service to the community for 80 years.

In 2010, the library celebrates its 80th anniversary. If you haven't visited this lively, busy branch library, stop by 3350 E. Commerce to check it out.

George Washington Carver Branch Library: 80 years of service to the community

2010-04-13T18:48:00.003-05:00

In 1929, the George Washington Carver Branch Library first opened its doors in what is now the location of the Carver Community Cultural Center. The location has changed since then, but a library by that name has offered continuous service to the community for 80 years.

On Saturday, April 17, the Carver Branch Library, 3350 E. Commerce, invites everyone to celebrate its 80th anniversary. There will be a family storytime with crafts, computer gaming, a presentation from a gardener's perspective about George Washington Carver's role in history and refreshments. Activities kick off at 11:00 a.m. The first 100 guests will receive a Library book bag. For more information call (210) 225-7801.

The San Antonio Public Library is celebrating this weekend!

2010-04-07T13:59:00.003-05:00

You're invited:

Residents of the neighborhoods around the Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Boulevard, have probably noticed that there has been a lot of work going on there over the past several months. On Saturday, April 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the branch will host an open house for everyone to check out the latest improvements! There will be family fun with special storytimes, games, health screenings and more. Free and open to the public - be there!

Providing good public service is the Library's most important goal, and we couldn't do what we do without our volunteers. At the Library Champion Awards, 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, we will honor those in our community who have made outstanding contributions to library service in San Antonio. The ceremony will take place in the Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad. Free and open to the public.

Get great discounts on tickets to Alice in Wonderland 3D!

2010-03-27T16:00:00.003-05:00

Your San Antonio Public Library card can get you great discounts at the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter Theaters. From now until March 31, the IMAX 3D Rivercenter is offering San Antonio Public Library cardholders discounts of up to $2.25 on admissions to the new hit movie Alice in Wonderland. Just go to http://www.imax-sa.com/offers/sanantoniolibrary/ webpage to find out how to take advantage of this super offer.

...AND, from now through December 31, 2010, your San Antonio Public Library card can get you a discount of $1.50 on other movies at the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter Theaters. Just show your Library card when you buy your tickets - discount good on up to six admissions!

You'll be helping the San Antonio Public Library, too. The IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter will donate $1.00 to the San Antonio Public Library for every ticket purchased with a San Antonio Public Library card! For more information on how to take advantage of these offers, go to http://www.imax-sa.com/, or call (210) 247-4629.

San Antonio Public Library cards are free to all residents of Bexar County - just stop by any San Antonio Public Library location to register. You will need a photo ID and proof of residence within the County.

Be one in a million - get your San Antonio Public Library card today!

The Big Read 2010: magic, destiny, and a young boy's journey into the mystical world of the curandera!

2010-03-24T08:00:00.004-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library presents The Big Read 2010: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya.

You're invited to join the entire community as we read and discuss this modern classic, a story of good and evil, ancient traditions and the modern world, healing and curses, and worship and witchcraft.

The Big Read 2010 kicks off on Saturday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. with two very special events:

Bazan Branch Library

2200 W. Commerce Street • (210) 225-1614
Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz and the Teokalli Aztec Dancers

Las Palmas Branch Library

515 Castroville Road • (210) 434-6394
District 5 City Council Member David Ortiz and the Conjunto Heritage Taller

Pick up a calendar of events at any San Antonio Public Library location or visit our website and click on "Events Calendar," keyword "Big Read".

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

Partners for The Big Read San Antonio include the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Texas Public Radio, KLRN Television, Amegy Bank of Texas, and the San Antonio Herb Society.

Get great discounts on tickets to Alice in Wonderland 3D!

2010-03-21T14:00:00.004-05:00

Your San Antonio Public Library card can get you great discounts at the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter Theaters. From now until March 31, the IMAX 3D Rivercenter is offering San Antonio Public Library cardholders discounts of up to $2.25 on admissions to the new hit movie Alice in Wonderland. Just go to http://www.imax-sa.com/offers/sanantoniolibrary/ webpage to find out how to take advantage of this super offer.

...AND, from now through December 31, 2010, your San Antonio Public Library card can get you a discount of $1.50 on other movies at the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter Theaters. Just show your Library card when you buy your tickets - discount good on up to six admissions! You'll be helping the San Antonio Public Library, too. The IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter will donate $1.00 to the San Antonio Public Library for every ticket purchased with a San Antonio Public Library card!

For more information on how to take advantage of these offers, go to http://www.imax-sa.com/, or call (210) 247-4629.

San Antonio Public Library cards are free to all residents of Bexar County - just stop by any San Antonio Public Library location to register. You will need a photo ID and proof of residence within the County.

Be one in a million - get your San Antonio Public Library card today!

Special benefits for San Antonio Public Library users!

2010-03-17T10:40:00.007-05:00

We love to partner with other San Antonio businesses and organizations, and here are two special offers for San Antonio Public Library cardholders:

Do you love the San Antonio Symphony? Want to introduce your kids to great music? This Sunday, March 21, at 2:30 p.m., at Trinity's Laurie Auditorium, the Symphony is presenting one of its great Family Series programs, Aesop's Fables - and you're invited! Pre-concert activities begin at 1:30 a.m., and you and your family can get free admission for an afternoon of music and fun. Donate a new children's or teens' book for the San Antonio Public Library Summer Reading Program and receive a free ticket - one ticket per book! For more information about how to redeem books for tickets, please call (210) 554-1010. For more information about the San Antonio Symphony, go to http://www.sasymphony.org/. To read about Aesop's Fables or to listen to more music, visit your nearest library, or our website http://www.mysapl.org/.

But - as they say on TV - wait! There's more! Your San Antonio Public Library card can get you great discounts at the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter Theaters. From now until March 31, the IMAX 3D Rivercenter is offering San Antonio Public Library cardholders discounts of up to $2.25 on admissions to the new hit movie Alice in Wonderland. Just go to http://www.imax-sa.com/offers/sanantoniolibrary/ webpage to find out how to take advantage of this super offer. (And look for more great offers to come from the IMAX and IMAX 3D Rivercenter.)

San Antonio Public Library cards are free to all residents of Bexar County - just stop by any San Antonio Public Library location to register. You will need a photo ID and proof of residence within the County.

Be one in a million - get your San Antonio Public Library card today!

What's new @ your library? Get updates sent directly to your inbox!

2010-03-01T09:39:00.000-06:00

Did you know you can find out the newest movies, music, and books available at the San Antonio Public Library? Sign up with Wowbrary and get regular updates on new arrivals at the library!

Wowbrary regularly informs you by email or RSS about your chosen public library’s newest books, movies and music. They make it easy for you to browse through the latest additions and place a hold on a new title. And the best part? It's all free, a service supported by grants, donations, sponsorships, book sale commissions and volunteers.

To start getting updates, go to http://www.wowbrary.org/signup.aspx and enter your ZIP Code. You'll be walked through a few simple steps, and it's done. It's just that easy!

And speaking of new books, what have you read lately that you'd like to recommend (or not) to your fellow San Antonians? Send us a brief review in the comments to this blog.

Deadline Extended for Library Champion Award nominations!

2010-02-08T17:38:00.007-06:00

Do you know someone who's always there when the doors open at your branch library, volunteering to help with any and all projects? Someone who helps shelve books, helps raise funds, helps plant new landscaping, or helps get craft projects ready for children's storytime?

The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees wants to recognize those special people whose hard work and support make it possible for us to offer great service to all our customers.

The Library Board is seeking nominations for the 2010 Library Champion Awards. These awards recognize individuals (not employed by the Library) and community organizations for their substantial involvement with the Library system, or who have contributed time, talent or resources that resulted in the enhancement of library service in San Antonio. The deadline for nominations is February 24. Recipients will be recognized at a ceremony on April 11.

Nomination forms are available by calling (210) 207-2638 or e-mailing elizabeth.graham@sanantonio.gov. Completed forms may be mailed to the San Antonio Public Library Public Relations Office, 600 Soledad Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205; faxed to (210) 207-2603; or emailed to elizabeth.graham@sanantonio.gov.

The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees created the Library Champion Awards in 1996 to honor notable contributions to the Library system.

Free downloadables! We'll show you how!

2010-01-27T15:14:00.004-06:00

Find out how to download FREE books, video and music to your mobile device from the San Antonio Public Library website!

Overdrive's Digital Bookmobile is visiting San Antonio for two days in early February. Their friendly, helpful staff will walk you through the steps to get free downloadables on your mp3, iPod, or other mobile device. Stop by one of our locations:

Wednesday, February 3 • 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.

Igo Branch Library • 13330 Kyle Seale Parkway

Thursday, February 4 • 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Pruitt Public Library @ Roosevelt High School • 5110 Walzem Road

All you need to get started is a San Antonio Public Library card! Don't have a card? You can sign up for one at the same time.

What's new @ your library? Get updates sent directly to your inbox!

2010-01-27T11:39:00.001-06:00

"Rubes" creator to appear at Central Library Tuesday, January 26

2010-01-25T14:41:00.001-06:00

Leigh Rubin, creator of the nationally syndicated cartoon "Rubes," will make a special appearance at the Central Library, 600 Soledad, on Tuesday, January 26. Rubin’s laugh-filled presentation, “A Twisted Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” begins at 7:00 p.m. and will cover the creative and technical aspects of cartooning.

Rubes has drawn many comparisons to Gary Larson’s iconic "The Far Side," with animals as central characters and absurd twists applied to normal situations. His simple observations and sharp wit have brought smiles to millions worldwide and provided Rubin a successful 25-year career.

Audience members will be able to purchase "Rubes" merchandise and have items signed by the cartoonist at the event, and library cardholders will be able to checkout copies of several of his cartoon collections. One lucky guest will even get to walk away with a high-quality autographed print to be given away by the library.

What's new @ your library? Get updates sent directly to your inbox!

2010-01-19T11:00:00.003-06:00

Did you know you can find out the newest movies, music, and books available at the San Antonio Public Library?

Sign up with Wowbrary and get regular updates on new arrivals at the library! Wowbrary regularly informs you by email or RSS about your chosen public library’s newest books, movies and music. They make it easy for you to browse through the latest additions and place a hold on a new title. And the best part? It's all free, a service supported by grants, donations, sponsorships, book sale commissions and volunteers.

To start getting updates, go to http://www.wowbrary.org/signup.aspx and enter your ZIP Code. You'll be walked through a few simple steps, and it's done. It's just that easy! And speaking of new books, what have you read lately that you'd like to recommend (or not) to your fellow San Antonians? Send us a brief review in the comments to this blog.

Some SAPL online services unavailable

2010-01-15T14:43:00.006-06:00

UPDATE: Our server upgrade is still underway and so our services are still offline. We are working to bring everything back up as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience!

While we upgrade our server on Monday, January 18, some San Antonio Public Library online resources and services will be unavailable.

During this period, you will not be able to:

Renew items by telephone or online

Place holds online

Access the catalog

Access your account (check due dates, renew items, etc.)

Access databases

Since January 18 is a holiday, all San Antonio Public Library locations will be closed and no items will be due.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. All services are scheduled to be back online Tuesday, January 19. Thank you for your patience.

Everybody needs friends...

2010-01-13T09:45:00.003-06:00

...and the Library is no exception!

The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library help keep us going. Their mission is to promote public use of the library and appreciation of its great value to the community. They provide everything from monetary donations to volunteers to assist with library activities throughout the city. Most branch libraries have their own Friends groups who also help out with specific projects at those libraries.

Now there's a new group getting started: The Friends of the Central Library. If you think of the Central Library as "your" library, you're invited to join the Central Friends. Adult memberships start as low as $15 a year, and your funds and your efforts go to support the work of the San Antonio Public Library.

For more information on how to join the Friends of the Central Library, please call 207-2829.

The San Antonio Public Library is growing!

2010-01-11T11:06:00.006-06:00

The Stone Oak area is one of San Antonio's fastest-growing communities, and the San Antonio Public Library is growing too, so we can provide service to these new neighborhoods!

At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, District 9 City Council Representative Elisa Chan will be joined by representatives from the City Manager's office, the Library Board of Trustees, and Library management for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction for the new Parman Branch Library at Stone Oak, located at 20735 Wilderness Oak.

Scheduled to open in early 2011, the 15,000-square-foot library will include a children's area, a teen section, and a community meeting room. Like all branches of the San Antonio Public Library, the branch will offer computers and internet access, Wi-Fi service, a broad range of programs for all ages, and, of course, books, magazines, newspapers and digital resources.

Stay on the lookout for more information about this great new branch library!

San Antonio Public Library virtual collection grows with "Local and Regional History Online"

2010-01-04T09:55:00.003-06:00

Local and Regional History Online tells the story of America through the words and images of Arcadia Publishing's award-winning collection of local history titles. History comes alive at a level of detail not often seen, through such titles as Fort Lauderdale in Vintage Postcards and Cleveland's Gospel Music. All told, the ebook collection contains 157,000 pages and 255,000 images, which are fully browsable and searchable by time, place, person and more.

You can also browse our entire database collection and get magazine and newspaper articles, find new customers for your business, locate your ancestors in Census records, connect to a live, online tutor and much more.

We're back! Central Library re-opens on December 28

2009-12-27T11:52:00.002-06:00

The Central Library, 600 Soledad, is scheduled to reopen on Monday, December 28, on its regular schedule, after being closed for two weeks to allow work on the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and repairs to roof and deck drains. This work was part of the ongoing Central Library weatherization project.

The Central Library’s operating hours are:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library Book Cellar used book store will remain closed until January 4, 2010.

The javaNook Café on the ground floor of the Central Library will be open December 28-31, closing January 1, 2010, for New Year’s Day, and reopening Saturday, January 2, 2010.

For more information, the public may call (210) 207-2500 or visit www.mysapl.org.

Central Library to close for two weeks

2009-12-04T17:10:00.001-06:00

The Central Library, 600 Soledad, will be closed to the public for two weeks, December 14 through December 27, to allow work on the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and repairs to roof and deck drains. The work is a phase in the ongoing Central Library weatherization project.

During the closure, library patrons who have placed materials on hold and requested that they be delivered to the Central Library will be able to pick their items up from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the library entrance on Soledad Street.

Borrowed items may be returned to the book drop by the Central Library entrance, or at any other San Antonio Public Library location. They may also be renewed online on the Library web page, by phone at (210) 207-6121 (toll-free 1-866-432-8950), or in person at any San Antonio Public Library branch.

A San Antonio Public Library card may be used at any San Antonio Public Library location. The libraries nearest the Central Library are:

San Pedro Branch Library
1315 San Pedro Avenue
(210) 733-1454

Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Avenue
(210) 732-8369

A list of all branch libraries can be found on the San Antonio Public Library web page.

The javaNook Café at the Central Library entrance will remain open for business during the closure, as will the library parking garage.

For more information, the public may call (210) 207-2500 or visit the Library's web page.

Just in time for holiday shopping!

2009-11-29T20:00:00.009-06:00

Forget Black Friday - get ready for 50% Monday...and Tuesday, and Wednesday and Thursday and...! From Monday, November 30, through Sunday, December 6, everything in the Book Cellar will be on sale for 50% off!

Shop for holiday relaxation reading for yourself, or pick up gifts for everyone on your list, from kids to teens to adults. You'll find books, movies and music, all at half price.

Operated by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, the Book Cellar is located in the basement of the Central Library, 600 Soledad. Operating hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday. The Book Cellar is open from 11:00 a.m. t0 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

Proceeds from sales at the Book Cellar benefit the San Antonio Public Library, so stop by this week to pick up some bargains and help your library at the same time!

Are you a movie buff? Looking for the first season of "Pushing Daisies"?

2009-11-10T14:25:00.005-06:00

Your San Antonio Public Library card is a free ticket to a world of entertainment! Whether you're a fan of Bogart and Bacall or Ferrell and Sandler, the Library has movies and TV programs available for checkout at no charge - and you can keep them for up to one week and renew your checkout period for an additional week if you need to! Even easier, in some cases you can download video to your MP3 device.

To find out what's available, just go to the San Antonio Public Library webpage, http://www.mysapl.org/. Items on DVD or VHS can be found in the online catalog. (If what you're looking for isn't available at your branch library, put it on hold and it will be sent to you at the location you specify.) To see what the downloadable offerings are, click on "Services" at the top of the page, then scroll down to the "Digital Downloads" section.

If you need help, you can always call our general information line at (210) 207-2500.

Happy viewing!

The San Antonio Public Library wants your opinion!

2009-10-26T09:29:00.005-05:00

The Library is conducting a Community Needs Assessment to help us determine the course we should take for the next several years – what services we should offer, where new libraries are needed, how we can improve our services – anything and everything about the Library is under discussion.

Whether you use the Library a lot, a little, or not at all, we would like to hear from you. If you use the Library a lot, what can we do to make your Library experience even better? If you use the Library a little, what would help you to take advantage of more of our resources and services more often? And if you don’t use the Library at all, we would appreciate it if you would take some time to tell us why not.

We'd like to invite you to participate in a focus group to share your opinions about the Library. Focus groups will be held at the branch libraries listed below. Please join us to let us hear your thoughts. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please call Beth Graham at 207-2638, Roberta Sparks at 207-2635, or Jessica Ramos at 207-2632.

Don’t forget – your input is essential in helping us develop the San Antonio Public Library’s plan for the future! Thank you!

The Library Community Needs Assessment is funded by a donation from the San Antonio Public Library Foundation.

PLEASE NOTE CORRECTED Focus group times and locations

Monday, November 2 • 6:00 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
Great Northwest Branch Library, 9050 Wellwood or
Igo Branch Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Parkway

Tuesday, November 3 • 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Brook Hollow Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road or
Pan American Branch Library, 1122 Pyron Avenue

Tuesday, November 3 • 6:00 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
Carver Branch Library, 3350 El. Commerce or
Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Road

Wednesday, November 4 • 12:00 noon-1:15 p.m.
McCreless Branch Library, 1023 Ada Street or
Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Court

Wednesday, November 4 • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road or
The Tobin Library at Oakwell, 4134 Harry Wurzbach Road

Friends of the San Antonio Public Library present Arts & Letters Award

2009-10-21T08:00:00.004-05:00

What do T.R. Fehrenbach, Henry Cisneros, Max Lucado, Sandra Cisneros, Rosita Fernandez, Sterling Houston, Tommy Lee Jones, O'Neil Ford, Cary Clack, and Brother Cletus have in common? Oh, yes, and don't forget Janette Sebring Lowrey, author of The Poky Little Puppy.

Answer: they were all recipients of the Arts & Letters Award, presented annually by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library to recognize and celebrate achievements by individuals who have demonstrated notably outstanding accomplishments in the arts and letters.

You're invited to join the Friends of the Library at the Central Library at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, as they honor the 2009 Arts & Letters Award recipients, musician Tom Masinter and historian/author/lecturer Felix D. Almaraz, Ph. D.

First presented in 1972, the award has been given to writers, artists, musicians, educators and entertainers whose dedication to their chosen field has served to enrich the literary, artistic and cultural life of San Antonio.

Don't miss the 2009 award ceremony on Sunday, October 25!

Got homework? We've got help!

2009-10-19T10:06:00.004-05:00

So school is back in session - and you've got homework. The San Antonio Public Library's got you covered!

With your San Antonio Public Library card, you have free access to online tutoring in real time. Just visit our webpage, http://www.mysapl.org/, click on "Databases," then on "Live Homework Help." You'll be connected to a qualified tutor who will work with you to resolve your homework issues. Help is available in subjects from algebra to zoology, in English Monday through Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and in Spanish Sunday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Library has lots of ways to help with homework. For more infomation, call us at 207-2500.

They're 15! Great Northwest Branch Library has a quinceañera!

2009-10-14T14:42:00.008-05:00

The Great Northwest Branch Library is 15 years old in 2009 and you're invited to help us celebrate! Come by the branch at 9050 Wellwood between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, to enjoy activities and fun for all ages. There will be dance performances, clowns, and visits from special guests Libro the Library Lion, firefighters from Fire Station 41, and Sparky the Fire Dog.

Take this opportunity to get your library card, join the Friends of the Library, or just find out more about all the great resources and services the Library offers.

Remember: Saturday, October 17 - the fun kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Be there or be square!

Meet the Author! Naomi Shihab Nye

2009-10-14T09:05:00.004-05:00

October's Children's Electronic Bookshelf features the books of acclaimed poet and anthologist Naomi Shihab Nye.

On Thursday, October 15, Ms. Nye will present a poetry reading and discussion at San Antonio's Central Library. The session begins at 7:00 pm in the library auditorium. Poetry lovers of all ages -- particularly Young Pegasus poets past, present and future -- are invited to attend. Several of Ms. Nye's books will be available for purchase and autographing after the program with proceeds benefiting SAPL's Young Pegasus Poetry project.

Ms. Nye is a resident of San Antonio although her roots are in Palestine and the Middle East. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri but has called both Jerusalem and Ramallah home. She continues to travel widely bringing poems and inspiration to young writers around the globe. Her appearance is made possible through the Wm. Morris Endowment.

Libraries will be closed on October 12

2009-10-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

All San Antonio Public Library locations will be closed Monday, October 12, for staff development and training. Books and other library materials may be returned to the book drop at any location.

Libraries will resume their regular operating schedules on Tuesday, October 13. For a complete list of Library locations and service hours, please go to the San Antonio Public Library web page.

The Friends of the Library Book Cellar used book store in the Central Library basement will also be closed October 12, but reopen Tuesday, October 13.

The Central Library parking garage will operate as usual on October 12.

Grand Opening of Molly Pruitt Public Library @ Roosevelt High School!

2009-10-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

You're invited to help us celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new Molly Pruitt Public Library at Roosevelt High School, a partnership between the North East Independent School District and the San Antonio Public Library, on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a day of activities, programs, and fun for the entire family!

Come by the Pruitt Library at Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road, and see the city's newest library!

New school/library partnership opens October 1

2009-09-29T09:52:00.008-05:00

At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, the new Molly Pruitt Public Library at Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road, will open its doors for public service. The new library is a partnership between the North East Independent School District and the San Antonio Public Library, the second such collaboration. A similar facility at Reagan High School in the Stone Oak area opened in 1999.

The Library's public service hours during the school year will be 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; closed on Friday; and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Customers of the Windcrest Bookmobile stop are especially invited to visit the Pruitt Public Library. Please note: now that there is a San Antonio Public Library in your neighborhood, we are taking the opportunity to extend Bookmobile service to other areas of the city, and as of September 23 service has been discontinued at the Windcrest stop. Items checked out from the Bookmobile can be returned to the new Pruitt Public Library at Roosevelt High School, or to any other location of the San Antonio Public Library. A map of Library locations and schedule of service hours can be found on the San Antonio Public Library webpage.

And watch for information about our big grand opening celebration on Saturday, October 10!

New branch library service hours!

2009-09-24T14:21:00.004-05:00

Beginning Thursday, October 1, almost all San Antonio Public Library branches will be open seven days a week on a new schedule. For more details, click on the "New Hours" icon on our web page, www.mysapl.org.

Twitter and Library Resources for Business Workshops full

2009-09-21T13:41:00.003-05:00

Both sessions of "Twitter and Library Resources for Business" are full, and registration is closed.

Please look for our next workshop, "Facebook and Library Resources for Business," scheduled for mid-November.

Thanks for your interest in the San Antonio Public Library!

Online tools for business @ your library

2009-09-18T20:10:00.001-05:00

The San Antonio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the San Antonio Public Library America will present free hands-on training in the use of the social media site Twitter for business publicity and promotion, and online business research tools available from the Library.

The class will be offered twice on Wednesday, September 23, once in the morning, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon; and once in the afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Central Library, 600 Soledad.

The first part of the workshop will focus on the use of Twitter to publicize and promote business. Participants will set up their own Twitter accounts and learn about applications, searching Twitter conversations, Twitter jargon, and how to use Twitter strategically for their businesses or organizations.

Next, the session will cover free online research tools for business available on the Library’s website, http://www.mysapl.org/, with emphasis on BusinessDecision, a service that provides customizable business-oriented reports, data, and maps for the San Antonio metro area. BusinessDecision provides powerful consumer market data that enables business owners to better reach existing customers and to identify new opportunities.

The training is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register for the morning session, go to http://tinyurl.com/saplbizinfo1, and for the afternoon session, go to http://tinyurl.com/saplbizinfo2.

One hour of free parking is available in the Central Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information about PRSA San Antonio, go to http://www.prsanantonio.com/. For more information about the San Antonio Public Library, call 207-2500 or visit http://www.mysapl.org/.

New Branch Library Hours

2009-09-17T17:41:00.013-05:00

Beginning October 1, 2009, most San Antonio Public Library branches will be open 7 days a week on a new schedule!

New hours for Bazan, Brook Hollow, Forest Hills, Great Northwest, Igo, Johnston, Landa, Las Palmas, McCreless, Pan American, Thousand Oaks and Westfall

Monday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday.....10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday.....10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

New hours for Carver, Cody, Collins Gardens, Cortez, Guerra, Maverick, Memorial, San Pedro, Semmes and Tobin
Monday.....10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday.....10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Sunday.....10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

School-year public service hours for the Bannwolf Public Library at Reagan High School and the Pruitt Public Library at Roosevelt High School
Monday - Thursday.....4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m
Friday.....Closed
Saturday - Sunday.....10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

New schedule for the Texana/Genealogy Room at the Central Library
Monday.....Closed
Tuesday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday......9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday.....12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday.....9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday.....Closed

General public service hours at the Central Library will remain the same
Monday - Thursday.....9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday.....9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday.....11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please call (210) 207-2500 or visit our website, http://www.blogger.com/www.mysapl.org.

Online Tools for Business: Social Media and Library Resources

2009-09-12T08:00:00.005-05:00

Back-to-school is busy for teachers, too! There's help @ your library!

2009-09-08T16:23:00.001-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library continues its series of free training workshops for teachers with a session scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19. This workshop will cover Library science resources for students. Participants will earn 2 CPE credits for each completed course.

The program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To reserve a place, please register online at teacher workshop or call (210) 207-2500.

One hour of free parking is available in the Central Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information, the public may call 207-2500.

Got homework? We've got help!

2009-09-08T08:00:00.007-05:00

So school is back in session - and you've got homework.

The San Antonio Public Library's got you covered! With your San Antonio Public Library card, you have free access to online tutoring in real time.

Just visit our webpage, http://www.mysapl.org/, click on "Databases," then on "Live Homework Help." You'll be connected to a qualified tutor who will work with you to resolve your homework issues. Help is available in subjects from algebra to zoology, in English Monday through Sunday, 3:oo p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and in Spanish Sunday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Library has lots of ways to help with homework. For more infomation, call us at 207-2500.

Online Tools for Business: Social Media and Library Resources

2009-09-02T13:23:00.012-05:00

Las Palmas Branch Library gets a facelift

2009-08-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road, will close on Monday, August 31, for renovations which will include roof replacement, parking lot repairs, exterior painting and graffiti-proofing, interior painting, restroom renovations, landscaping, sidewalk repairs, carpet replacement, furniture replacement, and installation of a new lighted flagpole. The project, which is funded by $480,000 in City of San Antonio Certificates of Obligation, is expected to last for approximately three weeks.

You can use your San Antonio Public Library card at any San Antonio Public Library location, and you can return your checked-out items to any location in the San Antonio Public Library system. You can also renew your materials online at www.mysapl.org, or phone at 207-6121 (toll-free 1-866-432-8950).

The libraries closest to the Las Palmas Branch Library are:

Bazan Branch Library
2200 W. Commerce Street
(210) 225-1614

Memorial Branch Library
3222 Culebra Road
(210) 432-6783

Guerra Branch Library
7978 Military Drive West
(210) 673-1492

You're invited to take this opportunity to get to know other libraries in our system!

For more information, please call 207-2500 or visit the Library’s website, www.mysapl.org.

Got homework? We've got help!

2009-08-27T15:58:00.007-05:00

So school is back in session - and you've got homework.

The San Antonio Public Library's got you covered! With your San Antonio Public Library card, you have free access to online tutoring in real time.

Just visit our webpage, www.mysapl.org, click on "Databases," then on "Live Homework Help." You'll be connected to a qualified tutor who will work with you to resolve your homework issues. Help is available in subjects from algebra to zoology, in English Monday through Sunday, 3:oo p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and in Spanish Sunday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Library has lots more ways to help with homework. For more infomation, call us at 207-2500.

Job hunting? The San Antonio Public Library wants to help!

2009-08-20T08:00:00.005-05:00

Job hunting? It’s a tough market out there. Be sure your résumé reflects your skills and experience!

Whether you don’t know where to start, or just need someone to proofread what you’ve written, help is available. Thanks to a free service offered by San Antonio Public Library, you can get online résumé help in real time from a qualified tutor.

You'll need your San Antonio Public Library card. Go to the library's web site http://www.mysapl.org/, click on "Databases," scroll down and click on "Live Homework Help," then click on "Career Center." Help is available 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.

You can also access this service from any public computer at the Library.

For more information, call (210) 207-2500.

SAPL audiobooks now in iPod and Mac formats!

2009-08-18T01:00:00.009-05:00

iPod users can now download and enjoy almost every single audiobook on Overdrive! That’s right - Overdrive struck a deal with the vast majority of publishers allowing the conversion of .wma file audiobooks for a variety of Apple products.

Macintosh users can utilize a special Mac-compatible version of the Overdrive Media Console and download and enjoy the mp3-file audiobooks from Overdrive and NetLibrary - a total of over 1200 audiobooks to choose from.

To get started, you'll need a San Antonio Public Library card. Go to "Downloadables" on the San Antonio Public Library home page (http://www.mysapl.org/), then click on "Digital Media Downloads" under the "OverDrive Digital Library" header. Follow the instructions to start downloading books, music and more to your Apple-compatible device.

Don't have a library card? All you need is proof of residence in Bexar County and a photo ID. Stop by any location of the San Antonio Public Library and you can leave with your own library card!

Can't visit a library just now? Go to "How do I get a library card?" You'll be walked through signing up online, and will be able to access most of our online resources, including downloadables, right away! Come by a San Antonio Public Library location within 30 days to get your hard-copy library card.

(Of course, if you have an MP3 or other device, you can get the same great stuff! Just click on the "Downloadables" link above and follow the directions.)

And the best part? All of this is free! Happy reading - or listening!

Westfall Branch Library gets a facelift

2009-08-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

The Westfall Branch Library will close on Monday, August 17, for renovations which will include roof replacement, parking lot repairs, American Disability Act upgrades to sidewalks and handicapped parking spaces, interior painting, new carpet, new furniture, restroom renovations, installation of a lighted flagpole, and repainting of the monument sign. The project is expected to last for approximately two weeks.

Your San Antonio Public Library card may be used at any San Antonio Public Library location. While the branch is closed, checked-out items may be returned to any location in the San Antonio Public Library system, renewed online at http://www.mysapl.org/, or renewed by phone at 207-6121 (toll-free 1-866-432-8950).

The libraries closest to the Westfall Branch Library are:

Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Avenue
(210) 732-8369

Cody Branch Library
11441 Vance Jackson Road
(210) 696-6396

Forest Hills Branch Library
5245 Ingram Road
(210) 431-2544

For more information, call 207-2500

Help for teachers @ your library

2009-08-13T11:07:00.003-05:00

It's almost time for school to start, and teachers all over the city are getting ready to welcome new students. To help teachers prepare for the new school year, the San Antonio Public Library is offering a series of free database classes. The second class in the series, which will cover resources for elementary and middle-school students, is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Students will earn 2 CPE credits for each completed course. Future classes will be determined, in part, by students attending the class.

The program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To reserve a place, please register online at http://tinyurl.com/teacher-resources or call (210) 207-2500.
One hour of free parking is available in the Central Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information, the public may call 207-2500.

Virtual San Antonio Public Library adds new resources

2009-08-12T10:10:00.005-05:00

The Latino Collection at the San Antonio Public Library now has an online counterpart - open 24 hours a day! We've added subscriptions to the Latino Literature and the Latin American Women Writers databases from Alexander Street Press. Both collections feature thousands of pages of fiction, poetry, essays and plays, much of it never before published. Check out the showcases at Latino Literature and Latin American Women Writers for a quick overview of the content at each database. To access the databases themselves, go to www.mysapl.org and click on "Databases" at the top of the page.

The Latino Collection is a cultural and educational resource which chronicles and celebrates the literature, heritage, and contemporary life of Latinos in the United States. Though the majority of this collection focuses on the Mexican American or Chicano experience, materials about Puerto Rican, Cuban American and other Latin American heritages are also included in the collection. The collection was established in 1996 and currently includes more than 7,000 volumes.

Looking for a great career?

2009-08-05T13:00:00.001-05:00

Are you looking for a great career? Think about becoming a librarian! The San Antonio Public Library and San Antonio Public Library Foundation want to help – you could receive a scholarship to study for your Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science! For more information, please call (210) 207-2635 or visit http://www.saplf.org/.

Cleaning goes green @ the Library

2009-08-01T15:30:00.000-05:00

Most of us enjoy a clean home, but sadly, today’s hectic pace doesn’t leave us the time that she had for household chores. We want it – need it – to be done simply and quickly, which is why household cleaning products are a 7-billion-dollar business yearly (Packaged Facts, Feb. 2008). Chemicals make the work easier.

But do we need all those bottles and toxins under the sink? Some people say no. Today’s trend is green cleaning, a new twist on an old activity: housekeeping. Green cleaning involves eliminating toxins from the equation by use of natural or plant-based products to get the job done.

At a brownbag program at the Central Library, 600 Soledad, on Wednesday, August 5, at 11:30 a.m., April Mier will explain how to clean your home simply and effectively with a few basic multi-use products, such as vinegar, cream of tartar, baking soda, lemons, and salt. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch to the event. Table seating will be available.

The event is free and open to the public. One hour's free parking is available in the Library Parking Garage with validated ticket.

Library invites kids, families to celebrate a summer of reading!

2009-07-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, August 1, the San Antonio Public Library invites children and their parents to celebrate a summer of reading with SummerFest at the Central Library, 600 Soledad. The fun will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m. Activities will include crafts, games, facepainting, and refreshments.

The event is free and open to the public. For this event only, free parking will be available all day in the Library parking garage. For more information, the public may call 207-2621.

Summer Reading and SummerFest sponsors include the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, CPS Energy, Scholastic, First Book, the San Antonio Silver Stars, McDonald’s, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the City of San Antonio Downtown Operations Department.

Renovations completed, Thousand Oaks is back in business!

2009-07-26T17:00:00.002-05:00

The Thousand Oaks Branch Library, 4618 Thousand Oaks Drive, will reopen for service on schedule Monday, July 27, following two weeks of renovations. The $240,000 project, funded by Certificates of Obligation and City capital funds, included replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; roof repairs; installation of new carpet; new interior and exterior painting; parking lot repairs and re-striping; renovation of the restrooms; and installation of a new monument sign and lighted flagpole.

Thousand Oaks Branch Library service hours will be:

Monday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

For a map showing the branch library's location, please go to http://www.mysapl.org/location.aspx?id=tho.

Looking for a great career?

2009-07-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the moon landing

2009-07-18T16:00:00.006-05:00

On July 20, 1969, the Lunar Landing Module of the Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on non-Terran soil. If you're fascinated by man's trip to the moon, the San Antonio Public Library can help you trace the footsteps of that historic journey.

For a look at the technology and engineering behind the project, check out the DVD series Men on the Moon.

A glimpse of the behind-the-scenes politics can be found in Piers Bizony's The Man Who Ran the Moon: James E. Webb and the Secret History of Project Apollo.

Two Mercury astronauts, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton, offer their perspectives on the space program in Moon Shot: the Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon.

Children can learn some of the history of manned moon travel in Apollo 11: First Moon Landing by Michael D. Cole, or Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca.

Visit NASA's official website http://www.nasa.gov/ for more information on the U.S. space program.

And, of course, ask your librarian for suggestions on where to look for great reads on this fascinating subject.

Has it really been five years? Celebrate with us!

2009-07-13T08:00:00.005-05:00

Five years ago the west side of San Antonio gained a new library! The Guerra Branch Library, 7978 Military Drive West, opened on July 14, 2004, and quickly became one of our busiest locations.

Beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 18, 2009, we'll celebrate the Guerra Branch Library's fifth anniversary with fun activities and a special dedication.

At noon, storyteller Bob Blackstone will thrill kids and adults alike with his tales.

At 1:00 p.m., a special ceremony will dedicate the branch meeting room to a former District 6 City Council Representative, the late Enrique M. Barrera.

Winding up the activities at 2:00 p.m. will be the KaZamba African Drum and Dance Troupe.

All activities are free and everyone is invited.

Library shows you how to travel the world without breaking the budget

2009-07-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

Safe, inexpensive world travel is possible - let Hostelling International USA show you how at “World Travel 101.” Novice international travelers will learn how to prepare for a trip overseas that won’t break the budget. Topics include planning an itinerary, transportation options, saving and carrying money, packing, accommodation, safety, and more. Depart from the familiar and begin your adventure with World Travel 101!

To find out all this and more, come to the Southwest Texas Council of Hostelling International USA budget travel workshop, “World Travel 101,” on Sunday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad.

The program is free and open to the public. One hour of free parking is available in the Central Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information, the public may call 207-2500.

Library offers special resources/assistance for teachers

2009-07-06T16:00:00.004-05:00

Teachers have a lot to do, and the San Antonio Public Library wants to help. We are offering a series of summer training sessions for teachers to familiarize them with resources available through the Library. The introductory class will be on Saturday, July 18, at 2:00 p.m. and will cover the new mySAPL website, catalog searching, LearningExpress Library and Live Homework Help. Participants will earn 2 CPE credits for each completed course. Not only will you find out a lot about the resources the Library has to offer you and your students, but your input will also help us decide what to cover in future classes.

The program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To reserve a place, please register online at http://tinyurl.com/teacherdb or call (210) 207-2500.

One hour of free parking is available in the Central Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information, the public may call 207-2500.

Job & Career Resources @ the San Antonio Public Library

2009-07-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Whether you're starting your career or seeking a new position, the San Antonio Public Library can help you find and land the perfect job. The Library has lots of job and career resources, including job listings, résumé and interview help, and computer classes. At http://www.mysapl.org/, we've posted a Job and Career Guide to help you search our catalog, review databases, and find all kinds of other resources - all in one place.

Need to take a test to qualify for your next job? Visit LearningExpress on our webpage to practice. There are even online self-paced courses in topics such as business writing, and beginning July 1 LearningExpress will have a section to help with résumé writing!

No computer? Use ours! All 24 library locations have computers available to search for jobs, create a résumé, or submit an application online. (Bring a disk or flash drive if you would like to save your work.) We have wireless access if you have your own laptop or PDA.

These are just a few of the Library's resources on job hunting, careers, résumé development, and interviewing. Check with your librarian for help in locating and using these and other materials!

Library improves Bookmobile schedule

2009-06-26T16:36:00.004-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library Bookmobile is adding more stops and adjusting its schedule to meet the ever-changing needs of library patrons. Beginning July 1, the Bookmobile will add one new stop, relocate two present stops, and shorten its hours at each location.

“With our customers’ increased use of the internet, they have changed how they use the Bookmobile,” said Ramona Lucius, Library Outreach Coordinator. “Instead of perceiving the bookmobile as a substitute for a building, a growing number of our patrons are placing requests for material on the library’s website [www.mysapl.org] and selecting the Bookmobile as their pick-up location. Shortening the time we spend at each Bookmobile location will allow us to make more stops and reach more people. Over the next year, we will be adding several new stops in outlying areas that are not currently being served.”

Full details for the Bookmobile’s schedule and locations are available on the new print schedule available at any Library branch, on www.mysapl.org, and on the bookmobile blog (http://saplbookmobile.blogspot.com/). Changes starting in July include: · Adding a new stop in Helotes at Casa Helotes Senior Center, 12070 Leslie. · Relocating the west side stop from John Glenn Elementary School to a new stop in Kirby at Hopkins Elementary School, 2440 Ackerman. · Relocating the south side stop from Southside ISD to a new stop in the Elmendorf area, 4125 S Loop 1604 E (in the Whataburger parking lot). The Bookmobile provides monthly library service to readers of all ages who live in the outlying areas of Bexar County. It carries over 3,500 books and loans approximately 10,000 items annually.

Out and [Writing] About

2009-06-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of Pride Month, the Library will feature readings by local GLBTI authors. Featured authors are Anel Flores, Pablo Miguel Martinez, and Rialistic. Cosponsored by Gemini Ink.

June 25 • 6:30 p.m.
Brook Hollow Branch Branch Library
530 Heimer Road • 496-6315

For more information on Pride Month events, please visit http://guides.mysapl.org/content.php?pid=43429.

Meet the Author! Church of Lies

2009-06-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library will offer a special presentation by Church of Lies author Flora Jessop on Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 600 Soledad. Jessop, raised in the strict Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), will tell the dramatic true story of how in the 1980s she escaped from the church of the FBI's most-wanted polygamist, Warren Jeffs. Since then, Jessop has faced frustrating obstacles but won some hard-fought successes in rescuing women and children from the FLDS. Her book Church of Lies describes her dark experiences growing up in the polygamist sect.

The program is free and open to the public, and one hour free parking is available in the Library parking garage with a validated ticket. For more information, visit the Library's webpage http://www.mysapl.org/ and click on "Events Calendar," or call (210) 207-2500.

Take Me Out

2009-06-19T07:12:00.002-05:00

In honor of Pride Month, the Library will host “Take Me Out” as part of the "Bringing Books to Life" series of dramatic readings. The San Pedro Playhouse, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and the San Antonio Public Library made this reading possible through the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.

June 20 • 2:30 p.m.
Maverick Branch Library
8700 Mystic Park • 680-9346

For more information on Pride Month events, please visit http://guides.mysapl.org/content.php?pid=43429.

Coming Out: Personal Journeys of GLBTI Community Members

2009-06-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

In honor of Pride Month, the Library will host Coming Out: Personal Journeys of GLBTI Community Members. Panelists include Robert Vargas, Editor of Ignite SA, Partners and Stonewall Democrats Daniel Graney and Roberto Flores, and HRC activist, Gayl Newton, and transgender rights advocate, Julia DeGrace. Sponsored by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

June 18 • 6:30 p.m.
Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Avenue • 732-8369

For more information on Pride Month events, please visit http://guides.mysapl.org/content.php?pid=43429.

Library Improves Bookmobile Schedule

2009-06-16T14:30:00.000-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library Bookmobile is adding more stops and adjusting its schedule to meet the ever-changing needs of library patrons. Beginning July 1, the Bookmobile will add one new stop, relocate two present stops, and shorten its hours at each location.

“With our customers’ increased use of the internet, they have changed how they use the Bookmobile,” said Ramona Lucius, Library Outreach Coordinator. “Instead of perceiving the bookmobile as a substitute for a building, a growing number of our patrons are placing requests for material on the library’s website [www.mysapl.org] and selecting the Bookmobile as their pick-up location. Shortening the time we spend at each Bookmobile location will allow us to make more stops and reach more people. Over the next year, we will be adding several new stops in outlying areas that are not currently being served.”

Full details for the Bookmobile’s schedule and locations are available on the new print schedule available at any Library branch, on www.mysapl.org, and on the bookmobile blog (http://saplbookmobile.blogspot.com/). Changes starting in July include:
· Adding a new stop in Helotes at Casa Helotes Senior Center, 12070 Leslie.
· Relocating the west side stop from John Glenn Elementary School to a new stop in Kirby at Hopkins Elementary School, 2440 Ackerman.
· Relocating the south side stop from Southside ISD to a new stop in the Elmendorf area, 4125 S Loop 1604 E (in the Whataburger parking lot).

The Bookmobile provides monthly library service to readers of all ages who live in the outlying areas of Bexar County. It carries over 3,500 books and loans approximately 10,000 items annually.

Celebrate Lincoln & Juneteenth @ your library!

2009-06-12T13:40:00.000-05:00

The San Antonio Public Library is joining in the national celebration of our 16th President’s 200th birthday and Texas’ Emancipation on Juneteenth, June 19. The Library will mark this historic milestone with several events and activities aimed at renewing appreciation of Lincoln’s ideals of freedom, democracy and equal opportunity, and teaching students and adults the significance of Juneteenth and its implications for today.

Carver Branch Library
3350 E. Commerce Street • (210) 225-7801
June 18, 12:00 noon
Juneteenth Lecture by Dr. Carey H. Latimore IV
Assistant Professor at Trinity University and Co-Chair of African American Studies

June 18 and 19, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Juneteenth Workshop (students in grades 1st – 12th)
Presented by Claudette Lewis, former schoolteacher and founder of the Cherice Cochran Mentoring Foundation

Both events are free, but space is limited. Please call (210) 225-7801 for reservations.

Memorial Branch Library
3222 Culebra Road • (210) 432-6783
June 20, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration
Refreshments, crafts and outdoor games, and summer book sale.

With more than 500 items about Lincoln in the library’s catalog, there are multiple resources available to examine the “Great Emancipator’s” legacy. During the month of June, free copies of the Library of America’s Lincoln Anthology will be available at each branch for patrons to pick up (while supplies last.) These booklets focus on how writers have appraised Lincoln's role in ending slavery and his attitudes toward race, and how his legacy has been used to challenge American society to live up to its ideals.

All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit the Library website, http://www.mysapl.org/, or call (210) 207-2500.

All in the Family

2009-06-10T21:10:00.002-05:00

In honor of Pride Month, the Library will host a panel discussion with local lawyers about legal rights for same-sex partnerships and families. Panelists include attorneys Stephanie Boyd, Ina Castillo and William F. Goodman.

June 11 • 6:30 p.m.
Cody Branch Library
11441 Vance Jackson Road • 696-6396

For more information on Pride Month events, please visit http://guides.mysapl.org/content.php?pid=43429.

Pride Movie Nights

2009-06-08T16:10:00.000-05:00

The library will hold special screenings of Milk, the 2008 film that chronicles the life of Harvey Milk, San Francisco’s first openly gay elected official. Sean Penn won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Harvey Milk.

June 9 • 6:30 p.m.
Central Library
600 Soledad • 207-2500

June 11 • 6:30 p.m.
Brook Hollow Branch Library
530 Heimer Road • 496-6315

June 13 • 2:00 p.m.
Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Avenue • 732-8369

June 26 • 1:30 p.m.
The Tobin Library at Oakwell
4134 Harry Wurzbach Road • 828-2569

For more information on Pride Month events, please visit http://guides.mysapl.org/content.php?pid=43429.

Library Kicks Off Summer Programming!

2009-06-01T10:09:00.003-05:00

2009 Summer Programming officially kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at the Central Library, 600 Soledad. To jump start this special summer for children, the Magik Theatre will launch their library run of the hit show If You Give a Mouse a Cookie with performances at 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library. Based on the book by Laura Numeroff, this is a show kids will love. It’s funny. It’s silly. It’s Magik!

Throughout the summer, the library will offer events, crafts, prizes and other fun activities to encourage kids and teens to read a good book. Children can join the 2009 Summer Reading Club at any library location or online at mysapl.org beginning June 1. They’ll receive a Summer Reading Log and a calendar filled with library programs designed just for them. When they’ve completed fifteen books, they can bring their reading logs back to the library and choose a book to keep for their own.

The library’s summer programming will keep San Antonio’s children entertained with everything from Baby Time to BACK Pack (Books, Activities and Crafts for Kids). In addition to weekly library programs, several special performances are also planned. Following its premier performance at the Central Library, the Magik Theatre will take the show on the road with showings of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at branch libraries around the city. Azul Barrientos will perform songs loved by generations of children, from gentle lullabies to rowdy playground rhymes. And Spikey Mikey, San Antonio’s favorite magician, brings his bag of tricks back to the library as well.

For more information on joining the Summer Reading Program, and for a complete calendar of children’s activities, visit mysapl.org. The San Antonio Public Library Children’s Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, CPS Energy, First Book, Scholastic, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and the San Antonio Public Library.

Celebrate Dance @ Your Library

2009-05-29T10:43:00.003-05:00

In honor of Dance Celebration Month, the San Antonio Public Library will be hosting several dance events this weekend. The Library invites you to join us Saturday, May 30 for a presentation by the Kazamba Drum and Dance Group. An award-winning dynamic percussion and dance ensemble specializing in Brazilian, African and Caribbean influenced world rhythms, Kazamba combines Carnaval traditions from around the world with the energy of contemporary drum and dance performance.

Saturday, May 30 • 2:00 p.m.
Collins Garden Branch Library
200 N. Park • 225-0331

Other Dance Month activities this weekend include performances by The Bedouin Dancers. The Bedouin Dancers embody the beauty and complexity of Middle Eastern dance while remaining true to its origins. They perform Middle Eastern, Gypsy, Folkloric and Tribal Dances.

Sunday, May 31 • 2:00 p.m.
Semmes Branch Library
15060 Judson Road • 650-9540