All SCCLD libraries will be closed and services unavailable on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Our Online Library is always available. 
Silicon Valley Reads banner with the three featured books -- Mainline Mama, Unlikely Animals, and The Power of Bridging.

Silicon Valley Reads Kicks Off This Week
We are thrilled to officially invite you to the 2026 season of Silicon Valley Reads. This year’s theme, “Bridges to Belonging,” will help us build a more connected Santa Clara County through over 200 free events designed to connect with your community.
 
Register now for the kickoff event on Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m. at the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC) at De Anza College in Cupertino or online. You will hear from the featured authors John A. Powell, Keeonna Harris, and Annie Hartnett in a conversation moderated by Sal Pizarro of The Mercury News.
 
Come early or stay late to enjoy the art exhibit "A Sense of Belonging" at the Euphrat Museum of Art and meet the authors in person with a book signing after the conversation.
 
The full calendar of events is live. Take a look at some of Silicon Valley Reads programs in our libraries: 
 
Meet the Author: Annie Hartnett
Morgan Hill Library, January 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Cupertino Library, January 17 at 4 p.m. 
 
Meet the Author: Kelly Yang
Online, January 22 at 4 p.m. 
 
Patrons can also record their appreciation in their home language in a “Thank You, Neighbor” Community Video and send in a family recipe to our Community Cookbook Project.
 
We are excited to connect with the community during Silicon Valley Reads. 

KIDS AND FAMILIES

Group of Children Listening to Storytime
Join Us for Storytime 
Reading together helps a child develop a love of reading, increases their vocabulary and knowledge of the world, and encourages imaginative thinking. Songs help children learn the rhythms and rhymes of spoken language. Listening to songs helps children learn new words and hear how words are broken up into syllables. Our storytimes feature both of these activities and more.
 
Join us for storytimes at our libraries. Click on your preferred library to see their storytime schedule:
 
Campbell Library
Cupertino Library
Gilroy Library
Milpitas Library
Morgan Hill Library
Saratoga Library
Woman Tutoring Her Son Homework
Free Tutoring Available 
Does your K-Grade 6 student need help with homework? Many of our libraries have tutors to help them with their homework. No registration is required. Walk-ins welcome as spaces allows. 
 
Cupertino Library: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 – 6 p.m., Room 101
 
Gilroy Library: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m., 1st Floor Meeting Room/ 1° piso, Salon de juntas
 
Milpitas Library: Mondays -- Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m., Program Room
 
Morgan Hill Library: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m., Children’s Activity Room
 
Saratoga Library: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Orchard Room

TEENS AND ADULTS

Best Books of 2025 Header
Top Reads of the Year
At the end of every year, our librarians look at best books of the year lists from newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Publisher's Weekly; book vendors like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Libby; book blogs and websites such as Book Riot and Vulture, and many more to come up with the ultimate list.
 
Without further ado, here are the top three fiction and nonfiction titles. Click on the booklist link to find the full list. 
 
Best Books of 2025: Fiction:
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Heart the Lover by Lily King
 
Best Books of 2025: Nonfiction:
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
Baldwin by Nicholas Boggs
A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst
 
In addition, we have the results from our Teens Top Ten Books of 2025. Here are the top three, as voted on by fellow teens:
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
 
Put a hold on these titles now!
 
Male Teen Using a Laptop on the Floor
Get Help Securing Financial Aid
High school students, college students and families are invited to learn how to apply for financial aid through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This program is on Thursday, January 22 at 7 p.m. at Milpitas Library.
 
The first part of the program is an informational presentation. The second part is the application walkthrough. Our expert will guide you step-by-step through the application process, provide tips on maximizing your financial aid, and answer any questions you may have. Whether you're a student or a parent, this session will equip you with the knowledge to take the next step toward college success. Please register.
 
Our online resource, Brainfuse HelpNow, offers live FAFSA help, including help to fill out your application form. Live help is available every day from 1 – 10 p.m. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
The cover of the book, The God of the Woods, and a picture of the author, Liz Moore.
Virtual Author Talk with
Liz Moore
We are thrilled to welcome Liz Moore to discuss her latest novel, the instant bestseller, The God of the Woods.
 
Set in 1975, the story begins with the disappearance of thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar, daughter of the family that owns a summer camp where another Van Laar child vanished years earlier.
 
As the search unfolds, Moore weaves a tale of secrets, family legacy, and community tension. Her most ambitious work yet, The God of the Woods 
delivers a rich, multi-layered drama full of twists and haunting mysteries.
 
This virtual author talk is on Wednesday, January 28 at 4 p.m. Please register. 
Golden horse, gold coins and a golden "2026" on a red background
Special Program: Lunar New Year at Theme Parks
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with us as we explore the vibrant festivities hosted at California’s theme parks.
 
This program will highlight the unique traditions, performances, and cultural experiences that make each celebration special. Attendees will gain insider travel tips, learn how to make the most of their visit, and discover hidden gems within the parks.
 
This program is on Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at Cupertino Library. Please register.
 
A trip to a theme park isn’t complete without a travel guide. Find guides to Disney and Universal parks. 

MORE FROM THE LIBRARY 
County of Santa Clara Seal
Four people reading books with the text "Book Clubs"
Civil Grand Jury Applications Accepted Now
The 2026–27 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury is accepting applications through March 28, 2026.
 
This is an opportunity to be part of a panel that researches programs and policies to ensure institutions operate fairly, transparently, and in the best interests of the community.
 
Prospective grand jurors must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the County for at least one year, be in possession of natural faculties, sound judgement and fair character, and have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
 
Persons selected for Civil Grand Jury service must make a time commitment of an average of 25 hours per week for one fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). This time commitment may change depending on the role of the individual on the panel, holidays, and the time of year.
 
Get details and apply at https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/CGJ.
Join a Book Club or Start Your Own
Are you looking for a great book to discuss at your next book club meeting? We have book club kits available for checkout!
 
These titles have been carefully selected and represent a wide variety of topics, interests and genres. Both fiction and non-fiction titles are included.
 
Each kit contains at least 10-12 paperback copies of the book, along with an accompanying guide to help you explore the book’s style, plot and themes.
 
See what books are available and our policies here: https://sccld.org/book-club-kits/
 
People are also invited to join one of our libraries’ book discussions. Our libraries in Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Saratoga and Woodland host book clubs for all ages and in multiple languages.
 
GET A LIBRARY CARD OR RENEW YOUR CARD ONLINE
Icons - Library eCard - Blue
Join the Library with an Instant Free eCard
If you live in Santa Clara County and do not have a library card with the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD), or would like additional household members to have their own library accounts, the instant free eCard is for you. 
 
eCards are available to all residents who live within Santa Clara County Library District with a valid residential mailing address (P.O. Box not accepted). 
 
An eCard gives you full access to our Online Library
services, including eBooks, streaming movies, and more.
 
REGISTER HERE
 
You can also visit any of our libraries during open hours to convert your eCard, or apply for a full use card to check out any of our physical and digital materials and resources.
 
Renew your library card online!

If you have a library card and would like to keep it current, now you can renew your library card online! SCCLD makes it easy to keep your account current and active. No visit to the library needed if your account is in good standing and you live within the Greater Bay Area. For more information or to renew online, visit sccld.org/cardrenewal.
Visit us at sccld.org
We're here for you
Staff is available to answer your questions Monday - Sunday (excluding holidays). 
 
You can also call your local library directly during open hours, connect with us via chat or email Monday-Friday to Ask a Librarian, or if you have an Account Question.
 
Or text us at (833) 209-6600.