All SCCLD libraries will be close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday,
December 24 and December 31. Libraries will be closed and services unavailable on Thursday, December 25 and January 1.
Our Online Library is always available at sccld.org/Online-Library/
A person cutting a star shape with the text "Happy Holidays."
Make it a Holiday to Remember with the Library!
The holiday season doesn’t have to cost a lot and some of the best presents are those made with love. The library offers ways you can create beautiful gifts through DIY projects for every level.
 
Universal Class offers crafts and hobby videos including soap making, flower arranging, sewing, and more. Try it here. We also offer cozy crafting with these books available in our libraries.
 
Browse the magazines on OverDrive to find the latest issues of beading, cross-stitch, and paper craft magazines. This resource also offers Cooking and Food magazines, such as Cook’s Illustrated, Bon Appétit, and Food Network Magazine. It’s perfect if you’d like to bake a delicious gift for someone! We also have books that can help you level up your Gingerbread house creation game.
 
Our libraries have free arts and crafts programs coming up:
 
Holiday Ornament Crafts and a Movie: Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.
 
Scandinavian Fabric Star Workshop: Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Adult and Teen Paint Workshop: Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
 
Holiday Card Making for Adults: Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. 
 
Wishing you a very happy holiday season!

KIDS AND FAMILIES

A woman sitting on a couch reading and laughing with two young children.
Season's Readings
Share the joy of the holidays with loved ones and a good book.
 
We have hundreds of options for kids. Learn about Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa with these children's books.
 
OverDrive also has holiday booklists. Enjoy Jack Frost’s Shelf for Kids, Wintry Reads for Teens, and Seasons Readings for Adults. 
 
Give the gift of reading to a child 0-5 years old by signing up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! Families living in Santa Clara County can receive a free, age-appropriate book every month until the child turns 5 years old. Learn more and register at sccld.org/imaginationlibrary
An adult and children sitting in a circle with their arms raised and smiling.
Holiday Programs
Stop by the library for free holiday programs for kids and teens –
 
Teen Holiday Tote Bag Decoration: Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.
 
Winter Break Kickoff for Teens: Cozy Crafts: Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.
Winter Break Crafts: Pick up between Dec. 22 – Jan. 2
 
Fratello Marionettes Present The North Pole Review: Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
Holiday Hullabaloo: Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
Jack and the Beanstalk Holiday Puppet Show: Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
 
Kids Art Club: Holiday Cards: Dec. 17 at
3:30 p.m.
Jack and the Beanstalk Holiday Puppet Show: Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
 
Children’s Ornament Decorating: Dec. 16 at
4 p.m.
Polar Express Storytime: Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. 

TEENS AND ADULTS
A mature adult sitting on a hanging chair using an e-reader.
 
Top Reads on OverDrive
It’s that time of year when we share the top titles for SCCLD. Here are the most popular eBooks and Audiobooks from OverDrive.
 
Top Adult Fiction:
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
 
Top Adult Nonfiction:
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
 
Top Teen Fiction:
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Fearless by Lauren Roberts
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
 
Top Children's Books:
Dog Man: Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey
The Baby-Sitters Club: Mallory and the Trouble with Twins by Ann M. Martin
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney
 
Top Picture Books:
The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown
Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt
The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson
The Cool Bean Presents: As Cool as it Gets by Jory John
 
Find all of these books and more on OverDrive!
 
Two high school students sitting at a desk and studying in the library.
Get Ready for Finals
If students are looking for a place to study for finals, we’ve got you covered. Of course our libraries have spaces available to people looking for a quiet place. But several of our libraries are hosting dedicated study spaces for teens.
 
Los Altos Library: December 15 -- 17,
4 -- 7 p.m.
Milpitas Library: December 16 – 18,
4 – 8:30 p.m.
 
If you need a small space to work with other students, check out the small meetings rooms we have available.
 
If you can’t make it to the library but still need help with finals, try online resource Brainfuse HelpNow. Get online tutoring and homework help with an online tutor 1 – 10 p.m. every day. 
An adult and child meditating.
Health and Fitness Programs
for Adults
Our libraries host free health and fitness programs for adults. Find ways to exercise your body and mind at one of these activities:
 
Wednesday Afternoon Meditation and Mindfulness: Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m.
 
Zumba Fitness Class: December 16, 23, & 30 at 5:45 p.m.
 
Monday Morning Meditation and Mindfulness: Dec. 15, 22, & 29 at 10:30 a.m.
 
Qi Gong Meditation and Exercise Class: Dec. 19 and 26 at 1 p.m.
Gentle Flow Yoga: Dec. 21 at 10:15 a.m.
 
Monday Meditation and Mindfulness: Dec. 15, 22, & 29 at 7 p.m.
 
If you can’t make it to a class, try out our new online resource ConnectWell. Here you can find exercises that focus on balance, core strength, and aerobic health. You can also stream workout videos through Hoopla. 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Silicon Valley Reads graphic featuring the three selected books.
Register to Attend the Silicon Valley Reads Kickoff
We are kicking off the 26th season of Silicon Valley Reads on Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m. Join us at the Visual & Performing Arts Center at De Anza College for Bridges to Belonging. You can also stream the kickoff from home.
 
Mercury News Columnist Sal Pizarro will be in conversation with the authors of this year’s selected books – John A. Powell (The Power of Bridging), Keeonna Harris (Mainline Mama) and Annie Hartnett (Unlikely Animals).
 
Come early or stay late and enjoy the art exhibit at the Euphrat Museum next door. Register now to save your seat or receive the Zoom link. 
 
Books will be available for purchase and the authors available to sign copies after the talk.
 
MORE FROM THE LIBRARY
 
Voters standing in front of an American flag with one of them holding a Vote sign.
Special Runoff Election for County Assessor
On Tuesday, December 30 there will be a Special Runoff Election for the County of Santa Clara Assessor.
 
If you live in Santa Clara County and have changed your name or political affiliation, you must re-register to vote. Vote by Mail ballots have been sent to registered voters. There are ballot drop boxes at all of our libraries except Campbell Library.
 
If you prefer to cast a ballot in person, the Gilroy, Milpitas and Saratoga Libraries are official vote centers. Early voting is December 27 – 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Election Day voting is 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.  
Three pairs of feet warming by a fire.
Winter is Coming
The official start of winter is Sunday, December 21.
 
Cold weather and winter storms can be dangerous. The County of Santa Clara’s Office of Emergency Management wants everyone to be safe by planning ahead.
 
They recommend equipping your home and vehicles with emergency supply kits, preparing for power outages, and making a plan to check on older adult family members, neighbors, and friends who may be vulnerable to cold weather. Learn more here.
 
The county also recommends signing up for emergency/disaster alerts. 
GET A LIBRARY CARD
OR RENEW YOUR CARD ONLINE
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.
 
 
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.