Bascom Branch Library

2 PM – 4 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Lots and lots of Legos®... Seriously, a lot. This program is held every third Sunday of the month at Bascom. Create something cool? We can display a photo of it on the library's LCD TV! Ask staff and we'll take a photo of it. For children and families. Registration recommended but not required. Important: Children unde…

1 PM – 6:30 PM·Bascom, lobby, San Jose

Coloring sheets and pencils are provided every Monday afternoon from 1:00-6:30 PM in the lobby of Bascom Library. Relax and explore your creativity with this great activity! All ages welcome to participate. No registration required. ADA Accommodation Requests

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Make designs like a sailboat, penguin, frog, or samurai helmet using colorful paper. Then decorate your origami with markers! This is a self-directed program in which all supplies and instructions are made available. A staff member or volunteer will be available for assistance. Registration recommended but not required…

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, Family Learning Center (FLC) Classroom, Second Floor, San Jose

Join us in person or virtually on Zoom for a free informational program about upcoming free Adult Noncredit course / program offerings at San Jose City College (SJCC) / South Bay Consortium of Adult Education (SBCAE) . Participants will also find out about free and affordable ESL, Basic Skills, Career Education, and Wo…

4 PM – 4:45 PM·Bascom, San Jose

In this beginner-friendly workshop led by local high school students from Next Vision AI, participants will learn what AI is and how to use it thoughtfully and responsibly. They will then use AI on a device* to develop an original invention, story, or community idea by experimenting with prompts, evaluating suggestions…

4 PM – 4:30 PM·Bascom, San Jose

In this fun, creative class, young artists will explore how real animals use cool adaptations to survive in the wild. After learning about different animal "superpowers," students will use their imaginations to design and draw their very own hybrid creature! It’s the perfect blend of simple science and hands-on creativ…

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Come learn to play chess, or just play a game! This is an informal and welcoming program. For ages up to 12, and families. Located in the children's area. Registration encouraged but not required. ADA Accommodation Requests

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Participating in the Reading to Children program is a great way for children to develop their imagination and spark a love for books, reading, and learning. Children will enjoy one-on-one or small group interactions with our reading Volunteer. Kids are also welcome to practice reading aloud with our volunteer. Please n…

1 PM – 6:30 PM·Bascom, lobby, San Jose

Coloring sheets and pencils are provided every Monday afternoon from 1:00-6:30 PM in the lobby of Bascom Library. Relax and explore your creativity with this great activity! All ages welcome to participate. No registration required. ADA Accommodation Requests

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM·Bascom, lobby, San Jose

Learn about assistance the nonprofit organization Self-Help for the Elderly offers seniors, including in the following areas. Caregiving Senior Housing Activity Centers Employment Services Social Services Cleaning Services Nutrition Services Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Digital Learning Prog…

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Make designs like a sailboat, penguin, frog, or samurai helmet using colorful paper. Then decorate your origami with markers! This is a self-directed program in which all supplies and instructions are made available. A staff member or volunteer will be available for assistance. Registration recommended but not required…

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, upstairs community room, San Jose

Join us for the interactive program about bridges and their importance as routes connecting places, people, and communities. Children will learn about bridge types, famous bridges around the world, and why bridges stay strong and safe. They will get a chance to think like civil engineers with hands-on projects and a qu…

Bascom, children's picture book area, San Jose

Bascom Library is haunted! Can you find at least seven spooky stickers in our picture book area? If you can, come to the information desk for a prize! Recommended ages 3-10. ADA Accommodation Requests

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Come learn to play chess, or just play a game! This is an informal and welcoming program. For ages up to 12, and families. Located in the children's area. Registration encouraged but not required. ADA Accommodation Requests

2 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, multipurpose room, San Jose

Get an inside look at how SJPL hosts library programs by volunteering away your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour at our upcoming Friends of Bascom Library Book Sale. Must be 15 years old or older to volunteer for this opportunity. Volunteers are needed to help with: Assist with set up prior to the event. Details…

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Participating in the Reading to Children program is a great way for children to develop their imagination and spark a love for books, reading, and learning. Children will enjoy one-on-one or small group interactions with our reading Volunteer. Kids are also welcome to practice reading aloud with our volunteer. Please n…

9 AM · 1 PM·Bascom, multipurpose room, San Jose

Get an inside look at how SJPL hosts library programs by volunteering away your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour at our upcoming Friends of Bascom Library Book Sale. Must be 15 years old or older to volunteer for this opportunity. Volunteers are needed to help with: Assisting with organization of materials. Deta…

10 AM – 2 PM·Bascom, multipurpose room, San Jose

Choose from a large collection of books at our sale in the multipurpose room. Proceeds go toward funding library programs, books, and supplies. Come support your local library branch and find new literary treasures for yourself! The Friends of Bascom Library host a quarterly book sale to raise funds for Bascom Library.…

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM·Bascom, Children's Area , San Jose

Harmony Monsters love to bring the fun of music to preschools, children’s play spaces, libraries, and special events. With their catchy melodies, friendly and relatable lyrics, plus fun activity songs, the shows are interactive and lively. Get your dancing, jumping, acting and running shoes on, because we are going to…

2 PM – 2:30 PM·Bascom, upstairs community room, San Jose

Join Science Academy at Bascom Library for fun, hands-on chemistry experiments for elementary and middle school kids! This program is: Balloon Inflator: A fun demo where everyday ingredients generate gas to blow up a balloon. Online registration required . Please register one space for each child who plans to participa…

2 PM – 2:30 PM·Bascom, upstairs community room, San Jose

Join Science Discovery Lab at Bascom Library for fun, hands-on chemistry experiments for elementary and middle school kids! This program is: Balloon Inflator: A fun demo where everyday ingredients generate gas to blow up a balloon. Online registration required . Please register one space for each child who plans to par…

Bascom, San Jose

Play bingo with banned and challenged books during Banned Books Week. Mark off squares featuring titles that have faced censorship, from classics to modern favorites. Learn why these books were restricted while competing for prizes. A fun way to celebrate intellectual freedom and every reader's right to choose their ow…

1 PM – 6:30 PM·Bascom, lobby, San Jose

Coloring sheets and pencils are provided every Monday afternoon from 1:00-6:30 PM in the lobby of Bascom Library. Relax and explore your creativity with this great activity! All ages welcome to participate. No registration required. ADA Accommodation Requests

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Make designs like a sailboat, penguin, frog, or samurai helmet using colorful paper. Then decorate your origami with markers! This is a self-directed program in which all supplies and instructions are made available. A staff member or volunteer will be available for assistance. Registration recommended but not required…

4 PM – 4:30 PM·Bascom, upstairs community room, San Jose

Make a compass with simple supplies such as water and a needle, demonstrating how magnetism works! For grades K-6. Registration required for K-6 participants, as supplies are limited. Observers do not need to register. ADA Accommodation Requests

10:30 AM · 11 AM·Bascom, San Jose

Join us for a special storytime celebrating the joy of reading and the freedom to explore stories of all kinds! We'll read fun, age-appropriate picture books that have been challenged or banned in the past — books about being yourself, making friends, and celebrating differences. Together we'll share stories and songs…

1 PM – 4 PM·Bascom, San Jose

FREE. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Please call (408) 350-3239 Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm to set up a free one-on-one counseling appointment. Do you have questions about Medicare or Medi-Cal? Sourcewise's HICAP counselors offer one-on-one counseling for those looking to make an informed decision about their Medicare and Me…

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Come learn to play chess, or just play a game! This is an informal and welcoming program. For ages up to 12, and families. Located in the children's area. Registration encouraged but not required. ADA Accommodation Requests

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Participating in the Reading to Children program is a great way for children to develop their imagination and spark a love for books, reading, and learning. Children will enjoy one-on-one or small group interactions with our reading Volunteer. Kids are also welcome to practice reading aloud with our volunteer. Please n…

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Make designs like a sailboat, penguin, frog, or samurai helmet using colorful paper. Then decorate your origami with markers! This is a self-directed program in which all supplies and instructions are made available. A staff member or volunteer will be available for assistance. Registration recommended but not required…

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Come learn to play chess, or just play a game! This is an informal and welcoming program. For ages up to 12, and families. Located in the children's area. Registration encouraged but not required. ADA Accommodation Requests

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Participating in the Reading to Children program is a great way for children to develop their imagination and spark a love for books, reading, and learning. Children will enjoy one-on-one or small group interactions with our reading Volunteer. Kids are also welcome to practice reading aloud with our volunteer. Please n…

2 PM – 4 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Lots and lots of Legos®... Seriously, a lot. This program is held every third Sunday of the month at Bascom. Create something cool? We can display a photo of it on the library's LCD TV! Ask staff and we'll take a photo of it. For children and families. Registration recommended but not required. Important: Children unde…

1 PM – 6:30 PM·Bascom, lobby, San Jose

Coloring sheets and pencils are provided every Monday afternoon from 1:00-6:30 PM in the lobby of Bascom Library. Relax and explore your creativity with this great activity! All ages welcome to participate. No registration required. ADA Accommodation Requests

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Make designs like a sailboat, penguin, frog, or samurai helmet using colorful paper. Then decorate your origami with markers! This is a self-directed program in which all supplies and instructions are made available. A staff member or volunteer will be available for assistance. Registration recommended but not required…

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, Community Room, Second Floor, San Jose

Dream labs is an art integrated education program that combines topics such as marine biology, paleontology, and astronomy, with art techniques including mural/collaborative painting, craft projects, and reading books about their topic. Registration required. Space is limited. Recommended ages 5 to 12. Parents and care…

4 PM – 5:30 PM·Bascom, children's area, San Jose

Come learn to play chess, or just play a game! This is an informal and welcoming program. For ages up to 12, and families. Located in the children's area. Registration encouraged but not required. ADA Accommodation Requests

5 PM – 5:45 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Type 1 Together is a community support group for youth and families affected by Type 1 Diabetes. It will be a welcoming space where people can meet others who understand what living with T1D is like, share experiences, talk about everyday challenges, and connect with helpful resources. Meetings will include group discu…

4 PM – 5 PM·Bascom, San Jose

Participating in the Reading to Children program is a great way for children to develop their imagination and spark a love for books, reading, and learning. Children will enjoy one-on-one or small group interactions with our reading Volunteer. Kids are also welcome to practice reading aloud with our volunteer. Please n…