Greetings all-
Thought the group would enjoy this...
Dave Delcambre


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Easton, Jennifer <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 8:02 PM
Subject: Mel Chin Recolecciones at San Jose Public Library in the news
To: [log in to unmask]


Friends,

Here’s a great example of a public art project being embraced by the
client department and given a project new legs. Our public art program
did not initiate the effort, but we’re thrilled with the cleverness of
this release. It definitely has us thinking about our other projects.
Enjoy.



“Countdown to 100 Million”


A National Library Week Celebration of San Jose Libraries

and Their Customers



SAN JOSE, Calif. —San José Public Library (SJPL) and San José State
University Library today announced a contest celebrating the activity
of library users that make their collaboration the number one ranked
library in per capita usage among libraries in the nation's 10 largest
cities.*

            Starting April 11, San Jose library users are invited to
go online to SJLibrary.org and enter their best guess as to when the
system’s materials checkout count will reach 100 million.
Participation is limited to those who have a San Jose library card or
SJSU Tower Card. Participants, who may be of any age, are limited to
one guess. The person who comes closest to guessing the date and time
will receive “The Ultimate Reader's Prize Pack,” a special tote bag
filled with goodies that readers can appreciate. The contest ends at 6
p.m. on April 30. The winner will be notified by June 1.

Perched above the Circulation Desk at San Jose's Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Library is Counter, a public art piece incorporating an LCD
display that tracks checkout activity citywide.  In just a few weeks,
the count—which began when the King Library opened August 1, 2003—is
expected to reach 100 million items. The count reflects usage of
materials in the public library’s 18 branches and both public and
academic collections housed at the King Library, which is co-managed
by SJPL and SJSU Library.

            Serving the tenth largest city in the nation, San José
Public Library ranks number one in per capita usage at 14.55 when
compared to library systems serving the nine largest cities. SJPL is
followed by Phoenix Public Library (10.25) and Queensborough Public
Library (10.24). It ranks sixth in overall circulation compared to the
same group.*

            San José Public Library’s activity level reinforces the
theme of this year’s National Library Week (April 11 – 17) observance,
“Communities thrive @ your library.” National Library Week is an
annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and
librarians.

FUN FACTS:

If the average book with a height of 10 inches represented the unit of
measure, 100 million items would:

·       stretch for 15,546 miles

·       criss-cross the country five times

·       stand as high as 6,840,278 12-foot elephants

If each item required an hour of reading time, they would consume:

·       100,000,000 hours

·       4,166,667 days

·       11,416 years

·       143 lifetimes (80 years each)



* Source: Public Library Data Service Statistical Report 2009.
Comparative expenditure figures based on fiscal year 2007-08.



 ABOUT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. LIBRARY
The award-winning, co-developed and co-managed King Library at 150 E.
San Fernando Street in San José is considered a crown jewel of the
city and a downtown landmark. This unique and innovative collaboration
is the first of its kind between a major city and university, serving
both public and academic communities. The library also serves as a
downtown and regional hub, providing an abundance of rich cultural and
educational activities for people of all ages. The library receives
more than 2.7 million visits annually. For more information, see
SJLibrary.org.



ABOUT SAN JOSE PUBLIC LIBRARY



San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library
system between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast in
California, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately
1,007,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city. Recipient of the
prestigious national Library of the Year award and a Four-Star LJ
Index Rating, SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation
and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems
nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of more than 15 million items
through 19 currently operating locations.



ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY


Great libraries are essential to supporting the mission of great
universities. San José State University Library embraces a
student-centered culture of academic excellence in a welcoming,
inclusive environment. The University Library provides a gateway to
information resources, scholarship, and to our diverse intellectual
and cultural heritage. We are dedicated to increasing access to our
resources to enrich student learning, support faculty research and
scholarship, and contribute to life-long learning for all of the
community.



#####





Jennifer A. Easton

Sr. Project Manager, Public Art

Office of Cultural Affairs

www.sanjoseculture.org




-- 
Dave Delcambre
Projects for the Public Realm
www.projectrealm.org
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
freelance art critic for the Independent Weekly
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Archive?author=oid%3A256306
&
contributor to:
flyover: Art in the American Outback
http://www.artsjournal.com/flyover/flyover-5/

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