By Kathryn Johnson
April is Poetry Month
Be sure to take a look at our poetry display for some good reading options for all ages. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your reading horizons. If a whole book of poetry doesn’t appeal to you, we have posted well-loved poems throughout the library for all to enjoy.
Longtime Allied Gardens resident starts a new chapter
Christopher Ochs grew up in Allied Gardens and eventually became a paralegal with Microsoft. Little did he know that not only would his work take him to the exotic locales of Delhi, Agra and Kathmandu but it would also provide him with inspiration for a book.
In Christopher’s debut novel, “Into the East,” he details some of the wonders of these fascinating areas. Chris now resides in the Seattle area but check our shelves soon for this work by one of our very own.
Save the date
We are gearing up for a Community Festival on Saturday, May 18. This family-friendly event will include a morning petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, bouncy houses, carnival games and more! Lunch will also be sold by the local Kiwanis group to help raise funds for their philanthropic endeavors.
New faces at the library
We are very excited to welcome two new staff members to our team!
Our new half-time Youth Services Librarian, Michelle Reents, has been with San Diego Public Library for five years. A lifelong avid reader, her tastes have evolved from fairy tales as a child, to fantasy as a young adult, and now she primarily enjoys non-fiction. Despite this unexpected evolution, she will always love children’s picture books. Michelle’s looking forward to getting to know our patrons, big and small! She lives close to the branch and you might see her biking to work.
Kevin Tran came to us as a newly promoted Library Assistant III. With 10 years of service, he’s worked at Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, and City Heights libraries just to name a few. During his time off he enjoys biking around beautiful San Diego, cooking with his wife — who is also a librarian — and traveling to new places. He is looking forward to developing and leading a technology assistance class in the future. Please be sure to stop by and say hello.
Puzzle program expands
Many library visitors have been enjoying our free puzzle exchange program. Puzzlers of all ages have taken home puzzles of various sizes to enjoy or have brought in puzzles that they no longer use to share with the community. This program has been so successful, we have decided to add board games. Feel free to take one home for a while to enjoy with family and friends.
Friends of the Library recruitment
Our wonderful Friends group is looking for more members to help in a variety of capacities. Please stop in the library for more information about getting involved. See you at the library!
— Kathryn Johnson is managing librarian of the Allied Gardens Benjamin Branch Library.
