AE: Creative programs bring new energy at John F. Kennedy Library

May 19-The Vallejo John F. Kennedy library offers more than just bookshelves and study spaces.

Whether exploring a new language or engaging in creative hobbies, these five programs are a small portion of the rest of activities and programs rooted in creativity, conversation and community.

Spooky Book Club

When Adult Services Librarian Madison Evans first started Spooky Book Club, she wanted to have a thematic book club rather than the traditional type.

Evans said, "We put each other on to different books we each have selected for the month. If people talk about spoilers, or want to avoid spoilers for a book, we let each other know."

Evans added that there is no booklist because she does not want to sway what participants read.

Instead, they are encouraged to conduct their own research into finding the best book that fits the theme.

"It's about self discovery. As a librarian, of course I'm going to have recommendations if that's something they're looking for," said Evans.

"I've helped some people find books that fit that theme, or they've gone to other staff members to find what book they want to read."

The goal is for participants to read any novel, novella or graphic novel that fits the monthly theme.

The theme for May is "Haunted Places: Ghosts, cursed houses, abandoned buildings, restless spirits."

The theme for next month will be "Weird Fiction & Cosmic Horror: Eldritch vibes, the unknowable, reality-bending strangeness."

Evans noted that the demographic for the club is a mix of the Millennial and Gen Z generations.

"We're slowly growing as a group," said Evans.

Spooky Book Club meets on the last Wednesday of the month.

This month's Spooky Book Club session will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 p.m.

Español en Coro

Evans also leads Español en Coro, translated as "Spanish in Unison" or "Spanish in Chorus."

The club meets every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and is open to participants of all skill levels from first-time learners to native speakers.

Evans said that this is not a class, but rather an opportunity to learn and have fun with no classroom pressure.

"I'm not fluent in Spanish so I'm not qualified to teach Spanish in a class format. We had three (people) the first day, and we've grown to six so far. We listen to Spanish music, watch shows in Spanish, and we do activities in Spanish," said Evans.

Some members who have attended the club have not spoken Spanish since high school, while others are completely new to the language.

"There's no judgement or expectation of prior knowledge. It's very casual and welcoming. All we want is for people to learn, show up and enjoy learning Spanish. Personally I've had a few chances in my academic career to get Spanish down. But I never was able to pin it down all the way and fully speak it. I'm learning alongside other people who have also had chances but weren't able to get it down either," Evans said.

Evans noticed that community members from the Spanish language would participate in literacy programs to learn and practice English; however people who are fluent in English would approach her inquiring about Spanish programs.

"This is something that the community has wanted, so we made it," said Evans. "I think it's a promising initiative. Spanish is used by the people in our community, across the country, so it's nice to be able to have another skill set just speaking English."

JFK Junk Journal Club

Angelina Gomez, a children's librarian associate at JFK, said she felt inspired to start the Junk Journaling club after noticing the recent trend between Gen Z and analog activities such as listening to records and collecting vinyls.

Gomez added that a parent from one of the Children's Program she facilities also inspired her as well.

"She said she wanted to volunteer for a junk journal program. I had already been thinking about doing that," said Gomez.

Junk Journal Club is a free program that meets on the second Monday of each from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Stickers, scissors, paper, glue sticks and a resource table for hole punchers and other cutting utensils are provided.

"We had 13 people the first meeting and we found that it's been popular," said Gomez.

Participants are also welcome to bring their own supplies.

The next JFK Junk Journal Club will be on June 8.

Adult Craft Club

Adult Craft Club, led by Library Associate Melinda Knowling, hosts a variety of themed workshops throughout the month.

The club takes place four Thursdays of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. and cycles through four different themes.

"You may not fully know going into the club what you're going to be working on that day," said Knowling.

Yarn and thread based activities take place on the first Thursday and focuses on fiber arts.

Painting and drawing night is held on the third Thursday and features guided lessons for artists of all skill levels.

Paper craft activities are offered on the fourth Thursday.

Participants can also choose to bring their own project instead and socialize with the people within the space.

Similar to Gomez, Knowling feels that it is easier to meet people through interacting with creative hobbies.

"My last year of college was the pandemic. That was my entry into the workforce. I wanted to do something that was for me; I was very limited in being able to socialize," said Knowling.

For Knowling, she wanted to create a club where adults can be creative and have fun.

Knowling said, "For me, at least, everything is online right now. I think a lot of people are looking for an alternative to that. That's something that the library offers people."

The next session will take place on Thursday, June 4.

The JFK Library Sewing Circle

The JFK Library Sewing Circle, led by Gomez and Knowling, is a social group for anyone that likes to hand or machine sew.

Available supplies include thread, rulers, pins, fabric shears, seam rippers and fabric scraps.

Machinery such as sewing machines, sergers and irons are available as well.

Participants may bring their own sergers and sewing machines, though registration is required to use the library's equipment.

The next sewing circle session will be on Tuesday, May 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming workshops, clubs and events, visit solanolibrary.libnet.info./events

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