The Santa Clara City Library will expand in-person services in the coming weeks. The Mission and Northside branch libraries will expand the week of July 26 and Central Park Library will expand in-person services the week of Aug. 23.

Beginning Monday, county libraries will add 18 more hours a week for patrons to visit the library, browse collections, use the public computers and printers, reserve a meeting room or read in the library.

The San Jose Public Library has 600 Chromebooks and 3,000 WiFi Hotspots available for pickup. 

Mayor Susan Hammer is among the best leaders San Jose has ever produced, and I have tremendous empathy for her and those who are frustrated with the decisionsCity Hall has made to shortchange our libraries. But the answer is a change of personnel at City Hall, not a charter amendment which, admittedly, will be popular with voters—especially with her leadership. But the policy puts the city on a slippery slope of percentage-based spending. It may sound good, but it is this same type of policy that got us into trouble on the state level.

Camping is a time to enjoy nature and the adventure of the great outdoors. Last week, I attended a community meeting about San Jose Family Camp. There were approximately 25 residents who all appeared to be Family Camp boosters. They expressed support for Family Camp, recalling fond memories that for some dated back approximately 30 years. But in these tough budget times, Family Camp might need to be outsourced or eliminated.