Central Park Library — Attraction in Santa Clara

Reading with Pets – A Life-Changing Experience at Santa Clara Library

A few years ago, while out for a walk, my family was attacked by a young pit bull. My dog suffered severe injuries—his face was torn, and he lost six teeth. Though the pit bull didn’t bite my children, they were deeply traumatized. Since that day, they developed a fear of dogs, regardless of size or breed.

When I learned that Santa Clara City Library offered the Reading with Pets program, I saw a potential opportunity for healing. My children love reading, and we visit the library weekly, but they were hesitant—too afraid to be near a dog, especially Hannah. One day, I stopped by to say hello to my friend Lorena when she was running the program. Seeing how relaxing the dogs were, my daughter Hannah started asking questions. She wanted to try and luckily Lorena was kind enough to reserve a last-minute spot for Hannah for this month. Jackie thoughtfully paired her with Emi, a toy-sized Shih Tzu, the smallest dog there. Even so, Hannah panicked when she was walking into the room. She had her arms wrapped around me and about to cry. The team made an exception and allowed me to stay in the room for reassurance.

Lisa, Emi's guide, was very friendly and patient. She was able to direct and play with Emi next to Hannah and make her feel so safe. After reading two books to Emi, Hannah started to get comfortable and agreed to touch Emi. Hannah stopped reaching out to me for reassurance. Her voice, once shaky, grew steady as she read. Then—she giggled. She moved closer to Emi, reached out, and touched her. My heart swelled as I witnessed her transformation—shifting from fear to comfort, then to joy.

Hannah then looked up at me and asked, “Can we please do this again next month?” Lisa instantly suggested to have Hannah with Emi again to develop a bond between them.

I tried so hard to hold back the tears in my eyes, relief, gratitude, hope—I felt them all at once. I couldn’t help but ask, “Can I hug you?” and hugged Lisa, Jackie, and Lorena as we walked out. I told them words could never fully express how much this moment meant to me seeing how my daughter was growing, being brave and getting over her fear of dogs. We all witnessed it and felt so proud.

We’ve always loved visiting Santa Clara Library, with its well-stocked children’s section, diverse book selections, and incredible programs. But more than that, it’s the staff’s kindness, understanding, and patience that truly makes this place special. This is not the first thank-you note I’ve written to Santa Clara Library, and they deserve far more than just this. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the incredible team at Santa Clara Library and to the wonderful volunteers from Love on a Leash who make Reading with Pets possible. You have given my daughter something truly priceless—courage and healing.

I drove home with gratitude, joy, hope, and love in my heart. I thought out loud in the car, "Life always offers growth opportunities and we are blessed to be surrounded by so many kind people. What a beautiful life we live." One day soon, my children will fully understand why sometimes I randomly smile or say silly things like this today and why sometimes only tears of joy can express how delighted we feel ❤️

PS: we came back again last night and at the end of the section, my daughter asked to write a Thank you note for them. She kept saying what a cutie pie Emi was and how...

Best library in the area, in my opinion. Clean, quiet, well-lighted, well-staffed, spacious, with plenty of computers and plenty of comfortable places to sit (a godsend on hot Summer days, when one needs a quiet place to cool off.) The small section with tables, where one may eat a lunch, is also nice (I only wish it had more tables, as they fill up quickly.) The library is also relatively free from unnecessary distractions (such as noisy crazy people), unlike, say, the Sunnyvale Library. The "Quiet Nook" is another excellent feature of this library, one which I sincerely wish other libraries would adopt: A nice, quiet, secluded little room by itself with desks equipped with privacy-hutches, and kept mercifully-quiet, for those times when one needs to work free from noise & distractions. Other useful resources available at this library as well, such as scanners, copiers, etc. All in all, an excellent library, one which is my first choice for virtually all my library needs. The only real criticism I can make is the fact that the parking is really not adequate to the needs of the location. With the numerous special activities going on at either the library, the Swim Center and Central Park, that parking-lot tends to fill up awfully fast and parking soon becomes unavailable (especially when some spaces are blocked-off by Park staff for some bizarre reason.) There is some underground parking available underneath the library, but it is small & difficult to maneuver in there and also fills up quickly. What is really needed is a large, multi-level parking-structure for the Library, the Swim Center and Central Park. I for one would support the construction of such a structure, as I believe...

I LOVE this place, always helpful, no fees, no other libraries are open now, limited free services. These people are risking their lives for their community. Will donate money if you're short on the Xerox machine Continued…….New Year, new experience? The library is now open at full capacity, today 1/4/22, I walked in happy as a lark, a male Karen jumped in front of me to block my entrance? Signs do say, despite ur status, face coverings are mandatory (I’m wearing a long, clear shield) he nervously insist I wear a mask also. No problem, I’m prepared, I have plenty, still new in package, masks in my purse (I politely tell him this), his response is to ask me do I need a mask? I repeat that I have plenty, but requested a tissue to remove my lipstick? He darts to his office (as if I might try to escape into the library in his absence) I hold in my chuckle at his unnecessary dramatics, he comes back with a mask? For the THIRD time I tell him I only need a tissue (he’s too preoccupied in blocking my entrance) I have not moved since he jumped in front of me, he goes back to retrieve the tissue I requested multiple times, still very uncomfortable? Why tho? It’s my first negative experience at a place I’ve always supported and praised. They closed an hour later, I make my way to the MLK downtown San Jose, I try again to enter with my clear shield, there was an actual “real” security guard. He didn’t blink, didn’t say anything (it’s not that serious after all?) I’ve had all 3 shots and do appreciate reminders, but making a production of a simple reminder/request (never a greeting, just profiling) I’m used to it but not...