This joy of reading and being in the library is important to Saratoga youngsters, as proven by the numerous essays submitted for the recent city of Saratoga student essay contest. The contest asked students in fourth through seventh grade to complete the statement, "I love the Saratoga Library because ... " with as much enthusiasm as possible.

Teaming up with the city, the Saratoga News co-sponsored the contest, judging all the entries and selecting winners in two categories: fourth and fifth grade, and sixth and seventh grade.

The love of the library was evident in each exclamation point and adjective, as students expressed their appreciation for everything from the sound of pages turning to the available air-conditioning during hot summer days.

City of Saratoga staff member Sue Crimi headed up the essay contest, which she says was the result of several meetings with a committee of volunteers working to plan grand opening events.

"We were looking for ways to incorporate the community," Crimi says. "And we thought it would be fun to include the kids by doing an essay contest."

After much deliberation, a first-place winner was selected for each category.

Fourth-grader Bryan Massoglia of Saratoga Elementary was selected for his essay, in which he wrote:

I love the Saratoga Library because it's half home to me. I go there to study, learn, and just fill my mind with facts, like for a book report. Books can take you to a new world or back in time. If there were no books, I would be a wreck! The library carries all of my favorite books. I really like Lord of the Rings. It was an exciting book to read.

The library is an important part of the community because it serves all ages and people. Young children can go to story time, and older children can study and do research, older people sit down and read. It's quiet and a nice place to be!

In conclusion, when I sit down and read, it can take me to a new world or back in time. It can be a learning experience or you can check out a book or a sport magazine for pleasure. I can't wait to see our new library! It's going to be awesome!

"Wow," Bryan said when he found out he had won. Bryan says he decided to write the essay because of his enthusiasm for the opening of the new library. "I really wanted to see the library," he says, "so I thought of the main reasons I wanted to see it and why I like it."

Bryan says he "enjoys writing a lot," and plans to spend a good deal of time at the library this summer, reading adventure and mystery books.

In the second division, sixth-grader Kara Wang of Redwood Middle School received first place for her essay, in which she wrote:

The Saratoga Library is a place I have enjoyed for practically my whole life. I love the smell of every book and how pages make a crinkly sound when I turn them.

Ever since I was able to walk, my parents took me to the library every weekend. I fell in love with all the bright picture books. As I grew a little older, my parents read books to me, and I would sit listening attentively. Soon, I was reading anything I could get my hands on. Looking for books was like a treasure hunt to me, and the librarians were the maps that guided me.

So here I am now, 12 years old, and still loving the library that has taught me more than a million facts. I will love and cherish them forever.

Kara says she was very excited to win the contest. Her mom had encouraged her to enter, which she did because she "always liked writing." She usually just writes fiction, but thought she would give the contest a try for fun. "When I was younger, I used to go there a lot," she says. "Now I go there for research to do a lot of reports."

In the fourth and fifth grade division, fourth-grader Lauren Gardanier of Saratoga Elementary took second place for her essay on the library, which she says is "full of knowledge, adventure and comfort." Third place went to fifth-grader Graham Garland of Foothill Elementary. He enjoys the library because it "has air conditioning to keep you cool and enough books to make sure there is never a dull moment in your summer."

In the sixth and seventh grade category, second place was given to sixth-grader Aneesha Sharma of Redwood Middle School. Aneesha enjoys the library because it is "such a peaceful place and the people are very friendly."

All of the winning essays will be posted in the new library, with the two top place winners reading their essays at the June 21 library dedication ceremony. First place winners will also receive a certificate for five books at the Book-Go-Round.

All winners will receive proclamations from Saratoga Mayor Nick Streit and California Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn.

Library opening should be grand

It's the grand reopening celebration for the Saratoga Library, and the city has plans to make it very grand indeed.

Ceremonies will begin at noon on June 21 with a flag presentation by the Girl and Boy Scouts, followed by dedication speeches. Among the speakers will be Mayor Nick Streit, Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, Councilman Stan Bogosian, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries President Bill McDonnal and County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith will be presenting awards to the winners of the city-sponsored essay contest.

There will be a host of activities and entertainment for visitors including puppet shows for the children and music by the Skillet Lickers.

Parking is available at West Valley College, as well as at the St. Andrew's and Sacred Heart churches, both within walking distance of the library. Shuttle buses will be running to and from the library starting in Lot 4 at the college.