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Contact: Will Marston
Art & Music Librarian
510-981-6233

What does Wavy Gravy have in common with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack London? Berkeley Public Library invites you to discover some of our more notable Berkeleyans (anyone who has lived, studied, or worked in Berkeley!). This is an exhibit of the books, art, music, and movies of  50-odd Berkeleyans. Presented in the display cases at the old library entrance on Kittredge Street and the four large cases on the 2^nd floor of the Central Library through Saturday, September 15^th. Part of the Read Local celebration for National Library Card Month. The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m.  For questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org. Notable Berkeleyans Flier

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Contact: Debbie Carton
Ph: 510-981-6236

Berkeley Public Library invites you to participate in an examination of “The French Connection”, an award-winning 1971 film inspired by Robin Moore’s 1969 book of the same name.  Director William Friedkin’s film won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Gene Hackman) and Best Film Editing. We’ll compare the gritty film, featuring one of the most famous car chase sequences in film history, with the written account of NYC detectives who uncovered the source of a major drug smuggling operation. Discussion group participants will read the book at home and then gather at 1:30 on Sunday, September 9, 2012 in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room at Berkeley’s Central Library, 2090 Kittredge Street to view the film together. After viewing the film, participants will discuss the book, the movie and the adaptation process. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library (http://www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org), this free Book into Film program at the Central Library takes place every other month and offers adult and teen patrons the opportunity to discuss books, films and the art of adaptation. Participation is limited and registration is required. Please call (510) 981-6236 to register for this program. The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m.  For questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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Contact: Shani Leonards
510-981-6148.

Berkeley Public Library to host American Civil War lecture and community book reading to mark the 150^th anniversary of America’s most divisive conflict, Saturday, September 15^th, at 1:00 p.m. in the Central Library’s third floor Community Meeting Room.

Berkeley, California – The Berkeley Public Library will host “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War”, a reading and discussion program sponsored by the American Library Association, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Cal Humanities, and the California History- Social Project. The Library is one of 4 public libraries across the state to host the series which is intended to foster contemplation and conversation of the legacy of the Civil War and emancipation. The event will begin with a lecture given by Professor Ari Kelman, Associate Professor of History at UC Davis. It will be followed by three simultaneous community book discussions of the following works: March by Geraldine Brooks, Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James McPherson, America’s War: Talking About the  Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150^th Anniversaries, an anthology edited by Edward L. Ayers. “The Civil War takes us back to a time in American history when civility ruptured and the nation split in two,” said Jim Leach, chairman of NEH.  “The sesquicentennial of the Civil War and emancipation is an occasion for America to reflect together about the causes and ramifications of our greatest internal conflict, and a most appropriate way for ‘us the living’ to renew the American spirit in these still-troubled times.” Multiple copies of each of the three books for the group discussions were awarded to the Berkeley Public Library and are available for check out with a Berkeley Library card. Members of the public planning to attend the community book discussion portion of the event are encouraged to read at least one of the works prior to the discussion sessions. For more information please visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org or contact Shani Leonards, 510-981-6148. The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. For questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TDD 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org. Civil War Flyer

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