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Contact: Jenifer Shurson
Associate HR Analyst
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6105

Berkeley CA, November 8, 2013 – The Board of Library Trustees and Director of Library Services Donna Corbeil, are pleased to announce the selection of Suzanne Olawski as the Berkeley Public Library’s new Deputy Director. Ms. Olawski began her new position on October 28, 2013.

Ms. Olawski has worked in libraries for nearly twenty years and has served in either a supervisory or management capacity for almost all of her tenure. She previously worked for Solano County Library, serving as the Supervising Librarian of Training and Virtual Services, as well as Berkeley Public Library as the Neighborhood and Children’s Services Manager. In this capacity, Ms. Olawski was instrumental in the Branch Library improvement program. She worked closely with design teams and consultants on the Branch Facilities Master Plan, a $26 million branch improvement program to renovate, expand and make seismic and access improvements at Berkeley’s four neighborhood branch libraries. Most recently, Ms. Olawski served as the Deputy City Librarian of the City of San Mateo Public Library.

This year, Ms. Olawski was presented with a great professional opportunity when the Berkeley Public Library announced its recruitment for the position of Deputy Director of Library Services. From a pool of highly-qualified candidates, she was selected to be the new second in command of Berkeley’s dynamic Public Library that serves an equally dynamic, diverse and highly supportive community. Ms. Olawski is “excited to be rejoining the staff at the Berkeley Public Library, an incredible public institution committed to providing excellent service to the community through dedicated staff, diverse collections and programs and by supportive and committed trustees.” She has characterized her return to the Berkeley Public Library as a “privilege to be a part of such a dynamic team and to serve such a wonderfully diverse community.”

For questions regarding this appointment call 510-981- 6105.

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Contact: Donna Corbeil
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195

Berkeley, November 6, 2013 – The Berkeley Public Library will celebrate the reopening of the newly constructed and expanded West Branch Library on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Located at 1125 University Avenue at San Pablo, the new branch library replaces the previous facility. The completion of the West Branch is the fourth and final project in a multi-year program to improve the branch libraries. The new library is designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux Architects, Oakland; the General Contractor is West Bay Builders, Novato; construction management by Kitchell CEM; and the public art installations are by local artists WOWHAUS: Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable.

The grand reopening celebration will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., followed immediately by the start of library services. Opening day celebrations continue throughout the day, until the library closes at 5 p.m. Look for more details on planned events on the library website at: http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org. Everyone is invited.

The new 9,300 square foot West Branch will embody the latest in building sustainability and green building techniques. A project goal is to attain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.  The most significant aspect for this new public building is the primary design objective to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE) performance.  The project benefited from early collaboration between the City’s Office of Energy and Sustainable Development, the design team and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), including a substantial grant during the design phase as part of PG&E’s Savings by Design statewide program. In keeping with Berkeley’s commitment to a green future, the new library design will reduce energy and water consumption, add photovoltaics to off-set dependence on the energy grid and take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation opportunities throughout.

The new branch has adequate space to accommodate all library and adult literacy programs. Features include a quiet study room, teen room, increased computer access, improved access to collections and comfortable seating for adults and children to create an oasis for learning and reading as envisioned by the community during the planning process.

Other features of the building include:

• Plentiful natural light provided by large windows and skylights
• Environmentally friendly design including engineered fresh-air ventilation for airflow and heating, under floor radiant heating and over window heating elements and use of recycled and renewable construction materials
• Public space layout improvements, more comfortable seating, cozy picture book nook and separate teen room
• Community multipurpose room with state-of-the-art presentation technology and after-hours access

Berkeley READS, the adult literacy program of the Berkeley Public Library, will return to West Branch with the opening of the facility. The much improved Berkeley READS suite includes tutoring spaces and a dedicated computer classroom.

The new branch is seismically safe, functional and a model of environmental sustainability. It is designed to serve the community well into the future.  The branch construction was funded by Measure FF, a $26 million bond measure passed overwhelmingly by the voters in November 2008. Project costs for the West Branch totaled $7.5 million. A separate fundraising campaign by the Berkeley Public Library Foundation is underway to provide new furnishings, fixtures and equipment – expenses not covered by the bond. For more information on how to support the campaign, please contact Kirsten Cowan at kcowan@bplf.org or (510) 981-6115. For more information about the West Branch Library’s opening celebration, please call (510) 981-6195 or visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

West Branch Reopening Postcard

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Contact: Tom Dufour
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6134

Berkeley, November 5, 2013 – Berkeley Public Library presents a free seminar for entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to comply with the new Affordable Care Act’s rules for small businesses, The Impact of Health-Care Reform on Your Business on November 13, at 2:00 pm, in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge Street. This free seminar is part of a series for small businesses offered by the Library.

This seminar provides a general overview of the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts small businesses. Topics to be covered include key provisions of the Act, individual mandates, employer shared responsibility, reporting requirements, penalties, costs, taxes and fees and State Exchanges.

For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6148, or visit www.acsbdc.org.

The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m.-5 p. For more info please call 510-981-6195 or visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org. Wheelchair accessible. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY); at least three working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs.

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