Contact: Anwan Baker
Supervising Librarian
510-981-6132
or
Sarah Dentan
Neighborhood & Children's Services Manager
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6106
September is Library Card Sign-up Month at the Berkeley Public Library
Get the Smartest Card in Your Wallet
Berkeley, August 14, 2014—September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, when the Berkeley Public Library, the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. National Library Card Sign-up Month began in 1987 to challenge every schoolchild to get a library card. Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that.
In addition, the Berkeley Public Library wants every teen and adult to get a Library card. Why? Over one hundred thousand of your friends and neighbors have a Berkeley Public Library Card. They can’t be wrong! Sign up today.
Why? Because your library card is the “Smartest” card in your wallet. One way it is smart is that it saves you money you might spend on buying books; CDs, DVDs or paying for downloads.
With a Berkeley Public Library card, you can come to the library and take home books, magazines, audiobooks, DVDs and music CDs. All for free. While in the library, stay for movies, kids’ storytime, Teen crafts, a lecture, a computer class; or visit the Reference desk to find an answer to your question. All part of our vast offering of services.
A second way your Library card is smart is by helping your create something. With your Berkeley Public Library card, you can come to the library and use a laptop, iPad or desktop computer to: watch DVDs, listen to CDs, go online; or use Microsoft Office to do your homework, write resumes, create presentations, business cards, flyers; or make a spreadsheet. We also have photo viewing and simple photo editing software. Now is the time to sign up a card! Computer use is free with your card.
A third way your card is smart is it can help with school. With a Berkeley Public Library card, you can go online from your home, office or phone to our website, www.berkeleypublibrary.org, to reserve books, CDs or DVDs for later pickup. Use one of our many valuable research resources to help complete that homework assignment due tomorrow. You can even download or stream movies, eBooks and music. All available 24/7 with your Library card.
A fourth way to get smarter and save money is to use your Berkeley Public Library card and go our website to Discover & Go to reserve free tickets to many Bay Area venues such as the Exploratorium, Freight & Salvage and the USS Hornet.
It is easy to get your Berkeley Public Library card. You can fill out the application online at http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/library/get-library-card Or come to any Library location and ask staff about it. We are here to help you.
We are offering many special events to entice you, your family and your friends to visit any Berkeley Public Library location this month and sign-up for a library card. Attend the Strong Girls Rule Film Series or listen to sitar music or old time music at a concert.
Since Banned Books Week is September 21-27 and honors Intellectual freedom, which is what the Berkeley Public Library is all about, our Super Cinema Film Series features “banned” movies such as The Grapes of Wrath. Attend one of our book club discussions on books such as The Color Purple and Persepolis and then come back again to watch the film and discuss that. Find out why these books and movies were considered controversial and removed from some schools and libraries. A library card gives you the freedom to find and read what you want. It gives you freedom of information. Now that is smart.
The Library ends Banned Books Week outdoors with an informal Tour de Book bike ride on Saturday, September 27 starting at North Branch and stopping at each Library Branch to read from a banned book. Ride along with our Book Bikes--the Rolling Readers--two specially designed cargo bicycles that carry library materials that can be checked out and a Wi-Fi hot spot to local schools, farmers markets, fairs and other local events.
These innovative bikes were purchased thanks to the generous gift from the Berkeley Public Library Foundation, which supported the branch renovations with a successful capital campaign and a pledge of continuing support.
Berkeley Public Library is known for its selection of cool library cards. For Library card sign-up month, we created six new library card designs. Four cards feature the four Branch Libraries to celebrate the completion of the Branch Library Improvement Project that gave Berkeley four modern, safe and beautiful Branches.
A fifth library card celebrates the sixtieth birthday of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. From the annual Summer Reading Program for children and teens, to the author events and musical performances happening this month, the Friends use the proceeds from their book sales and donations to benefit the Berkeley Public Library community.
The sixth card is the newest version of our popular “Tie Dye” card. Now do you know why you need a Berkeley Public Library card? It is the “smartest card” in your wallet. It saves you money and can make you smarter. Keep reading free. Get a library card today. For more information check out our website www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org or call the Reference Department at 510-981-6148.
For more events information about events please check the Berkeley Public Library’s calendar at http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/calendar/month:
Everyone is invited to our Free September Events
Super Cinema @Central CMR
Friday, September 5, 3-5:30 pm.
I’m No Angel. (1933), with Mae West and Cary Grant. Illustrating why some wanted the Production Code enforced.
Strong Girls Rule Film Series @South
Saturday, September 6, 3:00 pm.
Screening of the short documentary, I Just Wanna Ball (30 min.) followed by conversation and Q&A with the film’s director, Robert Bowden and members of the McClymonds High School Lady Warriors basketball team.
Artist Reception @Central
Sunday, September 7, 2:00 pm
Zográphos: Drawing from Life: Street Photography of Greece by Ilona Sturm On display in the first floor Catalog Lobby. Exhibit runs from August 11 – September 28, 2014.
Teen Crafternoon @South
Tuesday, September 9, 4-5:00 pm.
Teen crafts using the theme of Library cards as inspiration.
Preschool Storytime @Claremont
Wednesday, September 10, 3:30 pm.
Celebrates Books and Libraries!
Sitarist Arjun Verma @ Central CMR
Friday, September 12, 12 Noon.
A concert of North Indian Classical music featuring sitar, tabla and tampura. Part of the Downtown Berkeley MusicFest.
Super Cinema @Central CMR
Friday, September 12, 3-5:30 pm.
Grapes of Wrath. (1940), with Henry Fonda. Both the film and the movie were banned.
Library Themed Storytime @West
Saturday, September 13, 10.15 am. Open to all ages.
Library Themed Storytime @CCR
Saturday, September 13, 10:30 am.
Strong Girls Rule Film Series @Central
Saturday, September 13, 3:00 pm.
Screening of the newly released documentary Derby Crazy Love (68 min.) directed by Canadian filmmakers, Maya Gallus and Justine Pimlott. This exciting documentary provides an in-depth look at the history of women’s roller derby and a portrait of the Montréal derby team The New Skids on the Block.
Rolling Reader @Solano Stroll
Sunday, September 14, 10 am- 2:00 pm.
Inaugural rollout of the Rolling Reader Mobile Bike Library!
Teen Book Craft @North
Wednesday, September 17, 4:00 pm
Inspiration will be library card/ upcycling-related
Book Club @ Claremont
Wednesday, September 17, 6:30 pm
Claremont book discussion on the frequently challenged book The Color Purple by Alice Walker with a screening of Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the book the on the following Wednesday, September 24- 5:30pm-8pm.
Banned Book Club @North
Thursday September 18, 6:30 pm.
Discussion of Persepolis, a banned graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi about her childhood and early adult years in Iran.
Rolling Reader @Farmers’ Market
Thursday, September 18, 3-5 pm.
North Berkeley Farmers’ Market at Shattuck and Rose.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day @North
Friday, September 19, 3:30-6:00 pm.
Aargh, Mateys! There will be Pirate Booty, grog, eye patches and general piratical behavior.
Super Cinema @Central CMR
Friday, September 19, 3-5:30 pm.
The Princess Bride (1987) The film was challenged after release for alleged ethnic slur.
Kids & Parents Concert @Central
Saturday, September 20, 10:15 am*
W.B. Reid and Bonnie Zahnow present old-time country songs and fiddle tunes, string blues music from Mississippi and Memphis, and Mexican songs and dance tunes.Come hear their sweet harmonies on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and their own voices at this concert for Children through the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention.
*Note early start time of 10:15am*
Pedal Inn @Central
Saturday, September 20, 2:00 pm.
Introduction to Bike Camping. The Pedal Inn will visit the Library to give a presentation on planning overnight bike camping trips, including packing, preparation and recipes. The next day, they are organizing a trip to Angel Island for those interested.
Children’s Author Talk @Claremont
Saturday, September 20, 4:00 pm.
Jacqueline Briggs Martin, award winning author of Snowflake Bentley, Alice Walker and the Trip to Delicious, Banjo Granny and many more great books.
Banned Book Reading @Central
September 21, Sunday, 2-3:00 pm.
Actors from UC Berkeley's Performing Arts department celebrate Banned Books Week with readings from challenged or banned books. Hear selections from literature for adults, teens and children; it is startling to find out which titles some people don't want you to read. Any book worth banning is a book worth listening to!
Banned Book to Movie @Claremont
Wednesday, September 24, 5:30 pm.
Screening Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the book of The Color Purple. Book discussion on Wednesday, September 17.
No Place Like It @ Central CMR
Tuesday, September 23, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Book Launch Celebration and author readings for No Place Like It an anthology of memoir stories by members of the Berkeley Public Library Memoir Writing Project
Comics and Censorship @ North
Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 pm.
Teen Librarian Jack Baur talks on how censorship has shaped the comic book/graphic novel landscape.
Banned Book to Movie @North
Thursday, September 25, 6-8:00 pm.
Screening of Persepolis (2007), 96 minutes. The film version of a banned graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi about her childhood and early adult years in Iran.
Super Cinema @Central CMR
Friday, September 26, 3-5:30 pm.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. The film studio was forced to cut language and sexually explicit scenes to get seal of approval under Production Code.
Crafty Crafts @South
Friday, September 26, 4:00 pm.
Library-card themed crafts and more.
The Fault in Our Stars @South Branch
Friday September 26, 3:30pm-5:30 pm. Screening of The Fault in Our Stars (2014) 126 minutes. Join us for this popular hit movie made from a “banned” book.Bring yourself and friends. We supply the popcorn and tissues.
Teen Craft &Movie @Claremont
Friday, September 26, 3:30-5:30pm. Watch The Book Thief and upcycle old books into new objects.
Francisco Herrera @West
Saturday, September 27, 10:30-11:30 am.
Come enjoy songs and games in Spanish and English with this singer/songwriter, as part of our Latino-Hispanic Heritage month series.
Banned Books Week Bike Tour
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Branch-to-Branch Bicycle ride with Banned Books week reading at each location. All Locations. Wear your helmet!
Banned Book Reading @South
Saturday, September 27, 4:30-5:30 pm.
Actors from UC Berkeley's Performing Arts department wind up Banned Books Week with readings from challenged or banned books. Hear selections from literature for adults, teens and children; it is startling to find out which titles some people don't want you to read. Any book worth banning is a book worth listening to!
All Berkeley Public Libraries are wheelchair accessible. For questions, 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 five working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs. Visit the library’s website: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
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