October Library Happenings
October Author Visits
John Curl + members of the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee
Indigenous Peoples Day
North
Thurs, Oct 2
6 pm
Peter Tieryas, acclaimed novelist of the Mecha Samurai Empire Series
North
Sat, Oct 4
2 pm
Author Story Time + Drawing Event with Author Vivienne Chang + Illustrator Eugenia Yoh
Central
Fri, Oct 3
4 pm
DragonBeard Screening with Playwright Clara Hsu
Central
Sat, Oct 4
2:30 pm
Newbery Honored and Bestselling Author Shannon Hale
presented by Litquake
Central
Wed, Oct 8
4 pm
Storytelling with Author Brother Ben
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, Oct 11
2:30 pm
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence with John Gertz
Central
Tuesday, Oct 14
6 pm
Cosponsored by the Chabot Space & Science Center - don't miss the free giveaways!
Liam O'Brien
Butterflies of the Bay Area
North
Wed, Oct 15
7 pm
Bay Area Cemeteries Talk
with Buried San Francisco Bay Area author Jessica Ferri in conversation with author Lauren Markham.
North
Sat, Oct 25
1 pm
Berkeley Poet Rachel Richardson Poetry Reading + Discussion
Claremont
Sat, Oct 25
1 pm
October Event Highlights
Clases de Computación Gratis
Regístrese para nuestras Clases de Computación Informática a continuación
Clase impartida en Español: Cada jueves, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM los días 2, 9, 16 y 23 de octubre de 2025. En la Biblioteca Pública de Berkeley - Servicios para Adultos de la Sede Central (2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, CA).
Wellness Dance Class with ChingChi
North
Friday, Oct 3 & 17
2 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wednesdays @1pm
Autumn Decluttering: Choose Your Own Adventure
Learn different methods + drop the shame!
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, Oct 4
3 pm
Circus Comedy Show for Kids
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Mon, Oct 6
10:30 pm
Ballet and Books Program
For ages 6-9
Central
Saturdays
10 am
Simple Handsewn Bookbinding: Leave with Your Own Journal
For adults & teens
Central
Tues, Oct 7
5 pm
The Art of Embroidery: a Tool for Mental Wellness Around the World
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wed, Oct 8
6 pm
All Ages Costume Swap
Bring gently used costume donations to the desk before Oct 9
North
Thurs, Oct 9
4 pm
Lucha Libro
Experience the thrill of wrestling, live!
Tool Lending Library Parking Lot
Tues, Oct 4
4pm
Haunting Movies
at Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wed, Oct 15, 4:30pm: HOCUS POCUS (PG)
Fun for the whole family! Make Halloween Q-tip skeletons and enjoy popcorn, and snacks, while watching a modern classic.
Wed, Oct 22, 4:30pm: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (PG-13)
Enjoy popcorn and snacks while singing along with this classic story of a young man and his plant.
Free Flu Shot for All Ages
No Insurance Needed
Central
Fri, Oct 17
10am-12noon
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Mon, Oct 27
12-2 pm
Popping the Science Bubble
A Scientific Seminar Series with UC Berkeley Scientists
Claremont
Tues, Oct 21
6 pm
October topics:
- Solving Cold Cases in Star-Forming Regions -- Eleanor Greenspoon, Chemistry
- Our Greatest Telescopes Are Billions of Light Years Away -- Riley Owens, Astronomy
Concert: California Blue Runners
Claremont
Thurs, Oct 23
4 pm
Concert: Muwazu, local Bay Area musician & Berkeley library lover!
Part of the In the Stax Concert Series
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thurs, Oct 23
6 pm
Perennial Edible Gardening
with Master Gardener Lori Caldwell, aka Compostgal
Claremont
Claremont
Sat, Oct 25
3:30 pm
All Ages Hands On Textile Workshop
Claremont
Wed, Oct 29
5 pm
Crea Tu Propio Alebrijep
Acompáñanos en la Biblioteca Cental para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Latine (Hispana) y el Día de los Muertos con una divertida actividad artística. Moldea tu propio alebrije con arcilla que se seca al aire y luego dale vida con un diseño colorido.
Donde: Biblioteca Central, A&M, 5º piso
Regístrate para participar el 30 de octubre de 3 a 5 p. m. La capacidad es limitada.
Spotlight on Teens + Tweens
Regular Teen Hangouts (6th-12th grade): games, movies, crafts and/or snacks
Most of our libraries have regular teen hangouts where librarians organize games, movies, crafts and/or snacks:
- Tarea Hell Pittman South - Wednesdays, 2-4pm
- Claremont - Wednesdays, 2-4pm
(and on Oct 29 we have an extra scary Teen Hangout... Hallo-TEEN !) - North - Wednesdas, 2:30-4:30 pm
- West - Thursdays, 4-5 pm
Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPGS) for October: "Monster of the Week"
North
Fridays
3:30 pm
Each month, we'll take the pressure off of learning different TTRPG rules and systems with simplified character sheets and guided sessions, and provide a built-in group of players for those who have the dice but not the party.
Registered participants will get all the materials they need to play each game, as well as the option to use a pre-made character.
Chess
- Central: Thursdays, 3-5pm
- Claremont: Fridays, 3-5pm
- North: 1st Saturdays, 3-5pm
Learn from a National Chess Master @Claremont on Sat, Oct 25 10:30am
Dungeons & Dragons
Central
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
3:30-5:30pm
Beads for Every Body
West
1st Tuesdays
3:30 pm
Talk with a Teen Therapist
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, Oct 18
1 pm
Costume Lab (Teens + all Ages)
Central
Mon, Oct 6 & 27
4 pm
Teen Halloween Film Fest
North
Thursdays in October
3:30pm
10/2: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (G)
10/9: Five Nights at Freddy's (PG-13)
10/16: Slash/Back (NR)
10/23: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (PG-13)
10/30: The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
Taylor Swift Takeover
North
Friday, Oct 3
3:30pm
Taylor Swift's twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, comes out on October 3rd and we will be listening to it in the Teen Room! Come listen with friends, make friendship bracelets, and enjoy themed snacks.
Boba & Goth Karaoke
Central
Monday, Oct 20
4 pm
A chill night for teens who love music, boba, and a darker vibe. Sing your favorite songs—emo, alt, goth, or whatever fits your mood—and enjoy a free boba tea for every performance. No pressure, no judgment—just a space to hang out, express yourself, and meet others who get it. Wear what makes you feel like you. Sing what speaks to you.
Free. All voices welcome.
Teen Halloween Crafts
North
Tuesday, Oct 21
3:30 pm
We will be making eerie light-up mini lanterns and clay skull and ghost beads in the Teen Room to celebrate Halloween.
Casa de Chocolates Tasting Program for Teens
West
Thurs, Oct 23
6 pm
More Kid & Family Fun
Family Place Playshops: Kids Play + Adults Learn from Community Resource Professionals
For ages 0-3 and their parents and caregivers
Central
Fridays
10:30 am
Kids Music Jam Session
North
Mon, Oct 6
10:30 am
Family Loteria
North
Mon, Oct 6
3 pm
Papel Picado Craft
North
Tues, Oct 7
4 pm
Cascada de Flores
present El Brujo y La Sirena (The Wizard and the Mermaid)
Central
Mon, Oct 6
1:30 pm
Claremont
Sat, Oct 18
3 pm
Halloween Crafternoons
Claremont
Tues, Oct 14
3 pm
Halloween Cat Storytime (with actual cats!)
North
Sat, Oct 18
11 am
Kids Woodworking Workshop
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, Oct 25
10 am
*Registration Required
Halloween Stuffy Sleepover
North
Thurs, Oct 19
12noon -8 pm
What happens at the library when it's almost Halloween? We will share our mysterious world at night with your stuffed animals at North Branch's Halloween Stuffed Animal Sleepover.
Drop off your stuffed animal to North Branch on Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23. When you drop off your stuffy, you will sign permission slips and name tags. Stuffed animals can come in costume if they like.
Pick up your stuffed animal on Friday, October 24. In the morning, everyone will see pictures of what their stuffed animals were up to for Halloween.
Halloween Mash-Up: Magic, Books + Costume Parade
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wed, Oct 29
4 pm
Halloween Extravaganza @ the Freight!
The Story Time Band + Unique Derique + Fratello Marinettes
The Freight - 2020 Addison Street
Thurs, Oct 30
3:30 pm
The Haunted Library
Halloween-themed games and trick-or-treating
Claremont
Fri, Oct 31
3:30 pm
Note: there will be trick-or-treating at all Library locations today from 3-5:30pm for Halloween treats (no candy)
There are many more library programs happening in October:
Día de los Muertos Pet Altar @North
Día de los Muertos is a two-day Mexican holiday honoring loved ones who have passed away. One important part of this tradition is the ofrenda (altar).
The Berkeley Public Library respectfully invites community members to participate in the Día de los Muertos tradition by submitting pictures of beloved pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge for our community ofrenda.
Photo submissions of cherished pets and/or their pets' favorite snacks or toys can be submitted to areeder@berkeleyca.gov or at the North Branch service desk through October 24.
Pardon our dust!
Part of the 4th floor of the Central Library is under construction.
A beautiful new Story Time Room will open next year!
All Libraries are closed on Monday, October 13th.
(Holiday: Indigenous People's Day)
All Libraries open late at 11am on Friday, October 31.
(Quarterly All Staff Meeting)
eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers, music, movies & more available 24/7 at berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
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Thank you, Foundation & Friends!
For more event info,
book recommendations and other fun things...
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Berkeley, California 94704
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