February Library Happenings
Library Love:
Spend Valentine's Day at the Library
There are many programs for all ages and interests at the Berkeley Public Library every day and Valentine's Day is no exception... A Valentine for Black Stories: a Children's Book Fair
Central
Saturday, February 14
1-4:30 pm
Come celebrate love, Black authors and Black stories at this special children's book fair. We will have free books, books to purchase from Black authors and Marcus Bookstore, crafts and special presentations from Bay Area Black authors.
Live Jazz with the Dave Rocah Trio
Central
Saturday, February 14
2 pm
Collaging for teens & kids with Artist Chanel London
Central
Saturday, February 14
1-3 pm
Central
Saturday, February 14
3 pm
Author Angela Dalton will read her book, To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights
Afterwards, enjoy a special space show presentation on how we communicate in space.
Prom Dress Popup
Claremont
Saturday, February 14
2pm
For everyone: from now to March 6th, donate any gently-used formal dresses to the Claremont Branch.
For high schoolers: on Saturday, February 14th and Saturday, March 7th from 2-3:30pm, stop by the Claremont where you can browse our collection of donated dresses and take home a prom dress!
A Valentine's Day Opera Matinee
with Gabrielle Lochard
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 14
2 pm
Cupid's Elixir Poetry Writing
for teens and adults
North
Saturday, February 14
4 pm
Febrary Event Highlights
Fiber Arts (Knit, Crochet, Sew, etc.) + Fabric/Yarn Swap
Central
Tuesday, February 3
3:30 pm
First Aid & Every Day Readiness
North
Tuesday, February 3
4:30 pm
Drop-in Meditation
for Teens + Adults
Central
Wednesday, February 4
12 pm
Jazz Lounge: Edgardo & Candela
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 7
12 pm
A pillar of the Bay Area Salsa scene since 1986, enjoy this high energy performance, featuring great vocals, a tight rhythm section, and the power of the horn section.
Guest Poet: Sam Sax
Claremont
Saturday, February 7
2 pm
Sax is the author of the novel Yr Dead (long-listed for the National Book Award), and the poetry collections PIG (best book of 2023 Vulture and Electric Lit), Bury It (winner of the James Laughlin Award), and Madness (winner of the National Poetry Series).
Valentine's Day Storytime with Ace Palomino
North
Saturday, February 7
3 pm
Palomino is a Latine drag artist that specializes in performances that emulate Prince.
Underground Railroad Paper Quilt Craft
North
Monday, February 9
3 pm
Herbal Teas for Immunity
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Tuesday, February 10
6 pm
Climate Instability: the Water Cycle Connection
Claremont
Saturday, February 14
10:30am
This short talk for non-scientists of all ages demystifies the water cycle and offers real-life examples of ordinary people doing the extraordinary work of restoring the water cycle.
Popping the Science Bubble: Talks with UC Berkeley Scientists
Central and Virtual
Tuesday, February 17
5:30 pm
This month's topics:
What a trip!: How psychedelic drugs reopen critical periods of development - Makenzie Wilkinson, Neuroscience
Visual processing and the limits to acuity - Lauren Sigda, Vision Science
Are you a veteran in need of housing and employment support?
Learn about all the services the Swords to Plowshares program offers.
Central
Wednesday, February 18
2-4 pm
Bilingual Mandarin Story Time to Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Central
Saturday, February 21
10:30 am
Chinese Brush Drawing: Paint and Learn about Lunar New Year Celebrations
Claremont
Saturday, February 21
10:30 am
Jazz Lounge: SF Jazz Center Drummer, James Gallagher
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 21
12 pm
Interactive Theatre Performance: "When They Ask If We Were Real"
West
Saturday, February 21
2 pm
This global performance project brings people of different generations and cultures together to share stories, questions, and imagination in the age of A.I. The staged reading will include scenes, storytelling, live music, and an art display from participants around the world. After this event, the full production will open at Marin Theatre for its U.S. premiere.
Poet Talk & Writing Workshop: Wendy M. Thompson
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 21
12 pm
Join us for an evening with author Wendy M. Thompson as she discusses her book of poetry, Black California Gold.
Herbal Class: Focus on Skin - Acne, Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Eczema
North
Tuesday, February 24
6 pm
Black History Month: Jazz for Kids with Mister Boom Boom!
West
Wednesday, February 25
9:45 am
Please register because there is limited space!
Mental Wellness and the Art of Embroidery
Claremont
Saturday, February 25
5 pm
The Movement: A Monthly Book Club for the People
North
Saturday, February 28
1 pm
February's book: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
E-bike Safety
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 28
11 am
Lunar New Year Celebration
Central
Tuesday, February 17
12-3:30 pm
This beloved Berkeley Public Library tradition returns to celebrate the year of the horse!
The event will open with Leung's White Crane Lion Dancers, and close with Cal VSA Lion Dancers, with various crafts and performers in between.
Illustrator Visit: Robert Liu-Trujillo
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, February 28
3:30 pm
Liu-Trujilo reads from Alejandria Fights Back, a story about housing justice.
The Anatomy of a Song: Explore the Inner Workings of Music and Why it Moves Us
Central
Saturday, February 28
4 pm
Hosted by violinist, vocalist and teacher Lila Sklar.
There are many more library programs happening in February:
Exhibit: Roots Unveiled
Roots Unveiled, curated by Bay Area-based artist Nimisha Doongarwal, examines how immigrant identity is carried through the quiet rituals of everyday life.
The series portrays ordinary moments cooking, walking, shopping, resting, meditating, not as simple routines, but as emotional bridges between past and present, home and displacement. The work offers intimate portraits of how cultural roots endure through lived experience rather than inherited symbols.
View the exhitibt on the 5th floor of the Central Library from February 2nd - Wednesday, March 31st.
An opening reception will take place after an artist talk on Tuesday, February 10th, at 5 pm.
The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration
The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration is curated by former Black Panther Party member, founder of the Panther Alumni Association and Archive, It’s About Time, Billy X Jennings.
Through rare, often one-of-a-kind archival photographs, art pieces, newspapers, and other unique ephemera, the exhibit offers a new perspective on the people and stories that made the Black Panther Party such a lasting, vibrant, and compelling presence in Berkeley and beyond.
View the exhibit on the 2nd floor of the Central Library from February 2nd - May 29th.
The opening reception is on Saturday, March 21st at 2 pm.
Thank you!
Working together to make a great public library extraordinary...
Thank you, Foundation & Friends!
Holiday Reminders
All Libraries are closed on February 16.
eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers, music, movies & more available 24/7 at berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
For more event info,
book recommendations and other fun things...
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Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704
510-981-6100
berkeleypubliclibrary.org