Library Happenings
EVENTS ONLINE CATALOG LIBRARIES
Read the Library's New Strategic Action Plan
After a year-long, community-centered strategic planning process, the Library has a Strategic Action Plan for 2024-2028 with new Mission, Vision and Values statements as well as new Strategic Priorities. Thank you to all of you who participated via community meetings, surveys and interviews.
"The power of community voices drove this process forward," shares Tess Mayer, Director of Library Services. “While building upon our past, we are looking to the future. We now have a plan for moving forward, together.”
Deadline Extension:
Apply by Friday, May 10 to Fill the Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) Vacancy
Bay Area Book Fest Family Day Programs are all at the Library!
Central
Saturday, May 4
10:30am-5pm
Celebrating themes including “Star Wars: May the 4th be With You” and “National Free Comic Book Day,” program highlights will include:
- 90+ youth and YA-oriented authors in talks, panels, and book signings
- Panels on Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mystery, Superheroes, Sci-Fi, Family, Coming of Age, Black Joy, Latina Expressions, AANHPI Stories, Youth Poets and much more!
- Story Time readings with favorite children’s authors and 25 exhibiting children’s book authors - check out the impressive line-up!
- Showcase of original work by the students of the Graton Writing Project, the Festival’s annual partnership with Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Flash Fiction workshop for young writers, hosted by Grant Faulkner, formerly with NaNoWriMo
- Free comic giveaway
- Star Wars “May the 4th be With You” Cosplay - come dressed in costume!
Free Comic Book Day is Next Saturday
Free comics will be available for children, teens, and adults at all library locations, while supplies last. Also in honor, of Stars Wars Day (May the 4th be with you!), we will have a few Star Wars themed crafts and activities.
May Event Highlights
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Drum it Up: Story Time & Craft
Wednesday, May 1
3:30pm
Dog Man Comic Book Afternoon
Friday, May 3
4pm
Bike Mechanics: Fix A Flat Workshop
Saturday, May 4
11am
Author Talk: Defying Displacement with Andrew Lee
Tuesday, May 7
6pm
Gentrification is uprooting communities around the world and inspiring new forms of resistance that may very well transform it. Lee will discuss gentrification’s historical roots and global scope while sharing the analyses emerging from interviews with over a dozen activists across the US.
Sing A Story with SF Opera: Hansel & Gretel
Saturday, May 11
4pm
Berkeley Repertory Theatre Docent Talk: Galileo
Wednesday, May 14
6pm
Energizer Station for Bike to Wherever Day
Thursday, May 16
7am-6pm
Concert: In the Stax with Marisha Ashanti
Thursday, May 23
6pm
Drawing Class for 4th & 5th Graders with Illustrator & Author Robert Liu-Trujillo
Saturday, May 25
2pm
Central
Discussion Club: Psychedelics
Monday, May 6
6pm
Line Dancing
1st & 3rd Tuesday
1-3pm
Drum it Up: Story Time & Craft
Wednesday, May 8
3:30pm
NEW DATE! Reading with Berkeley's Poet Laureate
Monday, May 13
6pm
Join us for a poetry reading and conversation with Aya de León (Berkeley Poet Laureate), Julia Segre (Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate), and Serena Griffin (Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate).
Help with Energy & Water Bills: Spectrum
Wednesday, May 15
11am-1pm
Crafting a Home Death: Practical Tips & Insights
Saturday, May 25
2pm
Author Talk: Organized Living with Shira Gill
Saturday, May 18
2pm
Author, professional organizer, and certified life coach, Shira Gill, will be in conversation with local prop stylist, Leila Nichols.
West
The Completely Abridged History of East Bay Music
Wednesdays @ 6:30pm
Join us for this humorous and immersive three-day music residency that distills six decades of mind-altering, revolutionary-starting, beat-making, and life-affirming music that originated from our very own East Bay.
May 8 - '60s & '70s
May 15 - '80s &'90s
May 22 - '00s & '10s
Decoupage Vases: CraftLab
Wednesday, May 15
4pm
Indian Folk Painting
Tuesday, May 21
6pm
Saturday, May 18
3pm
Min will read from and talk about their moving young adult book Beating Heart Baby. This program is for teens and young adults--but all are welcomed!
North
Friday, May 10
6pm
***In order to accommodate a large audience, this event will be held near North, at the Hillside Club - 2286 Cedar Street. The event will be livestreamed on the Library's Instagram @berkeleypubliclibrary
Homeschool Families: Summer Reading Info Session
Thursday, May 9
1pm
Author Visit Story Time: Oliver Chin
Saturday, May 11
10:30am
Concert: In the Stax Music Series with Dan Badgley
Tuesday, May 14
6pm
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Drop Off: May 15-16
Pick Up: May 17
Puppet Show: Rabbit & Coyote are Friends?
Saturday, May 18
11am
Teen Tie Dye Party
Wednesday, May 29
2:30pm
Claremont
Movie Night Series with Popcorn!
Wednesdays at 5pm
May 1 - Minari
May 8 - Columbus
May 15 - Everything Everywhere All at Once
May 22 - Next Goal Wins
May 29 - The Paper Tigers
Worms: the Hardest Working Pet You Will Ever Have
Saturday, May 11
3pm
Communication Strategies for Early, Middle and Late State Dementia
Monday, May 13
10am
The Science of Well-Being
Monday, May 13
12noon
Poetry Circle
Thursday, May 16
6pm
Benvenue Beats Mini Music Festival: AAPI Rhythms
Saturday, May 18
We will close down the street in front of Claremont for this open-air event to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with music and community:
2:00 - Jiten Daiko
3:00 - Leung's White Crane Lion Dance
4:00 - Manilatown Ancestral Ensemble
The Library will be at the Berkeley Bay Festival this weekend. See you there!
Celebrate the San Francisco Bay at the Berkeley Marina. Enjoy live music, performers, food, hands-on educational activities, and free boat rides. Over 30 environmental and wildlife conservation organizations from around the Bay will share their exhibits with the public.
Reminder:
All Library locations open one hour late, 11am, on Friday, April 26 for an all staff meeting.
All Library locations will be closed on Monday, May 20 for Malcolm X Day and Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.