Summer Reading is Underway!
Kids, Teens and Adults: get a book in English, Spanish, Chinese or Arabic just for signing up and there are more prizes when you complete the challenge and log your participation!
You can sign up in person at any of our locations, online, or by calling (510) 981-6223.
This year's summer reading program honors Jim Jacobs, Berkeley Public Library’s first African American librarian, who founded the summer reading program with "Summer Fun Clubs".
Lunch at the Library
Kids ages 0-18 can get free lunch at the Central Library on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting June 9. There will be activities like cooking classes with AAVE Cafe, arts, crafts, games and more!
Check the Library's event calendar each week for the menus and special activities.
Upcoming Event Highlights
Literally How: Using Tools
Learn how to use manual and power tools safely and successfully.
For ages 9 and up. Registration is required.
Tuesday, July 7
12:30 pm
North
Topic: How to use a measuring tape, square, pencil, hand saw, clamps, hammers, and more while build a simple wood-based project.
Register Tuesday, July 21
12:30 pm
North
Topic: How to safely and effectively utilize the most useful power tool: the battery-operated drill/driver.
Library Helper Club for Rising 5th and 6th Graders
Be a Junior Librarian at North!
Junior Librarians help with a variety of tasks, including recommending favorite books, cleaning book covers, cutting stickers, and other simple library tasks.
- Tuesday, July 7, 3-4 pm
- Tuesday, July 14, 3-4 pm
- Tuesday, July 21, 3-4 pm
- Tuesday, July 28, 3-4 pm
Sign up for a timeslot by calling (510) 981-6250 or visiting North Branch.
Author Event with Brandon Shimodo
The Afterlife is Letting Go
The Grave on the Wall
Wednesday, July 8
6 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Kids: Make Pinch Pots
Saturday, July 11
11:30 am
West
Celebrating Women in the Local Arts Scene
Saturday, July 11
1-4 pm
Central
The 5th floor of the Central Library will be filled with live DJs, artists, and local vendors. Enjoy this pop-up event, "Women of the World Take Over."
Meet a Variety of Animals
Monday, July 13
3 pm
North
You might meet baby chicks, guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles, snakes, ducks, tortoises, lizards, tarantulas, roosters, and more!
Spice Up Resume, LinkedIn Profile, and Interview Dialogue
Ways to rise above AI and show the unmistakable YOU
An interactive event for job seekers
Tuesday, July 14
5 pm
This event is part of an online job-seeking skills series, held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 5-6:15 PM PT.
What's in Our Food?
Open discussion with other participants and facilitators from Conference Calendar
Tuesday, July 14
6:30 pm
North
Come Play Chess
Every Thursday
3-5 pm
Central
Every Friday
3-5 pm
Claremont
mak-'amham/Cafe Ohlone
Learn about living Ohlone culture while enjoying tea and a treat.
Thursday, July 16
3:30 pm
‘oṭṭoytak, located on Cal campus outside the Hearst Museum of Anthropology
Registration is required.
Botany for Children
Friday, July 17
1-1:40 pm: for ages 4-7
1:50-2:30 pm: for ages 8-12
Central
Root yourself in our local plant species, examine the plant cycle, and use scientific tools to investigate further, with East Bay Regional Park District Naturalists.
Kids Yoga
Saturday, July 18
11 am
West
Suitable for children ages 4 to 8.
Please bring a yoga mat if you have one.
International Chess Day Tournament
The tournament is for all ages with three separate ages categories, Youth, Young Teen, and Adults.
Saturday, July 18
11 am-1:30 pm: Youth and Young Teen sections
2-5:30 pm: Adult section
Claremont
Japanese American History Walking Tour
Saturday, July 18
2 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Meet at the Tarea Hall Pitman Library and join Arlene Makita-Acuña on a walking tour of her childhood neighborhood, a red-lined district in post-WWII Berkeley.
Exhibit: Monday, July 6 through Saturday, August 1
Public Presentation: Saturday, July 18, 2pm
Central
Magic Show with Michael Nguyen
Monday, July 20
3 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Jam-session with Berkeley Old Time Music Convention
Third Tuesday of the Month
(Tuesday, July 21)
5:30 pm
Central
Creative Writing Space
Third Tuesday of the Month
(Tuesday, July 21)
4 pm
West
Whether you are working on a novel, poetry, memoir or just exploring the craft, the program is designed to offer encouragement and camaraderie. All levels of writers are welcomed!
Urban Nature Walk for Families with Kids Ages 5 and Up
Wednesday, July 22
4 pm
Central
We'll meet in front of the Central Library, and start our walk at 4:10 pm.
Please come on time, as we will be walking from place to place.
Adults must accompany children.
Learn about the Opera Cinderella, then Act It Out with Costumes and Props
For ages 4-10 and their families
Thursday, July 23
3 pm
Claremont
Dragon Everything
Thursday, July 23
4 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
We'll make dragons eggs, and other dragon arts and crafts, have dragon themed trivia and prizes, and finish up with a dragon movie and dragon-themed snacks.
Topaz Toddlers Art Project: Exhibit and Reception
Exhibit: July 1-31
Central, 1st and 5th floor
Reception: Saturday, July 25
Exhibit Viewing: 11 am-12 pm
Presentations/Q&A: 12-1 pm
Central
Make Beaded Garden Stakes
Saturday, July 25
11 am
Claremont
All materials provided.
Make Tortillas and Celebrate International Afro-Latina, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora Women’s Day
Saturday, July 25
1 pm
Central
Haiku and Other Japanese Poetic Forms with Joyce E. Young
Saturday, July 25
2 pm
Claremont
Beginning and experienced writers are welcome.
Panel Discussion: Octavia’s Legacy: Imagining Futures She Made Possible
Artists explore Octavia's influence on speculative fiction
Saturday, July 25
2 pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Author Event with Dr. Stephanie Dole, the Beetlelady
Learn about her new book "Bug Power" and meet live bugs up close
Saturday, July 25
3 pm
Central
Live Music: Featuring The School of Rock Berkeley House Band
Saturday, July 25
4 pm
Central
Author Event with Nancy Suter
Taking the Helm
Leaving Everything Behind: Sailing Across the Pacific
Monday, July 27
5:30 pm
Central
Bubble Show with Sterling the Bubblesmith
Monday, July 27
11 am
North
Bubble Show with Bubble Sam
And get a free book per child while supplies last
Friday, July 31
3 pm
In front of Hidden Cafe at 1260 Allston Way at Strawberry Creek Park
Celebrate Disability Pride Month: Sound Advice, a Talk with Photographer and Creator Nancy Rubin
Wednesday, July 29
6 pm
North
Through portraits and personal stories, Sound Advice captures the lived experiences of people with hearing loss, inviting visitors to better understand this often invisible disability.
There are hundreds of upcoming library programs for all ages and for a diversity of interests:
Many library programs are funded by the generous support of the
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
Thank you, Friends!
All Library locations will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4.
All Library locations will open later than usual at 11 am on Friday, July 31.
Thank you Friends & Foundation!
Working together to make a great public library extraordinary...
Thank you, Foundation & Friends!
