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Vol. 1, No. 2 September 2, 2008
Greetings!
Welcome to the the Oakland Public Library's monthly e-newsletter! We are providing this vehicle to keep our community updated about the latest library news and events. Please forward it to any friends and neighbors you know who might be interested in subscribing. If you do not wish to receive future issues, you can unsubscribe at any time. Happy reading! |
Summer Finales Light up the Library
 The 2008 Summer Reading Game, "Catch the Reading Bug," ended with a rousing finale at the Oakland Museum of California on August 10! Over 650 kids and their families jammed the museum to watch Alex Ramon weave his magic, get their faces painted by Buki the Clown, touch real "live" insects, and make marshmallow/hot fudge spiders. Afterwards, all summer reading finishers received a special certificate and everybody enjoyed popsicles donated by Dreyers. Exact numbers have not been determined yet, but we predict that participants in our annual Summer Reading Game will exceed previous records! A big thank you goes out to the Oakland Museum of California for partnering with us on this fun event.
 The 3rd annual End of Summer Slam Jam for Teens on August 20 was also a tremendous success! Youth from all over the Bay Area performed for over 100 of their peers in the courtyard outside the Main Library. Poets from Youth Speaks raised a lot of issues and questions with their intelligent and intricate poems. Rappers from 3 youth-oriented record labels (BUMP Records, COV Records, and Youth Movement Records) filled the block with their talent and energy. The youth at Corners Cafe from Youth Uprising catered the event. Teen Services staff are already anticipating next year's event, when the Main will have a newly renovated and expanded TeenZone! |
Censorship Subject of AAMLO's Banned and Recovered Exhibit
 In a first-time collaboration, the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) and the San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB) are presenting the exhibit Banned and Recovered: Artists Respond to Censorship (opening September 5 in Oakland). Curated by Hanna Regev, the exhibit features works from over 60 artists working in a variety of media, with most artists interpreting a banned book of their choice. The exhibit, with different work on display at each site, will run through November 26 in San Francisco and December 31 in Oakland. An opening reception will take place on Friday, September 5, 6-8 p.m., at AAMLO.
Timed to coincide with Banned Books Week (September 27 - October 3), sponsored by the American Library Association, the Banned and Recovered exhibit is a "powerful reminder," as Regev says, "of the fragility of our freedoms, many of which are being chipped away by the Patriot Act. It is a powerful testament to the irrepressible creative spirit."
Starting in October, several panel discussions will take place in conjunction with this exhibit on a variety of topics, including "Mark Twain and the Censors" (October 18), "Literary Works on Trial" (November 22), and "African American Writers and Censorship" (December 6). For more details about the exhibit or these events, please visit the AAMLO Website, or see the San Francisco Center for the Book's Website by clicking here.
AAMLO, located at 659 14th Street (near Preservation Park), is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12:00 to 5:30 p.m. |
Fun Activities Honor Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18.
To celebrate this occasion, the Oakland Public Library will teach kids how to make Mexican handicrafts involving paper cut designs (papel picado) at five of its locations.
César Chávez Branch, Saturday, September 13, 11:30 a.m.
Dimond Branch, Thursday, September 18, 3:30 p.m.
Martin L. King, Jr. Branch, Monday, September 22, 3:30 p.m.
Melrose Branch, Wednesday, September 24, 2:30 p.m.
Lakeview Branch, Wednesday, September 24, 3:30 p.m.
 In addition, you can learn how to make delicious drinks and other treats from Latin America with Chef Agustin Gaytán. This hands-on demonstration takes place Monday, September 8, 5-6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library (6833 International Blvd.). |
"School Daze" Finds OLAS Program for Kids Returning to OPL
 Oakland Public Library will continue its long tradition of providing high quality after-school programming for children when Oakland Libraries After School (OLAS) returns this September to four library locations. OLAS offers access to computers, drop-in homework help, materials that support school curriculum, and the opportunity to participate in fun enrichment programs for students, grades K-6. Participating libraries include the Main Library's Children's Room, César Chávez, Eastmont and Golden Gate branches.
This program is primarily designed to benefit elementary school students (grades K-5) and first-year middle school students (grade 6) from Oakland, though students from Emeryville and Piedmont are also welcome. Regular attendance is not required, so children who come to the libraries on an occasional basis can still participate in OLAS programs.
 This service takes place Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Special workshops will be held Wednesdays at all four sites. For more information, call (510) 238-3848. |
Randy Rutherford Bringing One-man Show to Rockridge
 Randy Rutherford is a musician who lost an essential sense -- his hearing -- due to a hereditary disease. Rather than change careers, Mr. Rutherford developed a one-man show, Singing at the Edge of the World. It is a poignant and humorous retelling of his life's experience that has garnered critical raves and numerous awards. He will perform at the Rockridge Branch on Saturday, September 27, from 2 to 5 p.m.
His acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder, Mr. Rutherford mesmerizes audiences with beautifully crafted stories. He chronicles his folk-singing days in Alaska in the 1970s and brings unforgettable characters to life. His is the tale of a young man who finds love and a clear course in life before personal misfortune threatens to unravel all that is dear to him. Punctuated throughout by snippets from popular songs, Singing at the Edge of the World is an inspiring and entertaining testament to one man's redoubtable spirit. It was awarded Vancouver's Pick-of-the-Fringe in 2007.
For more information, call the Rockridge Branch Library at 510-597-5017. |
HAP Helps Teens; "Homework Helpers" Sought
Teens, ages 12-18, can get help with their homework at five branches of the Oakland Public Library. The library's Homework Assistance Program (HAP) is a free homework-helper program staffed by dedicated, knowledgeable volunteers who assist teens with their assignments. Teens can drop in with their school work during specified times. It's as simple as that.
From September 2008 to June 2009, the participating branches and HAP hours are as follows:
Asian Branch, 388 9th St., Ste. 190, Mondays 6-8 pm, Tuesdays, 6-8 pm
Eastmont Branch, 7200 Bancroft Ave., Ste. 211, Mondays 3-7 pm, Saturdays 1-3 pm
Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Ave., Mondays 5-7, Saturdays 1-3 pm
Main Library, 125 14th St., Wednesdays 6-8 pm, Thursdays 6-8 pm
Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd., Mondays 5-7 pm
Adults interested in volunteering as homework helpers must be 18 or older, have a high school level subject expertise, enjoy working with teens, and commit to at least two hours per week.
Times may be subject to change during the first month. To get the latest information, or to apply for a homework helper position, call Teen Outreach Librarian Jodi Mitchell at 238-7233, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website. |
Lawyers in Library Program Expands its Services
Now in its 30th (!) year, the Lawyers in the Library program is a partnership between the Alameda County Bar Association and the Oakland Public Library that provides free legal information and referral at selected libraries. Over 1,000 individuals take advantage of this popular program each year to meet with a professional attorney. Although the attorneys cannot provide legal advice, they can give you information that may help you make a more informed decision, and they can also put you in contact with a referral service if further legal help is needed.
The Lawyers in the Library program recently expanded its offerings at Oakland and now provides sessions at the César E. Chávez, Eastmont and West Oakland branches, as well as at the Main Library, Dimond, Rockridge and Temescal branches. On the first Wednesdays of the month, a special Bankruptcy Lawyer in the Library is held at the Main Library. For a complete schedule of days and times, click here, or call (510) 238-3134. |
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Volunteer Openings
The Oakland Public Library is now recruiting volunteers from the community for the following tasks:
Preschool Story Readers: Books for Wider Horizons is seeking people who would like to read to children once a week at a local preschool or childcare center. Participants must complete a 7 week training series at the Rockridge Branch Library before they are placed at a site. A new round of training takes place on September 23, 24, 25 and October 7, 8, 9, and 11. Please call for more information or to register, 238-7453.
Homework Helpers: Both the Oakland Library After School Program (OLAS) and the Teen Homework Assistance Program (HAP) need volunteers to help students with their homework (see articles above). OLAS can be reached at 238-3848; HAP at 238-7233.
Welcome Desk Greeters: The Main Library is seeking volunteers for its Welcome Desk. Activities include greeting patrons, directing them to appropriate services or sections of the library, and answering questions about the local area. Computer skills are necessary. For more information, come into the Main Library and fill out an application form or call Marc Webb at 510-238-3850.
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Friends' Booksale
The Bookmark Bookstore is having a special two day sale for members of the Friends of the Oakland Public Library. You can join the Friends on the spot and get 30% off all purchases. The special sale days are September 12 and 13. To learn more about the Bookmark Bookstore, located in Historic Old Oakland, click here or call the store at (510) 444-0473. | |
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The Oakland Public Library informs, inspires, and delights our diverse community as a resource for information, knowledge, and artistic and literary expression, providing the best in traditional services, new technologies, and innovative programs. |
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