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| February Holidays and Closures |
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Due to holidays and budget cuts, the library will not be open on the following days in the month of February:
February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
February 13 - Mandatory Business Closure
February 16 - President's Day | |
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Vol. 2, No. 2 February 1, 2009
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! |
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The Big Read Oakland: Ernest J. Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying
 Beginning February 21, The Big Read comes to Oakland! We invite everybody to participate in this citywide initiative to read Ernest J. Gaines' award-winning novel, A Lesson Before Dying, during a month-long celebration that includes book clubs, theater performances, film screenings, panel discussions, and more! Co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library and the California State University, East Bay, the goal of the program is to get people reading and talking about the same book. To that end, everybody is invited to participate by borrowing a copy of Gaines' book from our library and attending a free kick-off event at the Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak Street) on Saturday, February 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Besides a cook-off of Southern food, you'll be entertained with music that features selections from Sophisticated Ladies, a celebration of the music of Duke Ellington.  Other events at the Oakland Public Library include a reading by community actors of A Lesson Before Dying on Monday, February 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Golden Gate Branch (5606 San Pablo Avenue), as well as a screening of the film starring Don Cheadle on Saturday, February 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Martin L. King, Jr. Branch (6833 International Blvd.). The Lakeview Branch Book Club will discuss Gaines' book at its February 9th meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. (550 El Embarcadero).  A Lesson Before Dying is a compelling novel that, according to The Reader's Guide, "poses one of the most universal questions literature can ask: Knowing we're going to die, how should we live?" It is a story of social injustice in the pre-Civil Rights South, race relations, and personal redemption from a master storyteller at the height of his powers. For more information about this initiative and a complete list of scheduled events, please click here. This program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and library Services and Arts Midwest. |
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State-of-the Art TeenZone Now Open at Main Library
 Oakland teens now have an expanded, state-of-the-art place to gather at the TeenZone in the Main Library, 125 14th Street on the second floor. A public event to celebrate the TeenZone's new makeover took place on Wednesday, January 28, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. The TeenZone features a computer lab with the latest Apple iMac computers, innovative recycled Terrazzo reading bars and work areas, private group study spaces, improved displays for teen materials, expanded display space to showcase teen art, comfortable seating and flashy carpets. YHLA Architects took ideas from the library's Youth Leadership Council and Teen Advisory Group and translated them into a 21st century design to meet the needs of young adults. The Oakland Public Library received a number of grants and donations from various sources in order to fund the construction, equipment, and furniture costs. The list of funders includes the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, Torrance Turner Trust, Public Library Fund Grant, the Oakland Public Library Gift Fund, Measure D Recycled Product Fund-Environment Services, and a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant. For more information, please call (510) 238-7332 or visit the Oakland Public Library's Web site. Better yet, come visit the TeenZone and see it for yourself! |
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Celebrate Black History Month at the Library
February is Black History Month, which means a slew of fun and enlightening events at the Oakland Public Library. This year's programming includes exhibits, poetry readings, author talks, cooking demonstrations, and performances that highlight African American culture.  AAMLO, 659 14th St., has several exciting events on its calendar, beginning Saturday, February 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with the Collaboration of the Year, a spiritual songfest featuring the Oakland Community Chorus (see photo). On Saturday, February 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., AAMLO presents African American Pioneers in the Olympic Games, an opportunity for fans of track and field to meet Olympians. On Saturday, February 28, from 2 to 7:30 p.m., AAMLO hosts 400 Years of History: African American Composers, an afternoon of live performances and history. For all AAMLO events, please RSVP: (510) 637-0200. Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, will host the Ed N Sted Funky 45 Show, on Saturday, February 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. Artist Ed Harris will provide the tunes, and his paintings celebrating African American music will grace the walls of Lakeview Branch all month. Call (510) 238-7344 for information. At West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street, the 19th Annual African American Celebration through Poetry takes place on Saturday, February 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. On Saturday, February 28, from noon to 4 p.m., the West Oakland Branch presents its annual African American Quilters of Oakland Demonstration and Workshop.For information call (510) 238-7352. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., offers a Nigerian Cooking Workshop, on Saturday, February 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call (510) 615-5728 for information.
For additional information about AAMLO programs, click here. For more detailed information about the Library's Black History Month programming, click here.
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Fun Family Events for Black History Month
In addition to the wealth of adult programs for Black History Month (see above), the Oakland Public Library is hosting a variety of fun, kid-friendly cultural events to captivate children while imparting a growing appreciation for African American music and history.
 Percussionist James Henry's Music and Drum Workshops offer an energy-charged education in rhythm for children of all ages. Eight workshops are scheduled:
Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160 41st Street, (510) 597-5011, Thursday, February 5, 10:30 a.m.
Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Avenue, (510) 615-5727, Friday, February 6, 2009, 1 p.m.
César Chávez Branch, 3301 East 12th Street, (510) 535-5620, Saturday, February 7, 1 p.m.
Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Avenue, (510) 597-5049, Friday, February 20, 10:30 a.m.
Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Avenue, (510) 615-5725, Friday, February 20, 1 p.m.
Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, (510) 482-7844, Tuesday, February 24, 7 p.m.
Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd., (510) 482- 7810, Thursday, February 26, 10:30 a.m.
West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street, (510) 238-7352, Thursday, February 26, 1 p.m.
 Dramatic storyteller J.P. Myrick aims to entertain, educate and motivate with her depictions of African American women who left their mark on history. In a pair of performances at library branches Ms. Myrick will portray scientist and inventor Madame C.J. Walker and underground railroad hero Harriet Tubman.
Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, (510) 238-7344, Thursday, February 5, 1 p.m. (Ms. Myrick will portray C.J. Walker.)
Martin L. King Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., (510) 615-5728, Tuesday, February 10, 2:30 p.m. (Ms. Myrick will portray Harriet Tubman.)
For more information, please call (510) 238-3615, or click here. |
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Free Tax Assistance at the Library
 If you can use a little good news about tax time, the Oakland Public Library has news for you. We can help with filing all those forms - for free. The Library, in partnership with the American Association for Retired Persons, offers free tax assistance from February 2 through April 15, 2009. Trained volunteers will help residents fill out their forms at several library locations. (See below for locations and schedule.)
Participants need to bring copies of last year's federal and state tax returns and all materials pertaining to their 2008 tax forms (including details of stimulus checks, if they received any in 2008) for themselves and their spouse (if filing jointly).
For walk-in appointments (at specified sites), be sure to arrive in time for the beginning of the day's session in order to receive a time slot. The Library's Tax Assistance program is very popular, and not everyone is guaranteed a time slot. Seniors, ages 60 and up, will be given preference at walk-in sites.
The Tax Assistance Program will not take place on official City holidays and Mandatory Business Closure days. The Oakland Public Library will be closed on Thursday, February 12 for Lincoln's Birthday; on Friday, February 13 due to budget cutbacks; on Monday, February 16 for Presidents' Day; on Friday, March 13 due to budget cuts; and on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 due to budget cuts. Tax Assistance will not be available on those days. Hours may be subject to change; please call ahead to confirm times.
Locations and Times:
Oakland Main Library-West Auditorium
125 14th Street
Mondays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fridays, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(510) 238-3134
No advance appointments; arrive early to sign up for a time slot.
César E. Chávez Branch Library
3301 East 12th Street, Suite 271
Mondays, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Bilingual Spanish/English
(510) 535-5620
Call for an appointment. Some walk-ins may be accepted; call for information.
Dimond Branch Library
3565 Fruitvale Avenue
Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(510) 482-7844
Call for an appointment. Some walk-ins may be accepted; call for information.
Eastmont Branch Library
7200 Bancroft Avenue
Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fridays, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
No advance appointments; arrive early to sign-up for a time slot.
Temescal Branch Library
5205 Telegraph Avenue
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(510) 597-5049
Call for an appointment.
For more information about the tax assistance program, please call (510) 238-3134, or see the Oakland Public Library's Tax Help Web site. |
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Calling all Book Lovers!
Mark your calendar for The Bookmark Bookstore's Spring Sale. Sale pricing is offered to the public from Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Save 30% off FOPL's year-round bargain pricing during this special event. Call 510-444-0473 for more information or to donate your gently-used books. All proceeds benefit the Oakland Public Library.
 For Friends of the Oakland Public Library members only: on Wednesday, April 8th, during the "Members' First Choice Sale," FOPL members receive 30% off all purchases. Click here to learn about FOPL membership. | |
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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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