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Montclair Closure
The Montclair Branch is closed for mold abatement. The branch is tentatively scheduled to reopen in mid-May. | |
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Library Honors Fallen Police Officers |
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Several branches of the Oakland Public Library, including Lakeview Branch (pictured, above), have set up touching condolences tables where patrons can drop off cards expressing their sympathies for the police officers killed on March 21.
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| Dog Days of April? |
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All month, Lakeview Branch will feature artist Richard Blakely's drawings of dogs! And at 3 pm every Wednesday, kids can read to a dog in Lakeview's PAWS to Read program. Call 238-7344 for information. | |
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Vol. 2, No. 4 April 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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Celebrate National Library Week, April 12 - 18, 2009
Libraries Support Community During Tough Times
The National Library Week theme in Oakland this year is Free2all @ Your Library. As our community struggles with the difficult economy, library usage has gone up as individuals and families seek out low-cost alternatives for recreation, job-seeking, lifelong learning, financial aid, and other support. The National Library Week theme reminds people that their public library is still proudly "Free2all."
Your Oakland Public Library continues to be the place where you can find these free services and materials:
- Internet access computers and computer training classes
- Reference assistance from a professionally trained librarian not only in-person, but via e-mail and 24/7 live chat
- Legal information and tax assistance through our Lawyers in the Library and AARP tax help programs
- A wide variety of materials for research and entertainment, including DVDs, e-books, career and job resources, practice tests, even tools
- Powerful databases that give you access to thousands of newspaper and magazine articles
- Children's story hours and after-school homework help
- Tutoring for adults who need help reading and writing
- Special events for all ages, featuring authors and professional performers that you usually have to pay admission to see at other locations
If you haven't been to your local library lately, come check us out. You can start by visiting our Website, to get an idea of what's available. It won't cost you a penny! |
Celebrate National Library Week, April 12 - 18, 2009
Culture Clash to Appear April 2
On Thursday, April 2, 2009, at 7 pm, the Oakland Public Library invites you to join Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza of Culture Clash for a sampling of new and recent works at the Oakland Museum of California's James Moore Theatre, 1000 Oak Street. For Culture Clash, the event is also an anniversary celebration: The group has been putting out humorous and politically savvy books and performances for 25 years.
Founded in the Mission District in 1984, Culture Clash has evolved into one of the nation's leading performance groups. Ric and Herbert will discuss their successful theater career and read excerpts from such classic works as Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, Chavez Ravine, and Zorro from Hell. Copies of Oh Wild West! will be sold courtesy of the Oakland Museum of California Store. A booksigning will follow.
There will be no reserved seating and seating is limited. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. (enter on the museum's 10th Street side). This event is co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library, the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, and the Oakland Museum of California. Call 510-238-6713 for information.
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Oakland Public Libraries are Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
 Now you can use the wireless connection from your own laptop computer at the Oakland Public Library! Thanks to the efforts of the City's Department of Information Technology, the Library now offers FREE wireless access (Wi-Fi) for public use at all of its fifteen branches, the Main Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). Wi-Fi allows appropriately equipped and configured laptop computers to access the Internet. It is also best if you have a fully charged battery, as the libraries have a limited number of designated electrical outlets to plug in your computer.
For more information about this service and a list of locations and hours, please consult the Oakland Public Library's Website or call your nearest branch of the Oakland Public Library. |
Book Sale at the Bookmark
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. The Bookmark is at 721 Washington St., in historic Old Oakland.
All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Oakland Public Library. Call 510-444-0473 for more information or to donate your gently-used books.
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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Celebrate National Poetry Month in April
Come Hear the Poets of the Library
 As we did last April, with an exceedingly popular and enjoyable program, the Library will again celebrate National Poetry Month with readings by published poets who work in the library. Please join in a tribute to American poets at the Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St. On Saturday, April 25, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., published poets who work at the Oakland Public Library will read selections from their work.
The Poets of the Library event upholds a tradition that began with Ina Coolbrith, who was both the first Director of the Oakland Public Library and the first Poet Laureate of the State of California.
 Andrew Demcak ( Zero Summer), Nina Lindsay (pictured, right; Today's Special Dish), Steve Lavoie ( Dawn Through a Rear View Mirror), Teya Schaffer ( A Ritual of Drowning), and Alan Bern ( Waterwalking in Berkeley) will be on hand to share their verse. All of these accomplished poets work at the Oakland Public Library, with the exception of Bern (who formerly worked for the Oakland Public Library and is now employed at the Berkeley Public Library).
For information call the library at (510) 238-3136, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website.
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Travel Series Returns to Main Library
The Main Library's popular Spring Travel Series returns this month with weekly programs featuring travel experts waxing over wide ranging topics, such as travel health, walking tours, road tripping through Baja California, and the arts in Cuba. All of the talks will take place in the West Auditorium of the Main Library, 125 14th Street. Show up early to the as these programs have been well attended in the past!
The series launches Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., with Travel Health Resources Online. Oakland Public Librarians Barbara Bibel and Dorothy Lazard will provide an online tour of reliable travel health resources (immunizations, travel advisories, etc.), and present practical tips on how to stay healthy on the road.
 On Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m., Tom Downs, an award-winning travel writer and author of Walking San Francisco, presents Walking Tours: Exploring Cities on Foot. In his talk, Tom will extol the value of experiencing a city the pedestrian way. Along the way, he will share the history, architecture, and stories that make San Francisco one of the country's great walking cities.
 On Wednesday, April 29, at 6 p.m., intrepid world traveler and local author Trevor Cralle presents Baja Road Trip. Trevor will give a slide show and talk on the basics of camping in ruggedly beautiful Baja California. Among the topics: securing automobile insurance, packing, points of interest, whale watching and other activities.
 The series concludes on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m., with The Art and Culture of Cuba. Painter, musician, and art instructor Sue Matthews presents a talk and slide show on the diverse culture and rich history of Cuba. As a frequent traveler to Cuba, Sue will also share practical tips on how to go, some of her favorite activities, the arts scene, and more.
Books will be available for sale and signing at some of the events. For information, please call (510) 238-3136.
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Digital Story Station Videos Now Online
Since January, residents of East Oakland have been utilizing the Library's new Digital Story Stations to produce personal narratives about life in East Oakland. Collectively called East Oakland Stories, the project project has already yielded some wonderful clips. See for yourself! Several videos are online at the Library's Digital Story Station Website. The program is ongoing, so if you're a resident of East Oakland and have a tale to share, make a visit to the Eastmont Branch and look for the Digital Story Station. It's easy to produce a short 3 to 5 minute video that can include photos, letters and music, as well as your voice and image. You'll receive a free DVD copy and your story will become part of the California of the Past online collection. It will also be shared with the community as part of a digital archive that will be made available at the new East Oakland Community Library at 81st Avenue - slated to open in late 2009. Call ahead to learn more and sign up: (510) 238-7075.
The Digital Story Station is funded by a grant from the California State Library, as part of its California of the Past program. The Oakland Public Library received the grant with its partners, ACORN Woodland Elementary School and Encompass Academy.
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Celebrate National Library Week, April 12 - 18
Kid Stuff to Celebrate National Library Week
National Library Week may technically be limited to seven days, but at the Oakland Public Library the celebration will generate an entire month's worth of fun events for children. Kids who come to hear a storyteller, watch a puppet show, participate in a craft project, and meet the Bubble Lady are sure to gain a greater appreciation for their public library.
In a series of appearances, storyteller Gracie Woodard will bring stories to life for elementary school children. Ms. Woodard, a former children's librarian, combines animated readings with puppets, songs, and audience participation. She will perform at the following libraries:
- Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave., tel. 597-5017, Tuesday April 14, 7:00 p.m.
- Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Ave., tel. 615-5727, Wednesday April 15, 10:00 a.m.
- Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, tel. 238-7344, Thursday April 16, 1:00 p.m.
- Asian Branch, 388 9th St., Ste. 190, tel 238-3400, Thursday April 16, 4:00 p.m.
- Main Library-Children's Room, 125 14th St., tel. 238-3615, Monday April 20, 10:30 a.m.
- Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave., tel. 597-5023, Tuesday April 21, 10:30 a.m.
- Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Ave. tel. 615-5725, Thursday April 23, 1:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m., Puppet Art Theater comes to Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., tel. 482-7844. The evening's program will be a new adaptation of a familiar classic, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".
On Thursday, April 6, at 3:30 p.m., kids can learn a valuable library skill in a Journal & Book Making Workshop, at Martin Luther King Branch, 6833 International Blvd., tel. 615-5728.
 The Bubble Lady is Rebecca Niles, who wows youngsters with her impressive bubble sculptures and entertaining stories. She will appear Wednesday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m., at Eastmont Branch, in the Eastmont Town Center, 7200 Bancroft Ave., Ste. 211, tel. 615-5726.
For more information about these events, please call (510) 238-3615, or visit our Website.
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Deadline for Filing Returns is April 15!
Free Tax Assistance at the Library
 The Library and the American Association for Retired Persons continue to offer free tax assistance up to the deadline on 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 Mandatory Business Closure days. Due to budget cuts, the Oakland Public Library will be closed on Friday, March 13, Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10. Tax Assistance will not be available on those days. Hours may be subject to change; please call ahead to confirm times.
For locations and times, please call (510) 238-3134, or see the Oakland Public Library's Tax Help Web site. |
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Shop at Barnes & Noble in Jack London Square during National Library Week and Support Your Local Libraries
During National Library Week, April 12 - 18, 2009, Barnes & Noble Jack London Square will contribute a percentage of every sale made with a special Book Fair voucher to the Alameda County Library Foundation (ACLF). Customers can also show their library cards at the time of purchase.
Although the ACLF serves the Alameda County Library system (which does not include Oakland), it will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the Oakland Barnes & Noble store to our library.
In conjunction with this promotion, Barnes & Noble will be hosting two special Book Fair author events during National Library Week:
Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m.
J. Baker Young, author of Nothing But Love: A Katrina Volunteer Finds Inspiration in the Aftermath
Saturday, April 18, 3 p.m.
Christine Arylo, author of Choosing Me Before We: Every Woman's Guide to Life and Love, and Catherine Athans, author of Make Your Dreams Come True Now!: How to Manifest Your Wishes, Dreams and Desires
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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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