As many of you know, the Mayor's proposed FY 2009-2010 budget document was made public in May and is available for viewing on the City of Oakland's Website. Because of a $83 million-plus anticipated budget deficit, the Oakland Public Library has been asked to reduce expenses that will involve the pairing of six branch libraries, which will be open either two or three days per week; and a scaling back of the remaining branch libraries from six to five days per week. The Main Library will remain open seven days per week. In addition, the bookmobile is scheduled to be eliminated from the Library's budget next fiscal year.

 

The smaller branches that have been proposed for pairing are: Golden Gate and Lakeview libraries; Temescal and Elmhurst libraries; Martin Luther King, Jr. and Melrose libraries.

A "Frequently Asked Questions" sheet is posted on the Oakland Public Library's Website, which can provide you with more details and background information.

The Mayor and City Council will hold one last special budget hearing today, Monday, June 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Oakland City Hall, to discuss the budget plans. Please be aware that the Council is already considering alternatives to the proposed library reductions.

At least one City Council member, Jean Quan (District 4), is planning to host a public meeting specifically to address the Library's proposed budget cuts. This meeting is currently slated for Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 p.m. at the Dimond Branch Library.

 

You can also e-mail your comments to the Mayor, any Council member, or to: budgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com. The City Council must adopt a new two-year budget during its regular meetings on June 16 and June 30. 

 

 

The Summer Reading Program is a fun way to encourage kids to maintain their reading skills over the summer. Children may read anything they want for the program, so they can develop their own interests and a love of reading. Numerous studies have found that children who select books for themselves, and participate in reading as a leisure activity, improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills.

To entice young people to use Oakland's libraries, we've lined up a summer's worth of free events featuring live animals, puppet shows, storytelling, music, magic, comedy, arts and crafts, and more. For junior patrons of the Main Library, the fun begins with a Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party on Saturday, June 13, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on the Children's Room patio, at the Main Library, 125 14th Street. Children will be treated to face painting, sidewalk chalk art, ice cream, a scavenger hunt, music, and creative projects by the East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use. And, back by popular demand, kids will get an opportunity to Dunk the Librarian!

For more information about the program or to see a schedule of the many free events taking place this summer at your neighborhood library, please call (510) 238-3615, or visit the library's Website.

 

 

 

For more information about the program, please call (510) 238-7232 or 238-7234, or visit the library's Website.

 

The Oakland Public Library recently added a number of new electronic databases which should be of great use and interest to our patrons, from young students through adults. All of these databases can be found by clicking the "Online Resources" link on the Library home page, then clicking on "Articles and Database" at the top of that page. Or just click on this link to get started. (You will need to key in your name, library card number, and PIN to access the databases. If you do not have a PIN, just key one in and remember it for future use.)
 
Global Road Warrior provides regularly updated information on the countries of the world, for travelers, business people, and students. Categories of coverage include travel information, society and culture, business culture, advisories for women travelers, photos, maps, and pronunciation guides. It also includes useful graphics of electrical outlets used in each country.
 
Morningstar Online is an investment resource specializing in mutual and other fund investing. It provides trusted, independent, and in-depth news, commentary, fund information, recommendations, and research on stocks and mutual funds. By clicking on the "Help and Information" tab on the home page, the user will find tutorials (in English and Spanish) on getting started in investing. It also provides 2 minute video tutorials.
 
LearningExpress Library has new features. In addition tomore than 300 online practice tests, it now includesMicrosoft software applications tutorials, U.S. Citizenship exam preparation, and for Spanish speakers, a section with English practice and math comprehension aimed at helping the user pass GED-level exams.
 
Encyclopedia Americana is a comprehensive general reference resource providing in-depth research for older students and adults. It includes a section of biographies in various categories, research topics, full text periodicals, web links, photographs, illustrations, maps, and flags.
 
La Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre is a comprehensive research tool for Spanish speakers and advanced Spanish-language students. Included are maps, illustrations, flags, news stories from the Spanish-language press (actualidades), timelines (cronologias), vocabulary and pronunciation pages, and a Spanish grammar section. 
 
La Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre es una herramienta completa de investigación para personas de habla hispana y estudiantes de español avanzado. Incluye artículos extensos de cada país latinoamericano, mapas, ilustraciones, banderas, noticias actuales de la prensa hispana (Actualidades), cronologías, páginas de vocabulario y pronunciación, y una sección de gramática española.
 
Amazing Animals of the World offers children of all ages access to information about the animal kingdom and its place in our world. It includes interactive information on over 1,200 animals is provided, with detailed illustrations, maps, and glossaries.
 
America the Beautiful is a fact-filled, tool for elementary and middle school students for research on the states, famous Americans, and U.S. History. It includes articles, an interactive almanac and maps, timelines, and educational games.
 
Lands and Peoples provides elementary and middle school students with up-to-date information on countries, cultures, and current events. Features include an encyclopedia of countries, facts and figures, cultural comparisons, games and quizzes, and a Global News Desk.
 
Popular Science provides in-depth science, health, and technology research and news for students in middle school and beyond. It includes photos, maps, and technical illustrations, biographies of great scientists, information on science careers, and ideas for school science projects and experiments.