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September is Library Card Sign-up Month |
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Beginning this month, as part of Library Card Sign-up Month, staff will ask patrons to verify their contact information. It will take just a moment, so please help us update our records, making it easier for us to send email reminders of due materials.
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September Closures
The Library will be closed for three days during the second week of the month:
Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
Tuesday, September 8 (due to citywide budget shortage)
Wednesday, Sept. 9 (Admissions Day)
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Vol. 2, No. 9 September 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! |
| "Breezin' on Two Wheels" Rumbles through AAMLO |
 For an exhilarating look at a seldom examined topic, be sure to drop by the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) for the new exhibit, Breezin' on Two Wheels: African American Bikers in Oakland. The exhibit, which opened late August, examines a select segment of the African American community and their relationship with the motorcycle. The artifacts and historical documentation on display include a few gems, including wonderful vintage photographs and footage. Na´il "Shayk" Karim, publisher of The Black Biker Magazine, has contributed some rarities, including footage of the local motorcycle drill team known as the Space Riders. The scope of the exhibit is broad, and historically appropriate for this city. Oakland and the East Bay have been home to many black biker clubs, such as the still active East Bay Dragons, the Headhunters, the California Blazers, the Backstabbers, the Wicked Wheels Berkeley Tigers, and the Zodiacs. For many African American riders, motorcycles may have represented an appealing antidote against the poison of racial discrimination and prejudice. By the same token, African Americans rode, and continue to ride motorcycles for the same simple reasons that any biker does - for the thrill and freedom of getting around on two wheels. For more information, call AAMLO at 637-0200 or check out the AAMLO Website. |
| Oakland History Room to Celebrate 100 Years of Pacific Coast Aviation |
 This month marks the centennial of the first successful flight of a self-propelled, mechanized aircraft on the Pacific Coast - a feat accomplished by Feng Ru in the hills above Oakland. The Oakland History Room is presenting Feng Ru: Conquering Pacific Skies, an international dialogue in recognition of the flier and his lasting legacy to aviation in China. This event will take place on Thursday, September 17, at 6:15 PM at the Main Library, 125 14th St.
Feng Ru, known locally as Fung Joe Guey, designed and constructed an airplane in workshops in and around Oakland's Chinatown that took him into the skies from a knoll above the hillside estate of local real estate magnate William Dingee in what is now the Montclair district on September 21, 1909. Local newspapers recognized the event as the first successful flight of an "aeroplane" on the Pacific Coast, a claim that would later be co-opted by other aviation pioneers, most notably Glenn L. Martin, founder of a major military aviation manufacturer in Southern California. Feng's accomplishments were largely dismissed by the aviation community of his era, in large part due to his ethnic heritage.
Following his success here, Feng, born in Guangdong Province, China, was recruited to return to his birthplace where he launched the aviation industry during that nation's transition into a democratic republic under political activist Sun Yat-sen.
The Library event will feature Roger Glenn, organizer of a local committee working to complete a monument, a talk by Steven Lavoie of the Oakland History Room on his research debunking claims to earlier success in the skies by other fliers, along with a live interactive videocast of scholars in Canada and patrons and experts in China, where Feng was recognized as "The Pioneer of Aviation" by Sun Yat-sen himself. The audience will be encouraged to communicate directly in this international dialogue. Interpreters will be on hand to bridge any language barriers.
The dialogue is part of a centennial commemoration of Feng's first flight that is being recognized by the construction of a monument on the campus of Laney College that includes a bronze bust by Chinese sculptor Long Xiang, donated by the publisher of Qianjiang (China) Evening News.
For further information call 510-238-6571 or visit the Library's Website.
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| Librarian Steven Lavoie to Discuss his New Book, Historic Photos of Oakland |
 On Saturday, September 26, at 3 p.m., Steven Lavoie, Librarian of the Oakland History Room, will talk about his newly released book, Historic Photos of Oakland, in a program at the Main Library. Mr. Lavoie will give a presentation in the library's West Auditorium
Most of the images in Historic Photos of Oakland are from the History Room's vast collection. Through these vivid photographs and Mr. Lavoie's knowledgeable text, the book offers a compelling view of the colorful past of the "second" City by the Bay. Noted for its rich diversity, Oakland maintains a uniquely creative and highly resilient population. As it has done in other cities over the past 150 years, the camera has recorded Oakland's rapid change and the ways in which the city has adapted to sustain itself as a charming and welcoming gateway to the Pacific.
The Oakland History Room, on the 2nd floor of the Main Library, is a repository for historical books, articles, photographs, maps, and other forms of research materials. It is open to the public during the Main Library's hours of operation.
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Third Annual Rap & Poetry Slam Slated for Sept. 23
Teens Primed for Back to School Slam Jam |
 Teens may be back to hitting the books, but the fun's not over yet. The Oakland Public Library, BUMP Records and Youth Movement Records present the 3rd annual Teen Slam Jam, featuring poetry slams, raps, and live music by talented local youths, including artists from the young BUMP Records and Youth Movement labels. Don't miss it! This year's Slam Jam takes place on Wednesday September 23, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. It will be held on the patio next to the Main Library's West Auditorium, 125 14th Street. For information, call 238-7232, or visit the library's Website. |
New Schedule for Lawyers in the Library Program
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 The Library continues to fine-tune its programming schedules after the new budget resulted in reduced hours at all of the branches. With all branches now closed Mondays, several Lawyers in the Library sessions had to be moved to other nights.
The Lawyers in the Library program makes legal information and referral available to the public for free. (If further legal help is required, clients are referred to the Bar Association Referral Service.) The program is co-sponsored by the Alameda County Bar Association. Sessions are popular, and getting an appointment often requires showing up early for advance sign-ups.
Here's the complete, current schedule (call the branch beforehand to confirm):
Main Library, 2nd floor
1st through 4th Thursdays, 2nd through fourth Wednesdays
6-8 p.m., sign-up lottery 5:45 p.m.
Bankruptcy Lawyers: 1st Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., sign-up lottery 5:45 p.m.
César E. Chávez Branch
Bilingual Lawyers (Spanish & English)
2nd Tuesdays
5:30 - 7:30 p.m., sign-up lottery 5:15 p.m.
Dimond Branch
1st Tuesdays
6-8 p.m., sign-up lottery 5:45 p.m.
Eastmont Branch
2nd and 4th Tuesdays
5-7 p.m., advanced sign-ups begin 4:30
Elmhurst Branch
2nd Tuesdays
5-7 p.m., first come, first served
Rockridge Branch
1st Tuesdays
6-8 p.m., advance sign-ups 5 p.m.
Temescal Branch
1st Tuesdays
6-8 p.m., sign-up lottery 5:45 p.m.
West Oakland Branch
1st Tuesdays
5-6:30 p.m., advance sign-ups 4:30 p.m.
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September 15 - October 15
Kids Events Celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month |
Hispanic American Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and ends October 15, marks the national independence days of several Latin American nations and celebrates the cultural contributions of the diverse Spanish-speaking people who reside in the US. Several events at the Library are planned to get Oakland families in on the fun. Here's what's in the works:
Papel Picado (Cut Paper)
Kids and families are invited to learn a decorative artform that traces back to the Aztec culture.
César Chávez Branch, Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m. Eastmont Branch, Wednesday, September 16, 3 p.m. Asian Branch, Wednesday, September 30, 2 p.m. Opera Piccola
Come see a performance of Chac the Rain Spirit, an ancient Mayan tale that brings a moving message for today. The audience will get to participate in a captivating Mayan dance. Lakeview Branch, Thursday, September 17, 1 p.m. Brookfield Branch, Friday, September 25, 1 p.m. Eastmont Branch, Saturday, September 26, 1 p.m. For more information about any of these programs, please call the branch where the event is being held, or check the Oakland Public Library's Website. |
| Bookmark Bookstore Sale Dates Announced |
 The Bookmark Bookstore, operated by the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, will have its 30% off fall sale October 8 - 11, 2009 (Thursday - Sunday).
Wednesday October 7 is "Members' First Choice Day". FOPL members receive the 30% discount of all purchases one day early. For information about how to join FOPL, click here, or stop in and speak with a store volunteer.
The Bookmark is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Bookmark is located at 721 Washington St in Old Oakland.
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Audiobooks for iPods Now Available from OPL Website
Good news for audiobook enthusiasts. The Oakland Public Library now offers over 1000 MP3-format audiobooks from NetLibrary that can be played on iPods and Macintosh computers as well as other MP3 players and PC's. Titles include recent books by popular authors, including fiction and non-fiction for adults, teens and children, classics, and award winners. For more details, look here. | |
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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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