More than 1,000 Patrons visit 81st Ave. East Oakland Community Library on Opening Day
The opening of the new 81st Avenue East Oakland Community Library was met with rousing fanfare on Saturday. Mayor Jean Quan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland Council President Larry Reid, State Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, and a host of other local and state dignitaries came, made speeches, and demonstrated obvious pride in the achievement. Police Chief Anthony Batts was MC.
Much more importantly, more than 1,000 members of the community showed up to visit the public library for which they have waited so long. If Saturday is any indication, the new branch will be among the OPL's most popular.
On opening day, from about 1 to 5:30 pm, more than 200 new library cards were issued at the branch. Some 1,325 books, CDs, and DVDs were checked out.
All are welcome to visit this beautiful, state-of-the-art library, the largest branch in the OPL system. The 81st Avenue East Oakland Community Library is located at 1021 81st Ave., at Rudsdale. The phone number is 510-615-5812. The branch is open Tues 11:30-7, Weds 10-5:30, Thurs 10-5:30, Fri 12-5:30, Sat 10-5:30; closed Sun & Mon.
Read Chip Johnson's Jan. 28 column in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Watch the stirring video of the book delivery, greeted by students of ACORN Elementary and EnCompass Academy, on Dec. 15.
