In March, many of our free events and services represent community partnerships, from Income Tax Preparation to the Lawyers in the Library, as well as free classes on gardening, computers and business. Take a look. We even offer a Shakespeare play! Read more.
 
As we focus on our strategic plan and explore community partnerships, we find the conversations veer to solving the biggest problems our community faces. In trying to identify them, we are starting a groundswell of change. A key item we are focusing on is aligning ourselves with the 2020 Vision for Berkeley's Children & Youth. The partnerships we form in the future will create new services to help those in most need.
 
This month we celebrate Youth Art Month and Read With Me, designed to encourage fun and simple literary activities for families and their kids, 0-5 year old. See our Kids Newsletter for more information. There are also many opportunities for Teens to create something this month.  Find more in Teen News.  Adults may want to subscribe to our Art & Culture newsletter. Currently, newsletters are emailed monthly.

Finally, I direct you to our Community Resources.  We are retooling this service to provide better access to key Berkeley community groups. Use it to search for a local organization or service. You can also download and print a PDF of one of our Community Resources Lists  that are prepared by our librarians.

Jeff Scott,
Director, Berkeley Public Library

Photo credit: Richard Friedman

In its first year of operation our West Branch Library produced more energy than it used - leading to official certification as the first net zero library in the state and only the third municipal building of its kind in the nation.

"Libraries embody a community's values," said Jeff Scott, the Director of Library Services. "It's fitting that the Berkeley Public Library's West Berkeley branch brings together City values of education and sustainability. This is an amazing accomplishment by Berkeley voters, library patrons, a dedicated group of Berkeley Public Library staff and our local design firms and contractors." Read More

Beginning March 2, advanced reservations can be made to use the Berkeley Public Library's Claremont Branch flexible programming space. The flexible programming space is located at the rear of the Children's area and has space for three tables and  25 chairs.

The space is available Tuesday evenings from 5:30 -7:30 pm. The first available date to reserve the space is Tuesday, March 17. Reservations are free to Berkeley-based community groups, organizations and government agencies. Read More 

 

 
Spring is officially here on March 20! Get ready for it with Alameda County Master Composter, educator and Bay-Friendly Gardener Lori Caldwell with two free  gardening workshops

 Gardening 101: The Basics @Claremont
Wednesday, March 4
6:30pm
Join Lori Caldwell share the basics: healthy soil building, transplanting, plant choice by season, seeds vs. starts and non-toxic pest control.

Eat What You Grow @Claremont
Wednesday, March 11
6:30pm
Eat food from your own garden! Lori will cover crop rotation, soil fertility, plant succession, transplanting seedlings, watering and the best crops for your garden.

Lawyers in the Library offers free consultation and referrals on a wide variety of issues including landlord/tenant disputes, probate matters, employment problems, and general consumer issues.

Lawyers in the Library @Claremont
Thursday, March 12
6:30-7:30pm
Sign-ups start at 5:00pm for a spot with our visiting lawyer. Names are chosen at random at 6:00pm for appointment times.

Lawyers in the Library @West
Friday, March 13
10-11:30am
For a spot with our visiting lawyer, call between 6pm - 7:30pm Thursday evening to sign-up or drop-in on Friday morning, space willing. Call 510-981-6270 for more information.

Lawyers in the Library @North
Thursday, March 19
6:30-7:30pm
Sign-ups start at 5:00pm for a spot with our visiting lawyer. Names are chosen at random at 6:00pm for appointment times.

Lawyers in the Library @South
Thursday, March 26
6:30-7:30 pm
Sign-ups start at 5:00pm for a spot with our visiting lawyer. Names are chosen at random at 6:00pm for appointment times.

For information about other legal and community resources collected by the Library go to Explore on our website and click on Community Resources on the the pull down menu.