December 2015

Holidays are Coming at BPL!

The holidays are upon us, and one thing you can count on being thankful for is that the Berkeley Public Library brings you all manner of events to get you in the spirit and help you celebrate right, no matter your traditions.

Whether you're trying to find the perfect film to watch with your family, looking for some enlightening reading for your long break, or want to join an event with your friends and neighbors--we have it!

Read on for what we've got happening at a library near you this holiday season!
 
December Teen Events


Cookie Decorating @South
Tuesday December 15th
4:30-5:30pm
We provide the cookies and supplies - you provide the creativity. Everyone takes home any cookies they decorate - on a plate or in their stomach - it's up to you! All middle- and high- schoolers are welcome!

Story Time for Grown-ups: Holiday Edition @North
Tuesday December 15th
4:30-6:00pm
Who says story-time is just for kids? Join us for a dramatic reading of holiday stories for older teens and adults.


Magic: The Gathering Tournament @North
Saturday December 5th
1:30-5:00pm
Test your wits and your might at our Magic: The Gathering Tournament! Face off against friends as you strive for glory. All cards will be provided, and prizes will be given to the winners of matches! Grand Prize Winners receive 2015 Commander Decks!
Open to players ages 11-18 of all skill levels who are looking for a challenge! For questions and to RSVP contact Jack at jbaur@cityofberkeley.info or 510-981-6050.


 Special Edition: Teen Art, Music & Writing Club: The Martian Book Club @West
Mondays, December 7 & 14
4:30-5:30pm
Join us for a special edition of the Art, Music & Writing Club. We will be reading and talking about The Martian, by Andy Weir. Participants will get a free copy of the book and a ticket to the movie when we're done! Treats will be provided!
Read before you watch it: Book to Film!
weathered-movie-reel2.jpg Adapting beloved books isn't a new thing for Hollywood, but in the next few months there are a whole slew of films that take great literature as their inspiration. Which of these are you excited to see?  Check out the book from the library and be ready when the movie hits!
 
Release date: November 25
Victor Frankenstein
The classic story is told from Igor's perspective.  Based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which was published when the author was 21. Starring Daniel  Radcliffe.

Release date: December 11
In the Heart of the Sea
The true story of the whaling ship Essex, that was rammed by a sperm whale in 1820. Featuring the grisly effects of dehydration, starvation, panic and despair - adrift at sea far, far from land. Based on Nathaniel Philbrick's gripping book of the same name, based partly on the letters of Thomas Nickerson, the 14 year old cabin boy.

Release date: January 12, 2016
Shadowhunters
Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series comes to TV on the ABCFamily channel. Featuring all manner of vampires, werewolves, demons, angels, warlocks, faeries, and of course, Shadowhunters.

Release date: January 15, 2016
5th Wave  
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Alien invasion!

Release date: February 12 2016
Deadpool
Marvel's "Merc with a Mouth" comes to life!
More Newsletters!

Sign up for one of our four informative newsletters today!


  • Teen
  • Kids
  • Art & Culture
  • General News
In This Issue
Welcome Beth!


We are excited to introduce Beth Pollard. The Berkeley Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) appointed Beth as the Interim Director of Library Services, Chair Abigail Franklin recently announced announced. Pollard knows libraries.

Pollard, the former City Manager of Albany, served this past year as Interim Deputy City Manager for the City of Berkeley during the recruitment process for the Deputy City Manager position.
"Beth has just the right combination of strong management skills, leadership ability, and familiarity with Berkeley to help guide us during this transition," said Abigail Franklin, Board Chair. Read more.

Weekly Events

The following events are free and open to all teens!

Central Library:
YouthSpeaks
Thursdays
4:00- 5:30pm

North Branch
MAKE SOME THING
Wednesday
3:00-4:00pm

Teens GAME ON
Thursdays
4:00-5:00pm

Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch
MAKE SOME THING
Tuesdays
4:00-5:00pm

Teens GAME ON
Thursdays
4:00-5:00pm

Teen Leadership Group Fridays
4:00-5:00pm

Claremont Branch
Teens GAME ON
Wednesdays
 3:30-4:30pm

MAKE SOME THING
Fridays
4:00-5:00pm

West Branch
Teen Art, Music & Writing
Mondays
4:30-5:30pm

MAKE SOME THING
Tuesdays
4:30-5:30pm

Library Closures

All Berkeley Public Library locations
are closed
Thursday
December 24
&
Friday
 December 25

All locations close
6:00pm
on
Thursday
December 31
and are closed
Friday
January 1, 2016

Special Thanks
Free events at Central, Claremont, Tarea Hall Pittman South & West Libraries are sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library and events at North are made possible by a generous gift from the Pace Trust, in support of the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library.

South Branch Has New Name
On November 18, 2015 the Board of Library Trustees approved the naming subcommittee's recommendation to rename South Branch the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch. The subcommittee will continue having open montlhly meetings to plan next steps; including signage and a plaque or other piece inside the library recounting Ms. Pittman's significance to the community.

We are making plans to celebrate the renaming of the Branch with a series of programs celebrating and collecting the neighborhood's history.