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Reading is So Delicious Summer Reading Program at Berkeley Public Library

June 6, 2013 in Central Branch, Children, Claremont Branch, News, North Branch, South Branch by LibraryNews | Permalink

Contact:  Erica Dean Glenn
Senior Librarian, Children’s Department
510-981-6229

For Immediate Release
June 6, 2013


Reading is So Delicious Summer Reading Program at Berkeley Public Library

 

Studies have shown that children who continue to read over the summer maintain or improve their reading skills, avoiding the “summer slide”. Summer Reading Programs are an important and fun way to keep children reading over the summer months. The Berkeley Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “Reading is So Delicious”, runs from June 14 – August 17. Children entering grades 1-8 earn prizes by reading books of their choice and visiting the library 3 times. In keeping with this year’s theme, we will be offering a variety of food related events and other deliciously fun activities. Berkeley Public Library is participating in the California State Library’s Reading is So Delicious Food Drive – everyone is invited to bring non-perishable food items to their local branch during the Summer Reading Program.

Just a sampling of our events includes: a cooking class; movies about food and other (somewhat) edible things; a Children’s Tea with Annie Barrows, author of Ivy and Bean; bilingual music from award-winning educator, author and musician Jose-Luis Orozco; Kenn Adams’ interactive Adventure Theater program and; in conjunction with the Berkeley Comic Arts Festival, a visit from the author of Babymouse! Please be aware that some events require pre-registration. Call 981-6223 or check http://berkeleypubliclibrary.libguides.com/summer for information and additional events.

Kids entering grades 6-8 can also volunteer at the library for four hours through our summer youth volunteer program: “Student Friends”.

Prizes were generously donated by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library, Fentons Creamery, the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Pegasus Books, Albany Bowl, the San Francisco Bay Ferry, and the Ecology Center/Berkeley Farmers’ Markets.

The Berkeley Public Library Children’s Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org). For questions about accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.


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Berkeley Comic Arts Festival at the Berkeley Public Library

April 25, 2013 in Adult Event, Children, Teens by LibraryNews | Permalink

Contact: Jack Baur
Teen Services Librarian
510-981-6287
jbaur@ci.berkeley.ca.us

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24th, 2013
For a series of events celebrating comic books and comic art, starting May 4th.

 

Berkeley Comic Arts Festival
at the Berkeley Public Library

 

The Berkeley Comic Arts Festival is a series of events held at the Berkeley Public Library to celebrate comic books and graphic novels, and their creators.  The aim of these events is to explore the breadth of stories told through the comics form, and to promote comics and graphic novels as diverse, high-quality reading material for readers of all ages.  The events that the library will be hosting will include author visits, workshops, and educational events   All of these events are free and open to all-ages, and will be held at the Central Library unless otherwise noted.  More events to be announced.

 

Free Comic Book Day Celebration with Hope Larson
May 4th, 1:00 to 4:00
Celebrate Free Comic Book Day at the Berkeley Public Library with Eisner Award winner, Hope Larson.  Hope is an illustrator and cartoonist whose most recent work, a graphic novel adaption Madeline L’Engle’s beloved classic A Wrinkle in Time, is sure to delight readers age eight to adult.  Come join us as we sit down with the artist to discuss working in the comic industry, her favorite books, and what projects she has on the horizon.

 

Superfriends!  featuring Bay Area Cartoonists Derek Kirk Kim, Jason Shiga, Lark Pien, and Thien Pham
May 18th, 2:00 to 3:30
After forging a friendship through their love of comics at a small Oakland Art Night, these four cartoonists made the leap from hand-stapled zines to wide acclaim in the world of graphic novels.  Hear them reminisce about their shared roots, see some of their early creations, and learn what the future holds for these exciting local stars!  This event is a perfect opportunity for parents, children, and adults to make some interactive comics!

 

Inside the Cartoon Art Museum
May 21st, 6:00 to 7:30
The Cartoon Art Museum is a hidden gem in the San Francisco museum scene, and is the only museum in the Western United States dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of all forms of cartoon art!  Get an introduction to the museum from curator Andrew Farago, who will share some of the museum’s treasures and talk about their upcoming exhibitions!

 

The History of Manga with Shaenon Garrity
May 30th, 4:00 to 5:00
Come learn the secret history of manga, the style of Japanese comics that have swept America!  Shaenon Garrity — creator of the webcomic Narbonic and an editor for the venerable manga publisher Viz — takes us back to the early days of manga and traces its evolution parallel to that of comics in America.

 

Reading with Pictures: Comics and Literacy
June 4th, 6:00 to 7:30
Central Library, Third Floor Meeting Room
What happens in a child’s mind when they read a comic?  Does reading comics prepare children for other forms of literacy?  How is the comics medium similar to the increasingly visual information landscape of the Internet?  Josh Elder, Executive Director of the education nonprofit Reading With Pictures, offers parents insight into how comics can make their kids better readers and how to make comics a part of a healthy reading diet!

 

Jenni Holm
June 18th, 10:30 to 11:30
At the Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby
Kids of all ages love Babymouse, the adorable and irrepressible star of the hit comics series.  Writer Jenni Holm will visit the Claremont Branch to talk about what it’s like to make comics with her brother, the wild success of Babymouse, what’s coming next for her beloved characters, and cupcakes!  She’ll also be talking to parents about the importance of reading and the role that comics can play in children’s literacy development.  This will be a fun event for the whole family.  Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Mrs. Dalloway’s.

 

Darick Robertson
June 20th, 6:30 to 8:00
At the South Branch, 1901 Russell St at MLK Ave
Best known for his gritty art on satirical masterpieces Transmetropolitan and The Boys, as well as celebrated runs on Wolverine and Nightcrawler, the ever-entertaining artist Darick Robertson joins us at the South Branch for a look at the darker corners of the comic book world.  Knowing Robertson’s work, the conversation may get salty, so parental guidance is suggested!

 

Matt Kindt
August 10th, 3:00 to 4:00
Mind control, superspies, government conspiracies, psychic powers… welcome to the world of Matt Kindt!  With his pulpy style and the twisty puzzles in his work, Kindt is making waves with creator-owned books like MIND MGMT and Superspy, and on hit titles like Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE and Wolverine and the X-Men!  Get a firsthand tour through some of comics most unique and intriguing worlds at this can’t miss author event!

 

Zine Workshop with Ed Luce!
Dates to be determined, but happening in July
Come get a three-week crash course in making, marketing, and selling your own comics from underground comics star Ed Luce, creator of Wuvable Oaf!

 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org) and the Library Services and Technology Act.  For more information, call 510-981-6287 or connect www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

Berkeley’s Central Library is open Monday 12 noon until 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. For more info please call 510-981-6100 or visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

Wheelchair accessible. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY); at least three working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs.

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Paws to Read coming to North Branch Library

January 9, 2013 in Children, North Branch by LibraryNews | Permalink

Contact: David Howd
510-981-6250

For Immediate Release
January 9, 2013

 

Paws to Read coming to North Branch Library

 

The popular Paws to Read program will begin at the Berkeley Public Library’s North Branch on Tuesday February 5, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.  Children in grades kindergarten through five may sign up for a twenty minute session where they will read aloud to a gentle dog provided by TherapyPets, a nonprofit all volunteer organization.  Sign-ups begin February 1. The program will run weekly through March 12.

Paws to Read is a great way for children to practice oral fluency, spend time with a friendly dog, and have fun.  The goal is to help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence, as well as foster a fondness for reading.  The program has met with success in other bay area communities.

North Branch Library is open Mondays-Tuesdays, Fridays-Saturdays 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Wednesdays-Thursdays 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.  For accessibility information call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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Sunday Streets bring Library Treats: Music, Art and Theater at the Central Library

October 2, 2012 in Adult Event, Art & Music Event, Children, Teens by LibraryNews | Permalink

For immediate release
For event on Sunday, October 14, 2012


Contact:  Debbie Carton (Ph:  510-981-6236)

 

Sunday Streets bring Library Treats:
Music, Art and Theater at the Central Library

 

On Sunday, October 14, Shattuck Ave. will be closed to street traffic from Haste to Rose for Sunday Streets Berkeley. This festival celebrates local businesses and organizations, with performances and activities for all ages. Join the party for free hula hoop, Zumba, Pilates and yoga classes, face painting, a reading room from Moe’s Books and concerts of all sorts, from Quake City Jug Band to Cradle Duende’s “klezmenco”.

Berkeley Public Library proudly presents our local youth in concert, along with theater and interactive activities for children.

11 a.m.:
Chalk Drawing, ongoing throughout the day

12:30 p.m.:
Cotton Candy Express: Kids, get ready for a magical, musical experience with Lori and RJ!

1:00 p.m.:
Singers from Albany High’s Vocal Music program

1:30 p.m.:
Three Bears in Kazoo: BPL staff present the classic tale told entirely by kazoo!

2:00 p.m.:
Young People’s Symphony Orchestra members present chamber music

2:30 p.m.:
Rubber Stamp Bookmarks: make a bookmark with stamps, markers and yarn

3:00 p.m.:
Kairos Youth Choir: Berkeley’s premier children’s choir presents multicultural vocal music

3:30 p.m.:
Boswick the Clown: Boswick the juggling clown presents a show that is “fun, funny, fast-paced and filled with interaction.”

Performances and activities will take place in Library Plaza, directly in front of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck). Performances are subject to change without notice.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org). For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6241. For accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY (510) 528-1240,http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

For more information on Sunday Streets Berkeley and a full line-up of the programs and activities planned, visit the Sunday Streets website, at www.sundaystreetsberkeley.com.

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Celebrate Peace Day with Origami Cranes at the Berkeley Public Library

July 27, 2011 in Adult Event, Children, Teens by LibraryNews | Permalink

Contact: Debbie Carton (Ph: 510-981-6326)

For immediate release

June 16, 2010

Celebrate Peace Day with Origami Cranes at the Berkeley Public Library

 

On Peace Day, people all over the world stop to remember the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki- and do what they can to see that it never happens again.

Since 1995, the Berkeley Public Library has celebrated Peace Day with a reading of Eleanor Coerr’s Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.  This year’s program will take place in the 4th floor Children’s department of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck) on Tuesday, August 9, from 4-6:30 p.m. Coerr’s critically acclaimed children’s book tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Hiroshima resident who was two years old when the bomb fell. Sadako died ten years later from leukemia caused by the radiation from the bomb.  Before she died, she tried to fold 1000 paper cranes, as legend has it that doing so will make your wish come true.  Sadako folded 644 cranes before her death.  Today people everywhere fold cranes and send them to the statue of Sadako Sasaki which stands in Hiroshima’s Peace Park.

Members of Berkeley Public Library’s Playreaders groups will read aloud the story, accompanied by original music composed for the occasion by celebrated koto players Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and Brian Mitsuhiro Wong.  After the presentation, audience members are invited to join in folding paper cranes.  There will be plenty of help for those who have never folded a crane before, but persons who know how to fold cranes and can show others are especially welcome.

For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6236.  This program is sponsored by Teen Services, Children’s Services and the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.  For accessibility information, call 510-981-6107, TTY (510) 528-1240, http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org.