Contact: Michele McKenzie
phone: 510-981-6241

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
From Above
The Photography of Michael Layefsky

Berkeley-based photographer Michael Layefsky exhibits a selection of aerial photographs depicting landscapes of agricultural, industrial, and architectural subjects in the Bay Area and beyond.  Layefsky’s stunning large format digital prints will be on display in Berkeley Public Library’s Central Catalog Lobby, 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck, downtown Berkeley, from June 4^th through September 4^th.

Michael Layefsky will discuss his work and aerial photography during a FREE artist’s reception on Saturday afternoon, June 9^th, at 2:00 pm in the 1^st floor Catalog of the Central Library.

Layefsky captures his images by sending his cameras skyward via kites, helium balloons, and long poles.  Though the vast majority of his aerial photographs have been taken in the Bay Area, Layefsky has flown his kite and camera in other parts of the U.S., and in the skies above several Asian and European countries.  Layefsky was recently invited to exhibit photographs and demonstrate his aerial photography tools and techniques at the California Academy of Sciences.  His clients include organizations such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the World Economic Forum, and the U.S. National Park Service.  Many of his images are available for license from Getty Images.  Access to the exhibit is available during the library’s open hours: Monday 12 – 8; Tuesday 10- 8; Wednesday – Saturday, 10 – 6; Sunday 1 – 5.

Wheelchair accessible.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  For more information, call 510-981-6100 or connect  www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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Contact: Wendy Guzman, Employment Specialist,
at 510-809-1330

Pitch yourself like a Pro would!
North Cities One Stop Job Club comes to the Berkeley Public Library

Networking is a huge part of a successful job search, but it requires skills that most of us need to work hard to develop, like the ability to succinctly pitch your qualifications to relative strangers at a moment’s notice.  Get feedback on your efforts and support from others looking for work in a new Networking Club that will meet at the Central Library on June 27^th, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  The North Cities One Stop’s  Job Club will have off- site meetings every other month in the third floor Community Meeting Room of Berkeley’s Central Library at 2090 Kittredge Street (at Shattuck Avenue). Folks who attend will have an opportunity to practice their elevator speeches, learn networking techniques from professionals and connect with other job seekers. Bring business cards, any job leads that you would like to share with others and be ready to practice the fine art of self-promotion.

This is a Workforce Reinvestment Act funded program that is hosted each month in various locations across Berkeley by North Cities One Stop Development Center.  For more information on this program and to RSVP (required) contact Wendy Guzman, Employment Specialist, at 510-809-1330.

The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-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 questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TDD 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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

“Blue Suede Jews” at the Central Library

Berkeley Public Library welcomes back local rock historian Richie Unterberger in a program on Jews in rock and roll on Sunday, June 10, at 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck), in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room. Mr. Unterberger is known for his extensive and meticulous research, use of rare archival footage and engaging presentations.

“Blue Suede Jews: Jews in the Golden Age of Rock’n'Roll” features footage of major Jewish rock performers, such as Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Marc Bolan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Janis Ian, Lesley Gore, Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac, Manfred Mann, Carly Simon, and quite a few other surprises.

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

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Contact: Shani Leonards, 510-981-6148

Pitch yourself like a Pro would!
North Cities One Stop Job Club comes to the Berkeley Public Library

Networking is a huge part of a successful job search, but it requires skills that most of us need to work hard to develop, like the ability to succinctly pitch your qualifications to relative strangers at a moment’s notice.  Get feedback of your efforts and support from others looking for work in a new Networking Club that will meet at the Central Library on June 27^th, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  The North Cities One Stop’s  Job Club will have off- site meetings every other month in the third floor Community Meeting Room of Berkeley’s Central Library at 2090 Kittredge Street (at Shattuck Avenue). Folks who attend will have an opportunity to practice their elevator speeches, learn networking techniques from professionals and connect with other job seekers. Bring business cards, any job leads that you would like to share with others and be ready to practice the fine art of self-promotion.

This is a Workforce Reinvestment Act funded program that is hosted each month in various locations across Berkeley by North Cities One Stop Development Center.  For more information on this program and to RSVP (required) contact Wendy Guzman, Employment Specialist, at 510-809-1330.

The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-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 questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TDD 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

Job Club Flyer

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Contact: Tom Dufour (510-981-6134)

International Business
with the Alameda County Small-Business Development Center
at the Berkeley Public Library

For entrepreneurs looking to start or expand an international business, on May 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room of the Berkeley Public Library, Central Branch, 2090 Kittredge Street. Global business operations is one of the fastest growing segments in the economy and, according to experts, expected to continue expanding at rates much higher than the U. S. domestic GDP. This class is a must if you are: – Expecting to expand internationally in the near future – Interested in International Finance – Wanting to learn how to source products overseas – Needing more information on how to sell internationally or how to structure international partnerships and joint ventures.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library  www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org.  For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6148, or visit www.acsbdc.org.

The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.  For questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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

Book Into Film: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Discussion Group at the Berkeley Public Library

Berkeley Public Library invites you to a viewing of Elia Kazan’s film of the Betty Smith novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The 1943 novel focuses on young Francie Nolan and her Irish-American’s family struggles to survive the Brooklyn tenement of Williamsburg in the early 1900s. Director Kazan insisted on black and white film for the 1945 film, which won Oscars for Peggy Ann Garner (Francie) and James Dunn as her charming but irresponsible father.  This was Kazan’s first feature film, and still garners critical acclaim.

Discussion group participants will read the book at home and then gather at 1:30 on Sunday, May 27, 2012 in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room at Berkeley’s Central Library, 2090 Kittredge Street to view the film together. After viewing the film, participants will discuss the play, the movie and the adaptation process.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, this free Book into Film program at the Central Library takes place every other month and offers adult and teen patrons the opportunity to discuss books, films and the art of adaptation. Participation is limited and registration is required. Please call (510) 981-6236 to register for this program.

The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.- 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

questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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

31st Annual Quilt Show at Berkeley Public Library

Berkeley Public Library proudly presents the 31st Annual Quilt Show. Quilts will be on display at the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck) from May 1 – May 27, in the 1^st floor gallery, second floor display cases and the  Historic Lobby.

For the past three years, our show has focused on miniature quilts. This year, we include 19 larger quilts in addition to the smaller quilts. Accompanying the quilts is a display of antique miniature sewing machines from the collection of Eloine Ralph, donated by her sister Gwen Ralph. Visitors can take the self-guided tour, using a catalog describing each entry.

As part of the Quilt Show, the library welcomes the Textile Mavens for a program on community quilts. Join us for Quilting by Committee, on Tuesday, May 8, from 6-7 p.m. in the third floor Community Meeting Room. This workshop and forum on community quilts features quilters Fern Royce and Catherine Durand (www.textilemavens.com). With more than a dozen community quilts under their belts, they will share their lessons learned and success stories. Learn how to best use group efforts to create quilts for a community, by a community.

The free exhibit and program are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For further information, call 510-981-6241. For accessibility information, call 510-981-6195 TTY, 510-548-1240, http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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Contact: Douglas Smith – Deputy Director of Library Services
Phone: 510-981-6195

Tenth Anniversary of the Berkeley Public Library’s Central Branch

Friday, April 6, 2012 will mark the tenth anniversary of the grand re-opening of the Central branch of the Berkeley Public Library. In honor of this occasion, an exhibit of documentary photographs of the Central Library and how it looked before the renovation and expansion of the landmark 1931 Art Deco structure is being held in the beautiful historic lobby on the Library’s 2^nd floor. Ten years ago as a result of $30 million provided by the voter-approved Measure S, the new 100,000 square foot Central opened with double the space of the old Central, and seven miles of shelves to house its extensive collections. Seven thousand visitors came on that first day to see one of downtown Berkeley’s major architectural landmarks, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and which met immediate praise by architectural critics including Berkeley’s own John King in the San Francisco Chronicle. Historic spaces were returned to their original beauty, and over ten years several million library patrons have enjoyed the many new features of the Library including the vastly expanded Children’s Room, the Berkeley History Room, the Art & Music floor with its views of the Golden Gate, and premium quality hardwood furniture built by local craftspersons .

For a complete list of Berkeley Public Library locations, hours, and events please visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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Contact: Jay Dickinson – Circulation Manager
Phone: 510-981-6174

Library Card Design Contest

The Berkeley Public Library will soon be issuing four new library card designs and retiring the four designs currently in use. A community contest will decide one of the new designs. All those who have a current Public Library Card are welcome to enter. The theme is Berkeley. We invite patrons to submit drawings, paintings, or photos that epitomize Berkeley to them. A panel of community members will narrow the submissions down, and a final public vote via the Berkeley Public Library website will decide the winner. Submissions will be accepted between April 8^th and April 14^th – National Library Week.

For contest rules, as well as submission forms and guidelines, please visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org

Library Card Contest Flyer

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Contact: Donna Corbeil, Library Director
510-981-6195

Claremont Branch Library Reopening May 5, 2012

The Berkeley Public Library will celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Claremont Branch Library on Saturday, May 5. Located at 2940 Benvenue Avenue at Ashby Avenue, the Claremont Branch is in the heart of the Elmwood neighborhood. The much loved and well-used community landmark, designed by James Plachek in 1924 and expanded in 1975, has undergone a sensitive renovation and small expansion to improve infrastructure, ADA accessibility and safety features.

The grand reopening celebration will begin at 1:00 p.m. Library services will begin at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned with local and state officials, music and refreshments will be provided. Everyone is invited.

Features include:

• Designed and built to meet silver certification standards under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system
• Small addition to create space for new restrooms, staff workspace and reading nook
• New landscaping designed to meet Bay Friendly Landscaping certification standards, administered by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, Stopwaste.org
• Redesigned exterior spaces, including a new ramp for ADA access, new seating and signage to enhance the branch’s place in the neighborhood
• Public space layout improvements, more comfortable seating, natural light and improved reading light; and separate teen room
• Historic features were carefully preserved, such as the exterior brick work, beautiful wood book cases and wood-framed windows
• Entry and open lobby with an improved layout; and tall dormer windows for more natural light and visibility from the street
• Civic art component created by local artist Eric Powell of a unique exterior metal railing for the new public space

The renovation was undertaken by the architectural design team of Gould Evans / Baum Thornley of San Francisco. The branch has been beautifully restored and is now seismically safe, functional and a model of environmental sustainability.  The branch renovation was funded by Measure FF, the branch Library improvement program, a $26 million bond measure passed overwhelmingly by the voters in November 2008. Project costs for the Claremont Branch totaled $4.4 million. A separate fundraising campaign by the Berkeley Public Library Foundation is underway to provide new furnishings, fixtures and equipment – expenses not covered by the bond. For more information on how to support the campaign, please contact Kirsten Cowan at kcowan@bplf.org or (510) 981-6115. For more information about the Claremont Branch Library’s opening celebration, please call (510) 981-6195 or visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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