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Contact: Isobel Schneider
Tel: 510-981-6150

Award winning poets Adam David Miller and Kim Shuck, headline a FREE multi-cultural and multi-generational poetry reading at the Berkeley Public Library.

Strength in Diversity: The Poetry of Ecology, a FREE, multi-cultural, multi-generational reading will showcase original works by six poets. The program is presented jointly by the Ecology Center and the Berkeley Public Library at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012, in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room of the Berkeley Public Library, Central Branch, 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley.

Adam David Miller, well-known poet, teacher and community activist, author of four books of prize-winning poetry and more recently a notable memoir, Ticket to Exile, headlines the program with Kim Shuck, author of the collection Smuggling Cherokee and winner of numerous writing awards including the Native Writers of the Americas First Book Award and the Mary Tall Mountain Award.

The Ecology Center’s Kirk Lumpkin, poet, performer, and the Special Events and Promotions Coordinator of the Berkeley Farmers’ Markets hosts this program. He will be joined by two other Ecology Center poets, Jahan Khalighi, a former member of the Eugene Slam Poetry Team and Nakia “Precious Gift” Dillard. The program rounds out with a young poet from Youth Speaks. Book signing will follow. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org).  For more program information call 510-981-6150 or connect to www.berkeleypubliclibrary.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
510-981-6236

Summer’s nearly here! Instead of blockbuster sequel movies, consider the Berkeley Public Library’s new film series, “Super Cinema”.  Each month we’ll explore a different theme or genre on Friday afternoons at 3 p.m.at the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck), in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room. June is devoted to Satirical Cinema, with a great lineup.  On June 8, we’ll show “Waiting for Guffman” (1997), followed by “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) on June 15, “The Gods Must Be Crazy” (1981) on June 22 and “Thank You for Smoking” (2006) on June 29. July focuses on the career of Marilyn Monroe.  During Our Weeks with Marilyn, we’ll start with “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) on July 6, view “All About Eve” (1950) on July 13, continue with “Monkey Business” (1952) on July 20 and finish with “The Seven Year Itch”  (1955) on July  27. This free program is sponsored by the 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: Michele McKenzie
510-981-6241

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
510-809-1330

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)

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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