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Contact: Michele McKenzie
phone: 510-981-6240

For Immediate Release
For an exhibit August 5^th – October 13^th

Bay Area artist, Francesco Rosato, exhibits paintings in the Berkeley Public Library Central Catalog Lobby and drawings in the Art & Music Department, at 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck, downtown Berkeley, from August 5^th through October 13^th.  A native of Italy, Rosato has spent considerable time living and painting in Tuscany, creating large scale landscape paintings of the country sides of Florence and Siena. Since relocating to the U.S. in 2009, Rosato has continued to gain inspiration from the diverse landscapes and culture of the Bay Area.  He has been involved in various local art projects, exhibiting at the Exploratorium and the Oakland Art Murmur.  Classically trained, his work reflects the influences of the old Renaissance masters as well as Japanese printmakers.  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. All are invited to meet Francesco Rosato and discuss his work during a FREE Artist Reception on Sunday afternoon, September 8^th, at 2:00 pm in Berkeley Public Library’s 1^st floor Central Catalog Lobby. Wheelchair accessible.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org For more information, call 510-981-6100 or connect to www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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Contact:   Patricia Hoshi
(Ph:  510-981-6189)

For immediate release
July 17, 2013

Free Drop-in Job Counseling Fourth Wednesdays in Berkeley Public Library’s Electronic Classroom

Looking for a job? Or perhaps have a job and are not too sure that is a job you want to stay with? Or your job is leaving the country? Come for free job counseling provided by North Cities One Stop’s counselors. This free drop-in program takes place at Berkeley’s Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck), July 24th, from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., in the third floor Electronic Classroom. The Drop-in Career Counseling offers free assistance with job search strategies, social networking tips, creating or improving a resume, interviewing, or salary negotiation.  The career counseling program takes place every 4th Wednesday of the month, from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., in the Berkeley Public Library’s third floor Electronic Classroom. For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6148. For accessibility information, call (510) 981-6195 TTY (510) 548-1240, http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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

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 4^th floor Children’s department of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge (at Shattuck) on Tuesday, August 6, 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 (http://www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org/).  For accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY (510) 528-1240, http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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Contact:  Debbie Carton 510-981-6236

As part of the Sixth Annual Downtown Berkeley Music Festival, Berkeley Public Library presents a free concert featuring The Steve Gannon Band on Friday, August 2, at 12:15 p.m.  London-born Gannon brings blues and root music to the Central Berkeley Public Library. Gannon has been a prominent blues guitarist in the Bay Area for the past 30 years, performing at Eli’s Mile High Club, Larry Blake’s and the San Francisco Blues Festival.  A fervent blues fan since age 14, Gannon is praised as “a very tasteful guitarist… tight, funky and modern with a clean sound and disciplined style” – Andy Grigg, Real Blues magazine. The concert takes place on the wheelchair accessible 5^th Floor of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St (at Shattuck).  This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org).  For more information, call 510-981-6236 or visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org. The Steve Gannon Band’s concert is one of many presented as part of the Downtown Berkeley Music Festival’s four day extravaganza. Concerts will be happening in ten venues throughout Berkeley’s vibrant arts district, and include a kaleidoscope of musical genres—salsa to skronk, world to blues, Jazz, Rock, R&B and Reggae—performed by national touring artists and top local talent. Visit www.downtownberkeleymusicfest.org for details and ticket prices, where applicable.

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The readings and celebration will take place Tuesday, July 16, 2013, from 6-7:30 pm at the Central Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, in the 4th floor Story Room. The Central Branch is located in downtown Berkeley at 2090 Kittredge St.

The six-week class, hosted by the Berkeley Public Library, was part of the History of the Rest of Us: Community Memoir Project, and was taught by writer Frances Lefkowitz who received funding from the SF Foundation’s Koshland Program. The book will be presented with refreshments, time for chatting, and then readings about the fascinating lives of our Berkeley neighbors, including “big” stories of escaping Berlin during the Holocaust, fleeing inland to avoid the Japanese-American internment camps, as well as stories of quieter but crucial moments–divorcing, teething, forgiving, and grieving.

Instructor Frances Lefkowitz is the author of To Have Not, a memoir about growing up poor in San Francisco in the 1970s and an examination of what poverty does to the soul. To Have Not was named one of five “Best Memoirs of 2010” by SheKnows.com. Her articles, essays, and short stories have appeared in commercial magazines (Whole Living, Body+Soul, Utne Reader…) and literary journals (Tin House, The Sun, Glimmer Train Stories…) and have earned two special mentions for the Pushcart Prize and one for Best American Essays, among other honors. She is the book reviewer for Good Housekeeping and teaches writing workshops throughout the Bay Area.

For more program information call 510-981-6148 or connect to Berkeley Public Library

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.

Contact:   Patricia Hoshi
(Ph:  510-981-6189)

For immediate release
July 3, 2013

Free Resume and Cover Letter Workshop Monday, July 15, 2013

Looking for work and need to update your resume? Or just want to improve the resume you have? Bring your resume to a free expert-led forum by Marilyn Tullius from Delta Strategies for Marketing, in the 3^rd floor Community Meeting Room at Berkeley’s Central Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013. Does your resume ignite sparks of interest? You will receive tips on handling gaps in employment, focusing your resume on your targeted job category, and becoming clear about the dilemmas of resume writing, such as one-page/two-page resumes, what to include/delete, handling dates, and many other issues. Handouts cover tips and remedies for common problems. Resumes of various types are discussed. Bring your resume to get feedback and suggestions to strengthen your presentation. Workshop is informal and designed to address issues of participants, as well as to help participants take next steps confidently. For questions regarding this program, call 510-981-6148. For accessibility information, call (510) 981-6195 TTY (510) 548-1240, http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org

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Immediate Release
For an event occurring Friday, August 2, 2013

Contact:  Debbie Carton
510-981-6236

As part of the Sixth Annual Downtown Berkeley Music Festival, Berkeley Public Library presents a free concert featuring The Steve Gannon Band on Friday, August 2, at 12:15 p.m. London-born Gannon brings blues and root music to the Central Berkeley Public Library. Gannon has been a prominent blues guitarist in the Bay Area for the past 30 years, performing at Eli’s Mile High Club, Larry Blake’s and the San Francisco Blues Festival. A fervent blues fan since age 14, Gannon is praised as “a very tasteful guitarist… tight, funky and modern with a clean sound and disciplined style” – Andy Grigg, Real Blues magazine.

The concert takes place on the wheelchair accessible 5th Floor of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St (at Shattuck). This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 510-981-6236 or visit Berkeley Public Library.

The Steve Gannon Band’s concert is one of many presented as part of the Downtown Berkeley Music Festival’s four day extravaganza. Concerts will be happening in ten venues throughout Berkeley’s vibrant arts district, and include a kaleidoscope of musical genres—salsa to skronk, world to blues, Jazz, Rock, R&B and Reggae—performed by national touring artists and top local talent. Visit Downtown Berkeley Music Festival for details and ticket prices, where applicable.

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