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Berkeley Public Library Now Offers Premium Online Film Service

Berkeley Public Library Now Offers Premium Online Film Service
Great movies, documentaries, indie film available to all library patrons  
 
(Berkeley, California) – September 18, 2017 – Berkeley Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of a new streaming video service, Kanopy, to our digital collection. 
 
All library card holders can now watch popular films and documentaries anytime by visiting http://cityofberkeley.kanopystreaming.com
 
Kanopy is a video streaming platform for libraries with one of the largest and most unique collections in the world. It features more than 26,000 movies, documentaries, and indie and foreign films from hundreds of producers including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, PBS, and thousands of independent filmmakers.
 
The collection includes indie hits like 2 Days in Paris, classic masterpieces like Day of the Dead and Bicycle Thieves, and award-winning documentaries like I Am Not Your Negro. 
 
Kanopy’s motto is "thoughtful entertainment" - seeking to provide library patrons with access to films of unique social and cultural, not just entertainment, value; films that are often difficult or impossible to access elsewhere. 
 
Kanopy is also committed to diversity, with an amazing array of foreign language films and films on race, LGBT and other engaging and relevant topics. Kanopy’s films are also compatible for the hearing (with captions and transcripts) and visually impaired (compatible with technologies such as JAWS).
 
Berkeley Public Library is excited to launch Kanopy as part of its commitment to enhance access to the kind of films Berkeley residents seek out.
 
“In June, the Library performed a collections survey asking patrons what they wanted. We heard from the 4,200 respondents a loud and clear interest in expanded access to high quality films,” says Collection Development Coordinator Rosie Merlin. “We think Kanopy is a service many Berkeley residents will appreciate and enjoy.”
 
The new Kanopy service is free for users with a Berkeley Public Library card. Each Library user can stream up to seven films per month on the Kanopy service. To get started,visit http://cityofberkeley.kanopystreaming.com.
 
 
About Kanopy
Kanopy is the premier on-demand streaming video service for public and academic libraries that provides millions of users globally with access to a unique collection of over 26,000 films. Kanopy works directly with thousands of filmmakers and film distribution companies to offer award-winning collections including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, PBS, Media Education Foundation and more. Kanopy is headquartered in San Francisco, California. www.kanopy.com
 
 
Library Media Contact 
Rosie Merlin
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6144
 
Kanopy Media Contact 
Vanessa Latin
Kanopy
415-513-1026 
 
 
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Berkeley Public Library

Contact: Shani Leonards 
Supervising Librarian, Claremont Branch
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6280
 
 
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Berkeley Public Library
 
 
 
Berkeley, September 11, 2017
 
From September 15 - October 15, 2017, the Berkeley Public Library joins the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.  This year, the Library honors the cultural contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans with a series of six free music and dance events.
 
Balia Balia returns to the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch (1901 Russell Street) on Saturday, September 16 at 3:00pm, for an amazing, energy filled show featuring Rock and Roll, Reggae, and Latin Music. Los Gu’achis play music of Mexico and Early California on Thursday, September 21 from 3:30pm-4:15pm at the North Branch Library (1170 The Alameda.)  Enjoy more free music at the West Branch Library (1125 University Avenue) on Wednesday, September 27th from 6:30pm-7:30pm when Los Cenzontles (“The Mockingbirds”) come for an evening of live music inspired by Mexican Regional Folk traditions. 
 
The series continues in the month of October with: Learn Salsa and Bachata with Corey Raynor on October 11 from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Claremont Branch (2940 Benvenue.) No previous dance experience or a partner is required to enjoy this fun, interactive workshop. This event is best for adult, teen and child dancers ages 8 and up.  Come back to Claremont Branch (2940 Benvenue) on Friday, October 13th at 4pm for music by the magical, musical duo Cascada de Flores.  Be sure to join us for the last event of the series at the North Branch on Saturday, October 14th at 4:30-5:30pm for a dance celebration of Folklore Afro Cubano.  Internationally known Cuban Folkloric dancer Susana Arenas Pedroso and her drummers present a demonstration and dance lesson for adults, teens and children ages five and up. We promise she will have you out of your chair for this irresistible, participatory dance presentation.
 
Hispanic Heritage Month’s roots go back to 1968; it begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period. Columbus Day (also celebrated as Indigenous Peoples' Day or Día de la Raza) is October 9.
 
The Central Library is located at 2090 Kittredge Street and is open Monday, noon - 8:00pm, Tuesday, 10:00am - 8:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Branch Libraries are open: Monday, 10:00am-6:0 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00am-8:00pm, Thursday 12noon -8:00pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm.
 
Wheel chair accessible. For questions, 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 five working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs. Visit the library’s website: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org
 
For questions regarding these programs, call 510-981-6280.
 
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Join the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees!

Contact: Eve Franklin
Administrative Secretary
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195
 
Join the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees!
 
Berkeley, CA. September 7, 2017 — Support the Berkeley Public Library as a member of the Board of Library Trustees. The City is currently accepting applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Board. If you are a Berkeley resident passionate about libraries, we encourage you to apply. Learn more about the City of Berkeley’s application and interview process for Board and Commission members by visiting the City’s website.
 
About the Board
The Board of Library Trustees serves in an administrative capacity in addition to advising City Council concerning Library policies and programs. With assistance from the Library Director, Trustees formulate policy and serve as managing agents of the Library Fund.
 
Trustees are appointed for a term of four years. Board meetings are governed by the Brown Act and City policies. Trustees must reside in Berkeley and are required to take an oath of office, file a Statement of Economic Interests, and attend meetings on a regular basis. 
 
 
Application process
Applicants will need to submit both the General Application and the Board of Library Trustees Supplemental Questionnaire to the City Clerk by October 5, 2017 at 5:00pm. You may contact the City Clerk with questions: clerk@cityofberkeley.info, telephone (510) 981-6900, or TDD (510) 981-6903.
 
The Board of Library Trustees will interview candidates at a public meeting in November on a date to be determined. The new Trustee’s term will begin January 4, 2018.
 
About the Library
Founded in 1893, the Berkeley Public Library has grown from a small reading room with 264 books, into a five-story Central Library with four well-loved neighborhood branches and a Tool Lending Library. For more information, visit our website.
 
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