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DEADLINE EXTENSION: Apply by Friday, May 10th to Fill the (BOLT) Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees Vacancy

Contact: Tess Mayer
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510.981.6195
tmayer@cityofberkeley.info


Love the Library? Join the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees
Apply by 5pm on Friday, May 10, 2024

Berkeley, California (March 18, 2024/*UPDATED April 23, 2024) –The City of Berkeley begins accepting applications tomorrow, Thursday, March 3, 2023, to fill one vacancy on the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees (BOLT).

Candidates must be residents of Berkeley and should be public library champions, passionate about lifelong learning and community engagement. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is essential.

In addition, candidates with leadership, business, management, strategic planning, marketing and/or administrative skills are encouraged to apply.

Role of Trustees

With assistance from the Library Director, Trustees formulate policy and serve as managing agents of the Library Fund. BOLT has the legal authority and responsibility to see that the Library is well-managed, and that it operates in accordance with the Berkeley City Charter (Article VII, Section 30) and Berkeley Municipal Code (Chapter 3.04). Trustees are appointed for a term of four years and must reside in Berkeley. Trustees are required to take an oath of office, file a Statement of Economic Interests, and attend in-person meetings on a regular basis.

To learn more about the Board of Library Trustees in general, review meeting minutes or listen to audio recordings of prior meetings, please visit the BOLT homepage on the Library’s website.

Application Process

Image of raised hands with text: "Join the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees!"Applicants must submit both the General Application and the Board of Library Trustees Supplemental Questionnaire to the City of Berkeley City Clerk by Friday, May 10 at 5:00pm.

Candidates will be interviewed at a public BOLT meeting on a date to be determined, tentatively May 23, 2024, and will then be submitted to City Council for a vote to appoint the Trustees’ recommended candidate during an upcoming City Council meeting.

The new Trustee’s term is anticipated to begin Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

To learn more about the City of Berkeley’s application process for Board and Commission members visit the City Clerk’s Board and Commission website.

For questions, please contact the City Clerk: clerk@cityofberkeley.info, telephone (510) 981-6900, or TDD (510) 981-6903.

About the Library

At Berkeley Public Library (BPL), we empower, inspire, and eliminate barriers through resources and experiences.  Our vision is to evolve and respond to the changing needs of the community.

Our Values:

  • Welcome
    We wholeheartedly embrace the diversity within our community and strive to cultivate an environment where all are heard,
    valued, and feel safe and represented. We are dedicated to eliminating systemic barriers in access to resources and services.
  • Joy
    We foster a culture of learning, curiosity, and innovation. Our commitment is evident in our diverse collection of books, digital materials
    and interactive programs for all ages to explore, imagine and enjoy.
  • Collaborate
    We value collaboration and partnerships as catalysts for positive change. We actively seek opportunities to come together
    with community members to address evolving community needs, support collective action, foster innovation, and create impactful programs
    and initiatives.

Strategic Focus Areas:

Focus Area 1:  Patron Experience & Equitable Access
Strategy:  Ensure equitable access to high quality collections, programs, facilities, technology, and helpful staff.

Focus Area 2:  Community-Centered Collaboration
Strategy:  Foster community connections and increase public awareness.

Focus Area 3:  A Dynamic Service Organization
Strategy: Enhance the quality of experience for all Library employees and take steps to continually improve our ability to meet our mission and vision.

To learn more about Berkeley Public Library programs, services, collections, hours and locations, please visit the Library’s website at http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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Community Survey Launches Monday, March 11, 2024

Contact: Tess Mayer
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510.981.6100
tmayer@cityofberkeley.info

Berkeley Public Library Launches Community Survey
 

Berkeley, California (March, 11 2024) – The Berkeley Public Library has commissioned GRA and McGuire Research, independent research firms, to conduct research on important issues in the Berkeley Public Library.
Respondents may be contacted by email, text or telephone.

Individual responses are entirely confidential and anonymous, and will be used for research purposes only. Individual data will not be sold or provided to anyone. No one will be approached for any other reason – the Library is only interested in respondent’s opinions.
The Library would appreciate your response!

For further information, for more on the purpose of this survey or on the Berkeley Public Library please contact Library Administration at 510-981-6195 or library_director@berkeleyca.gov.
 

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March Library Happenings

Mbira Music of Zimbabwe Saturday Series

Tarea Hall Pittman South: March 2, 10:30am 
Central: March 9, 10:30am
West: March 16, 10:30am
Claremont: March 16, 2pm

North: March 23, 10:30am

Water Color and Collage: Historic Nomadic Women's Costumes

Berkeley Artist, Sheila O'Donnel,Talk followed by Q&A
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, March 2
2pm

The full exhibit will be on display in the community room at the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch March 1st - March 30th. 

 

Seasonal Vegetarian Cooking Demo and Tasting

Central
Saturday, March 2
2pm

Celebrating Haiti: Activities & Children's Author Visit

A Visit to My Homeland: Haiti by Dr. Yanick Louis-Lindquist
Central
Monday, March 4
3:30pm

 

 

Local Author Event: Recipes Using Native Californians’ Traditional Ingredients

Chími Nu’am: Native California Foodways for the Contemporary Kitchen by Sara Calvosa Olson
North
Wednesday, March 6
6pm

Local Author Event: Alcatraz's “Second-Most-Notorious Inmate”

Alcatraz Ghost Story: Roy Gardner’s Amazing Train Robberies, Escapes, and Lifelong Love by Brian Stannard
West
Wednesday, March 6
6pm

Introduction to the US Citizenship Process

Via Zoom
Thursday, March 7
2pm

Super Cinema Series

Central
Thursdays
2:30pm

March 7: On the Basis of Sex
March 14: Real Women Have Curves
March 21: Hidden Figures
March 28: Women Talking

There is now a much-improved sound system in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room!

Family Place Series: Talks by Experts for Adults with Play Stations for Kids
Central
Series begins Friday, March 8
10:30am

Enchanted Tea Party for Kids with "Power of a Princess" Guests
North
Saturday, March 9
11am

Asian A Capella Performance

Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, March 9
12noon

Coding Series for Ages 9-14

Central
Thursdays
4pm

March 14th: Simple Scratch Whack-a-mole Game
March 21st: Space Racing Game
March 28th: Catching Falling Balls Game

Film Preview about Iconic Park Ranger (and Musician!) + Q&A with Local Director 
Sign My Name to Freedom:The Lost Music of Betty Reid Soskin with Director: Bryan Gibel and Co-Director AK Sandhu
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, March 16
3pm

 

 

 

Advance Healthcare Directives

Claremont
Monday, March 18
12noon

Teens & Adult Knitting Yarn Swap

Central
Tuesday, March 19
3:30pm

BPL Knitting Group meets twice a month on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 3:30pm.

Line Dancing - Many Genres!
Central
Tuesday, March 5 & 19
1pm

Popping the Science Bubble with UC Berkeley Scientists


March topics:

Searching for Dark Matter from Deep Level Underground, Ibles Olcina Samblas, Physics
Imitating Intelligence and the Quest for a Mechanical Mind, Ryan Hoque, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Central + Via Zoom
Tuesday, March 19

5:30pm

"In the Stax" Concert: Singer & Songwriter Nyree
West
Wednesday, March 20
6pm

Silly Circus Show
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, March 23
10:30am

Family Dance Class
Central
Saturday, March 23
3pm

Teens & Adults: T-shirt Bag Craft
West
Wednesday, March 27
4pm

Berkeley-Raised Author Event

Data Baby by Susannah Breslin
North
Wednesday, March 27
6:30pm

 

 

All Ages Collaging to Music
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thursday, March 28
5:30pm

Jessica Lanyadoo: Being Kind to Yourself with Astrology

Claremont
Saturday, March 30
2pm

Conversation Cafe: Let's Talk UFOs!

Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, March 30

4pm

There are many more programs happening at all five of our libraries and online:

Event Calendar

Working together to make a great public library extraordinary...

Thank you Foundation & Friends!

For more event info,
book recommendations and other fun things...

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Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704
510-981-6100
berkeleypubliclibrary.org