Community Survey
Help shape the future of Berkeley Public Library! We are working on a strategic plan and need your feedback to make improvements and prioritize initiatives.
This survey should only take 5 minutes to complete. All responses are optional and anonymous.
Thanks for your participation!
Come Talk to Us
Want to chat and provide feedback for the strategic plan? Attend a session via Zoom or an in-person drop-in session at your local branch. We value your time and input!
Upcoming Local Author Events
Janet Byron & Robert Johnson
North
Saturday, July 8
2pm
Celebrate the publication of the 3rd Edition of Berkeley Walks.
Byron and Johnson will lead a guided walk from North and then return to the branch for a book launch celebration with cake.
Cartoons and Crime:
Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell and Rita Sapunor
Central
Saturday, July 8
2pm
Calling all true crime fans and graphic novel fans! Come downtown to Central for a conversation on the blending of humor, nonfiction, and comics.
Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell is a cartoonist for the New Yorker and the author of the graphic novel Murder Book which details her true crime obsession.
Rita Sapunor is an Oakland-based autobiographical cartoonist for New York Magazine, Vice, and the RESIST anthologies. Most recently she illustrated She The People: A Graphic History of Uprisings, Breakdowns, Setbacks, Revolts, and Enduring Hope on the Unfinished Road to Women's Equality.
Hannah Michell
North
Wednesday, July 26
6:30pm
Berkeley-based writer and professor, Hannah Michell will discuss her new novel Excavations with Left Margin LIT Co-founder David Roderick.
Michell's work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Mslexia and Asian Review of Books.
July is National Zine Month
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West |
Central |
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Make a Zine with Bay Area Queer Zine Fest Central |
How to Make Comic Zines for Adults & Teens Central |
More July Highlights
Plan Your Next Vacation with Library Resources
Central
Monday, July 17
1pm
Learn how to leverage online tools, our e-book travel collection and other library resources to plan your next vacation.
International Chess Day Tournament
North
Saturday, July 22
2-5pm
The Library is holding a first ever International Chess Day Tournament with two separate age categories, youth and adults.
Trophies and medals will be up for grabs in this causally competitive competition. Come test your skills and meet some other chess fanatics!
Intro to US Citizenship
Virtual via Zoom
Thursday, July 20
6:30pm
Learn about different parts of the citizenship test, the application process, how to get a tutor and help studying for the test. Plus, learn about library resources to practice for the test on your own.
ChatGPT and Me: Learn to Use AI Technology
Central
Wednesday, July 26 @ 2pm
Saturday, July 29 @ 2pm
Come to our computer lab downtown and try out some of the newest AI technologies, including Chat GPT (text generator) and DALL-E (art generator).
Members from the UC Berkeley Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public will be there to facilitate a discussion of these new technologies and the governance surrounding them.
Latin Jazz Concert: Charged Particles
Central, 5th Floor
Friday, July 28
4pm
Join Bay Area jazz trio Charged Particles for an afternoon of funky Latin jazz.
Jazz News Magazine describes their music as “fresh, energized jazz that showcases the trio’s individual technical mastery" and the Los Angeles Times compliments their “tight interplay, spark, and personal flair.”
Learn to Play UkuleleTarea Hall Pittman South *We will have a limited number of ukueleles available. Feel free to bring your own! |
Teamwork Thursday: Bring Your Own Work or ProjectClaremont |
Free Bike RepairNorth |
Death Cafe - Discussion GroupWest |
Resumes Workshops via ZoomTips to Add Zest, Impact & Memorability Resumes + How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile |
Collage in Community & Listen to Coltrane
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thursday, July 13
6:30pm
Board Game Night for AdultsNorth |
Cafe Ohlone Talks: Cooking Demonstrationvia Zoom |
Poetry CircleClaremont |
QueeraokeCentral West |
Film at the Library
Come watch great films with your neighbors! Claremont has weekly film screenings for adults and a special animated afternoon for kids. West has a film & discussion club for adults and a summer movie series for kids. Tarea Hall Pittman South has bi-weekly film screenings this summer. Want to stay home and stream great films for free? We have recommendations.
Teens: Become Berkeley's First Ever Youth Poet Laureate
The Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Program is a project to elevate and amplify Berkeley teens’ voices through poetry. Teens will get a chance to explore their civic voices, join a cohort of young writers, and help nurture a writing environment at the library and in school this Fall.
One person will be named Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate for 2024!
Applications accepted July 1 – September 5.
Teens: Stranger Things PartyNorth |
Dungeons & Dragons Club for Ages 14-22West |
Lunch at the Library
Ages 18 and under: Through August 10, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (except July 4th) lunch will be served at the Central Library from 12noon - 2pm.
Also, join activities like art and writing workshops, story times, cooking demos, films, and more. For example, on Thursday July 27, stay for comedy, juggling and hambone body percussion with Unique Derique.
Presented in collaboration with Berkeley Unified School District. Funding provided by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library and the CA State Library.
More Summer Fun for Kids
Art Play with MOCHA
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Family Game NightWest |
Traveling Reptile ShowTarea Hall Pittman South |
Cascada de Flores: Concert "The Wizard & the Mermaid" in English & Español
Claremont
Friday, July 14
3pm
Gamelan Sekar Jaya: Balinese Music and Dance
Claremont
Saturday, July 22
3pm
Evening Story TimesCentral Thursdays @6:30pm *Feel free to wear your PJs! |
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo - 100+ instruments!West |
Cartooning for KidsTarea Hall Pittman South |
Learn String Tricks (ages 7 & up)
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Tuesday, July 25
4pm
Germar the Bilingual (Español & Spanish) MagicianWest |
Award-winning Magician James Chan - 15 years old!North |
Don't Forget to Sign up for Summer Reading!
Adults, Teens & Kids: join us this for reading and learning fun this Summer (ends August 5th).
Read (or listen to) books, do activities, come to library events, and win great prizes too. Free sign-up books, too, while supplies last.
There is much more happening in July!
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Programming is made possible by the support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. Thank you, Friends! |
Library Services Updates
• The Library's website www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org has a plug-in that quickly translates it into 100+ languages.
• All locations open late on Friday, June 30 at 11am for an all staff meeting.
• All Library buildings are closed on Tuesday, July 4.
For more event info,
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FOLLOW US: |
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704
510-981-6100