Contact Sarah Dentan
Neighborhood & Children's Services Manager
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195
A Library Card is The Coolest Card – September is Library Card Sign-up Month
@Berkeley Public Library
Berkeley CA August 17, 2015 – Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school. Having a library card helps. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, when the Berkeley Public Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card. This year Snoopy is the Honorary Chair for Library Card Sign-up Month!
Many resources at our Library are available to anyone who has a Berkeley Public Library library card. Students can turn to the library for downloading books, music and film; finding articles on our elibrary; or checking out books and other library materials. Pick up a Reading List, see Novelist K-8 Plus for suggested books or ask one of our experienced staff.
Today’s libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community spaces where young people can collaborate using new technologies, find primary sources for school assignments or just relax with peers. Our library offers access to a variety of print and digital resources, including Tutor.com, Britannica for Kids, California Fact Cards and Explora, which are found on Library computers or online from home.
“Our library provides access and programs for students of all ages,” says Library Director Jeff Scott. “For preschool age children we offer story times to encourage school readiness, for older children and teens we supplement education with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programs and innovative makerspaces, and for older teens we have information and tools to help prepare for college. Adults are learners, too; with Beginning Computer Classes @Central, Code Self Study @South, and an ESL Conversation Club @West. There’s something for everyone and it’s all free with a library card.”
Throughout September, the Library will host a number of activities: Legos in the Library @Central, Bilingual songs with Francisco Herrera @West and Teen Make Something @West, @North, @South and @Claremont. We are starting up a Third Graders Reader’s Theater Club @Central. Come for free concerts at the Central Library: The Canote Brothers play as part of the Berkeley Old Time Music Festival, Renee Benmeleh and East Bay Music Together and David Gans as part of the Downtown Berkeley Music Fest.
For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any Berkeley Public Library location in person or start the registration process online.
Some free programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library: www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org. Other events made possible by a generous gift from the Pace Trust, in support of the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library.
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. Branches 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.
Wheelchair 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.
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