Library Happenings
July Event Highlights
Screen The Apology + Q&A with Filmmaker Mimi Chkarova and Producer Aisha Knowles
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, July 13
2pm
Local Author Talk: Tomas Moniz author of All Friends are Necessary with Lauren Parker, K Switzer and Ariel Gore
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Tues, July 16
6pm
New: Mystery Book Club
West
Tue, July 23
4pm
July's title is First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
Limited supply of free (to keep) copies available at West branch.
Author Talk: Dr. Catherine Harrington author of The Longest War: A Psychotherapist's Experience of Divorce, Custody, and Power with Attorney Sarita Camille Waite
Claremont
Sat, July 27
1:30pm
Mobile Bike Clinic
Tool Lending Library
Wed, July 10
12-3pm
Opera at the Library
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wed, July 10
6pm
Playreaders: The Mountaintop by Katori Hall
Central
Thurs, July 11
12pm
In-person ESL Conversation Club
West
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
12:30-2pm
Speaker Event: "Smart Uncertainty" with Dr. Jacob Bien, Professor of Statistics
West
Sat, July 13
10am
Learn about Chai Tea
Central
Sat, July 13
12pm
In the Stax Concert: Single Origin Catnip
North
Tues, July 16
6pm
Sewing with Scraps
West
Wed, July 17
4pm
Let's Chat About: Astrology
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Fri, July 19
4pm
The Buzz About Beekeeping with Master Beekeeper & Social Media star, Sung Lee, "the Bee Charmer"
North
Sat, July 20
1pm
The Beat & the Hip: San Francisco Art from the 50s to the 70s
West
Wed, July 24
2pm
Bygone Berkeley: Explore History with KPFA & East Bay Yesterday's Liam O'Donoghue
Central
Sat, July 27
2pm
Let's Chat About: Tarot
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Fri, July 26
4pm
Yarn Exchange
North
Tues, July 30
6pm
International Chess Day Tournament
Claremont
Sat, July 20
All ages and levels of experience welcome! Youth and Young Teen sections will play between 11am-1:30pm and the Adult Section from 2-5:30pm.
Teen Events
Summer GSA: Gay-Straight Alliance
Central Teen Room
Wed, July 3
4pm
Teen Switch Gaming
West
Thursdays
4pm
Youth Open Mic Night: Music, Poetry, Dance & More!
Youth Spirit Works
1740 Alcatraz Ave
(15 minute walk from Tarea Hall Pittman South)
Fri, July 19
5-7pm
Free lunch at the Library for Teens
Central Teen Room - 1st floor
Tuesday-Friday until Aug 9
12-1:30pm
Free lunch plus fun activities in the teen room:
Tuesday: board/card games
Wednesday: therapy dog
Thursday: movie/tv binge
Friday: craft club
Kids Events
Free lunch at the Library for Kids
Central Community Meeting Room - 3rd floor
Tuesday-Friday until Aug 9
12-1:30pm
All youth can get FREE lunch plus enjoy activities like cooking demos, arts & crafts, games and more! Lunch at the Library is all summer long so check the online calendar for weekly menu & activity details.
Music & Movement for Toddlers & Preschoolers
North
Monday, July 1
10:30am
Monday Evening Story Time
Central
Mondays
6:30pm
Jeremy the Juggler
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thurs, July 11
4pm
New: 3rd & 4th Grade Graphic Novel Book Club
North
Mondays
3-4pm
July 8: Orientation & pick up first (free!) book
July 15: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
July 22: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez & Gabriela Epstein
July 29: Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang
Nuevo (New): ¡Habla Conmigo! (Spanish Language Book Club for 3rd - 5th Graders)
West
Tuesdays & Thursdays from July 9-30
3-4pm
Read and discuss Mexikid, by Pedro Martín, and other recent favorites. We might also enjoy some pan dulce as a special treat--just like in the book!
Vamos a divertirnos mucho.
Kids' Clothing Swap*
Central
Sat, July 13
3-4pm
Swap out the clothes your kids have outgrown, and swap them for pre-loved clothes that fit like new. No shoes, socks, or underwear please. All clothes must be clean and in good condition with no rips, tears, or badly stained items.
*Clothing drop-off happens before the swap event in order to sort items. Drop-off at the Central Library on the the 4th Floor from Saturday, July 6th until Friday, July 12th.
Village Rhythms Drumming
Claremont
Sat, July 13
3pm
Learn String Figures and Tricks
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Mon, July 15
11am
Perry Yan Magic
North
Mon, July 15
11am
Earthcapades: Music, Storytelling & Juggling
West
Sat, July 20
1:30pm
Balinese Dance with Gamelan Sekar Jaya
Claremont
Sat, July 20
3pm
Adventure of the Lost Treasure... Conduct Science Experiments!
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Sat, July 27
4pm
New: Language Exchange
What is the Language Exchange Program? Be in a group with someone who speaks the language you are learning, and who wants to practice speaking your native language. You will take turns practicing both languages. For example, 30 minutes in one language and then 30 minutes in the other. This way, both of you can learn and improve together! Languages include English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, etc.
When is it? We hope to start in early fall, but do not have a date right now. If you sign up, we will let you know the date and time of the first meeting.
Where is it? This will happen in-person at Berkeley Public Library West Branch on University Ave and San Pablo (1125 University Ave. Berkeley, Ca).
How do I sign up? Use the Sign Up Form or call 510-981-6070 or email jweston@berkeleyca.gov for more information.
Social Services at the Library
The Library has a dedicated social services specialist at the Central Library who coordinates and connects patrons to a variety of community services. Here are some upcoming events in July:
• Homeless Action Center (HAC) – July 1, 3pm-5pm. Patrons will receive assistance with public benefits, referrals, and documentation. The Benefits Attorney will be on the 1st floor near the entrance of Central.
• Alameda Health Services (AHS) Mobile Health Clinic – July 9 & 23, 10am-3pm. AHS will provide urgent care, care coordination, linkage, and referrals to community resources. These services will be provided free of charge by appointment and drop-in on the day of the event. Patrons will complete an intake with AHS staff on the 1st floor near the entrance.
• Lifelong Dental Mobile Program – July 11 & 25, 9:30am-4pm. Unhoused patrons will receive care coordination, and dental care services free of charge. Intake and direct services will take place on the van.
• Eviction Defense Center (EDC) – July 11th, 10am-12pm, EDC will provide support regarding substandard housing conditions, subsidized housing, rent increases, fair housing matters, and eviction defense. The EDC also handles Rental Assistance Applications for the City of Berkeley. EDC staff will provide direct services in the Commons on the 1st floor of Central.
• Spectrum Energy Community Services –July 17th, 11am-1pm. Spectrum outreach staff will assist patrons with paying their energy bills. A representative will be on the 1st floor of Central to collect LIHEAP (Low-Income Household Energy Program) applications and answer questions.
• Easy Does It Wheelchair Repair – July 25th, 11am-1pm. Low income individuals with disabilities will receive free wheelchair repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups. Free adjustments and bolts/screws tightening along with free upkeep advice. Intake will be on the 1st floor near the entrance.
Reminder: Sign up & Complete the Summer Reading Challenge by July 31st
This year's theme is "Read, Renew, Repeat!" Get a free book when you sign up for the Challenge AND when you finish it.
Sign up on the Library's website or in our libraries. The Challenge is for all ages, not just kids!
There are great prizes this year! For kids, finishing prizes include $5 voucher for Five Little Monkeys Toy Store, a finishing prize book and the option of a code for 2 tickets to 8/31 Cal Football Game against UC Davis. Adults and Teens get a completion prize book. Raffle prizes (you are entered when you finish the challenge) includes gift cards to Berkeley Bowl, Pegasus Books, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Lexie's Frozen Custard and more local favorites!
Librarian tip: If you have completed the challenge, do not forget to apply your tickets to the prize drawings of your choice!
Thank you to the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library for all you do to provide funding for Library programs & events!
Reminder:
All Library locations will be closed on Thursday, July 4.