Library Happenings
The Summer Reading Challenge
Begins Friday, May 31
This year's theme is "Read, Renew, Repeat!" Get a free book when you sign up for the Challenge AND when you finish it. May 31-July 31. Sign up on the Library's website or in our libraries. The Challenge is for all ages, not just kids!
Summer Reading Celebration Party
Central
Saturday, June 8
2-4pm
2pm - Outdoor Dance Party with DJ Ivan
2pm - BriReads story time, songs and crafts
3pm - Poetry reading with the Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate
3:30pm - Bomba dancing with Aguacero
Special Guests - East Bay Parks, Ecology Center & the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library
Free Lunch at the Library (Ages 0-18)
Central
June 11-August 9
Tuesday-Friday
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.
Juneteenth Celebration
Central
Saturday, June 15
1-4:30pm
The Library is having its first Juneteenth Celebration! Join us for a day of face painting, games, book giveaways, crafts for kids, live local music, line dancing, and shop handmade goods from local Black vendors.
June Event Highlights
Zine Fest
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, June 1
12-3pm
Fur, Scales & Tails Animal Show
North
Monday, June 3
11am
Discussion: Clothing Repair, Repurpose & Recycling
Central
Monday, June 3
6pm
Mandarin Workshops for Kids
Claremont on Wednesdays @11am
Central on Saturdays @11am
Author Event: Sheryl Kaskowitz
North
Thursday, June 6
6:30pm
Join us for a lively discussion about the New Deal's connections to folk music and to local history. Kaskowitz will discuss her new book, A Chance to Harmonize, joined in conversation by composer and songwriter Alexis Harte. The evening will begin with an introduction by the Living New Deal website's Harvey Smith.
Teen Switch Gaming
West
Thursdays
4pm
Applique Exploration for Teens
Central
Saturday, June 8
1-4pm
Berkeley Juneteenth Reel Film Festival
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, June 8
10am-1pm
Writer/producer/director Micha Decell has selected 5 short films to showcase the creativity of Northern CA filmmakers and 3 documentary short features that highlight the contribution of African American culture to the world that we live in.
Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show
North
Saturday, June 8
2pm
Docent Talk: De Young's Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style
West
Monday, June 10
2pm
Author Event: Juneteenth Story Time with Natasha Tripplett
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wednesday, June 12
11am
Queer Jotería
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Wednesday, June 12
6pm
Queer Trivia with Phoebe Cakes
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thursday, June 13
6pm
Berkeley Rep Docent Talk: Mother Road
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thursday, June 20
6pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, June 15
10:30am-2pm
Local drag kings King Lotus Boy and Mr. Singh will share a drag storytime at 10:30, followed by face painting with artist TransLucent. Roll up your sleeves at the Tool Lending Library and build a fun rainbow craft. Activities suitable for families with children ages 2-10, but all are welcome!
Author Talk: NY Times Best-Selling Author & Award-winning Journalist Carvell Wallace
North
Thursday, June 20
6:30pm
Join Wallace and Commonwealth Book Prize winning author Nayomi Munaweera as they discuss Wallace's new memoir Another Word For Love.
The Visible Theatre Reading: Under Heaven by Bay Area Playwright Jon Wai-keung Lowe
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, June 22
1-4pm
LGBTQ+ Speed Meeting & Connecting
West
Tuesday, June 25
5pm
Celebrate Queer Black Art: Collage with Pride
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Thursday, June 27
5:30pm
Quick Pickling Techniques
North
Saturday, June 29
12noon
Zipper Pouches for Teens
Central
Saturday, June 29
1-4pm
Kids 8-12: Paint Your Story
West
Saturday, June 29
1:30pm
Clearly Meant Poetry Series: Guest Poet Tim Xonnelly
Claremont
Saturday, June 29
2pm
Xonnelly reads his poetry, followed by an interview & discussion.
Family-friendly Music Events
"School is Out, Summer Shout!" Family DJ Dance Party
West
Saturday, June 1
1:30-2:15pm
Experimental Jazz Concert: Wiener Kids
Claremont
Wednesday, June 12
6:30pm
*this is part of the Library's "In the Stax" music series featuring local musicians.
Bilingual Concert: Rene y Familia
North
Thursday, June 13
4pm
Mariela's Bilingual Music Time
West
Friday, June 14
10:30am
Ethiopian Instruments, Music & Dance for Kids with Ada Kassaye
Claremont
Saturday, June 22
3pm
Herencia Guantanamera
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, June 29
11am
Tech Help
Help with eBooks, Library Databases, Online Newspapers & More
North
Mondays
11am
Claremont: Tuesdays 10-11am
West: Tuesdays 2-3pm
Central: Wednesdays 2-3pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South: Thursdays 12-7pm
Learn to Create with Canva
Central
Friday, June 7
4pm
Online Vacation Planning
Central
Wednesday, June 12
1pm
10 Part Summer Series: Digital Literacy
Central
Thursdays
10am
Topics will include:
- Internet Breakdown, June 6
- Computer Basics, June 13
- Digital Communication, June 20
- Travel and Organization, July 27
- Digital Photography, July 11
- Digital Entertainment, July 18
- Digital Literacy for Finances, July 25
- Digital Security and Data Privacy, August 1
- Navigating Search Engines, August 8
- Questions and Answers, August 15
Wellness Events at the Library
Gentle Yoga Flow
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Mondays
4pm
Line Dancing
Tuesday, June 11 & 25
1-3pm
Stretch & Relax
Claremont
Thursday, June 13
6pm
Design the Library's Next Library Card!
The Library will have a new library card this year… created by a community member! Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit designs by Thursday, June 13.
The theme is “kindness.” Submit photos, drawings and designs that represent the way that kindness is created and felt in our communities.
Kindness is a core value that library staff strive toward to, whether it is at one of our programs, at an outreach event or at our service desks. We see community members being kind to one another every day in our libraries.
What says Kindness to you?
“Berkeley is full of creative people so we can’t wait to see what is created,” says Rudy Tapia, Circulation Services Manager. "Soon, everyone will be able to take a little bit of kindness with them in the form of a library card!”
The Friends of the Library's Big Sale!
There will be THOUSANDS of books, cds & dvds for sale for JUST 50¢ each!
- Nonfiction: art books, biographies, cookbooks, ephemera, history, music, poetry, psychology, religion, science and vintage books
- Fiction: novels, mysteries, classics, science fiction and graphic novels.
- PLUS: children's books for all ages.
Central Library, 3rd floor Community Meeting Room
Thank you Friends for all you do to provide funding for our wonderful library programs & events!
Reminder:
All Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 21 for the Juneteenth holiday.