May Author Visits
Join us for an evening of conversation with New York Times bestselling author of The Sum Of Us, Heather McGhee, and Savala Nolan, Executive Director of the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice at UC Berkeley School of Law.
The Sum Of Us was chosen by the Library’s Racial Justice Advisory Group as the first in a series of “all staff reads.” It is the BPL Book Club's read for May (open to all patrons) as well as being the “all teen read” in a collaboration with Berkeley High School and Berkeley Technology Academy.
Hailed as “illuminating and hopeful,” this critically acclaimed book spent ten weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and was longlisted for the National Book Award and the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. It was also adapted into a Spotify podcast series, produced by Michelle and Barack Obama’s production company.
This event was made possible by the generous support of the Pace Fund.
Author Talk & Book Signing: Briana Loewinsohn
Ephemera: A Memoir is a debut graphic novel by a local author that poignantly blends memoir, magic realism, and graphic medicine.
Berkeley resident Meera Sriram will read from her brand-new picture book A Garden in My Hands and then lead a henna-related craft activity for kids. Sriram is the award-winning author of several picture books including A Gift for Amma, winner of the South Asia Book Award and Between Two Worlds: the Art & Life of Amrita Sher-Gil, an American Library Association’s RISE: A Feminist Book Project selection.
Bilingual Author & Illustrator Children's Program: Vivienne Chang & Eugenia Yoh
Chang and Yoh will present a bilingual Mandarin-English reading of their book This is Not My Home followed by an book-making activity that prompts children to reflect on home and culture. Best suited for ages 5-10. This is Not My Home and other books will be available for sale from Books on B.
The Bay Area Book Festival is holding *many* events throughout Central this Saturday, May 6th!
This Saturday, May 6 is Free Comic Book Day giveaways and activities with events and giveaways at all five Berkeley Public Libraries.
More Programs in May
Chinese Brush Painting with Pauline Tsui
Learn how to paint flowers and bamboo with simple and easy steps using Chinese ink and watercolors. Art supplies will be provided. Tsui is an artist, writer, and a docent of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. She studied traditional Chinese brush painting with renowned masters in Hong Kong and attended Mills College of Oakland, National School of Fine Arts in Paris, and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to pursue degrees in design and western art.
| Teamwork Thursdays: Bring a Project Claremont Thursdays 6pm |
Learn to Read a Sewing Pattern North Saturday, May 6 3pm |
Eviction Defense Center Central Thursday, May 11 10am |
| Needle Arts North Saturday, May 20 3pm |
Gardening: Eating What You Grow Central Monday, May 22 6pm |
Affordable Broadband Sign-up Event Central Wednesday, May 24 10am |
| Aioli Tasting North Saturday, May 27 3pm |
Container Planting Central Monday, May 15 3:30pm |
Knitting Groups @Central: May 9, 3:30 pm @North: May 10, 5pm |
Teens
| Green Smoothies After School
Central 3:30pm |
Build Big Bamboo Structures North Thursday, May 11 |
Teen Virtual Reality & Games
West Thursdays @ 4pm |
| Finals Self-Care Day
Central |
Dungeon & Dragons Club West Tuesday, May 23 |
Teen Karaoke Party
West Friday, May 264pm |
Kids
Bilingual Espanõl/English Family Fun Fest
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Saturday, May 13
Join us for a morning of bilingual children's entertainment:
10:15 - Magical Moonshine Puppets
11:00 - Music with Mariela
12:00 - Magic show with Germar the magician
There will be limited face painting and glitter tattoos throughout the morning.
Taiko Drumming Outdoor Program
North
Saturday, May 20
3pm
Taiko drumming is an exciting modern art form with ancient roots. With origins in the religious ceremonies and folk festivals of Japan, modern "kumi-daiko" style emerged starting with the work of a single artist in the 1950s and has spread rapidly in Japan and worldwide.
Weekly Programs for Kids in May
| Baby/Toddler Story Time Tarea Hall Pittman South Tuesdays @ 10:30am |
Play Day (ages 0-3) |
Birdland Crafternoons Claremont Tuesdays @ 3pm |
| Story Time followed by Stay & Play North: Wednesdays @ 10:30am West (Espanõl & English): Fridays @10:30am |
Story Time Band in the Park Virginia-McGee Totland Thursday, May 4 & 18 @ 10:30am ** on May 11 the Story Time Band will be at Freight & Salvage |
Pajama Story Time North Thursdays @ 6:30pm |
There is much more happening in May for all ages!
Programming is made possible by the support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
Friends of the Library Sale
Central, 3rd floor, Community Meeting Room
Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13
10am-4pm
It's back! Shop for nonfiction, fiction and children's books for all ages. The Friends of the Library raises funds for library programing, staff development and more. Thank you, Friends!
Collection Highlight: Travel Books
Collection Highlight: Travel Books
Planning your summer vacation?
Instantly check out 75+ Lonely Planet travel guide e-Books on the Libby app. No need to place a hold and wait in a queue... these are always available to you!
Reminder: All Libraries are CLOSED on Friday, May 19 for Malcolm X Day and Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day.
For more event info,
book recommendations and other fun things...
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Berkeley, California 94704
510-981-6100
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