Berkeley Public Library staff are collectively outraged and heartbroken by George Floyd's murder and the continued systemic, institutional, and interpersonal racism that plagues our communities.
A primary mission of Berkeley Public Library is to champion racial and social equity. As one of the first signatories to the Urban Libraries Council's Statement on Race and Social Equity in 2017, we uphold and affirm ULC's statement last week on the important role of public libraries in helping to dismantle systemic and institutional racism:
The Library will continue to work hard on collection development, programming initiatives and policy reforms to support, reflect and serve our diverse Berkeley community.
Summer Reading Game Starts... THIS MONDAY!
Stay safe this Summer and read great books!
With our new online platform and mobile app you can log your reading, write reviews of the books you love (or love to hate!), and earn entries into prize drawings for a guitar, a Kindle, an 8 speed bike and more...
The summer reading program is designed for all ages -
children, teens, and adults.
STARTING THIS MONDAY, June 15, go to our website and sign up.
Join our first virtual program to celebrate Summer Reading!
Cascada de Flores combines music, dance, and story to create a participatory, bilingual experience for the whole family.
Don’t forget to grab a scarf or a bandana so you can learn the Zopilote dance along with us!
Update on Library Services
Under the guidance of the City of Berkeley Public Health Officer and City Manager, Library staff are developing a plan for enhanced library services. Your safety and Library staff safety anchor all discussions and plans.
Currently, book drops are open.
Curbside hold pick-ups will be available by the end of the month.
In the meantime, we are thrilled that so many of you are exploring the Library's vast online collections for adults, teens and children, which have more than doubled in use during this unprecedented time of sheltering-in-place.
Please explore some of the timely, curated e-collections:
Racial Justice e-Collection on Hoopla
Use your Berkeley Public Library card to access e-books and e-audiobooks on Hoopla, instantly. Did you know Hoopla has reading lists?
Check out this one that curates a list of e-books and e-audiobooks that can help enrich your conversations on race.
Pride e-Collections
No holds or waiting on Hoopla's PRIDE collections this June!
Anyone can now get tested for free in Berkeley, regardless of whether you have symptoms. Learn more on the City of Berkeley's website at www.cityofberkeley.info/covid-19/.