January Happenings
Library Services During Covid-19
 
As we are nearing two years of library services during a global pandemic and experiencing a new local surge due to the omicron variant, please know that we continue to work closely with the City of Berkeley public health and safety officers to center patron and staff safety in Library policies and procedures.

Thank you for all you do to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, including making sure your mask fully covers both your nose and mouth!

A friendly reminder that if you are coming to one of our library locations to pick up your holds and you do not want to come inside, you may always request Outdoor Service; ask staff at the entrance for help. The Books-by-Mail service is also available to all Berkeley residents due to the pandemic.
 
Warm good wishes for a safe and healthy start to 2022! 
 
Upcoming Programs
 
Story Time for Toddlers & Babies
 
Check event calendar for outdoor in-person & virtual story times in January (note: there is a new Saturday time!)

One on One Tech Help via Zoom

Mondays
Sign up for sessions.
 
 
English as a Second Language (ESL) virtual Conversation Club

Tuesdays at 10:30 am & Wednesdays at 4 pm
 
Lawyer Appointments 

Thursdays 
Sign up for phone sessions.
Berkeley & Portland LGBTQ Virtual Book Club:

Jonny Appleseed
by Joshua Whitehead

Saturday, January 8
11 am

Teens: Masala Chai break at Central before heading to school

Monday, January 10
9:15 am
 
Thank you to the Berkeley Public Library Foundation for the Charlie Cart which will be used to provide teens these refreshments.

Financial Workshops via Zoom:
Saving for College & Retirement Planning

Tuesday, January 11 at 7 pm - or -  Friday, January 14 at 10 am
 
Urban Sketching at Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley Campus 

Thursday, January 13
2:30 pm
 
 
Virtual Children's Craft

Thursday, January 13
3:30 pm
 
(pick up free supplies at Central beginning the weekend before the program)
 
 
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in front of the Tool Lending Library 

Saturday, January 15
12 noon
 
Popping the Science Bubble:
UC Cal Scientist Virtual Lecture Series

Tuesday, January 18
5:30 pm
 
Financial Workshops via Zoom:
Long Term Care, Medicare Basics & Wealth Preservation

Tuesday, January 18 at 7 pm - or - Friday, January 21 at 10 am

Demons, Creatures & Monsters Curator Talk

Thursday, January 20
6pm
 
In partnership with the San Francisco Asian Art Museum
 
BPL Monthly Book Club:
 
Notes from a Young Black Chef
by Kwame Onwuachi

Tuesday, January 25
2 pm
 
Super Cinema Suggestions on a Friday: Film Streaming Recommendations

January theme: "Cheer for Dark Nights"
Library Love Letters Virtual Celebration:
25 Years with Berkeley Public Library Foundation

Stream Anytime February 12 & 13
 
For 25 years, the Berkeley Public Library Foundation (BPLF) has funded library renovations, innovations, and projects to serve our community.
 
All are invited to a fun virtual celebration to kick off the anniversary year – sharing milestones, stories, history, and, most importantly, love letters from Library fans from Berkeley and beyond.
 
Program features storyteller and librarian Michael Kwende; Annie Barrows, author of the beloved children's books Ivy & Bean and the new Iggy book series; R.C. Barnes, sci-fi/mystery author of the YA Tattoo Teller series; Robert Reich, economist, former Secretary of Labor, and author of many books including the latest THE SYSTEM: Who Rigged It, How To Fix It.

Free registration: Click here. 
 
Check the online calendar for a complete list of Library events.
 
Programming is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
New Items in the Collection
 
Place holds on our newest items

Enjoy browsing theses lists of newly acquired items in a variety of genres from poetry to short stories to cookbooks and travel guidebooks.
Free Access to Two Mental Health Apps: Headspace & myStrength 
During COVID-19, we have all faced unprecedented change, stress and uncertainty.

To help, the City of Berkeley Mental Health Division is providing free access to two popular online mental health resources: myStrength and Headspace. These mental health apps are being funded through a Mental Health Services Act Innovation Project.

MyStrength provides personalized and interactive activities that address depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, chronic pain and sleep challenges. Headspace is a popular online meditation and mindfulness resource. Meditations for children are also available. 

Free subscriptions for both myStrength and Headspace are available to anyone that works, lives, or attends school in Berkeley.

You can sign up for either or both of these resources.
 
All Library Locations will be CLOSED:

Friday, December 31 & Saturday, January 1
Monday, January 17
 
From all of us at Berkeley Public Library, we wish you a Happy & Healthy 2022!
 
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/