Welcoming in 2020 at Berkeley Public Library
collage of front entrances to all five Berkeley Public Library locations
As we enter into a fractious election year, it is worth reminding ourselves that despite any local and national political strife, there is one public institution that effectively brings people together from all walks of life and which is premised on the idea of a true shared economy: the public library. 
 
There is much ahead for our nation this year and for the Berkeley Public Library.

CLICK HERE to read more from Acting Library Services Director Elliot Warren about the role of libraries in civic life, recent Library initiatives and plans for 2020.

From all of us at Berkeley Public Library, we wish you a very Happy New Year!
 
Coming Soon:
Culinary Items at the Tool Lending Library
grouping of kitchen applicances
Your feedback is requested as we develop this new collection!
 
We value your feedback. You may remember that in August we expanded Tool Lending Library hours to six days a week based upon the 4,000+ responses from our last community survey. Now, based upon survey responses, the Library will be expanding the Tool Lending Library’s collections to include culinary tools.

Please consider TAKING THIS SURVEY. Your responses will help shape the culinary collection.

Note: Upon completion of the survey, you may choose to be entered into a raffle for a $20 gift certificate to a Berkeley culinary store or restaurant.

The culinary collection is made possible in part by the Berkeley Public Library Foundation.
 
Featured Upcoming Programs
Local Author Event
book cover with flowers on it
 
 
Local Artist & Author
Jenny Odell:

Community Conversation
&
Book Signing
 
Jan 18 - 2pm
 Central
"She struck a hopeful nerve of possibility that I hadn’t felt in a long time."
—Jia Tolentino, THE NEW YORKER
 
“How to Do Nothing is genuinely instructive, elaborating a practical philosophy to help us slow down and temporarily sidestep the forces aligned against both our mental health and long-term human survival.”
—Akiva Gottlieb, LOS ANGELES TIMES

“Approachable and incisive. . . . The book is clearly the work of a socially conscious artist and writer who considers careful attention to the rich variety of the world an antidote to the addictive products and platforms that technology provides.”
—Nicholas Cannariato, THE WASHINGTON POST
 
DIY Workshop
picture of a garden with stone pathways
Natural Stone Building
 
Jan 18 - 12noon
 Tarea Hall Pittman South
 
Learn about the principles and ecological benefits of natural stone building in your garden, including design principles and hands-on demonstrations of how to use relevant tools available from the Tool Lending Library. 
 
Culinary Delights
hands cutting lettuce surrounded by other veggies
photo of cheese and other dairy products
Cooking Matters 4 Week Series
 
Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 21 & Feb 28 - 3:30pm
Claremont
 
Cheese & Butter Making Class
 
Jan 25 - 2pm
West
Tech
e-reader device next to a stack of books
teen wearing VR glasses
hands on a laptop on a surface covered with programming code
Drop-in eReader Help
 
Gifted an eReader, tablet or new mobile phone recently? You can download Library books and other materials.
 
Jan 11th - 1pm
Jan 14th - 5pm
Jan 21st - 2pm

Central
Extended Reality Thursdays
 
Cal students bring Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) to the Library

Thursdays - 3:30pm
 
Central
Ongoing Coding Self Study Group
 
January sessions: 8, 15, 22, 29 - 10am
 
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Winter Break - Kid & Teen Program
 Bring the children and teens in your life to our Libraries for Winter Break Events.
 
schoolage child with outspread hands in front of a chalkboard that says winter break
Books & Brownies
for Teens

Dec 27 - 4pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
 
Drag Queen Story Hour

Dec 28 - 3:30pm
Central
 
Family Games for Winter Break

Dec 28 - 1pm
North
Spencer Grey Magic Show
 
Dec 28 - 10:30am
West
Noon Year's Eve Storytime, Crafts & Countdown

Dec 31 - 11:30pm
Central
 
Yoga Storytime
 
Dec 26 - 6:30pm
North
Nearly everyday there is a different story time or book club at one of our Library locations for a variety of age groups.
 
 
Find Many More Events & Programs on the Online Calendar
a calendar of the month of January

All Library events are always free and open to the public. 

Programming is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.

 
Central Improvements Begin in 2020
A photo of the stairs and front entryway of the Central library

First the Branches. Now... time for Central!
 
After an extremely successful neighborhood branch improvement project that has led to increased use of the four branch libraries and positive outcomes for patrons, it is time for Central.

With the support of the Berkeley Public Library Foundation and its donors, and from Library Tax funding received in previous fiscal years that has been saved for this moment, soon the Library will begin improvements to sections of the Central Library’s first and second floors.

In the next few weeks you will see Library staff at Central hard at work preparing for the construction that will begin shortly.
 
Improvements include:
  1. COMFORTABLE SPACES - Beautifully designed areas for reading, studying and browsing our collections. Additional seating options of varied types on both the 1st & 2nd floors.
     
  2. TEEN ROOM - Dedicated Teen Room on the 1st floor with engagement, programming, collections and learning opportunities for teens.
     
  3. IMPROVED LIGHTING & FLOORING - Updated flooring on the 1st floor and lighting enhancements throughout the 1st & 2nd floors.
     
  4. PLACES TO GATHER & LEARN - A public programming space on the 2nd floor easily accessible for all.
     
  5. MORE BATHROOMS - Gender neutral bathrooms to ensure safe and comfortable access to bathrooms for everyone.
     
  6. MODERNIZED COMPUTER AREA - Public computer area designed to enable laptop use alongside desktop access.
We will keep you posted throughout construction as to what expect. 

These plans have been in the works since 2014...
 We look forward to experiencing the new spaces with you!

Central Space Improvements are made possible in part from a grant from the Berkeley Public Library Foundation.
 
Follow us on Facebook
a screenshot of a video still on facebook
 
Do you follow the Library on Facebook?

Here's a fun post you don't want to miss: The Story of Stuff featured the Tool Lending Library recently. 
 
Holiday Hours

ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL BE CLOSED:
Wednesday, January 1
Monday, January 20
 
ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL CLOSE EARLY: 
Tuesday, December 31st - 6 pm
 
 
ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL OPEN LATE:
 Friday, January 31st - 11 am
 

 
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/