Berkeley Public Library: October Happenings
Meet Tess Mayer, Director of Library Services
"Libraries have an important role in supporting the resiliency and growth mindset of our youth and patrons of all ages, in partnering in community problem solving, in fostering civic engagement and connection and with providing far-reaching access to materials, resources and learning opportunities. 

Berkeley Public Library is a fantastic library system, and I am honored to serve the community in this role." 
 
Join us in a warm welcome to our new Director!
 
For the last five years, Tess has served as the Director of Library Outreach, Programs, and Services for the King County Library System (KCLS) in Washington. KCLS has been consistently rated a 5-star national library for overall excellence and has 50 libraries across 36 cities, serving 1.41 million residents and 18 school districts. 

Prior to KCLS, Tess spent ten years with the Seattle Public Library where she progressed from a Senior Librarian role to Downtown Regional Manager for the City’s Central Library. She holds a master’s degree in Library Information Services from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in American and Multi-ethnic studies from Bard College.
 
John Selawsky, President of the Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) welcomes her to Berkeley: “Tess brings a wealth of professional experience and expertise, but just as important, brings a commitment to community engagement, union and staff involvement, and equity." 

BOLT Vice President Amy Roth notes, "Tess was the unanimous choice of the Board, emerging from a very talented field of candidates. We look forward to helping her to achieve success in making Berkeley Public Library be the best that it can be.”
 
Tess officially joined the team on September 24.
 
Upcoming Virtual Programs
Decoding Chinese Opera
Saturday, October 24
11am-12:30pm
 
Classical Chinese opera can be a challenge for the uninitiated. This talk breaks down the conventions of staging, the visual cues, musical instruments, melodies, and rap that make this vibrant art form a UNESCO-recognized Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.
 
Popping the Science Bubble:
UC Cal Scientist Lecture Series
 
Tuesday, October 20
5:30-7pm
 
Resume Workshop

October 13 & 27
November 10 & 24
5-6pm
English as a Second Language Conversation Club

Wednesdays
4-5:30pm
Family Program: Spiderama!
Saturday, October 24
2:30-3:30
 
Park Ranger Anthony Fisher from Tilden Park & Author Patrick Stadille will talk about how our friendly neighborhood spiders help us and our world. Plus, check out books, e-books, audiobooks, craft projects and movies on spiders.
 
5th & 6th Grade Virtual Book Club

Tuesdays 4-5pm
Begins October 20
Puppet Art Theatre:
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
(A Special Halloween Edition!)

Saturday, October 17
4-4:30pm
 
Weekly Virtual Storytime: Stories, Songs & Fingerplay

Wednesdays
11am
Browse all upcoming virtual programs on the Library's online Calendar.
 
Programming is made possible by the generous support of the 
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
 
New e-Resource: Virtual Tutoring
Brainfuse HelpNow
 
Berkeley Public Library patrons now have access to live, virtual tutoring assistance Monday through Sunday from 1:00-10:00 PM with the e-resource, Brainfuse HelpNow.
 
Brainfuse offers support for a range of students’ needs, including:
  • One-to-one homework help on a variety of subjects, including A.P. level coursework
  • California State standards–aligned skill building
  • Standardized test preparation
  • Comprehensive writing assistance
Additionally, Brainfuse offers Spanish-language lessons, online study groups, virtual flashcards, and support for English Language Learners.
 
Brainfuse’s Adult Learning Center offers academic and career support with computer literacy assistance, test practice, writing assistance, resume and cover letter-writing, and live interview coaching.
 
Please help spread the good news about this new offering; students, teachers and caretakers face extraordinary challenges this year! Thank you to Berkeley Unified School District who has helped get the word out to students and families.

Do the students in your life need a library card to access Brainfuse HelpNow? Direct them, here.
 
Access to Brainfuse is made possible by the generous support of the
Berkeley Public Library Foundation.
 
Book List Newsletters
Reading Suggestions
Right to Your Inbox

In addition to this Library Happenings monthly newsletter, subscribe to newsletters filled with reading suggestions. Choose from 20+ different interest areas. 

Browse some recent editions:
  • Biography and Memoir
  • Kids' Books
  • Armchair Travel
  • New York Times Nonfiction Bestsellers
  • Thrillers and Suspense
  • Spirituality and Religion
  • Home, Garden, and DIY
  • Fantasy and Science Fiction
Sign up for newsletters here.
 
Quick Links to Voting Information
  
Find answers to your voting questions including deadlines, voting by mail procedures and proposition information on our website. 

Have more questions?

Email us or call 510.981.6100. Staff are available to answer your reference and Library account questions by phone six days a week: Mondays 12-8, Tuesdays 10-8, Wednesdays 10-6, Thursdays 10-6, Fridays 10-6, and Saturdays 10-6.
 
Super Cinema Suggests - on Kanopy
This popular weekly program at the Central Library has gone virtual!
 
Read the Library's weekly recommendations on what to watch on the event calendar. Then create an account on Kanopy using your Berkeley Public Library card. Finally, get lost in a great film! 

Note: with Kanopy you can stream up to 10 films for free each month.
 
Recent Super Cinema recommendations: 
 
100-year-old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared

On his 100th birthday, a man escapes his nursing home. He’s healthy. He’s lived through—and influenced—momentous events. He wants more of the same.
Based on an internationally best-selling Swedish novel.
Tuba to Cuba
 
Several years ago New Orleans’s Preservation Hall Jazz Band toured Cuba to explore Cuban roots of New Orleans jazz. They focused on playing with Cuban street musicians. The film is a joyous affair, both musically and culturally.
Moonlight

The coming of age story of a boy whose mother is loving—and an addict. Mahershala Ali plays a man who is an unlikely source of mentoring for him. Academy Award winner for Best Picture.
East Side Sushi
 
A single mother who has worked at an East Oakland fruit stand for years, Juana gets a job at a Japanese restaurant and aspires to become a sushi chef. Award-winner at nine different film festivals.
Rave reviews for Reading is Instrumental

 "Wow! This is so lovely + fun."
 
"Terrific!"
"This is amazing."
"Genuis!"
 
"That was like a warm hug for my soul."
 
View past Reading is Instrumental episodes and watch the Friday 11am premieres of this special all-star musical storytime series on the Library's Facebook page. Reading is Instrumental is a collaboration between the Library, the Berkeley Public Library Foundation, and the Berkeley Symphony.
 
Reminder: Covid-19 Information and Updates
Updates on Library Services during Covid-19:
 
We will continue to provide updates via this e-newsletter, on social media and in our FAQs on our website:
 
berkeleypubliclibrary.org/coronavirus.
 
For the latest covid-19 news from the City of Berkeley please refer to:
 
www.cityofberkeley.info/coronavirus.
 
 
PLEASE NOTE:
 
Outdoor Pickup will be closed on Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous People's Day.

Outdoor Pickup will open one hour late, at 11am, at all locations on Friday, October 30th. 
 
 
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/