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 now time for Central.
Construction has begun!
Planned improvements include:
A teen room on the 1st floor
More seating and better lighting
More bathrooms, including gender-neutral bathrooms
A public programming space on the 2nd floor that is easy to access
Please take the survey in English or Spanish to have your voice heard. Paper versions of the surveys also will be available in all Library locations by the end of the week.
Also, keep an eye on the Library's online calendar for soon-to-be scheduled community meeting listening sessions.
*check the online calendar for other upcoming local author, illustrator and/or poet events.
SAT Prep
SAT test prep courses are notoriously expensive, which can be a barrier to many families with teens. The Library - in partnership with the non-profit People's Test Preparation Service - is offering 10 free Saturday morning SAT Prep sessions at Central beginning February 22nd.
Pro tip for using the Library's online calendar: Use the "category" drop down menu and select "income tax" to isolate the tax prep sessions from the rest of the month's programs.
Films at the Library
Watch a film with your community, for free. Now showing:
Remember, you can use your library card to stream movies on your personal devices and smart TVs. Your library card unlocks access to a diversity of independent and international films, feature length blockbusters, shorts, and documentaries.
Many of the legal reference e-books are provided through Nolo, the nation's oldest and most-respected provider of legal information for consumers and small businesses. Nolo publishes books aimed at non-lawyers; they are a good resource for people looking to get a handle on common legal problems.
This database offers the everyday user the necessary tools and detailed “how-to” instructions to independently address a wide-range of legal issues including:
business law
financial planning
family law
property & real estate
divorce
rights & disputes
adoption
bankruptcy
name changes
wills
and more...
Culinary Collection Update
The Berkeley Public Library Foundation has granted the Library funds to jumpstart a culinary tools collection at the Tool Lending Library.
Last month, over 1,600 of you weighed in on what culinary tools you would like to see in the new collection. Thank you!
The top three items requested were:
dehydrator
knife sharpener
ice cream maker
Staff are now busy developing the collection. We will keep you posted when the collection launches this Spring.
The news traveled quickly that we will be the first Library in California to have a dedicated culinary collection. Thank you to Berkeleyside, KCBS radio, Sonoma Index-Tribune and ABC7 for spreading the good news.