February Happenings at Berkeley Public Library
Central Library Improvements
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
  • Modernized computer area
Check our website for updates on the new spaces.
 
The Central Library Improvements are made possible in part from a grant from the Berkeley Public Library Foundation.
 
Director of Library Services Search
The Board of Library Trustees is searching for a new Director of Library Services. 

Community input is imperative!

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.

 
Featured Local Author Event



Local Author Tamim Ansary 
 
in conversation with
 
Berkeleyside Executive Editor, Frances Dinkelspiel

Feb 8 - 2pm
Central


*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.
 
DIY Workshops
Bike Repair Skills

Feb 15 - 11am
Home Maintenance Basics

Feb 22 - 10am
Mending Clothes

Feb 22 - 1pm
It's Tax Time!
Do you dread doing your taxes? The Library is here to help.

There are 25 different help sessions scheduled, just this month! Check the calendar for dates, times and locations. 

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:
 
Last Black Man in San Francisco

Feb 5 - 5:30 pm
Claremont
 
Mean Streets

Feb 7 - 3 pm
Central
 
Race

Feb 12 - 5:30pm
Claremont
Do the Right Thing
 
Feb 19 - 5:30 pm
Claremont
A Room with a View

Feb 21 - 3 pm
Central
 
Get On Up

Feb 26 - 5:30pm
Claremont
Pariah

Feb 28 - 3 pm
Central
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

Feb 29 - 2pm
Central
The Watsons go to Birmingham

Feb 29 - 4pm
Claremont
Can't make any of these showings at the Library?

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.

Use Kanopy, Hoopla and Kanopy Kids. 
 
Find Many More Events & Programs on the Online Calendar
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.
 
Online Reference Books
Access hundreds of reference materials 24/7

There are so many online reference tools found on our website. See a list, on the Library's website.

Here's an example of one of our many online offerings:
 
Legal Information Reference Center contains more than 300 full-text up-to-date legal ebooks and thousands of legal forms.

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
a screenshot of a video still on facebook
 
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:
  1. dehydrator
  2. knife sharpener
  3. 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.
 
Holiday Hours

ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS WILL BE CLOSED:
Monday, February 17
 

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