May Happenings
Toward an Anti-Racist Asian American Poetics

Thursday, May 13
3pm

Reading and conversation with poets Kazumi Chin, Muriel Leung, and Michelle Lin, led by MT Vallarta, on what it means to curate an anti-racist Asian American poetics. 
 
 
Ibi Zoboi, award-winning author of Punching the Air

Wednesday, May 26
12:15-1pm
 
This is the final author visit in the Stories for Change series, a collaboration between the Library and Berkeley High. The series has spotlighted some of today's most celebrated YA authors.
 

Drawing Program with Damon Guthrie

Saturday, May 1
1pm
 
Virtual drawing program with Berkeley's own comic artist Damon Guthrie! Damon's comic, Ninja & Bullet, is published in Berkeley Times.

Berkeley Noir:
Author Reading


Monday, May 3
6 pm
 
Come listen to authors, Aya de Leon, Thomas Burchfield and Owen Hill read and discuss their work with co-editor Jerry Thompson.
 
KonMari 101:
How to Organize Your Home So it Sparks Joy

Thursday, May 6
2pm
 
 
 
Virtual Teen Dungeons & Dragons for Beginners

Saturday, May 8
3-6pm
or 
Thursday, May 27
3-6pm
 
Our Resident Raptors

Saturday, May 22
2:30pm
 
Caretakers of the UC Berkeley falcon webcam share all about falcons and other neighborhood raptors during this interactive program.
 
Women in STEM:
E is for Engineering
with Karen Wang, Civil Engineer


Saturday, May 15
10:30am
 
Eth-Noh-Tec:
Asian Treasure Bag of Stories

Thursday, May 20
3:30pm
 
 

There are many more programs happening this month!
Check the Library's event calendar.
 

Programming is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
 
Job-seeker Support
Resume Workshop:
Stand Out and Get More Interviews


Tuesday, May 11
5pm
 
Learn to Use the Employment Development Department (EDD)'s Workforce Services Tools

Wednesday, May 12
1:30pm
Resume Workshop:
Changing Careers

May 25, 2021
5pm
E-resource: Brainfuse's JobNow
  • Job coaches & real-time interview practice
  • Full-service resume lab with templates and expert feedback
  • 24/7 access to local job resources 
  • Develop your skillset with live tutors in math, science, reading, writing, history, GED, college placement tests, career certifications, GRE, GMAT, and more!
  • VetNow (part of JobNow) connects veterans to VA employment resources and support.
Need help getting started with Brainfuse's JobNow?
Call us: 510.981.6100

 
Librarian tip: our physical collection has a robust selection of books on career-building and job searches. Click on the "Jobs & Career" tab in the Library's online catalog to see some titles our collections team highlighted. Then, place holds for a Outdoor pick-up. Want an e-read instead? hoopla has hundreds of career-related e-books for you to check out too!
 
Calling all Poets...
For National Poetry Month we used our #MondayPoetryPause posts on social media to feature original works submitted by YOU, our patrons.

What a talented community we have!
 
We received many submissions and lots of appreciation for the posts all month long so we will continue to post your work monthly, on our Instagram and Facebook feeds. 
 
Join in! Send your submission to areeder@cityofberkeley.info.
 
Patron Comments:

'"Berkeley Public Library Thanks!
Wish more public libraries were like you!
We all need a poetry pause." 

"This is a beautiful program that you are doing. Creating a platform where artists can share their work of words is the heartbeat of the mission of the library. Please continue to be a lighthouse for the writing community. Truly a job well done."

 
May hoopla Bonus Borrows
Bonus Borrows means you have access to the title immediately and it does not count against your monthly instant borrows allotment.

This month's "bonus borrow" collections:
  • Continuing Conversations on Race
  • Sci-Fi
  • Summer Reading for Adults
  • "Hidden Gems"
  • Summer Reading for Kids
  • "Series You'll Love"
  • "Characters Kids Love"
  • Action-Packed
Need help getting started with hoopla?
 
hoopla allows you to instantly borrow movies, music, audiobooks, e-books, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your smart TV. If you need any support getting started, call library staff at 510.981.6100 or book a 1:1 tech help session with a librarian.
 
Summer Reading is Right Around the Corner!
Summer Reading 2021 runs from June 4 to August 7; it is for kids, teens AND adults. June's newsletter will have the scoop on sign-up giveaway books, summer reading events, prizes and more.

In the meantime, find some great reads in the online catalog and place some holds so you're stocked up, ready for June 4. Want our staff to place some holds for you? Fill out the personalized book picks form on our website.

 
Join the Board of Library Trustees
Are you a champion of public libraries and their role in helping create a vibrant and thriving community? Would you be interested in serving on the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees?
 
The City of Berkeley is currently accepting applications to fill one vacancy on the Board. Apply by May 24, 2021.
 
 
Updates on Library Services during Covid-19
This past year, the Library has been proud to serve our community in ways that center staff and patron safety, helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Berkeley, while also ensuring patrons have access to physical library materials, information services and a robust schedule of virtual programs.
 
Staff teams are busy making plans for a staged reopening of our locations. The teams are working in coordination with the City of Berkeley, our labor partners and Public Health on a phased reopening plan. The Library will provide updates via this e-newsletter, on social media and on our website.
 
Outdoor Pickup will be closed
Friday, May 21 and Monday, May 31.
 
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/