All library locations will be closed on Monday February, 18, and all locations except Eastmont, Brookfield, and the Main Library will be closed on Tuesday, February 19, for President's Day.
OPL staff look back on their favorite books of 2018.
I asked my colleagues to share their some of their favorite books from the last twelve months and here they are! We'd love to hear from you too--please share your favorite books of 2018 in the comments.
When you think of good things from Canada, what do you think of? Maple syrup? Hockey? Tim Hortons doughnuts? Justin Trudeau?
Do you ever think about Canadian authors? It’s time you did. Here’s a very incomplete sample for you.
Let’s start with Margaret Atwood: novelist, poet, short story writer. Ever since her 1969 debut novel, The Edible Woman, Atwood has been ravishing readers with her prose. Besides her many works of speculative and dystopian fiction, she has published short fiction, non-fiction, fiction for children and teens, two dozen volumes of poetry, and a graphic novel, Angel Catbird. Her 1996 novel, Alias Grace (made into a 2017 Netflix mini-series) won the
A few of this December's best fiction offerings.
Go figure, this month is turning out to be a slightly slow month for fiction. But if you’re like me, you're still catching up on all of your 2018 reads anyway. Here’s a shorter list of new books so you can join me in a last-ditch effort to catch up with our holds lists. Happy reading!
Remembering Slim Jenkins on the 85th anniversary of the opening of Slim Jenkins Cafe.
Today marks two momentous occasions in history. On December 5, 1933, 85 years ago today, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution became law in the United States. This Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States.
The repeal of prohibition was good news to entrepreneur Harold “Slim” Jenkins, a man that would become known as the unofficial Mayor of West Oakland. Jenkins became a prominent figure in the heart of the West Oakland community. Eighty-five years ago today, as a result of the end of prohibition, Jenkins opened the Slim Jenkins Cafe. He owned several successful businesses throughout West Oakland including a restaurant, night club, coffee shop and liquor store.
Seventh Street as a result of Slim Jenkins became a vibrant
It may not snow in Oakland but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a little winter wonder. Mix a little glitter, glycerin, and water, pour into a jar and you have a Snow Globe.
It may not snow in Oakland but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a little winter wonder. Mix a little glitter, glycerin, and water, pour into a jar and you have a Snow Globe.
We will have all the supplies necessary but if you have an extra or special jar and lid bring it in to use for your own Snow Globe.
Join us!
We invite children (recommended ages 0-12) to play Winter Bingo at OPL over the holiday break. Visit your local library to pick up a Winter Bingo card, complete any 5 activities in a row and win a FREE Book.
It's that time of year again! We invite children (recommended ages 0-12) to play Winter Bingo at OPL over the holiday break. Visit your local library to pick up a Winter Bingo card, complete any 5 activities in a row and win a FREE Book. You may return completed Winter Bingo cards to any Oakland Public Library between December 26, 2018 and January 20, 2019 to receive a free book of your choice.
If you want to get started before your next visit to OPL you can print your own Winter Bingo card using the links below:
Make your gifts at the library for free!
Want to surprise your loved ones with unique gifts without grabbing your wallet? Looking for opportunities to get crafty after reading about recommended crafting books in our collections? Don't care too much about gifting or the holidays but still want to have free fun while expressing yourself? From card-making to making jewelry, we've got you covered! Our programs are free and supplies are provided.
Events are for all ages unless otherwise indicated.
Mondays
Monday Arts & Crafts - Brookfield Branch, 4pm
Wednesdays
Want to get a job, get a promotion, or switch careers? Learn a new skill or two with Lynda.com! Free with your Oakland Public Library card.
Want to get a job, get a promotion, or switch careers? Learn a new skill or two with Lynda.com from LinkedIn Learning for FREE with your OPL library card!
What is Lynda.com? Lynda.com offers more than 12,000 video-based training tutorials and development courses on business, technology, and new media design. You can
Giving a gift to a book lover anytime soon? Our fourth annual Gift Guide features some of our favorite recent books for kids, teens and adults.
It's that time of year again! You are looking for ideas for gifts, and we are full of ideas about books! This is our FOURTH annual Gift Guide and we are excited to share it with you.
Our list this year has some amazing gems for children, teens, and adults and we hope to help you fufill all your gift giving duties with it this winter. Please think about supporting your local bookstores and all the wonderful readers in your lives by giving them these recent books that are some of our personal favorites.
Make your own gifts!
Are you interested in making your own gifts for the holidays? Oakland Public Library can help! We have a broad assortment of craft and baking books for you. From soap making to jewelry making, paper crafts and gifts you can eat there's something for everyone -- even the cats! And if you don't celebrate any particular holiday you'll find plenty of projects to keep you busy during the winter months.
