For safety reasons, libraries close when the inside temperature reaches 87 degrees. In the coming hot days, call ahead or check back here to make sure your branch is open!
A book brings comfort when nothing else can.
Peace to you and yours this holiday season. --Miss Amy
*The book is Kurt Vonnegut: Letters, ed. Dan Wakefield
**Thumbnail image via sarahpanic on flickr
The 90 Second Newbery Film Festival is coming to Oakland in February, co-hosted by Newbery Honor winning author Jennifer Holm! It is not too late for kids or teens to submit their entries to the festival.
The 90 Second Newbery Film Festival is coming to Oakland!
We posted back in October about how kids and teens can enter their video creations to the 90 Second Newbery Film Festival. Since then, the deadline for entries been extended to January 20th, giving kids that precious time over winter break to work on their entries.
And, we are very pleased to announce that the Film Festival will be coming to Oakland on Saturday, February 8th, at 12 noon, at the Rockridge Branch Library. It
The 100-Year-Old Man Climbs out a window and accidentally gets involved with crime, wild car cases, eccentric elephant owning women and world leaders! Fun, Fun, Fun!
Do you crave to find a new funny novel? Well, this is it! So you've read all the "Girl" series, Dragon Tattoo, ...Played with Fire and Kicked the Hornet's Nest....and you've read other Swedish authors and liked their dark, violent mysteries....and you've heard that Swedes and other Nordic people don't have a finely tuned sense of humor.....Well, that is Wrong! This book proves that a Swedish author not only can make you laugh out loud, but will amaze you with his satire and insight of the deadly world of international politics.
Some of you may be familiar with the German folk character of Til Eulenspiegal, the simple country man who does everything wrong and comes out smelling like roses every time! Well, that archetype is our 100-Year-Old Man, except, one who accidentally throughout his long life has single-handedly brought about all the
A list of recommended cookbooks for kids available at the Oakland Public Library.
Family gatherings and chilly weather make the holiday season a perfect time to cook and bake with kids. Come on over to the library and feast your eyes on these cookbooks, designed specifically for children!:
Are you looking for gift ideas? How about a snow globe?
Do you miss the snow? Have you never
been to the snow but dream of going? Do you simply to look at the snow glitter as it drifts down to a winter scene? Whatever your reason, celebrate winter with us by making a snow globe. You can give it as a gift or keep it for yourself. We'll never tell.
Friday, December 13 at 3:00 PM Elmhurst
Friday, December 13 at 3:30 PM César Chávez
Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 PM 81st Avenue
Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 PM Rockridge
Tuesday, December 17 at 4:00 PM
Beyond the Book Shelf is a 15 minute film about the library. Check it out!
Check out this amazing 15 minute documentary about the Oakland Public Library: Beyond the Book Shelf. Including interviews with staff and patrons, the filmmakers show the library as an "emerging tool in the community." This film is the creation of incredibly talented library staff, and it deserves to be shared with everyone.
What do you think? What has the library done for you? What do you see as the library's role in the community? Check out what these people had to say and comment to add to the conversation!
Your library has plenty of ideas and activities for things to make with your kids.
Want to make something with your kids, but need some ideas? If you're tired of browsing online, come in and ask our staff to show you the arts and crafts section. You'll find plenty of books to page through for ideas.
You can also check out our events listings this month for arts and crafts, knitting, and other hands-on activities. Tomorrow, try:
Afternoon Crafts at the Melrose Library, Wednesday Dec 5th and Dec 18th at 2:30pm
Weekly Art with MOCHA, Wednesdays at 2pm (this month through December 18th), at the 81st Avenue Branch, the
What am I grateful for? I'll tell you.
Two of my favorite books in the Oakland Public Library children's collection are Thank You by Felicia Walker and Giving Thanks: a Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp. The gratitude expressed is with different words and for different things, but it is real and heartfelt. It occurs to me that this is a good time of the year for giving thanks.
So, here goes. Thank you to the
Share your favorite Oakland nonfiction stories!
A few months ago I highlighted fiction set in Oakland. Several readers suggested I do another posting featuring Oakland nonfiction, so here it is! Oakland is home to many talented writers of both fiction and nonfiction. I've listed a sampling of nonfiction titles here. Have a favorite nonfiction Oakland book that you don't see listed here? Add it to the list and share your experience of reading the book.
Your library offers a variety of play for your child, rain or no rain.
As fall weather sets in and we get news of that rare thing called rain, it gets harder to plan for outdoor play with your child. How about stopping at your library?
Check out our kids events listings for storytimes for your baby, toddler, or preschooler...or just come in play with them in our picture book areas, where you'll find comfy floor space and toys near the picture books. Ask the librarian for a new book to read with your child--though it's good for them to hear their favorites over and over, it's also good for them to hear you having fun with a story.
We also offer all kinds of out-of-school activities for your school-age child, from art to