October 2026

 

October 15, 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Black Panther Party, a historic moment in Oakland history. Learn about the Black Panther Party's file and rank from the Oakland History Center's program and exhibit. You can also view The Black Panther Party Original Newspapers 1967-1971, a specially curated exhibit from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. On the Opening date of the African American Museum and Library's exhibit, there will also be a Black Panther Party Film Series, where you can experience digitized original 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 films documenting the Black Panther Party and its associates from 1967 to 1979

 

(various dates at the Main Library)

 

Calling all history buffs! Your favorite free local history program is finally here! The Oakland History Center's 2026 Fall History Series will take you on a spooky haunted history bike ride, reveal the creativity of diorama hobbyists, and discuss the anti-capitalist Occupy Oakland movement.

 

 

The Not-So-Scary Halloween Show
Surprise! It’s a magic show full of Halloween fun appropriate for all ages! Bring your ghosts and goblins, your superheroes and your fairies as tricks reign over treats in this silly, fun, laughter-filled show.

Find more Halloween events here.

 

(various locations & dates)

Join us to decorate skulls made out of magic modeling clay! All materials provided.

Find more Dia de los Muertos events here.

Have you ever bedazzled a book cover? Now's your chance.

 

Although this craft event is for teens, families are welcome to join us for a banned book storytime and you can check out our banned books reading list below.

 

 

The world renowned Trash Falcons Trash Museum of Trash is curating a special exhibition for the Main Library! Founded in 2020, not long after the founding of the Trash Falcons, the Trash Falcons Trash Museum of Trash features amazing and questionably historic items found on weekly Trash Falcons missions — preserving, documenting and sharing the hidden stories in Oakland’s found trash.

While some museums build collections through acquisition or gifts often working with outside archaeologists, collectors or researchers, the Trash Falcon Trash Museum of Trash team includes all of these roles. Using everything from traditional trash pickers or old fashioned rubber gloves to custom built archaeology recovery tools such as the witches finger, grappling hooks, or long bamboo poles, curators rescue objects discarded in the Adams Point and Lake Merritt neighborhoods, and then clean/sanitize and categorize them into displays. Come see these objects for yourself at the Oakland Public Library!

Top Banned Books of 2025

List created by OPLAliyahM

Free people read freely! Every year the American Library Association (ALA) publishes a list of the top most challenged books to keep the public informed about censorship in libraries and schools. "Of the unique titles challenged in 2025, 1,671 (39%) represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color." The ALA's report is linked at the bottom.

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