Storytimes near WEST BRANCH LIBRARY

West Branch, West Branch Meeting Room

Your Turn! A monthly board game night for the curious and the adventurous at Berkeley Public Library West Branch :) A Community Board Game Night Every second Wednesday from 5:30-7:30PM, come join host & author Kitty Stryker and play some board games - old favorites and new discoveries! Each month Kitty will curate a theme for the games, and Games of Berkeley will offer some diverse board and card games to fit the theme. Try out a game you've never played before, teach us a game you love, and meet some new friends! Games will be appropriate for teens and above. Masks are encouraged and will be available if you need one. See you there!

Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, THPS Branch Meeting Room

Join author Brandon Shimoda to discuss his book of essays, The Afterlife is Letting Go, centered on the "afterlife" of Japanese incarceration during WWII. Brandon Shimoda is the author of several books of poetry and prose, including The Afterlife Is Letting Go (on the memory/forgetting of Japanese American incarceration) and The Grave on the Wall (an ancestral memoir), both published by City Lights, San Francisco. He is also the co-editor, with Brynn Saito, of The Gate of Memory: Poems by Descendants of Nikkei Incarceration (published by Haymarket Books). He currently teaches creative writing and Asian American literature at Colorado College.

Central Library

Need help with housing matters or facing eviction? Come to the library for assistance with substandard housing conditions, subsidized housing, rent increases, fair housing matters, and eviction defense. The Eviction Defense Center also handles Rental Assistance Applications for the City of Berkeley. For more information call 510-981-6240 or Drop-in on the day of the event. (Program will be held in the "Commons")

The Freight

Music, Movement, and Stories for Children Please join us at The Freight, one of Berkeley's oldest and most beloved music venues, for a special musical story time series with The Story Time Band! These FREE events will take place on Thursdays, 6/11, 7/9, and 8/13 at 10:30 am (doors open at 10:00 am), and will feature live music, movement activities, and read-aloud stories for children ages 2-7. See you there! Location: The Freight, 2020 Addison St. in Berkeley The Story Time Band also leads FREE Musical Story Time sessions at the South Berkeley Senior Center located at 2939 Ellis St, Berkeley, CA 94703. History of the Band What began in 2013 as a small musical story time at Berkeley’s Claremont Branch Library has grown into one of the East Bay’s most beloved family traditions. Founded by children’s librarian Michael Kwende (“Mr. Michael”) and retired librarian and guitarist Tim DeWolf, The Story Time Band is now a dynamic ensemble featuring library specialists and musicians Juan Castille and Donovan Russell, and longtime Berkeley resident and keyboardist Tienne Lee. Blending live music, storytelling, movement, and audience participation, the group transforms books into vibrant, interactive experiences. Children and caregivers don’t just listen—they sing, dance, laugh, and become part of the story. Since its early days in the library, The Story Time Band has expanded to parks, theaters, festivals, and community spaces across the Bay Area. Regularly drawing packed crowds, the ensemble has appeared at The Freight, the Bay Area Book Festival, Oakland’s Fairyland, and San Quentin’s Family Day, bringing joy and connection to hundreds of families. With infectious energy, a deep sense of community, and a distinctive fusion of music and storytelling, The Story Time Band is redefining family entertainment—creating joyful shared experiences and inspiring a lifelong love of books. Since 2024, the group’s visual world has been shaped by band artist Jerome Lu, whose vibrant work reflects its playful, imaginative spirit. Follow them on Instagram @thestorytimeband

Central Library, Community Meeting Room

Gathering Together to Read a Different Play each Month Playreaders do exactly what the name says: it’s an interactive program where participants read aloud from plays, changing parts frequently so everyone gets a chance to bring theater to life. *Please Note: For this date only, we will be meeting one hour earlier (from 11-12). Otherwise we meet the first 3 Thursdays of the month from 12-1. Registration is not necessary but if you'd like to join the listserv, email me: jmarston@berkeleyca.gov

West Branch, Community Meeting Room

ESL Conversation Club @West

Central Library, Central Children's Story Room

Free lunch for kids and teens 18 and under. Plus activities like cooking classes, arts, crafts, games and more! June 9 to August 6 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays Lunch served 12:00 - 1:30 pm Funding provided by the State of California and the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. In partnership with Berkeley Unified School District. On the Menu for Week 4: Tuesday, June 30 Serving - Burrito Chicken or Bean with Cilantro-Lime Slaw and Sour Cream, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Arts and crafts with MOCHA Wednesday, July 1 Serving - Pasta Marinara with Cheese and Broccoli, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Engineer! Build with KEVA Blocks, "Blocks and Blueprints," and Crystal Climbers! Thursday, July 2 Serving - Chicken or Veggie Soft Taco with Pinto Beans, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Soy (Veg option) Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - Making Awesome Sauce with June Jo Lee ( Kimchi Taco Time ) of Readers to Eaters On the Menu for Week 5: Tuesday, July 7 Serving - Mac-n-Cheese with Broccoli, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Pottery for Kids with Nico Wednesday, July 8 Serving - Chicken or Veggie Salad Sub Sandwich with Snap Peas, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Gluten, Egg, and Soy (Veggie Sub Sandwich) Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - TBA Thursday, July 9 Serving - BBQ Chicken or Veg Sandwich with Cole Slaw, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergens: Wheat/Gluten (bun), Soy (Veg option), Egg (dressing) Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - What happens after you toss it? With the Ecology Center and City of Berkeley Zero Waste Team On the Menu for Week 6: Tuesday, July 14 Serving - Bean and Cheese Pupusa with Cilantro-Lime Slaw, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - PoP's Chomp Stomp: Make Cardboard creations with the Chomp Saw Wednesday, July 15 Serving - Alfredo Pasta Chicken or Tofu with Cheese and Snap Peas, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - TBA Thursday, July 16 Serving - Grilled Cheese with Tomato Salad, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - TBA On the Menu for Week 7: Tuesday, July 21 Serving - Hamburger or Impossible Burger with Roasted Potatoes, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Gluten (bun), Soy (Impossible patty) Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - PoP's Chomp Stomp: Make Cardboard creations with the Chomp Saw Wednesday, July 22 Serving - Mac-n-Cheese with Broccoli, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - TBA Thursday, July 23 Serving - Serving - Teriyaki chicken/Tofu with Broccoli and Brown Rice, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergens: Soy Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - Bee and Me w/Lori CompostGal Caldwell On the Menu for Week 8: Tuesday, July 28 Serving - Burrito Chicken or Bean with Cilantro-Lim Slaw and Sour Cream, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Sewing Lab for Kids Wednesday, July 29 Serving - Pasta Marinara with Cheese and with Broccoli, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - TBA Thursday, July 30 Serving - Serving - Grilled Cheese with Tomato Salad, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Sewing Lab for Kids On the Menu for Week 9: Tuesday, August 4 Serving - BBQ Chicken/Veg Sandwich with Cole Slaw, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Wheat/Gluten (bun), Soy (Tofu), Egg (dressing) Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - Seed Stewards with Farmer Kristyn Wednesday, August 5 Serving - Alfredo Pasta Chicken or Tofu with Cheese and Snap Peas, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-dairy milk Allergens: Dairy and Gluten Activity (12:30 - 2:00 pm) - Making Kraut-chi with June Jo Lee ( Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild ) of Readers to Eaters Thursday, August 6 Serving - Serving -Chicken or Veggie Salad Sub Sandwich with Snap Peas, Fresh Fruit, Milk/Non-diary milk Allergen: Gluten, Egg, and Soy(veggie option) Activity (12:30 - 1:30 pm) - Make Your Own Terrarium

Central Library

Need help with housing, shelter, and employment resources? Need help with housing, shelter, and employment resources? Come to the Library and meet one-on-one with BACS team members for assistance with the following: • Housing Assessments • Employment Counseling • Housing Problem Solving • Shelter Coordination • And more For more information call 510-981-6240 or Drop-in for assistance. Bay Area Community Services (BACS) is a North County Resource Center that works with homeless community members in Berkeley, Emeryville, and Albany. (Intake will be on the 1st floor near the main entrance, and from there patrons will head upstairs to the Mystery Room for direct services)

North Branch, North Branch Meeting Room

Enjoy a family-friendly movie matinee at North Branch in the meeting room on Thursdays 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm in July. July 9 - PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023) Synopsis When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference. July 16 - The Garfield Movie (2024) Synopsis Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father - scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) - Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist. July 23 - Encanto (2021) Synopsis “Encanto” tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. July 30 - The Wild Robot (2024) Synopsis After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

Central Library, The Commons

Join us for casual chess every Thursday from 3pm-5pm in the 1st Floor Commons! We have plenty of boards and a big screen for online chess or puzzles! We will be playing in The Commons on the 1st floor. All Levels Are Welcome

Central Library, Community Meeting Room

¡Bienvenides al primer club de lectura en español de la Biblioteca Pública de Berkeley! ¡Empezamos nuestro quinto año como club! ¿Ya te has apuntado? Cada mes tendremos dos sesiones; una en persona y una sesión virtual para conversar sobre narrativa escrita por autoras contemporáneas y obras literarias clásicas de escritoras del siglo XX de habla hispana. Nuestro club estará dirigido a participantes que puedan hablar y leer en español (nivel intermedio alto, avanzado y nativo). Por la temática de las discusiones y los títulos elegidos, este es un club para mayores de 18 años. ¡Registrate en Zoom para poder conectarte a las sesiones virtuales! Sesiones virtuales son por Zoom el último viernes del mes. Lista de lecturas: Julio: Las negras / Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro Agosto: El buen mal / Samanta Schweblin Septiembre: La distancia entre nosotros / Reyna Grande Octubre: Malinche / Laura Esquivel Noviembre: Malinalli / Verónica Chapa Diciembre: Oye / Melissa Mogollón Enero: Papeles de Pandora / Rosario Ferré Febrero : La mala costumbre / Alana Portero Marzo : Feminismo bastardo / María Galindo Abril : Caperucita se come al lobo / Pilar Quintana Mayo : Desierto Sonoro / Valeria Luiselli Junio : La otra Julia / Mayra Santos-Febres

North Branch, North Branch Meeting Room

8-week Mandarin Language class Join us for an 8-week series of introductory Mandarin language classes for Adults at the North Branch Library. This workshop series will take in the North Branch meeting room except for the Zoom session on June 18 and June 25. Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm in June and July June 11 June 18 (Zoom) June 25 (Zoom) July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 This event is sponsored by the Taiwan Ministry of Education.

Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, THPS Branch Meeting Room

Learn about Mastodon, a decentralized open-source social media platform. In the last session, we covered the many problems of corporate social media platforms. We introduced the "Fediverse", which is a decentralized ecosystem of ad- and surveillance-free platforms. In our next session, we will provide a walkthrough for those interested in joining Mastodon, the biggest platform on the Fediverse. We will make accounts, review privacy settings, and explore the functionality of Mastodon.

West Branch, West Branch Meeting Room

Storytime in Spanish and English for babies and toddlers We will sing, sway, clap, read and move together to start building readiness for early literacy and bilingual awareness. Trae tu bebé y disfruten de divertidas canciones, movimiento y un toquecito de lectura para comenzar a familiarizarnos con los libros. Who / Quienes: Our baby bounce is appropriate for children aged approximately 6 to 30 months. Nuestro programa es apropiado para niños de los 6 a los 30 meses. Where / Donde: Berkeley Public Library West Branch 1125 University Ave Berkeley CA

West Branch, West Branch Meeting Room

Stay-n-Play a while, right after our Bilingual Baby Bounce Unstructured play in a group is a great way to build social and emotional skills by spending time together! Después de nuestro programa de cantar, quédense y compartan juegos con otros bebés. Who / Quienes For children aged approximately 6 to 30 months. Apropiado para niños de los 6 a los 30 meses. Where / Donde Berkeley Public Library West Branch 1125 University Ave Berkeley CA

Central Library

Movies from all genres and eras. Super Cinema, June 2026 Who Needs Comedy? Friday June 5 A Fish Called Wanda 1988 / 107 min. / R A gang of diamond thieves and an odd lawyer named Archibald Leach double cross each other while scheming to commit a jewel heist, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Wanda. Directed by John Crichton. Very funny, highly praised. Friday June 12 Best in Show 2000 / 90 min. / PG-13 Christopher Guest was one of the first to become involved in crafting “mockumentaries” such as This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman. This one may be his best. Pet owners who like to dress and pamper dogs like children are surely among the wiggiest humans, so Guest and company don’t have very far to go with embellishments to produce a guffaw like this. Friday June 19—Juneteenth No movie this week. The Library is closed. Friday June 26 Sorry to Bother You 2018 / 112 min. / R Telemarketer Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield) exists in an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, a macabre universe that has magic and oddly put-together, fanciful characters. Reviewed as “fresh” and very funny. Filmed in Oakland, so you’ll see familiar streets, businesses and landmarks. Directed by Boots Riley. Intelligent Comedy / Romance / Drama / Thriller Friday, July 3 Fourth of July (Observed) Library Closed Friday, July 10 Good Morning Vietnam 1987 / 121 min / R Robin Williams plays Adrian Cronauer, an Armed Forces DJ in Saigon in 1965. His superiors frown on his “irreverent tendency,” but GIs love it. Director Barry Levinson has said that most of Williams’ broadcasts in the film were his own inventions. Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actor and he was also nominated for an Oscar. Friday, July 17 High Fidelity 2000 / 113 min / R Think 30 or 40 years ago. Rob (John Cusack) owns a used record store in a trendy neighborhood of Chicago. Rob’s a hangdog list-maker currently laying down his top 5 romantic breakups right into the camera from the store’s front stoop, while his employee Barry (Jack Black) exhibits teeth-rattling entrepreunerial zeal inside the store. Cusack leads a wonderful ensemble cast while spinning a great soundtrack. Friday, July 24 Catch Me If You Can 2002 / 141 min / PG-13 When Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo Di Caprio) was a teen, his family fell apart because of his dad’s criminal activities. To make some money, Abagnale Jr. decided to use cons he’d learned by watching his father. He impersonated several highly trained professionals and forged checks, which made him millions. Soon he’s being tracked by an FBI Agent (Tom Hanks), who offers him a deal. From a book of the same title by Frank Abagnale Jr. Friday, July 31 To Catch A Thief 1955 / 106 min / PG A former cat burglar, John Robie (Cary Grant) claims to be retired, but new burglaries occur that use his methods. Robie decides to catch the impostor in order to clear his own name. Not coincidentally, Robie begins to pursue the jewel-heavy daughter (Grace Kelly) of a nouveau riche American widow. Their molten affair begins in front of a fireworks display off the coast of Cannes. Happy Fourth of July.

Central Library, Community Meeting Room

Movies from all genres and eras. Super Cinema, June 2026 Who Needs Comedy? Friday June 5 A Fish Called Wanda 1988 / 107 min. / R A gang of diamond thieves and an odd lawyer named Archibald Leach double cross each other while scheming to commit a jewel heist, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Wanda. Directed by John Crichton. Very funny, highly praised. Friday June 12 Best in Show 2000 / 90 min. / PG-13 Christopher Guest was one of the first to become involved in crafting “mockumentaries” such as This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman. This one may be his best. Pet owners who like to dress and pamper dogs like children are surely among the wiggiest humans, so Guest and company don’t have very far to go with embellishments to produce a guffaw like this. Friday June 19—Juneteenth No movie this week. The Library is closed. Friday June 26 Sorry to Bother You 2018 / 112 min. / R Telemarketer Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield) exists in an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, a macabre universe that has magic and oddly put-together, fanciful characters. Reviewed as “fresh” and very funny. Filmed in Oakland, so you’ll see familiar streets, businesses and landmarks. Directed by Boots Riley. Intelligent Comedy / Romance / Drama / Thriller Friday, July 3 Fourth of July (Observed) Library Closed Friday, July 10 Good Morning Vietnam 1987 / 121 min / R Robin Williams plays Adrian Cronauer, an Armed Forces DJ in Saigon in 1965. His superiors frown on his “irreverent tendency,” but GIs love it. Director Barry Levinson has said that most of Williams’ broadcasts in the film were his own inventions. Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actor and he was also nominated for an Oscar. Friday, July 17 High Fidelity 2000 / 113 min / R Think 30 or 40 years ago. Rob (John Cusack) owns a used record store in a trendy neighborhood of Chicago. Rob’s a hangdog list-maker currently laying down his top 5 romantic breakups right into the camera from the store’s front stoop, while his employee Barry (Jack Black) exhibits teeth-rattling entrepreunerial zeal inside the store. Cusack leads a wonderful ensemble cast while spinning a great soundtrack. Friday, July 24 Catch Me If You Can 2002 / 141 min / PG-13 When Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo Di Caprio) was a teen, his family fell apart because of his dad’s criminal activities. To make some money, Abagnale Jr. decided to use cons he’d learned by watching his father. He impersonated several highly trained professionals and forged checks, which made him millions. Soon he’s being tracked by an FBI Agent (Tom Hanks), who offers him a deal. From a book of the same title by Frank Abagnale Jr. Friday, July 31 To Catch A Thief 1955 / 106 min / PG A former cat burglar, John Robie (Cary Grant) claims to be retired, but new burglaries occur that use his methods. Robie decides to catch the impostor in order to clear his own name. Not coincidentally, Robie begins to pursue the jewel-heavy daughter (Grace Kelly) of a nouveau riche American widow. Their molten affair begins in front of a fireworks display off the coast of Cannes. Happy Fourth of July.

Central Library, The Commons

Join us for some casual dominoes games every Friday from 3-5pm in the 1st Floor Commons! Everyone’s welcome, no matter your level! We’ll have sets on hand, or feel free to bring your own. New to the game? No worries—some players will be around to show you the ropes. Hope to see you there!

North Branch, North Branch Lawn

Join us on the library's front patio for an outdoor art project with sidewalk chalk! Join us on Friday, July 10 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm for an outdoor art project! Children and their adults are invited to decorate the front patio near the entrance of North Branch with chalk art. Supplies are provided.

Claremont Branch Exterior

Chess Club happens every Friday from 3pm-5pm outside the Claremont Branch. All ages and skills levels are welcome. Boards, pieces and clocks are provided. Chess Club happens every Friday from 3pm-5pm outside the Claremont Branch. All ages and skills levels are welcome. Boards, pieces and clocks are provided.

Central Library, Art & Music Study Hall

Whether you're a seasoned collage maker or you've never tried to collage before, bring out your inner artist with this simple and engaging art form! Due to holiday library closures on Friday, June 19 (for Juneteenth) and Friday, July 3 (for Independence Day), Collage Club will meet the following Friday in both instances: June 26 and July 10. Our normal schedule of 1st and 3rd Fridays will resume on July 17 and continue thereafter. Collage Club meets the first and third Friday of every month from 4-5pm on the 5th Floor of the Central Branch and is open to all (children 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult). Collage is an art form in which printed materials and other visual elements are cut and recombined to form new compositions. Berkeley Public Library staff will demonstrate different collage techniques and share books about collage and collage artists from our collection. All materials will be provided for this drop-in program, though participants are welcome to bring their own art projects and materials if they so choose. No sign up is required.

Central Library, Children's Non-Fiction Room

Join us for fun stories and songs in the Central Children's Room on the 4th Floor of the Central Branch! Join us for fun stories and songs in the Central Children's Room on the 4th Floor of the Central Branch! Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and their families are all welcome. Saturday at 10:30 AM

Virtual

Monthly book club featuring prominent Queer characters and themes! Every month we'll be focusing on a book featuring prominent Queer characters and themes. Our selection is not restricted by genre, but a combination of young adult, new adult, fantasy and science fiction, memoirs, essays, etc. If you have a favorite book you want to talk about, let us know and we might add it to our list! For more updates and a chance to talk to others between meetings, you can join the club's Meet Up page (https://www.meetup.com/portland-lgbt-book-club/). July (Saturday July 11th 11am-1pm): The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty August (Saturday August 8th 11am-1pm): The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81069698489?pwd=dVNUQ3o5SWZMQXhVSUFoOVF0aW5QUT09 Meeting ID: 810 6969 8489 Passcode: 382308 One tap mobile +16699009128,,81069698489# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,81069698489# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 810 6969 8489 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kedIr1hzVl

Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, THPS Branch Meeting Room

Play ukulele with us. No experience needed, bring your own ukulele or use one of ours! Come Play Ukulele! Let's get together and strum and sing some songs at THP South Branch! Bring your own ukulele, or use one of ours!

West Branch, West Branch Meeting Room

Stop by West and make colorful pinch pots using air dry clay. All materials provided.

Central Library, Art & Music Study Hall

Celebrating Women's History Month with local vendors, artists, creators and entrepreneurs Join us in celebrating women in the vibrant local arts scene with vendors, artists, and live DJs spinning on the 5th floor. Get your portrait taken by 95.Stef , pick out your next read from Womb House Books , liven up your walls with some local art, or just enjoy the tunes and atmosphere courtesy of KALX DJs such as Microtone and more!

Central Library, Community Meeting Room

A Friendly Gathering with Strangers to Chat about Death. You are invited to a Death Café experience where people, often strangers, gather to discuss death. The objective is “to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives”. The experience will be a group discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Death Cafés help people talk about death and dying in a supportive, unstructured way. Registering for the event is appreciated. But, unlike the Pearly Gates, no one will be turned away! Register online or call 510-981-6100

North Branch, North Branch Meeting Room

Chess for all levels! Join us at North Branch for casual chess games on the first Saturday of the month (second Saturday in July). All ages and experience levels welcome! There will be help available from an experienced chess player, along with chess books from the library's collection.

North Branch, North Branch Meeting Room

Explore early learning skills and imagination with your child through free-form art activities. Join us in to discover your toddler's creativity with hands-on fun on paper! Your child will create beautiful art using crayons, dot markers, washable paint, stampers, and ink pads. Explore early learning skills and imagination with your child through free-form art activities. This program will take place in North Branch Meeting Room. Dates: Monday, July 13 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am Monday, July 13 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am

Central Library

Come to Central and speak to a EBCLC staff member about the following programs: Come to Central and speak to a EBCLC staff member about the following programs: Immigration Program - Supports families by offering services for deportation defense, asylum, naturalization, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, DACA, and U and T visas for crime and trafficking victims. Housing Program - Stabilizes family housing via eviction defense, rent board petitions, and subsidized housing hearings. Education Defense & Justice for Youth Program - Assists children in remaining within their school and family communities through juvenile defense, school expulsion defense, and special education advocacy. Health and Welfare Program - Maximizes family access to public benefits (unemployment, nutrition) and healthcare via Medical-Legal Partnerships at hospitals and community clinics. Releases families from untenable debt from student loans, credit cards, payday lenders, and settlement stakeholders. Social Work Program - Provides families with ongoing case management, crisis intervention, systems navigation, advocacy, and referrals.