August Happenings at Berkeley Public Library
Patron and Library staff at the Tool Lending Library

CELEBRATE WITH US:
Expanded Hours at the Tool Lending Library
Kick-off Event
August 3, 2019 - 10am

The Tool Lending Library has been a beloved Berkeley institution for 40 years. 

In last Spring's Community Survey (read the executive summary, here) many of you expressed interest in expanded Tool Lending Library hours. We're expanding the hours to include Mondays!
 
New hours begin in August:
 Mon & Tues 10-6
Wed & Thurs 12-8
Fri & Sat 10-6

Come celebrate the expanded hours with us on
Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 10-12
before the FixIt Clinic. 

Enjoy coffee & donuts, meet staff, hear from local officials and of course... check out some tools! 
 
photo of hands making cranes
1,000 Paper Cranes & Peace Day
August 6 - 4pm
Central
 
Help us fold 1,000 origami cranes to send to Japan in the spirit of peace and brotherhood. Enjoy a reading from Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes and listen to koto music by Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and friends.
photo of young Woody Guthrie playing the guitar
Tim Holt's "Woody Guthrie"
August 28 - 6:30pm
North
 
Folksinger Tim Holt presents a program on the life of Woody Guthrie in words and music. You will be invited to sing along on songs that include "This Land is Your Land," "So Long," and "I Ain't Got No Home."
cartoon drawing of astronaut in outer space
photo of a variety of tools
an adult and child wearing tie dye performing a science experiment
Space Phantasy Cartooning
August 5 - 1pm
Claremont
FixIt Clinic
August 3 - 12pm
Tarea Hall Pittman South
Science Tellers: Aliens
August 14 - 4pm
West
Every 4th Monday: Cal Scientists
Drawing of a cell
Popping the Science Bubble:
A Conversation with Scientists from Cal
Every 4th Monday of the Month - 5:30
Central
 
Ever wonder what the scientists at Cal are up to?

With new guest lecturers from Cal each month, come learn about interesting cutting edge research, discoveries and science-related issues that affect your everyday lives.

Speakers and topics are posted a week before the event. Curious about topics from prior months? Click here.
 
More Library Events & Programs on our ONLINE CALENDAR
We've highlighted just a few of the MANY programs happening this month. Please explore our online calendar. All Library events are free and open to the public. 

Programming is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
 
We did it! New Online Catalog & Check Out System
Successful Launch

On July 2, 2019 we launched a new online catalog and self-check out system.

We commend our staff who have worked very hard to improve your user experience. 

group picture of Berkeley Public Library staff

Thank you for all your feedback and excitement about the new features.
 
Patron Support
Support Using the New Catalog:
  1. Ask any Library staff member for assistance. We are here to help!
     
  2. Check out the online help section on our website.
     
  3. Make an appointment for up to 30 minutes of one-on-one training with a Library staff member at Tarea Hall Pittman South, Claremont or West.  Give us a call to schedule. 
     
  4. Attend drop-in help sessions at three locations throughout August: 
               Central: Mondays at 6pm & Thursdays at 10am 
            North: Wednesday, August 28 at 10am & Saturday, August 31 at  11am
            West: Monday-Friday from 10-2 drop-in training 
 
Link+ Update
Link+ is temporarily unavailable. 

We know how valuable Link+ is for our patrons and we are doing everything we can to work with the vendor to expedite a return to service.

The vendor is not yet clear on when the service will be up and running again. We will update you as soon as we learn more. You can always check the Link+ category on our patron support page for the latest news.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience; we are fully committed to a resolving this as quickly as possible.
 
Do you have a library card for Alameda County Library or for other nearby libraries like Oakland, Albany, El Cerrito or San Francisco? You can use Link+ through a variety of systems during Berkeley Public Library's temporary suspension of Link+ service. Click here for the list of Link+ Member Libraries.
 
New Online Catalog User Tips
illustration of lists
Saved Lists

Create a saved list of items from your catalog searches. Then use your lists in a variety of ways, including:
  • placing holds
  • setting up an RSS feed
  • rating and reviewing titles
  • creating a link to share your list with someone via email or on social media 
New Arrivals 

Looking for something new in the Library's collections? Our current New Arrivals lists highlight recently added materials. We're updating the lists regularly.

Lists are by genre including Biography and Memoir, Travel Guidebooks, Mystery, Science Fiction, Children's, ebooks, eAudiobooks and more... 
  
Book open with sparkles coming out of the pages

New Mobile Options
Picture of mobile phone with digital library card displayed
 
Our new online catalog system allows you to use your mobile device as your Library card at self check-outs.

Plus, you can sign up for text message notifications. It's fast, easy and convenient!
 
  1. Log into your account.
  2. Under Account Summary / Contact Information: Make sure you cell number and carrier is updated. 
  3. Under Account Summary / Opt-In & Notifications: Click the box Next to "Text."
 
Great Courses: now UNLIMITED ACCESS

70 *New* Courses & UNLIMITED Access
 
The Great Courses series supports life-long learning. 

All Berkeley Public Library patrons now have unlimited access to the Great Courses in Kanopy, the Library's newest on-demand video streaming service. NO play credits will be deducted as you stream this valuable content.

logos for kanopy streaming services and the Great Courses series
 
There is a great diversity of course material available to stream. For example, check out:
 
Islamic Golden Age
The Science of Mindfulness
Great Trials of World History
Genealogy
Brain Myths Exploded
Robotics
Landscape & Wildlife Photography
Wine Tasting Toolkit
The Joy of Mathematics
...and so many more
 
Plus they have 70 *new* Great Courses for you to peruse!
 
Note: Unlimited access is only for the Great Courses series. A limit of 7 "plays" per calendar month in Kanopy for the other 30,000+ films Kanopy offers does still apply.
 
Berkeley Public Library Led the Way

"Fine Free" One Year Anniversary

It has been one year since the Berkeley Public Library has gone "fine free" for Teen and Adult materials (children's materials have long been "fine free"). "Fine free" means that we do not charge for overdue materials but we do still charge if patrons lose items. 

A lit #1 candle

Now many other Bay Area library systems have announced "fine-free" policies including:
 
San Francisco Public Library
Alameda County Library
Oakland Public Library
Marin County Library
Contra Costa County Library
Sonoma County Library
 
We are proud to have been the first in the Bay Area.

Our "fine free" policy went into effect last July as part of the Library's ongoing commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion. Studies show that fines disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. 

In the past year since the "fine free" policy went into effect the percent of late returns has not increased. Over ten thousand library card holders whose borrowing privileges were suspended due to fines are able to check out materials.
 
Summer Reading for ALL AGES all Summer Long
two school age girls reading books in front of a window

There's Still Time to Sign Up
Join in on the fun! Check out reading suggestions, game cards with prizes and many free events and programs offered all summer long.  
 
Have You Finished Summer Reading?
We value your feedback and we will use it to plan for next year.
Please fill our our survey. 
 
Click here for Teens and Kids Survey
 Click here for Parents/Caregivers Survey
Click here for Adults Survey

Thank you, in advance, for your input.
 

On Friday, August 30, all locations will open at 11am.

On Monday, September 1, all branches will be closed in observance of Labor Day.
 

 
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/