Artists Dimetria Tokunbo and Violet Alexis Bea teach how to draw shapes and textures in comic art, with cartoonish bugs as a specific point of reference. Supplies provided.
Tarea Hall Pittman South 3rd Thursdays, April - August
5pm
In partnership with Oakland Creates founder Avy Jetter, we will be holding 5 workshops teaching how to make zine and comics that will lead up to the Tarea Hall Pittman South Zine & Comic Fest in August.
Dr. Miele is a prominent blind scientist, designer, and thought leader in accessible technology and disability. He is a recipient of the 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, an Amazon Design Scholar, and Distinguished Fellow at UC Berkeley’s OBI. He will be joined in conversation with disability rights lawyer, author, and international speaker, Lainey Feingold, who has worked with the blind community to make technology more accessible for over 30 years.
Red Altar is a work of historical fiction that tells the story of the Monterey Bay area’s Chinese fishing villages of the 1850's, and is based on the true story of three generations of Chinese fishermen surviving and building community despite the anti-Chinese laws and violence they experienced in California.
Author Event: Rachel Khong in conversation with Shruti Swamy
Real Americans
North Wed, May 14
6 pm
Khong is the author of Goodbye, Vitamin, winner of the California Book Award for First Fiction. Her newest novel was a New York Times bestseller.
Swamy is the author and novelist whose work has appeared in The Paris Review, McSweeny's, AFAR Magazine, and the New York Times, and twice won the O. Henry.
Native Lands: Culture & Gender in Indigenous Territorial Claims
North Thurs, May 15
6 pm
Red Altar is a work of historical fiction that tells the story of the Monterey Bay area’s Chinese fishing villages of the 1850's, and is based on the true story of three generations of Chinese fishermen surviving and building community despite the anti-Chinese laws and violence they experienced in California.
Huahn tells the true story of Mamie Tape, who fought for the right to go to her neighborhood school in 1885 in San Francisco. Learn behind the scenes facts and make a fun snake craft. Ages 5-9
Director Linda Rosen's documentary is based on oral histories with fellow participants, music, and photographs from the movement 60 years ago. Film shown with an intermission, followed by a Q&A.
This documentary follows one family's story of survival, loss, and community resilience in the wake of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. The post-film discussion will seek to honor the lives impacted, reflect on the power of community healing, and explore how we can build resilience in the face of a changing climate.
May 22: Reclaiming Your Care: NVC in Gynecology May 24: Empathy as the Salve for Loneliness: Using NVC with Your Local Street Neighbor June 26: The Language of Lovers: NVC in Ethically Non- Monogamous Relationships June 28: Alligator Bites Can Heal: Recognizing & Unlearning Harmful Communication July 24: Being the Calm in the Chaos: NVC as an Approach to Gentle Parenting July 26: Liberation Through Language: NVC in Reparative Justice for Survivors of State Violence
Library staff will tag along with East Bay Regional Park District staff to celebrate Black Birders Week 2025 to learn about birds of the East Bay, and have a safe space for guided discussions about Black experiences and the outdoors. Binoculars and snacks provided!
For the full schedule of East Bay Parks Black Birders Week celebrations visit www.ebparks.org.
Join us for an afternoon of emotional learning and exploring through fun activities, guest speakers, and a screening of Inside Out to help kids express themselves and build confidence.
There are many more library programs happening in May:
The Bay Area Book Festival’s (BABF’s) Family Day returns Saturday, May 31, offering an unforgettable experience for families of all ages!
With over 90 youth and YA authors, the event will feature beloved children’s authors, panels, discussions, literary exhibitors and fun interactive activities—all completely free at the Berkeley Public Library Central branch.
Notable authors include Brook Thompson, Nidhi Chanani, Maysa Odeh, Maya Gonzalez, Justine Villanueva, Zetta Elliott, Lisa Moore Ramée, Gene Luen Yang and many more.
The Berkeley History Room was created 20+ years ago in a newly renovated Central Library in downtown Berkeley to assist you with exploring Berkeley's unique history.
One of our most popular requests today is helping residents document the history of their Berkeley homes. The City of Berkeley requires that most renovations involve a permit, and to get the permit, you must document who lived in your abode over the decades. We can help you in this process.
The room is open Wednesdays from 10-1, and by appointment.
Your history awaits!
Library Awarded Grant to Boost Digital Literacy
Berkeley Public Library has been awarded $10,000 in funding by the Public Library Association, Digitallearn.org resources, and AT&T. Last month librarians Kasey Brien and Kelsey Ockert began teaching classes funded by the grant. There are many upcoming classes open to the general public.
Perfect for families, this event combines music and imagination, promising a heartwarming experience for all ages—a special benefit concert for local public libraries sponsored by the Berkeley Public Library Foundation.
