This Saturday kids turned out all over Oakland to help kick-off the Summer Reading Program.   Bubble-parties at many branches let families enjoy the sunshine with each other and their books,  and a bike meet-up at the Main Library pedaled over to the West Oakland branch to enjoy an incredible Scraper Bike workshop with Tyrone "Baybe Champ" Stevenson.   

What's next? Check out the listings for your favorite performers and activites, or look to see what's happening this week at your branch.   Branch libraries are closed today, Tuesday June 18th, for the last City of Oakland Mandatory Business Closure Day of the fiscal year; but will reopen on Wednesday, when many of them will start serving Summer Free Lunch for kids and teens.  (The Main Library is open Tuesday).  

But you don't have to wait to sign up for the Summer Reading game to win prizes for your reading!   More than 1,000 children signed up this Saturday.  Have you?

Did you know that most Oakland Public Libraries now serve free lunch for children and teens during the summer?

We couldn't do it without the partnership of the Alameda County Community Food Bank, which recruits, trains, and places volunteers for the lunch service.  In addition, they train volunteer Site Coordinators, who commit to at least two weeks of coordinating the other volunteers at a single library site, during lunch time.

Could you be a volunteer Summer Lunch Site Coordinator?  While server positions are mostly filled, we still need some committed volunteers to help with this crucial role.  Coordinators work closely with library staff to make sure this is a fun experience, connecting youth with library programs and activities, and making sure the lunch service is seamless and enjoyable. 

Basic training shifts at the food bank are today, tomorrow, and next week.  Sign up here, and email  eburton@accfb.org to indicate your interest in the Coordinator position. 

More details on library volunteer opportunities can be found at http://oaklandlibrary.org/about/support-library/volunteer-library

Do you like to read the book before, or after you see the movie?

Studio One Arts Center is hosting free family movies this summer; coming up this Friday: Matilda!  Based on the book by Roald Dahl.  Check them both out.  

Do you like to read the book before, or after you see the movie?

Studio One Arts Center is hosting free family movies this summer; coming up this Friday: Matilda!  Based on the book by Roald Dahl.  Check them both out.  

Día de los niños / Día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30th. This year Germar the Magician came to many of our libraries to help us celebrate. He  entertained children of all ages with birds that appeared and disappeared, magic coins that did strange and marvelous things, and more. He did so seamlessly alternating between English and Spanish.

Día de los niños / Día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30th. This year Germar the Magician came to many of our libraries to help us celebrate. He  entertained children of all ages with birds that appeared and disappeared, magic coins that did strange and marvelous things, and more. He did so seamlessly alternating between English and Spanish.

In addition, children at those eleven branches got to choose and take home a free book to keep. 

But we're just getting started! Join us in June as we start our annual celebration of children and books during our Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is "Reading is sooooo Delicious!" Children will be entertained, encouraged to read, and win fabulous prizes. Stay tuned for more information. home a free book to keep. 

In addition, children at those eleven branches got to choose and take home a free book to keep. 

But we're just getting started! Join us in June as we start our annual celebration of children and books during our Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is "Reading is sooooo Delicious!" Children will be entertained, encouraged to read, and win fabulous prizes. Stay tuned for more information.

Celebrate children and books with bilingual magician Germar the Magician! In this fun show, Germar delights children and invites them to participate. If you miss him at your local branch, you can catch him at another!

Refreshments will be served at many locations (check your local branch), and each child will leave with a new book!

Lakeview Saturday, 4/20/13 11:00 AM

Elmhurst Saturday,  4/20/13 2:00 PM 

Dimond Tuesday, 4/23/13 7:00 PM

Asian Wednesday, 4/24/13 10:30 AM

Golden Gate Thursday, 4/25/13 3:00 PM

Martin Luther King, Jr. Saturday, 4/27/13 11:00 AM

Cesar Chavez Saturday, 4/27/13 3:00 PM

Melrose Tuesday, 4/30/13 5:30 PM

Brookfield Wedesday, 5/1/13 10:30 AM

Eastmont, Wednesday 5/8/13 10:30 AM