Dear Readers,
Happy Spring! Just as flowers begin to bloom all over Berkeley, there’s so much growing and happening at your Library. In this issue, you’ll get a snapshot of new Cornerstones STEM events for National Library Week, an invitation to a fascinating film about boys and baseball, a recap of our recent Authors Dinner, and an introduction to a new way to put your donations to work for the library.
In a few months, the first phase of building improvements to the Central Library will begin. Pardon the dust, but get ready for a fresh look along with new places to sit, study, relax, read, and work on the first floor. Foundation funds are helping purchase furniture, a laptop lending machine, carpets, and wall coverings. It's going to be a great prelude to the Teen Room slated for construction next year.
We’re going
green
this spring with our fundraising appeal, so be sure to look for a special email giving everyone another chance to donate to support this remarkable place. Together, we really are making a great library extraordinary.
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Kathy
Kathy Huff
Executive Director
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Two Teams, Two Countries, One Game
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Join us Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Ghost Town to Havana
is a celebration of life, community, boyhood and baseball. This award-winning film and reception will be at the Pearson Theatre, the screening room at Meyer Sound in Berkeley. Meet Director/Producer, Eugene Corr, and Roscoe Bryant, coach of the Oakland Royals.
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Authors Dinner Recap
Our 16th Annual Authors Dinner was a spectacular success! Over 300 people gathered at the Central Library to honor 29 Bay Area authors and raise money for a great cause. Author and Honorary Chair Jane Smiley shared a charming library story from her childhood: picture her lying down between the stacks! TJ Stiles joined Linda Schacht Gage as the dinner's new co-emcee, and the Foundation gave Steve Silberstein the Cody Award for his decades of outstanding support of public libraries. Guests enjoyed fine wine from
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
, a signature cocktail from
Ledgers Liquors
, delicious food by
McCall's Catering
, and baked goods from
Semifreddi's
. Be sure to thank
all our sponsors
when you see them around town. In case you missed it, check out photos from the event
here
.
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The Saul Zaentz Challenge
This year's Author Dinner guests gave generously to help us meet our winter fundraising goal for the challenge grant from the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation. Mike Kelly of Cinesine Films helped tell the story with a heartwarming short film about the late great Saul Zaentz. Click the picture below to view the film.
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Sow seeds for the Foundation's future with our new Generation Fund. This special designated fund will grow over time to help ensure a great public library for generations to come. For donors who wish to leave a legacy sooner than later, gifts can be made to the fund at any time using the drop down menu "Apply my donation to" on the Foundation's
main donation page.
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What's Happening at the Library?
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Celebrate National Library Week with the debut of Cornerstones: STEM at Berkeley Public Library
- STEM Fair @ Claremont Branch Saturday April 7, 2:00 - 4:00 pm: Meet scientists and representatives from science organizations, try out hands-on activities, and enjoy presentations about current research.
- Planetarium Show @ Central Library Monday April 9, 5:00 - 7:00 pm: Explore the night sky in a 20-minute portable planetarium show from the Chabot Space and Science Center.
- STEM Play-Date @ Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Tuesday April 10, 10:00 - 1:00 am. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers are invited to a free play session with STEM toys like Kodo Kids’ Discovery Ramps, KEVA Planks, Duplos, and more.
- Virtual Reality Tour @ West Branch Wednesday April 11, 5:00-6:30 pm: Take a tour through the International Space Station or a voyage into the human body with our VR headsets.
- Growing Cities: Examining the Role of Urban Farming in America Film and Discussion @ North Branch Wednesday April 11, 6:00-8:00 pm.
- Teens Make Something! @ North Branch Thursday April 12, 3:30-4:30 pm: For this special edition of our regular bi-weekly teen crafting program, we will be teaching soldering basics as participants complete a simple electronics project.
- STEAMBreakers @ Central Library Saturday April 14, 2:00-5:00 pm: A social gathering to bring together science professionals, artists, and the public in a fun, casual setting to discuss the intersections between science and art.
Cornerstones at Berkeley
is a collaboration between the
Berkeley Public Library
, the
Berkeley Public Library Foundation
, and
Cornerstones of Science
, a nonprofit organization that supports public libraries to offer outstanding science experiences. The project is made possible in part by the support of the Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation.
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The Foundation raises funds to benefit all five locations of the Berkeley Public Library. Donations support innovations, building improvements, and literacy projects.
We join with others to advocate for the well-being of public libraries everywhere.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax ID #94-3280180.
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With a great library, the sky's the limit!
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