All Things Library
Foundation News, Events, and Happenings
There are so many reasons to love the Berkeley Public Library 

Meet Foundation Board Member

Irene Hegarty 

Irene is a 50-year resident of Berkeley, graduating from UC Berkeley in 1968. She says, “Like so many Cal grads, I came to Berkeley, liked what I saw, and never left.”  She grew up in Sunnyvale and worked in its public library as a community college student and later in a campus library at Cal. After graduating, she worked for several years as an editor of legal and academic texts, then as the Director of Community Relations for UCB before her retirement in 2009. Irene also has a long history of community involvement as a volunteer, school board director, former planning commissioner, and a member of several community nonprofit boards, joining the BPLF board last September.

Thoughts on the library . . . To me libraries are magical places where you can learn about anything and everything. It’s empowering. As a kid I would check out more books than I could possibly read by the due date, but I just couldn’t resist. The Berkeley library is such a valuable resource for the entire community — so many programs and services free to anyone.

A library favorite . . . The “Your Lucky Day” shelves, where you can find a new bestselling novel or nonfiction book without having to wait behind dozens of holds. I often end up reading something completely unexpected; it’s like a treasure hunt.

Serving on the Board . . . I am so impressed by the competence, dedication and enthusiasm of my fellow board members. I am honored to be among such a talented group of library supporters.

What are you reading?  Currently, Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. Just finished The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (loved it) and Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (a re-read; interesting how one’s perspective changes over time).

Irene lives near the Claremont Branch library with her husband Dick (a retired engineer). They enjoy spending time in Mexico where they have a condo, taking morning walks to Peet’s and around the neighborhood, tennis, Irene’s Rotary Club projects, and reading (of course).

Sponsor Spotlight: Middle-earth Enterprises

A huge, heartfelt thank you to our AfterWORDS series sponsor, Middle-earth Enterprises, whose generosity makes these vibrant events possible.

A division of The Saul Zaentz Company, headquartered in Berkeley, Middle-earth Enterprises holds exclusive rights to much of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and licenses films, stage productions, and merchandise based on his beloved books.

Inspired by a deep appreciation for the fictional world Tolkien created, Middle-earth Enterprises works passionately in the community to protect and better ours. We're so grateful to have such a wonderful sponsor. We couldn't do it without you!

Upcoming Events
Come visit us this weekend as the Bay Area Book Festival takes over downtown Berkeley! Mingle with your favorite authors, attend countless events for the whole family, and hear important voices from across the literary world. Check out our booth near the high school! Grab some books, win a prize, or just stop by to chat with our charming volunteers.
Our Friends  are having a book sale! Come by the Central Library's 3rd floor Meeting Room for a huge and wondrous selection of books at very low prices. All to benefit the library!
Donor Spotlight
We love our in-kind donors — local businesses who donate their time, delicious food, and dreamy locales to make our AfterWORDS event series so special.


We're turning 20! Send a note to our birthday box! Tell us what you love about your library and make a wish for the future. We'll post a sampling of what comes in at the Central Library this summer.  
Join the Circle!

Named for the Berkeley pioneer who secured funds from Andrew Carnegie and donated her rose garden as the site of  the library's first permanent home, the Rosa Shattuck Circle is a critical core of donors whose gifts of $1,000 or more annually help support and advance the mission of the Foundation. Circle donors enjoy benefits and access to special events throughout the year.