News & Happenings
Fall 2019

Dear Readers,

On an early morning walk I saw my first fall leaf meander its way to the ground. There's nothing quite like the crisp days of autumn. Change is literally in the air.

Four new board members joined us last month bringing new ideas and deepening our community connections. Keep reading to see their faces and learn who they all are.

Soon great changes will happen at the Central library. After years of planning and fundraising—thank you donors!—renovations for the first and second floors are getting ready to begin. You may have already noticed the scaffolding; well, that's not it just yet—that's for stucco repair funded by City (not BPLF) funds.

When construction begins, most days the Library will remain open. It does mean that our Authors Dinner needs to be held elsewhere. Please plan to join your favorite authors and readers at the Berkeley City Club. Details below.

As leaves change and the days get shorter, it's a good time to gather and to give. We'll be asking you to make a year-end gift but why not do it now? There are many ways to think about your gifts to support the library . We'll put your generosity to work making extraordinary things happen at the Berkeley Public Library .

See you there,
Kathy
Kathy Huff
Executive Director
Introducing Tienne, Joan, Leslie and Hadley
New Board Members
In September we welcomed four new board members. Tienne Lee, a healthcare attorney, has deep roots in Berkeley as a fifth generation resident. Berkeley Rotary Club member and natural sciences educator Joan Collignon joins the team, along with Leslie Teicholz, a research analyst, writer and former manager of international equity portfolios in London and New York. Hadley Dynak returned to her Berkeley hometown eager to get back involved after serving as the Executive Director of the Park City Summit County Arts Council in Utah.

 All four met the key requirement—must love libraries. At our first meeting we asked them each to share their current booklist. Here's a sampling Palaces for the People  by Eric Kinenberg; The Education of an Idealist by Samantha Power, I am Dynamite! A Life of Nietzsche by Sue Prideaux, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.
Library Happenings
Family fun for all ages on October 29 at the Central Library. Learn all about your amazing brain, the brains of different animals—and even about those who don't have brains at all! Crafts, stories, songs, and more—all about brains! 
The Tool Lending Library has expanded its hours to include Wednesdays. If you need a tool Monday -Saturday there's always a wide selection of tools to choose from. Tool Librarians are on hand leading programs and offering expert advice to help you learn how to finish that home project.
Cornerstones STEM @ Berkeley

Hands-on learning programs for all ages, Cornerstones STEM @ Berkeley continues to grow with programs and equipment. Arriving soon are two additional telescopes and four microscopes for check out. The fall night sky is something to behold, so grab your library card and come on down to experience your window on the world.
Have you ever encountered the Library on Wheels in the wild? It's pedaled around by stalwart librarians to community events like farmers markets and festivals. It's stocked with books, music, and movies for all ages and includes a mobile hotspot that is free for all to use. In August, we caught some candid shots of this transportable treasure at the downtown Berkeley Plaza, right near a Library sponsored performance by traditional folk dancers from India!

Members of the Rosa Shattuck Circle have a special event coming up this month. Invitations were mailed last week. Be sure to let us know you are coming. RSVP by calling 510.981.6115 or email us at events@bplf.org .
Mark your calendars for the Foundation's annual Authors Dinner. This ever lively event will be at the Berkeley City Club on February 8, while the Central Library completes renovations. Join us for a night to remember at Julia Morgan's "Little Castle" on Durant Avenue. Tickets go on sale in early November. Sponsorships are still available!
Thank you!
Are you old enough?
Did you know that owners of individual retirement accounts who are at least age 70 1/2 can contribute their IRAs to charity and receive tax benefits? A direct donation up to $100,000 can be transferred from a traditional or Roth IRA to the Berkeley Public Library Foundation or any other IRS qualified charity. Let us put your dollars to good work while you can still see the results. Gifts of every size strengthen our library and community.
Great libraries make great communities!
To make a gift by mail, send your check made out to  Berkeley Public Library Foundation, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley CA 94704