Library Foundation News & Happenings
July 2019
Launchpads are Here!

Foundation-funded Launchpads are now in circulation at all Berkeley Public Library branches! These tablets are safe and engaging literacy learning tools for kids. Each is securely pre-loaded with ad-free educational apps grouped by age, grade level, subject area and theme. We're so excited to share them with you!

Pictured: Library staffer Jonathan Esmenjaud prepping the Launchpads for circulation. See if you can spot our BPLF sticker in the corner!
Laptop Lending Kiosks

After the success of the Laptop Lending Kiosk at Central, we're happy to announce that another foundation-funded Kiosk is up and running at Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch! Laptop lending increases our libraries' public computer resources while letting users choose any area within the library to sit down and use them! Stop by and try out one of these laptops for research, writing your novel, or connecting with friends online!
Support the Berkeley Public Library Foundation and bring new and exciting learning tools to your local libraries!
Library Staff Spotlights
Featured Librarian:
Dan Beringhele
D an Beringhele has worked at the Berkeley Public Library since 2013. He started off in the Adult Services Department, and now he's the new(ish) Supervising Librarian at the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch.  Dan's originally from Southern California. After six years working with the Chicago Library, he's happy to be back living on the West Coast. He enjoys hiking and cycling (you can sometimes spot him on the Foundation funded Library on Wheels around town). He's also a great cook who'll happily share his best grilled chicken recipe. Like all librarians, his book list is long, and he's currently reading Women Talking by Miriam Toews.
Welcome New Art and Music Librarian Griffin Burgess
The Foundation joins the Library in welcoming Griffin Burgess to Berkeley. Griffin worked as a library assistant, archivist, and as operations manager at the San Francisco General Hospital Library and Archives for the past seven years and received her MLIS degree from Drexel University. When she’s not here at the BPL, you'll find her reading (especially fantasy novels with female protagonists), hiking one of the many East Bay trails, or talking in a silly voice to her cats.
Block Party!
Pictured: Coventry and Kaluza's riveting performance
Pictured: A child plays with new Big Blue Blocks at the Central Library
In June, The Central Library celebrated the launch of the Big Blue Blocks. These new blocks are a movable playground that supports free play, design, engineering concepts, problem solving, communication, movement, and creativity. Kids from around Berkeley played with the blocks for the first time, and there was a silly and exciting circus arts act by local performers Coventry and Kaluza. The blocks will rotate between the BPL branches. Watch for this Foundation-funded fun at your neighborhood library !
The Foundation's annual Authors Dinner is in the works with a date set for February 8th, 2020 . This year only, the dinner will be held at the illustrious Berkeley City Club while the Central Library undergoes Foundation and City funded renovations. We are honored to host this exceptional event in Julia Morgan's historical "Little Castle."
Interested in sponsoring our 2020 Authors Dinner? Click below to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you!
Gifts of every size help advance literacy, promote lifelong learning, and create fun for every generation.
Great libraries make great communities!