News & Library Happenings

Join us after-hours at the Central Library on Sunday, February 23, 2025, for Berkeley’s favorite annual meet-the-authors gala! Enjoy a glittering reception and a dinner of gastronomic delights, alongside noted authors and celebrity hosts. Emcee Alexis Madrigal, host of KQED’s Forum, will guide the program, and former UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ is the evening’s Honorary Chair.

Among this year’s 22 honored authors is a Nobel laureate, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, a Jeopardy! champion and pioneer, two celebrated chefs, two Emmy-winning journalists, and the author of what Vogue called “the sexiest novel of the year.” Completing the list are naturalists, storytellers, activists, scholars, and commentators on the wildly diverse world around us. Tickets go on sale December 6.

Link to Authors Dinner Details

Measure X for Libraries Passes!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world! The Foundation is proud to have contributed to the success of the Measure X campaign to support Berkeley's public libraries. Winning two-thirds in any election is tough, but a 78% win is a tremendous vote of confidence that our community truly loves libraries! Campaign Committee members included Tanir Ami, Cathy Brown, Diane Davenport, Kathy Huff, Tienne Lee, Tess Mayer, Aimee Reeder, Amy Roth, Christine Staples, and Nancy Yep. The measure provides a critically needed increase for operational funding to keep current Library services active and infrastructure supported.

December Events at Your Library

Line dancing, super cinema, book groups, Banjo lessons, Black Cowboy exhibit, tamales, teen ramen, knitting, hot cocoa, trivia night, Kwanzaa stories, chess, the list of events goes on here.

Join Mr. Michael and friends at THP South Library to design your library card! We especially love this one because it features the ever-popular Story Time Band with our very own Foundation Board Member Tienne Lee on keyboard! Learn more.

Saturday, December 14, on the last day of this exhibit at the Central Library, take advantage of a live tour of the Westward Bound: African-American Country Music History & Cowboy Lore exhibit by curator Vania Kinard and Grammy award-winning musician Dom Flemons. Learn more.

Calendar of Library Events

Rosa Shattuck Circle Reception

Members of our Rosa Shattuck Circle and friends gathered at the Claremont Library last month for a special reception and program about the future of libraries and public space. Moderated by author and podcaster Lauren Schiller, the panelists included Library Director Tess Mayer, Historian Liam O'Donoghue, and New_Public's Deepti Doshi.

Alert! Web Maintenance!

Our bplf.org website will undergo required system software updates to enhance security and optimization. This will occur for an 8-hour window starting at 7 p.m. on December 17. The site will be put on "Maintenance mode" for the duration.

Your Gifts Make A Great Library Extraordinary!

The Berkeley Public Library Foundation provides the grant funds our library needs to go beyond everyday operations. We give librarians tools to innovate, try out new ideas, expand literacy projects, and make building improvements not covered by bond measures or property taxes.

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