Posted by: montclairlibrary | May 17, 2023

Blues City Map

The African American Museum and Library (AAMLO), located at 659 14th Street – one-time home of the Main library. Photo by Oakland Public Library.

If you read Ishmael Reed’s Blues City: A Walk in Oakland along with us and wondered about some of the locations, we made a map! Some of the places mentioned, like the first locations of the University of California and Merritt College and the 7th Street Blues scene, are long gone, and a few are in limbo (Kaiser Convention Center, we’re looking at you), but many of them (the Paramount Theatre, Peralta Hacienda, Camron-Stanford House, AAMLO and more) are still around and open for visitors.

Check out the map here – click on any point to see details and usually a link to more info: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=1xdrR2Yfpihp2cCWsppjZAjhdmhMxsBg&usp=sharing

Posted by: montclairlibrary | May 7, 2023

May 2023 Events at Montclair Library

Saturday, May 6, 2023 – All day
Free Comic Book Day
Pick up a free comic book for kids, teens or adults during open hours while supplies last

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all targeted towards 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – 1:30–2:30pm
Author Talk with Joy Jones
Come hear poet, playwright, and author Joy Jones talk about her new middle grade book Jayla Jumps In.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – 3:00–4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:30pm. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book Club
Join us to discuss Ishmael Reed’s essay collection Blues City

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – 2:00-3:30pm
Teen DJ Radio Hour
Want to learn how to DJ? Or just share music you’ve been listening to or making lately? Learn how to DJ, mix songs, talk about music, find new tunes, and share them with the world live over internet radio. No equipment needed.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every third Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – 6:00-7:00pm
Native Plants and Understanding Pollinators with Acta Non Verba
At this all-ages event we will discuss the importance of native plants, their relationship to pollinators, and the different pollinators in our environment. We will then make seed balls which combine clay, soil, water and wildflower seed mix into a portable form.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – 2:00-2:45pm
East Bay Regional Parks
Come learn about what hops, crawls, hides, flies, and grows, from the hills to the bay.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | May 6, 2023

Next book club: Blues City

Come take a virtual walk through Oakland c. 2002 as our book club discusses Ishmael Reed’s Blues City. Weaving together history and the present, Reed visits a lot of places that will be familiar to those of you who’ve been reading along with us, including Jack London’s haunts and an Oakland powwow. Join us Tuesday, May 9 from 6:30-7:30pm at the library.

Find the full schedule for the One Village, One Book Club here. Here’s a list of all our books with links from the library.

Map image: Thomas Brothers Map from 1954, photo by David via Creative Commons

Posted by: montclairlibrary | April 19, 2023

Books to get your garden growing

Come by the library this Saturday, April 22 to celebrate Earth Day with a seed starting workshop and the kickoff for Montclair’s new Seed Lending Library, then check out some of these gardening books from the practical to the philosophical to help you grow your garden!

P.S. – Need some tools to get started with your garden? Borrow everything from shovels to chain saws from the amazing OPL Tool Lending Library!

Saving Vegetable Seeds: Harvest, Clean, Store, and Plant Seeds From Your Garden by Fern Marshall Bradley
“This illustrated, step-by-step guide shows you how to save seeds from 20 of the most popular vegetable garden plants, including beans, carrots, peas, peppers, and tomatoes. You’ll learn how each plant is pollinated (key to determining how the seed should be saved), how to select the seeds to collect, and how to process and store collected seeds.”

The New Seed Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel
“This easy-to-use reference explains everything you need to know to start seeds and raise healthy seedlings successfully.”

Golden Gate Gardening: The Complete Guide to Year-round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California by Pam Peirce
“The bible of vegetable gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area…with more than 400 pages of reliable information [about] gardening principles and practices specific to the Bay Area and the Northern California coast.”

The First-time Gardener: Growing Vegetables by Jessica Sowards
“Not only will you learn how to prepare, plant, and tend your first vegetable garden, you’ll also learn how to design an eco-friendly layout, how to grow with the seasons, and how to maximize your harvest, even if you only grow in a small space.”

The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone by Joseph Tychonievich
“A gardening guide in the form of a graphic novel that walks beginners through the steps of planning, planting, caring for and harvesting their first vegetable garden, along with ‘cheat sheets’ of key facts and techniques.”

Grow. Food. Anywhere.: The New Guide to Small-space Gardening by Mat Pember
“Whether you’ve got a balcony, a tiny courtyard or a patch of reclaimed dirt in a shared neighborhood space, this book offers inspiration – and instruction – for growing good things to eat. Grow. Food. Anywhere. is presented with a combination of photographs, illustrations, and a playful, engaging design that very much mirrors the refreshing no-nonsense approach of the book’s two accomplished and articulate young authors, and their thriving gardening business.”

Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening by Louise Riotte
“This classic has now taught generations of gardeners how to use the natural benefits of plants to protect and support each other. Here is a reader’s complete reference to which plants nourish the soil, which keep away bugs and pests, and which plants just don’t get along.”

The 20-minute Gardener: New Hope for the Horticulturally Challenged by Thomas Christopher
“A funny, user-friendly guide for gardeners on a time budget offers simple, organic techniques and inexpensive twenty-minute projects, from choosing the simplest plants to getting rid of pests with peanut butter. Discusses low-maintenance organic gardening techniques, including which plants to choose, designing the garden, and how to get rid of pests, all in 20 minutes a day.”

Grow Cook Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening, Including 50 Recipes, Plus Harvesting and Storage Tips by Willi Galloway
“Presents a guide to growing and harvesting a variety of vegetables and herbs, with advice on storage and preparation techniques and recipes for vegetable dishes.”

How to Become a Gardener: Find Empowerment in Creating Your Own Food Security by Ashlie Thomas
“Author, health coach and food security advocate Ashlie Thomas of The Mocha Gardener (@the.mocha.gardener) serves as an experienced and encouraging guide on your journey toward self-empowerment through the cultivation of your own homegrown harvests. With a spirit of respect for others, for nature and for community, Ashlie walks you step by step through not only the practical ins and outs of gardening–from seed starting to making the harvest–but also through the personal challenges and lessons found within the act of gardening itself.”

American Grown by Michelle Obama
“This book is the story of the White House garden started and cultivated by Michelle Obama. While a lot of the book deals with her own personal fears around being a novice gardener (which many of us can relate to) there are also quite a few practical tips and tricks for those just getting into gardening who want to learn more.” –BookRiot

How to Grow: Nurture Your Garden, Nurture Yourself by Marcus Bridgewater
“A transformative guide to growth anchored in lessons from plants that helps readers garden the soul as well as the soil from TikTok gardener Marcus Bridgewater.”

Posted by: montclairlibrary | April 7, 2023

April 2023 Events

Seed Lending Library kickoff April 22

Thursday, April 6, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime
At toddler storytime, you’ll find songs, active rhymes, and stories, especially for kids 18 months to 3 years old. There’s also always lots of time to play and make friends.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all targeted towards 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 3:30-4:30pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:30pm. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Jack London’s classic “Martin Eden.”

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 – 2:00-3:30pm
Teen DJ Radio Hour
Want to learn how to DJ? Or just share music you’ve been listening to or making lately? Learn how to DJ, mix songs, talk about music, find new tunes, and share them with the world live over internet radio. No equipment needed – just bring a…

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every third Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Saturday, April 22, 2023 – 1:00-4:30pm
Seed Starting and Seed Library Kickoff
Seed Library kickoff event & Earth Day Celebration @ Montclair Branch, including a hands-on seed starting workshop with gardening expert Elizabeth Sommer-Reid. Bring your own small containers (plant pots, recycled yogurt containers, to-go containers, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, etc.) – everything else is provided.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Image courtesy of Oakland Public Library

Posted by: montclairlibrary | March 3, 2023

March 2023 Events

Teen DJ Radio Hour at Montclair Library

Thursday, March 2, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime
At toddler storytime, you’ll find songs, active rhymes, and stories, especially for kids 18 months to 3 years old. There’s also always lots of time to play and make friends.

Monday, March 6, 2023 – 3:00–4:00pm
Teen Tabletop Gaming @ Montclair
Bring your favorite tabletop game or try one of ours! Get to know other teens and their favorite games while playing together. Join us on the first Monday of the month. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all targeted towards 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – 2:00-3:00pm
Teen DJ Radio Hour
Want to learn how to DJ? Or just share music you’ve been listening to or making lately? Learn how to DJ, mix songs, talk about music, find new tunes, and share them with the world live over internet radio. No equipment needed – just bring a…

Thursday, March 9, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 3:30-4:30pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:30pm. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 6:30-7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Michael Chabon’s Telegraph Avenue as we read our way through books set in Oakland.

Thursday, March 16, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every third Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Thursday, March 23, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Thursday, March 30, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Friday, March 31, 2023 – LIBRARY CLOSED
Cesar Chavez Day

Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 10, 2023

February 2023 Events

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – 6:30-7:30pm
One Village, One Book Club
Join us to discuss “Wife 22” by Melanie Gideon and what is has to say about modern love! (Note that the date on the library calendar is incorrect – we’re meeting 2/7, not 2/14.)

Wednesday, February 8, 2023 – 2:00–3:30pm
Teen DJ Radio Hour
Want to learn how to DJ? Or just share music you’ve been listening to or making lately? Learn how to DJ, mix songs, talk about music, find new tunes, and share them with the world live over internet radio. No equipment needed – just bring a song in mind or share your own music if you make it!

Thursday, February 9, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime
At toddler storytime, you’ll find songs, active rhymes, and stories, especially for kids 18 months to 3 years old. There’s also always lots of time to play and make friends.

Thursday, February 9, 2023 – 2:00-3:00pm
Share a little love!
Come and make a valentine’s card for a loved one or for yourself. We will have plenty of paper, hearts, glitter, and more that you can use for decorating.

Saturday, February 11 – 11:00am-12:30pm
Valentine’s Day Play Cafe Love & Other Feelings
Come to Montclair for a special play cafe where we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. Come and make valentines, listen to a story, spin the wheel for a prize, have a snack, and just PLAY! We will be looking at love and other feelings

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all targeted towards 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – 3:30-4:30pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:30pm. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Thursday, February 16, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

Monday, February 20, 2023 – LIBRARY CLOSED

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every third Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Thursday, February 23, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 – 11:45am-12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Posted by: montclairlibrary | January 17, 2023

February Book Club Meeting

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Join us February 7 (a week earlier than usual, for those of you keeping track) from 6:30-7:30pm at the library to discuss Wife 22, Melanie Gideon’s meditation on middle age, marriage and technology, which is set not just in Oakland but in Montclair. Find the complete list of books and meeting dates on the Book Club page.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | December 31, 2022

January 2023 Events

Monday, January 2, 2023 – LIBRARY CLOSED
(NB – The library website lists a Teen Tabletop Gaming event at Montclair today, but the library is closed. Check back the first Monday in February instead to play tabletop games with other teens after school.)

Thursday, January 5, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime
At toddler storytime, you’ll find songs, active rhymes, and stories, especially for kids 18 months to 3 years old. There’s also always lots of time to play and make friends.

Wednesday, January 6, 2023
Applications Open for Youth Poet Laureate

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – 3:30–4:30pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:30pm. Geared for teens ages 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
We’re having an encore discussion of There There by Tommy Orange – if you missed our December meeting, here’s your chance for a do-over! Find the full book club schedule at https://montclairfriends.org/one-village-one-book/

Thursday, January 12, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every third Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Thursday, January 19, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

Thursday, January 26, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

Sunday, January 29, 2023
Last day to turn in your Winter Bingo cards (but really January 28 if you’re turning it in at the Montclair Branch, which isn’t open on Sundays)

Posted by: montclairlibrary | December 28, 2022

January Book Club: A “There There” encore

There There by Tommy Orange

We had a small turnout for our December book club, but the two of us there(!) agreed it was such a good book to discuss that we wanted to give it another try.

Please join us Tuesday, January 10 from 6:30-7:30pm at the library to chat about Tommy Orange’s There There.

Also, our book club is going monthly in 2023 – find the full schedule of dates and books on our book club page.

If you’ve already finished There There and want some additional background reading, we recommend:

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Bay Area Badgers
“Did you know that we have badgers in the Bay Area?” – Open Space Trust

Powwow Season in Full Bloom
“From spring to summer, Native American families travel the country to celebrate and compete in competitions wearing intricate garments assembled across generations.” – NY Times

Photo: Kate Ter Haar via Flickr/Creative Commons

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