Friends of Montclair Library

Join us for fantastic events four Saturdays (plus one Tuesday evening) in May as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Montclair branch of the Oakland Public Library!

Saturday, May 1, 2010 – 1pm
80 YEARS IN OAKLAND: A VISUAL SURVEY
Steve Lavoie
Historian, author (“Historic Photos of Oakland”) and librarian Steve Lavoie shows historic photos of Oakland and talks about the history of our city and the man who gave the money to build the Montclair Branch back in 1930, Chauncey W. Gibson.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 – 7-8pm
Author Presentation and Book Signing
“THE CLOCK WITHOUT A FACE” from McSweeney’s
Eli Horowitz and Mac Barnett, Co-authors
Co-authors Eli Horowitz and Mac Barnett present a MYSTERY inside a PUZZLE inside a TREASURE HUNT inside a CROSS-COUNTRY PHENOMENON.  The “Clock without a Face” is a lavishly illustrated book with puzzles that sends readers out in the world looking for real buried treasure.  This will be an evening of mystery, detection and shoveling.  Also we’ll give out special hints so you can get a head start on your treasure hunt.

Saturday, May 8, 2010 – 1pm
MONTCLAIR VILLAGE: OAKLAND’S EARLY HILL TOWN
Kathleen DiGiovanni
Explore the history of Montclair and your Montclair branch library with Oakland Heritage Alliance member and librarian Kathleen DiGiovanni. This talk will cover the early development of Oakland’s “hill district;” the influences of former Texas Ranger Captain Jack Hays and real estate tycoon William Dingee; and early residential development, including Fernwood, Montclair schools and the Birthday branch. (Side note for Storybook architecture buffs: Kathleen will lead a new walking tour of Fernwood through OHA this August).

Saturday, May 15, 2010 – 11am-4pm
BOOK SALE
Friend of Montclair Library
Join us for bargains on gently used books of all kinds – fiction, cook books, children’s books, nonfiction and more. Stock up for summer reading at great prices! All sales benefit the Montclair Library. (And we’re accepting book donations now, if you’re doing some spring cleaning!)

Saturday, May 22, 2010 – 1pm
80 YEARS OF MYSTERY
Mark Coggins
On the 80th anniversary year of the publication of THE MALTESE FALCON, mystery author Mark Coggins talks about its place in the crime fiction canon and the real locations in San Francisco where the story is set. He will also discuss his latest novel, THE BIG WAKE-UP, and the real locations in Oakland where it is set. Special thanks to the Sisters in Crime Speakers Bureau for helping organize this event.

Plus we’ll also be having a birthday party for the branch on the 22nd, complete with cake.