Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 25, 2023

New window

Have you had a chance to check out the new window in the non-fiction section? Patron donations and FOML support helped fund this project to re-install a window that was part of the library’s original construction in 1930, but had been closed up sometime over the intervening years.

The new window is operable, bringing in light and fresh air – since the library doesn’t have air conditioning, the increased air circulation has been a help on hot days.

Big thanks to everyone who donated to this project, to the city project managers and workers who did the installation and to former Branch Manager Lynne Cutler, who dreamed up the idea of restoring the window. We think it looks great with the period-appropriate and energy-efficient lights that were another project funded by patron donations!

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 16, 2023

September book club: Nightcrawling

Our September book club selection is Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley, a former Oakland Youth Poet Laureate who wrote the manuscript for this debut novel the summer after she graduated from high school.

The book deals with some pretty heavy ripped-from-the-headlines topics – abuse, incarceration, police corruption, murder – but also, as Lou Fancher put it in an East Bay magazine article, “Nightcrawling is not all trauma and pain…It is also a richly complex love letter to Oakland and a profound tribute to Black youths and their joy, love, integrity, humanity, frailty, courage and more. It portrays full-spectrum Black life, and it matters.” 

We’ll be discussing it at the library September 12 from 6:30-7:30pm – hope to see you there!

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 7, 2023

Book Club: Listen, World!

Join us Tuesday, August 8 from 6:30-7:30 at the library to discuss Listen, World!, a biography of Elsie Robinson, “the most influential newspaper columnist you’ve never heard of” – who got her big break at the Oakland Tribune. Does anyone out there remember Aunt Elsie’s column in the Tribune or the Aunt Elsie clubs?

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 7, 2023

August 2023 Events at Montclair Library

Tuesday, August 1, 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.

Thursday, August 3, 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, August 8, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – 3:00-4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – 6:30-7:30pm
One Village, One Book: Listen, World!
Join us for a discussion of Julia Scheeres’s and Allison Gilbert’s Listen, World!, the story of self-made Tribune columnist Elsie Robinson.

Wednesday, August 9, 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, August 10, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 – 2:00-3:00pm
Teens: Radial Relief Origami at Montclair
Up your origami game with artist Rachel Palacios, who will show you how to make amazing radial art out of folded paper. For teens ages 12-18.

Thursday, August 17, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, August 23 – 6:30–7:45pm
Book Talk & Signing with Dave Newhouse and Andy Dolich
Join esteemed sports figures Dave Newhouse and Andy Dolich as they discuss their new book Goodbye Oakland and share insights into the history of Oakland’s beloved sports teams: the Raiders, Warriors, and Oakland Athletics.

Thursday, August 24, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

Monday, August 28–Tuesday, August 29 – 10:00am-2:00pm
Free AARP Smart Driver™ Course
Refresh your driving skills and learn the new rules of the road as well as research-based driving strategies to help you stay safe behind the wheel. Taking the course could reduce your car insurance costs. This is a two-part course. Participants must attend both the August 28 and August 29 sessions for credit. Pre-registration is required.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Thursday, August 31, 2023 – 10:15–10:45am
Storytime

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | July 17, 2023

Author Talk August 23rd

Despite its storied history of fronting championship sports teams, the city of Oakland appears to be poised to lose its third, and final, professional team with the impending move of the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas. 

Authors Dave Newhouse and Andy Dolich offer some insights into the history and drama behind this saga when they discuss their timely new book, Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town’s Fight for Survival, on Wednesday, August 23, 6:30 pm at the Oakland Public Library’s Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Boulevard.

Newhouse was a long-time sportswriter and columnist with the Oakland Tribune, while Dolich was a former A’s marketing vice-president. A book signing will follow the talk with copies of the book available for purchase courtesy of A Great Good Place for Books.  Admission is free. Call (510) 482-7810 for more information.  

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Montclair Library – thanks for your donations that help us do what we do!

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | July 7, 2023

July 2023 Events at Montclair Library

Thursday, July 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, July 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, July 11, 2023 3:00–4:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every second Tuesday at 3:00pm. Geared for teens 13-18. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 4:00–5:00pm
Teens: Henna at Montclair
Learn about the ancient art of henna at the library this summer and get your own Henna tattoo with artist Rachel Palacios. Henna tattoos are temporary, but can last up to 8-10 days. For teens ages 12-18.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 – 6:30-7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Jason Shiga’s graphic novel Bookhunter, a fast-paced book mystery packed with vintage library technology and Oakland locations.

Wednesday, July 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 song in mind or share your own music if you make it!

Wednesday, July 12, 2023 – 2:00–2:45pm
Insect Discovery Lab
Learn about the extraordinarily diverse world of arthropods. SaveNature.org staff will share their knowledge about the role that insects and arthropods play in our lives.

Thursday, July 13, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

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

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – 2:00-2:45pm
Per Sia’s Drag Queen Storytime
Come and enjoy some stories and a little sparkle with local Latinx non-binary storyteller Per Sia.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – 4:00-5:00pm
Teens: Make Tiny Art at Montclair
Come in and make a mini masterpiece for our virtual tiny art show, featuring tiny paintings by teens all around Oakland! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to earn raffle tickets for our Summer Program.

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – 10:15-10:45am
Storytime

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

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – 2:00-2:45pm
Mike the Magician
Mike Della Penna creates wonder and laughter with family magic performances that are equal parts playful and astonishing.

Thursday, July 27, 2023 -10:15-10:45am
Storytime

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | June 5, 2023

June 2023 Events at Montclair Library

Monday, June 5, 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, June 6, 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.

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – 3:00–4:30pm
Teens: Hip-Hop and Fashion Workshop at Montclair
As part of our Teen Summer Program, learn about fashion and hip-hop! Led by Hip Hop for Change, you’ll learn about the connection between hip hop, design and fashion and get a chance to try your hand at designing a hip hop inspired pair of shoes or t-shirt.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Glen David Gold’s Carter Beats the Devil, a novel featuring real-life magician Charles Carter set in the Roaring 20s.

Wednesday, June 14, 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, June 15, 2023 – 2:30–4:30pm
Little Explorers Petting Zoo
Visit the cute and cuddly animals from the Little Explorers Petting Zoo. This is a popular event the whole family can enjoy. Please be prepared to wait in line.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 – 2:00–2:45pm
Coventry & Kaluza
Join us for juggling, acrobatics, music, comedy and an amazing number of hula hoops!

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 – 2:00-3:00pm
East Bay Vivarium
Join us as experts from the East Bay Vivarium share some of their scaly friends and teach us about the fascinating world of reptiles, amphibians and bugs.

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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

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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.

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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

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