Posted by: montclairlibrary | March 23, 2010

Come celebrate with us!

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.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | March 8, 2010

Happy birthday to us!

Birthday cake by priyanphoenix at MorgueFile

The Montclair branch of the Oakland Library opened in March 1930 — that makes us 80 years old this year! Many people are surprised to find out that our cute little Storybook-style building was originally built as a library, but it was. It was funded by Chauncey W. Gibson, a wealthy Oakland resident who financed three libraries in California. You can learn more about the branch history in this article from the Friends of the Oakland Public Library website.

Stay tuned, as we’re planning some fantastic events in May to celebrate the library’s anniversary. There will be a slideshow on Oakland history, a presentation about the history of Montclair, a book sale and more – details will be announced here by the end of March.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | March 8, 2010

March closure info

All Library locations will be closed Wednesday, March 31 for a mandatory citywide shutdown.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 25, 2010

Your donations in action

rhythm sticks

We got to see (and hear) some of the Friends’ funding in action at story time today, as the kids rocked out with new rhythm sticks purchased with money donated by the Friends of Montclair Library (and therefore by all of you who have donated and purchased books!). The kids had a great time with the new tools. Children’s librarian Kimberly also purchased some scarves for story time play with the funds. Thanks, everybody!

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 16, 2010

Lego Engineering Workshop

Legos by EmmiP

OPL will be hosting a Lego® Engineering Workshop for kids at the Montclair branch Tuesday, March 16 at 7pm. Learn about physics, mechanical and structural engineering and architecture while playing Legos! Program is provided by Play-Well TEKnologies.

If you can’t make the Montclair event, the workshop is touring other branches through April 14th — see OPL’s Calendar of Events for details.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 4, 2010

Slow down

Slow Sign by ladyheart at Morgue File

We’ve heard worries from a number of patrons lately about how fast cars zip down Mountain Boulevard outside the library. Please remember the nearby school, library and neighbors — and all the associated free-range kids — and obey the posted speed limits, don’t make u-turns over the double-yellow line, etc. And if you’re on foot make sure you look around carefully, especially when parking across the street from the library.

MSIC has identified this street as one of their pedestrian safety focus areas, and OPD is aware of the problem and has been stepping up enforcement when they can.

If you have further concerns about traffic safety near the library, please contact MSIC or the OPD’s Neighborhood Services Coordinator (NSC) for Beat 13Z, Jacqueline Long, at 238-7750/615-5912 or jlong@oaklandnet.com.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 4, 2010

This month’s closures

Paper Hearts by cohdra at Morgue File
During the month of February, the Library will be closed on the following dates:

Friday, February 12 (Lincoln’s Birthday)
Monday, February 15 (Presidents’ Day)
Tuesday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day – Main Library will be open)

All library locations will be open Saturday, Feb. 13. The Main will be open Sunday, Feb. 14.

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | February 4, 2010

Library survey

OPL is conducting an online patron survey to gather public opinion on branch schedules. Click on over to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SK87GV2 to make your voice heard.

OPL says: “In the current budget situation, increasing branch hours is not an option. Branches must remain open five days a week only. Currently, all branches are open Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday. The Library hopes to assess whether some branches can better serve the community by changing schedules without increasing the hours of operation.”

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | January 7, 2010

Montclair library in today’s Chronicle

SFGate.com screenshot

Today’s San Francisco Chronicle mentions the Montclair branch library in its “Street Date” column (in the 96 Hours entertainment section), which today profiles Mountain Blvd. and Moraga Ave.  There’s even a picture of our sweet little owls.  You can read the full article here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/07/NS411BCGI2.DTL

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Posted by: montclairlibrary | January 5, 2010

January closures

During the month of January, the Library will be closed on the following dates:

January 1 (New Year’s Day)
January 15 (due to the citywide budget shortage)
January 18 (for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
January 19 (for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – the Main Library will be open 1/19, but the branches will be closed)

Plan ahead!

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