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Welcome to joyous July at the Oakland Public Library! Read in the sunshine, compete for prizes in the Summer Reading challenge, or go on a friend date to the library! 👯♀️ We host HUNDREDS of FREE events every single month, so here are some highlights:
Build. Make. Play.
#OPLSummer is more than just books! We have a variety of hands-on children’s programming, like Build. Make. Play., to keep the kiddos busy learning until school is back in session. From scientific adventures, and magic shows, to arts and crafts!
Jazz on Sundays
We have so many children’s musical performances, so this one is for adults and seniors to enjoy! We’re bringing a different jazz performer every Sunday to play free concerts at the Golden Gate branch library.
Caminos de la Ciencia
Spanish speakers can enjoy an enriching science lecture that’s facilitated by UC Berkeley and given entirely in Spanish. This month a neuroscientist talks about the affect of music on the brain!
Teen Photo Walk & Picnic
A particularly exciting teen summer program where teens are given disposable cameras and encourage to take pictures of the beautiful scenery of Lake Merritt as we walk it together. Perfect for aspiring photographers!
Neighborhood Business Assistance Center Appointments
Adults can get assistance for their small businesses at various library branches.
The Nightmare Box & Other Stories
Adults are invited to the book launch of The Nightmare Box & Other Stories, a new short story collection brimming with feminist rage by Oakland author, Cynthia Gómez. Cynthia will be in conversation with the host of the East Bay Yesterday podcast, Liam O’Donoghue. The two will discuss the history of Oakland’s queer nightlife scene and the joy and wonder of doing historical research in Oakland. Gómez will read from her collection and also offer a copy of The Nightmare Box as a raffle prize!
Running out of books to get you through #SummerReading? We’re dropping specialized booklists to give you some ideas about what to read next. Stay tuned!