Berkeley Public Library

We know some of our biggest fans have been coming to the library ever since they were young, but not everyone was that lucky. Be sure to tell your friends and coworkers that the library is free for all. Everyone is welcome. 😊And we have so many things to check out and events for you to enjoy.

Similarly, Berkeley Public Library will be offering Life Destressing by offering items to borrow for free to satisfy your curiosity, creativity, and joy. Allow 20-25 minutes of free browsing at any library to pursue what will destress your life and say hello to the helpful people here.

It's true! Stop by your friendly South Branch library today 12-2pm to get a flu shot, and pick up a book, movie, magazine, or tool while you're here. Need to renew your library card or ask a question? Stop by the Circulation Desk. 🙂

In the Library: Getting rid of late fees. Tool Lending Library. Ebooks, E-audiobooks, TV shows and movies streaming! Patrons can check out MORE items :) More hours open Care Kits Social Services hours and events An amazing array of events for all ages

Check out these events on Saturday October 24th! What do People Do at the Science Museum with author Maggie Tokuda-Hall 11:30am at Central Dance Party for Queer Families/Allies 2pm at West Left Coast Chamber Ensemble 2pm at Claremont Samples and Scrapers Car Show 2pm at South

Friends of the Berkeley Library visit, volunteer, advocate, and connect with our community in so many ways. Shop at the two bookstores or visit their website to see about donations, memberships, and volunteer opportunities. www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org #NationalFriendsofLibrariesWeek

It’s National Friends of Libraries Week! Did you know that the Friends of the Berkeley Library… 💕 have awarded 80,000 in scholarships since 2015 🫶 staff two bookstores selling used books, CDs, and DVDs 🌟 run an online book sales program and sell books at community events

We are SO Excited about this tonight at 6pm at South Branch!

We are so grateful for our Friends of the Berkeley Public Library! #NationalFriendsofLibrariesWeek #friendsofthelibrary #libraryfriends

😱 When books tell each other horror stories...

We have a free pop up flu shot clinic on Monday October 26! 12-2pm at THP South Branch. berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/17539825

Not to be too on brand, but, yeah, we feel this too.

I don't know if you know this, but it's National Friends of Libraries Week. Our Berkeley Friends of the Library www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org play a wonderful role by generously supporting library programs and events, running two fantastic book shops, and believing in what we do here. Thank you!❤️

FYI: Berkeley Public Library has a Tool Lending Library for Berkeley residents. Stop by to get some tools for repairs, and then repair your appetite by using our great culinary tools to make a meal.

Former Vice Youth Poet Laureate Serena Griffin says her main passion was actually music, not poetry. Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate applications are open until October 30. Two Berkeley teens will be chosen. New this year: both winners receive a $250 award. For more information, visit bit.ly/4yM22HO.

In 1969, The #BlackPantherParty started the Free Breakfast for School Children Program in Oakland. As one of it's survival programs, the goal was to feed children, improve nutrition, and demonstrate mutual aid in underserved communities. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UqVQ9E #OaklandHistory

There’s a banana slug hiding on our third floor. Also a grizzly bear, Sather Gate, and dozens more hand-drawn details. Meet the artists behind “Berkeley...Is,” our new visual land acknowledgement mural, and start your scavenger hunt! Saturday, October 17, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Central Library

Julia Segre, the 2024 Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate. Two Berkeley teens will be chosen to represent the city as Youth Poet Laureates for 2027. Both winners receive a $250 award. Applications close October 30. For more information and how to apply, visit bit.ly/4yM22HO

2025 Vice Youth Poet Laureate Adalilly Chu shares how it showed colleges she was involved in her community and in literature. Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate applications are open until October 30. New this year: both winners receive a $250 award. Visit bit.ly/4yM22HO.

In case you missed us yesterday: be sure to stop by your local branch library and say hi 😍

If anyone was wanting to donate tools locally, the Friends of the Oakland Tool Lending Library accepts tool donations and offers them for sale at a great price! Check out their Tool Sales, too! 🛠️🧰🗜️

We stumbled upon a room full of readers in the children's area at THP South this week: three kids lounging on the window seat reading. 2 sprawled across the curved couch, eyes focused on the pages of their books. It was a good photo opportunity, but we didn't want to disturb the wonderful moment. 📚

Join us tonight at 6:30pm at THP South Branch for Herbalism with Hanan. Tonight's topic is First Aid care with herbal healing. berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/17310419

One time I had someone ask me where the Large Print audiobooks were located.

Ballots are heading to voter mailboxes starting today! There's still time to register—sign up online by Oct 19 to get your ballot delivered to your home. Those who miss the deadline will have to vote in-person. Register: registertovote.ca.gov/ Learn more: berkeleyca.gov/commu...

Breaking news: Berkeley Public Library will be closed on Monday, October 12. You've got time to stock up on tools, books, movies, and more, and our e-library is always open. Try Hoopla to stream music, movies, and tv!

We are excited about UC Berkeley Law Professor Khiara M. Bridges joining us to discuss her new book, Expecting Inequity. An exploration of the persistence of racism in reproductive healthcare in the US. Marcus Books will join us to offer the book for sale!

A new article about The Break Room series at the library! Be sure to enjoy our In The Stax event at Claremont Branch featuring Connoisseur Rat at 6pm tonight. Read more in the article here:

On this day in history: October 1, 1926 ground was broken to build the first South Berkeley branch Library. The building is now Ebenezer Baptist Church. Read more about it here: www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/09/29/b...

Coming soon! Libby and Kanopy will require a PIN - the last name on your account - starting October 15th. Read more about it here: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/explore/elib...

“In the library I felt better, words you could trust and look at till you understood them, they couldn't change half way through a sentence like people, so it was easier to spot a lie.” ― Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit 📷ElasticComputeFarm

Today is 9-2-5 : Dolly Parton Day. We are inspired by this: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” ― Dolly Parton That's what we're here doing: giving you space and resources to do more. ❤️

It's the bookishness, am I right?

Applications are now open for the Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate! 2 winners will each earn a $250 reward and opportunities to read their poems and participate in Berkeley events. Berkeley Teens (13-18) can submit 3 poems and a resume/cv here: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/berkeley-you...

Join a walking and rolling art walk from Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch library to Ed Roberts Campus to view the new Ala Costa x Ed Roberts Campus Community Mural, enjoy refreshments, then head inside to hear from the artists who designed and created this multisensory mural. Tuesday 9-29-26 10am.

If you liked “Lessons in Chemistry” — Bonnie Garmus Listen to: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You — Aretha Franklin Jagged Little Pill — Alanis Morissette Fetch the Bolt Cutters — Fiona Apple Your library card hits all the right notes. Listen for free with Hoopla Digital! www.bhpl.org

Need more autumn content? Did you know that on Hoopla you can get a Hallmark+ Bingepass? Lots of autumn themed movies there. 🧡💛 Check out the movies you can stream on Hallmark+: binge-pass.hoopladigital.com/titles/15935...

Learn more about the Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate - teens submit 3 poems and a bio and have a chance to win $250 and become one of 2 youth poet laureates for the year. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/berkeley-you...

And just like that, Autumn descends.

Hop on in and get your library card, friends. You won't be the only one getting a new library card today. 😍

Did you all see this?! Kanopy has The Librarians: Next Chapter!

Berkeley Public Library offers Mango Languages - Learn any of 70+ languages in an award-winning app built for the real world by real people. And since we are right in the midst of National Hispanic Heritage Month, maybe it's time to learn Spanish using this fun language app!

We are back, friend-os, what did we miss?

What's on your reading list? If you're looking for the next read. Check these titles out!