Oakland Public Library

Informational flyer for free basic tax help. Main Library offers services on Sundays and Mondays. West Oakland Branch is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dimond Branch provides help on Mondays and Tuesdays. Eastmont Branch is open on Fridays. Golden Gate Branch has services on Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact numbers and specific hours are listed for each location. Appointments given on the same day or open 2 weeks ahead on a rolling basis, as noted.

Taxes are hard. Find help at your library! Free basic tax help is available at select library branches until April 15th. Sign up ➡️ https://oaklandlibrary.org/tax-help/

A collection of magazines and journals arranged on a wooden surface. Titles include: TLS, The New Yorker, Harpers, South East Asia Research, Callaloo, The Fiscal Sociologist, Journal of Black Studies, Waterlog, and Southerly.

This image shows an open magazine on a wooden table, featuring text in Arabic and English about the renowned typeface "Neue Hass Grotesk." The pages contain various font styles and sizes.

An open magazine lying on a wooden table. The left page features the title "Where Have Our Neighbors Gone?" in large text, with smaller text below it. The right page shows a blurred image of a person wearing an orange top.

An open magazine lies on a wooden surface. Visible is an article titled "Child's Play" by Ian Bogost. The adjacent page features an illustration of a cluttered playroom with scattered toys and papers.

New arrivals in the Magazines & Newspapers Room! The annual @commarts.com typography issue is here. If you're a typeface nerd, it is glorious & beautiful. @sojo.net has a deep dive into a for-profit ICE detention center & @harpers.bsky.social has a cover story about AI that ventures into the absurd.

Neighbors, your voice matters! 💚

The City of Oakland’s Department of Transportation is hosting a community meeting about safety improvements at Fremont Way & Bancroft Ave.

📍 Melrose Public Library
🗓 Tuesday, March 17
⏰ 6:30 PM

Come be part of making our streets safer!

Thank you, City of Oakland DOT! 💚💡

Shoutout to the Oakland DOT for replacing the sidewalk light at Foothill & Belvedere and helping keep our neighbors safer. 🎉

Friendly reminder, please submit an OAK311 for street issues— and as you can see, it helps get things fixed! 💪🏽

Promotional poster for "Family Movie Matinee" at the Lakeview Branch. The event takes place from 11 AM to 1 PM on March 28th, May 30th, and September 26th. The design features popcorn illustrations and includes contact information: 550 El Embarcadero, (510) 238-7344.

Now enjoy free matinees at the library! 🎥 🍿 🎞️ Families are welcome to watch movies at the Lakeview Branch on these select Saturdays at 11am.

March 28th
May 30th
September 26th

Details ➡️ https://oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?series=693725f5caa2e62f001f4591

Close-up of hands wearing gloves planting a small seedling. To the right, a green schedule for gardening workshops at the Oakland Public Library is displayed. Events include "Growing Mushrooms," "Gardening Basics," "Sprout Pop-up," and "Garden Playdate," with dates, times, and locations listed.

Grow with us! 🌱 Attend these FREE gardening workshops and start your journey toward becoming an urban gardener this year! 🧑‍🌾

Learn more➡️ https://oaklandlibrary.org/seed-lending/

Five cartoon cats in various playful poses are arranged around handwritten text that reads, "Beginning TNR Spay/Neuter for Community Cats." The event is scheduled for March 7, from 2 PM to 4 PM, at Dimond Branch. The background is a light yellow shade, and a small illustration of a fishbone is included. The bottom of the image displays the Dimond Branch logo and contact information, including a phone number and address: 3565 Fruitvale Ave.

Tomorrow! Learn how to help your community's stray cats in this beginners trap-neuter-return (TNR) workshop.

In this workshop presented by Full Circle Cats, you'll learn all the steps to get started doing TNR and why TNR is the most effective approach.

https://bit.ly/4leGRss

Spring Equinox event poster featuring pink flowers and a blue sky. Event details: March 21st, 1-3:30 PM at African American Museum & Library in Oakland. Includes information about creating a sensory garden with calming scents. Hosted by the Seed Library and OPL.

Celebrate Spring equinox at the African American Museum and Library's special gardening workshop!

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4rTbXbp

#WeGrowOPL #CaliSeedLibraries

The image features a promotional banner for a talk by author Xu Fangfang about the artist Xu Beihong. It includes the book "Galloping Horses" with a grayscale cover displaying figures and horses. The background is red with a stylized design of a horse. Asian branch contact information is visible at the bottom.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, we are honored to highlight the extraordinary legacy of Xu Beihong 徐悲鴻, widely acclaimed as the father of modern Chinese painting. Xu Fangfang, daughter of Xu Beihong, will present her memoir, Galloping Horses.

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aQ3Eas

Books with different designs and a variety of book clubs are displayed on a colorful background. Mentioned book clubs include Rockridge Book Club, Teen Graphic Novel Book Club, Black Authors Book Club, Club de Lectura en Español, and One Village, One Book. Featured books are "Crying in H Mart," "Anne of Green Gables," "Medusa," "Anxious People," and "Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea."

Come talk books with us! 🤓📖

Find more book clubs, what we're reading this month, and other details here ➡️ oaklandlibrary.org/bookclub

Illustration of people interacting with plants through windows, surrounded by the text "housing & social services programs." An icon of a key with a house is in the upper right corner.

Looking for help? Your library is looking out for you. 🤝

March 2026 housing and social services offerings include:
💼 Veteran Job Search Help
🦷 Mobile Dental Clinic
🏠 Veteran Support: Insight Housing
👪 Family Paths
📋 Free Basic Tax Help

All at the Main Library.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/46zqgth

A poster for March events featuring illustrations: Pokémon Trading Card Club with cards, Free Pet Adoptions with animals, Motherboard: Digital Literacy with a laptop, Egg Decorating with colorful eggs, TNR for Beginners with a cat, and Growing Mushrooms with mushrooms. The left side includes a logo, and "March" is written vertically on the right.

Welcome to a magical March at the Oakland Public Library! We're celebrating Women's History Month by honoring the iconic women who've made history including Oakland-based Olympic gold medalist Alysia Liu! We'll also take time to remember the work of César Chávez.

Read: https://bit.ly/4l6PJQD

This image features a person surrounded by purple flowers and butterflies, set against a red background with symbols. The text reads: "You are never too small to make a difference. Greta Thunberg." The Women's History Month theme is highlighted at the top.

A person wearing a purple and pink outfit is in front of a decorative background with purple flowers and a butterfly. The text reads, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." —Malala Yousafzai. It mentions Women's History Month and includes a website link to oaklandlibrary.org/whm.

This image features an individual smiling with hands clasped in front of them. They are surrounded by purple flowers and butterflies with a radiant aura. The background is red with a pattern, featuring a quote: "All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice." by Joy Harjo from "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky: Poems." The top right corner says "Women's History Month," and the bottom displays "oaklandlibrary.org/whm.

This image features an individual in a wheelchair wearing a blue top. Surrounding them are roses and a butterfly, with a decorative halo effect. A red banner below contains a quote: "I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it." - Judith Heumann. The mention of Women's History Month and a website link "oaklandlibrary.org/whm" are also included.

Happy Women's History Month! 🦋 Send these quotes to a woman who inspires you! 💜 🌻

Want to post these inspirational quotes in your classroom or office? Download the files on our website (oaklandlibrary.org/whm) & use your free $1.50 daily printing credit at your local Oakland Public Library branch.

Photo of Alysa Liu smiling broadly holding a gold medal to their mouth against a vibrant red and purple background. Text on the side reads, "Congratulations to Oakland's hometown gold medalist Alysa Liu."

Congratulations Alysa Liu! Oakland is so proud of you!

A person with a large afro hairstyle smiles while wearing a floral shirt. The text reads "Mychal Threets" and "A former library kid now host of Reading Rainbow." A badge hangs around their neck. A logo in the corner says "Celebrating 28 Days of Black Librarians." The background features a green design with small silhouettes of various objects.

A person sits at a desk writing on paper. The background is orange with text that reads, "Eleanor Watkins," "Celebrating 28 Days of Black Librarians," and "Oakland's first Black librarian."

Sure, here is an alt text description: A person stands smiling in front of a colorful background featuring geometric patterns. Text on the image reads: "Kelvin Watson, Library Journal's 2026 Librarian of the Year" and "28 Days of Black Librarians."

Edward C. Williams in a formal suit is featured on a red-orange background. Text reads: "Edward C. Williams, 1871-1929. The first African-American professionally trained librarian in the United States." A circular emblem says "Celebrating 28 Days of Black Librarians."

Week 4 of 28 Days of Black Librarians! ✨

Swipe to see all 7 librarians featured this week or click the link in bio to read the blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aiCozH

This image shows a promotional graphic for the "Saint Heron's Community Library," featuring a person's partial face on the left and a selection of book covers on the right. Books include "Clay's Ark" by Octavia E. Butler, "Just Us" by Claudia Rankine, and "Fledgling" by Octavia E. Butler. The text describes the library as a curated collection of out-of-print or lesser-known titles by Black authors and artists by Solange Knowles.

Here's a list of 28 titles in Solange Knowles' St. Heron's Community Library that you can check out from the Oakland Public Library as well.

(Photo from Solange Knowles' album A Seat at the Table)

Start reading 📚➡️ https://bit.ly/3MCOY5j

Red background with white text reading, "...the sound of Black people, the story of Black people, the music, the history is valuable. It's high art." Below, it says, "From The Soul of Sound: An Interview with Deon Brown."

The image is a promotional poster for the "Soul Sonics & Soundsystems" exhibition and event series by the Oakland Public Library and Black American Sound System (BASS). It features a monochrome photo of a person listening to music with large headphones. The poster lists event details, including high-fidelity listening rooms, an opening reception, sonic flow yoga, and a Sunday sound service, occurring from March 26 to April 30. The location and contact information for the Oakland Main Library is provided at the bottom.

In anticipation of the unique, hi-fi sound exhibit Soul, Sonics, and Soundsystems, we interviewed artist Deon Brown. Read the full interview here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3OEroWj

Opening reception is tonight! If you can't make it, definitely mark these upcoming dates in your calendar. 🗓️

A person wearing a bright yellow and red mask and traditional red attire is performing indoors, holding a woven fan. In the background, people are seated, watching the performance. The room has light-colored wooden flooring and natural light from large windows.

A vibrant and colorful lion dance performance is taking place in a community room. Two performers are in a bright yellow and red lion costume, entertaining a seated audience of children and adults. The floor is adorned with a decorative rug, and some children have red and white balloons. The room has a welcoming and festive atmosphere.

A group of people, including adults and children, are seated together on the floor in a circle in a room with wooden flooring. Some children are holding colorful fabric. The atmosphere appears relaxed and friendly.

A group of adults and children sit on colorful alphabet and animal-themed rugs in a room. One person stands nearby, holding a book and speaking to the group. Some children hold scarves, and a table with blue covering is in the background. The setting appears to be a library or community center.

Bring the whole family out to Oakland Public Library's annual Lunar New Year celebration! 🧧 This Saturday, we'll have lion dancers, spring roll demonstration, storytime, and crafts for all ages. 🐲

We’ll also be tabling at the Lantern Festival this Sunday. 🏮

Details ➡️ https://bit.ly/4kqiuYi

Black Joy was in abundance last Sunday! 🙌✨ #BlackJoyParade @sistahscifi.bsky.social

Teen Services Librarian Sharon McKeller has collected unique bookmarks for years and has curated a selection for Black History Month. 📚

Check out the blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4c9lZ3n

A person passionately singing next to a display titled "The Musical Legacy of the Black Church: Praise in Every Key," with book covers including "The Beatitudes," "Change Sings," "Sing a Song," "This Is My Song," "Clap Your Hands," "My Family Plays Music," "Early Sunday Morning," "How Sweet the Sound," and "Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea.

A curated collection of children's books celebrating the powerful musical traditions of Black America and their vital role in shaping the Civil Rights Movement.

Find these books 📚 ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aQHuUa

A decorative tree with bare branches is adorned with colorful paper tags in red, yellow, green, and pink. Each tag bears handwritten wishes, such as "I wish that I will have a lot of anime figures" and "To be able to fly." Some tags are shaped like hearts and butterflies, with a few featuring small heart cutouts. Pink ribbons are used to attach the tags and shapes to the branches. The scene is illuminated by small string lights.

A small decorative tree adorned with colorful paper flowers, lights, and red tags, stands next to a table. The table displays various books and brochures. The background wall has several paper decorations, and a chair is partially visible beside the table.

A display of colorful books on a table decorated for Lunar New Year. Featured titles include "Lunar New Year Love Story" by Gene Luen Yang, "Fake Chinese Sounds," and "Kill Her Twice." The table is adorned with red and yellow paper decorations and a Lunar New Year poster on the wall.

A festive table display with red and yellow paper decorations features a selection of books. Notable titles include "Atomic Rising," "Let's Make Dumplings," and "Fake Dates and Mooncakes." A poster is on the wall above the table. The setting has a wooden floor and white wall.

Main Library TeenZone has a beautiful Lunar New Year book display and Wishing Tree! Our Teen Advisory Board members collaborated on the decorations for the book display and teen patrons added their wishes to the wishing tree at our crafternoon earlier this month.

Image of Dorothy Lazard standing next to a display case. Text on the image reads "Dorothy Lazard" and "Author and retired Oakland History Center librarian." A logo says "28 Days of Black Librarians" with colorful abstract shapes in the background.

Image of Effie Lee Morris in a group setting. Text highlights her roles as the first African-American president of the Public Library Association in 1971 and the first committee chair of the Coretta Scott King Award. A logo for "28 Days of Black Librarians" is visible.

This image is a tribute to Satia Marshall Orange, featuring a person smiling against an orange background. Text includes "1942-2024," "Celebrating 28 Days of Black Librarians," and mentions their role as former director of what is now ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS).

A person with long, light-colored hair and glasses smiles. The text reads: "Dr. Skye Patrick, Los Angeles County Librarian and Director." Below is a logo with "28 Days of Black Librarians" and decorative orange and green shapes.

Week 3 of 28 Days of Black Librarians! ✨

Brought to you by the Oakland Public Library's Black Culture Fest Committee, this content series is a celebration of the brilliance and leadership of the Black Librarians who have shaped our communities. 📚❤️

Read the blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aiCozH

Here's a description: A Black History Month events schedule from February 22-28, organized by the Oakland Public Library. Events include an art exhibit on Black Panther Party, sound art listening, fashion history displays, bead-making, virtual choir performance, and film screenings. More information at oaklandlibrary.org/bhm.

Week 4 of Black History Month! 5 exhibits, 4 craft workshops, a double dutch extravaganza, and still more! Don't forget to stop by our table at the Black Joy Parade today for FREE books!

Find booklists, event details, and history blog here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qT9CMq

Oaklanders you need a Black Panther Party library card!

Picked up the copy of The King Must Die by @kashinggiwa.bsky.social from my @oaklibrary.bsky.social earlier today and can't wait to dive in

I'm so grateful that they approved my suggestion to purchase a copy a few months back

Love this! If you take pictures, please tag us!

Now THIS sounds very Oakland-style!
#365DaysInOakland&On

Ask a friend it to mail you!

Thank you! ❤️🥹