Berkeley Public Library stopped charging late fees for teen and adult books in 2018. Now, residents can check out tools, from ice cream makers to weed whackers, without worrying about overdue fees.
Berkeley Public Library
Posted inObituaries
Remembering Regina Minudri, former director of Berkeley Public Library
She started the Tool Lending Library, an adult literacy program and was the first library director in California to turn to voters to secure library tax funding.
Posted inIn Brief
More time to browse books: Berkeley Public Library opens more branches
The Tarea Hall Pittman/South Branch will open for in-person browsing on June 22 and the Claremont branch will open on June 28.
Posted inCity
Berkeley Public Library to reopen some branches after 14-month closure
Patrons will be able to walk into the North Branch on May 28, the West Branch on June 7, and the Central Branch on June 15.
Posted inCommunity
The Sit List: 5 events that spark joy in Berkeley
This week, watch a contemporary adaptation of The Seagull, attend the Bay Area Book Festival, and sip and sketch with an artist-engineer.
Posted inCommunity
A Berkeley High student lost his yearbook in 1979. 42 years later, it turned up
Jim Manheimer was reunited with his yearbook, which had been at the Berkeley Public Library, after the Wall Street Journal ran an article on the origins of the word “hella.”
Posted inCity
As she takes the helm at the Berkeley Library during a pandemic, Tess Mayer says she’s up to the challenge
The new director joins from the King County Library System in Washington, the busiest library system in the U.S.
Posted inCity
Berkeley hires a new library director from Washington state
Tess Mayer has been at the King County Library System since 2015. It was named “Library of the Year” in 2015 and is one of the busiest libraries in the U.S.
Posted inCity
Berkeley Public Library poised to get first permanent director in 3 years
The Board of Library Trustees has interviewed three strong candidates and plans to select a director soon.
Posted inCity
Berkeley Public Library plans to offer curbside pickup of books in mid-to-late June
Patrons will be able to return checked-out books starting today.
Posted inCity
Berkeley prepares to hunker down… this time by loading up on library books
As the library prepared to close for an indefinite amount of time, people rushed to stock up. Some walked out with a tower of books
Posted inCity
Berkeley Public Library will be closed starting Monday
Thousands of people a day, including many poor and homeless people, use the library as a refuge. There is no set time when it will reopen.