Donna Corbeil gestures toward the new book sorting machine that was installed in the North Branch library in 2012. All the new branches have these machines, which has greatly improved the efficiency of returning books and getting them back on the shelves. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel Donna Corbeil, who oversaw the renovation and reconstruction of Berkeley’s […]
Berkeley Public Library Branch Improvement Program
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Free events celebrate Berkeley’s revamped libraries
Kids browse the bookshelves at the December 2014 opening of the South Branch of the Berkeley Library. Photo: Richard Friedman Call it a “library warming.” As a way to celebrate the completion of its branch renovation campaign – and highlight the dozens of community programs it presents each month – the Berkeley Public Library is […]
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Photo gallery: Berkeley’s brand new West Branch library
Photo: Richard Friedman On Saturday, Berkeley welcomed a new West Branch library at 1125 University Ave. (at San Pablo). Read all about it in our story published last week. And enjoy these superlative photographs by Richard Friedman, taken on opening day. Photo: Richard Friedman Photo: Richard Friedman Photo: Richard Friedman Photo: Richard Friedman Photo: Richard […]
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New $7.5M Berkeley West Branch library to open Saturday
Workers put finishing touches on the new West Branch Library this week, getting the building ready for the grand opening celebration on Saturday. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel When the new West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library opens on Saturday Dec. 14, officials hope that it not only becomes a place for people to take out […]
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Local stars come out for the Berkeley Public Library
Mickey Hart and Joel Selvin at the Berkeley Public Library Foundation Authors’ Dinner on Saturday Feb. 9. Photo: Richard Friedman Mickey Hart and Joel Selvin at the Berkeley Public Library Foundation Authors’ Dinner on Saturday Feb. 9. Photo: Richard Friedman By Mal Warwick Who knew? Former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart isn’t just a musician. It turns […]
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Demolition and building at Berkeley branch libraries
Demolition at West Branch. Photo: Berkeley Public Library Demolition began Wednesday on the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library on University Avenue and, within a few hours, the bulldozers had knocked down much of the building. The West Branch, which was constructed in 1923, is being torn down to make way for a larger […]
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Renovated Claremont library branch opens Saturday
The refurbished Claremont Library will reopen to the public on Saturday May 5. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel After a year of construction, the refurbished Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library will reopen Saturday May 5 at 1 pm with music, food, and greetings by a host of dignitaries. “We’re so proud of it,” said Donna […]
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Critic of Berkeley library bond issue files more lawsuits
The North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library recently reopened after a $5.9 million remodel. Photo: Nancy Rubin The woman who was the only named member of the group in a citizen’s lawsuit against Berkeley’s use of library bond funds has filed a number of lawsuits against her critics. Judith Epstein, who is part of […]
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Gleaming new North Branch Library to open Saturday
The exterior of the newly renovated North Branch Library with new seating. Photo: Nancy Rubin Workers were busy putting the finishing touches on the renovated North Branch Library last week in anticipation of its grand reopening on Saturday, April 7 at 1:00 pm. The library has been closed for nearly a year and, when it […]
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Dates set for reopening of North and Claremont branches
Claremont Branch Library from the Ashby side: renovations are nearing completion. Photo: Tracey Taylor The renovated North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library will reopen on April 7, and the remodeled Claremont Branch will open shortly thereafter, on May 5, library officials announced Saturday night. The re-opening of the two branches comes less than a […]
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Claremont branch library reopening delayed two months
Michael Pearce, owner of The Elmwood Café, holds up a poster announcing that the Claremont branch library will be a beneficiary of the restaurant’s charity — if customers vote to choose it Michael Pearce, owner of The Elmwood Café, holds up a poster announcing that the Claremont branch library will be a beneficiary of the […]
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Berkeley settles contentious library lawsuit
The city of Berkeley has reached an agreement with Concerned Library Users over a lawsuit the group filed to stop the demolition and rebuilding of the South and West branches of the Berkeley Public Library. In a closed session on Tuesday evening, the city council voted to settle the lawsuit by creating a $100,000 fund […]
