I often read about libraries in my professional and Friends-related work, and recently came upon this delightful and touching interview with Susan Orlean about how libraries fit in to her life and to her most recent book. I recently visited libraries in Colombia, and learned about programs at public libraries to preserve memory. These programs were spread out amongst libraries nationwide with the primary goal of holding on to something--memories of the difficult and the good-

Youth aged 9-14 are gearing up to transfer their creative visions to digital film. And they're going to learn how to do it at the library! When Erica Siskind, Children's Librarian, shared her idea to pair the very popular 90-Second Newbery Award program with an educational workshop, we at FORL were thrilled with the idea! And now the workshop is about to start, tomorrow, April 21st from 10am - 4pm. More details on the Oakland Public Library web site. When I saw Erica today, s

It's National Library Week, which means each day people across the country take a moment to laud our libraries. Today is Take Action Day for Libraries, and the best way to do that is to talk about the upcoming vote to support the libraries we love. This week members of the Friends of the Rockridge Library joined representatives from the Friends of the Oakland Public Libraries at PTA meetings in Oakland to promote the importance of our libraries and the critical need for commu

Known as the “mother of modern dance,” Isadora Duncan spent her formative years in Oakland. Her story is both relatable and inspiring to today’s Oakland women, but has been overlooked in the city’s history. In observance of Women’s History Month, the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library welcomed Duncan dancer Lois Ann Flood for a brief emersion into the world of Isadora. Before performing eight short Duncan dances set to classical music, Flood explained the artist’s