A New Way to Look at the Newberys

Lights, camera, action!

The 90-Second Newbery Film festival, where kids craft short films to showcase their creative take on Newbery Medal books, came to the Rockridge Library for the third year in a row. This fun and funky film festival travels around the U.S. making stops at public libraries, theaters, and community-based organizations. This February, the Friends of the Rockridge Library helped bring the festival to Rockridge and made sure there was enough popcorn to go around! Sixteen of the best youth-made films of the year were screened to a packed room of 100 teens, kids, and adults in the library’s community room. Three cheers to Erica Siskind (Rockridge Children’s librarian), Nina Lindsay (Supervising Librarian, Main Library), and the teen library volunteers who made popcorn for a full hour to feed the hungry masses. Their super powers made the event a rousing success! This year, two of the films were the brainchild of a 12-year old director who enjoyed two impressive distinctions: 1) he was the first Oaklander to submit a film to the festival; and 2) he co-hosted the event! He joined James Kennedy, the creator, author, and host who is passionate about stoking creativity in young people and sharing their creations in fun, free events. Learn more about the event and see a selection of the films at www.jameskennedy.com. Library events aren’t just for kids! The Rockridge Library hosts loads of fun and enriching programs for adults, children, and teens every week. An events calendar for all branches of the Oakland Public Library is posted on www.OaklandLibrary.org. To learn how you can help the Friends of the Rockridge Library support our neighborhood branch, visit www.RockridgeFriends.org.