Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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"Public libraries receive less than 1% of all tax dollars and are used by more than 50
percent of the population." |
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Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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Golden Gate Library -
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Since 1899, when the community was known as the town of Klinkerville, this branch has been a focal point of service and programs for its neighborhood. Built in 1918, it is one of five original Carnegie libraries in Oakland and the oldest branch at one continuous location. |
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This branch offers unique programs and services for its diverse community. It houses the only collection of books, videos, and CDs dedicated to East Indian culture. The Performing Arts Collection, a mixture of reference, information, and instruction books dedicated to all facets of this subject is unique to this location.
Golden Gate has found numerous ways to promote reading for all age groups, beginning with the Lapsit program for infants to 3 year olds. Parents are provided books with large print and pictures, and finger puppets. The tiny tots are "Lap Jogged" with songs and instruction provided by children’s librarian Kathy Burns. Special story times for preschoolers from age 3 to 5 years are offered on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and films are offered every third Wednesday.
The Teen Homework Center is one of the only two sites of its kind in Oakland. On Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, high school students receive tutoring and advice about college from trained mentors. Last year participants produced the newsletter Home-Work-In-the-House. Articles ranging from homework tips, news about teens, and essays were written by students with help from staff and adult volunteers.
Golden Gate has the distinction of publishing its own book! I Am the Black Orpheus, a book of poetry, was produced by young poets aged 9 to 13. Sponsored by a grant from Partnership for Change, the youth were taught by local artist/poet Giovanna Capone. Copies are available to checkout at any Oakland library branch.
Family Reading night started earlier this year on Tuesday evenings to get families to read together. Every second Friday, the Youth Book Club for ages 14-17 meets at 3:30 p.m. to discuss titles like Stranger With My Face, by Lois Duncan.
Younger kids have special reading events like the Halloween Scary Stories night and the National Children’s book week. The Adult Book Group meets the fourth Tuesday. Usually about 10 to 15 people participate in lively discussions on a variety of books.
Dedicated beyond the call of duty, members of the staff camped out with first to third graders at a Library Sleepover. Parents brought kids with their own sleeping bags. Parents remained a brief period to get the "campers" settled, everyone munched on juice and pizza. Activities included stories, book movies like "Charlotte’s Web", and games. The next morning, everyone left after an evening of fun. When asked, why have a sleepover? "It helps us bond with the community," explained librarian Gracie Woodard.
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The Youth Chess Club for grades kindergarten to 12 was started about three years ago to "help keep chess alive" according to senior library assistant Don Waters who started the program. |
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Working with adult volunteers, children can get instruction at any level or go to a chess clinic. Chess software, provided by a grant, allows self-paced study when the club is not in session Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Players participate in inter-library, state, and national tournaments.
Last year, with additional help from the Golden Gate Friends, Gilagamesh Jeter and Charles Windsor, the club hosted its first inter-city tournament competing with players from Berkeley, San Leandro, El Cerrito, and Castro Valley. This November, 8 members of the club will be trekking to Garden Grove to participate in a national tournament. "We have about 25 students in the club and up to 44 kids will compete in tournaments," noted Don Waters.
Over the years GG (Golden Gate) has and continues to have an active network of friends and community support. First and second graders from Santa Fe and Golden Gate Elementary Schools created the two quilts that grace the walls of the main reading room. Students received instruction from quilt artist Ellen Oppenheimer. "It’s great to see kids come back and proudly point out which square they created", commented Kathy Burns.
Before Apple had computers in the schools, members of the Friends of GG successfully wrote grants to bring computers to the library. "We were the first library in Oakland to have computers for our users." according to Librarian Gracie Woodard. Today the spacious, well-lit computer lab houses 12 computers that serve over 900 people per month. Computer users have access to the library catalog, the Internet, printers and scanner. Computer reference books are easily accessible and resident computer guru Anica Masand helps users with questions and oversees the daily operation of the lab.
At the Wednesday Night Jazz Improv Workshop musicians of all levels can strut their stuff on stage in the branch meeting room. The Friends of GG, including professional musicians such as Donald "Duck" Daily, started Jazz on Sundays several years ago. Mike Jones now directs the popular program, which also has a youth music workshop
Golden Gate also provides rich cultural experiences for its varied community. North Oakland’s large East Indian community celebrates Diwali, also known as the "festival of lights". "Last year we had a lot of support even though it rained," noted Kathy Burns.
| This year's celebrants were treated to performances by East Indian classical odissi dancer Jyoti Rout. The standing room only crowd came from all over the bay area and enjoyed generous refreshments donated by India Chat & Sweets Restaurant and Siddha Meditation Ashram. |
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During Black History Month, the South African freedom songs of the Vukani Mawethu choir delighted patrons and friends. The audience joined in singing N’Kosi Silelel’i Afrika, the unofficial pan-African anthem in cappella.
The Golden Gate branch is always looking forward to innovative opportunities to serve its community. Its enthusiastic, dedicated staff, and strong support of its diverse community and friends will keep this branch a beacon of the community.
Note: I am very grateful to Golden Gate staff members including Gracie Woodard, Don Waters, Kathy Burns, and Anica Masand for their generous time and photos for this article.
Veronica Beverly, FOPL Board Member
Published in the December, 2003 edition of Off the Shelf
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