The Brookfield Branch:
Serving the Needs of the Brookfield Village

Originally appeared in the 04/96 issue of 'Off the Shelf'

Brookfield Village Library has grown and changed, according to the needs of a growing and changing Oakland community. In 1957, the Brookfield Station was located in the Brookfield Village Recreation Center. "Station?" Library stations were similar to our present kiosk branches, e.g., the Eastmont Mall branch, and the now closed Book Stop at City Center. The city established them at various centers for the reading public.

In 1940-41, according to the Oakland Tribune, &quota housing shortage of close to 9,000 family units exists in Oakland. (T)his number is increasing hourly as newcomers pour into the East Bay to work in the war industries." Oakland was the best suited of local cities to develop new housing stock. The area that became Brookfield Village was at that time a sparsely populated area of mostly fruit orchards and farmland. An Oakland Tribune article dated October 23, 1942, reports: "With 403 homes sold at the end of four weeks, Brookfield is now over half sold out and war workers are advised to hurry in order to avoid disappointment." With the low costs, great financing packages, and quality workmanship, people were flocking to purchase Brookfield Village homes. But the customers were limited. Only those who were employed by war industries could buy homes in Brookfield Village.

Brookfield Village Station, located within a recreation center was also the predecessor of the Oakland Public Library's multipurpose center model, almost thirty years later. After the library outgrew its recreation center home, the Brookfield "station" moved, in 1960, to a bungalow at 301 Jones Street. Eighteen years later, the branch moved once again, this time to a larger facility, Firehouse 27, at 98th and Edes.

The library's current site at 9255 Edes Avenue is just up the street from the old branch. For the second time in its history Brookfield Village Library is a part of a site collaboration. 9255 Edes houses both the Brookfield Village Library and a senior center. Library circulation has been increasing each year from 15 to 22 percent since moving into the present building, The library is small, but it boasts several specialized collections, including a Black History Collection, books on tape, large print books, Vietnamese language books, Spanish language books, etc. Although the Brookfield Village community is predominantly African-American, over the last four years the population has changed to include more Asian and Spanish-speaking populations.

Three full-time staff persons, with the help of several part-time aides, keep this branch open five days a week. Brookfield offers PASS! afterschool homework assistance, and public Internet access which will add the World Wide Web this month. Upcoming children's programs include a Textile Wall Weaving project taught by Oakland artist, Karen Hampton. The session starts Wednesday, April 17, and continues through Friday, May 3. Children ages 8 years and up are encouraged to participate.

The typical Brookfield Village patron is under 12 years old. Branch Manager Sallie Pine would like to see this change. She is currently seeking funding for a program called "Grandparents and Books," to attract grandparents into the branch to read stories to youngsters. This project is perfect for the Brookfield Village Library given that it shares the site with a senior center, a possible source of volunteers for the branch.

Click here for current information about Brookfield library.