The Berkeley Public Library is the public library system for Berkeley, California. It consists of the Central Library, Claremont Branch, North Branch, West Branch, Tarea Hill Pittman South Branch, and the Tool Lending Library, which is one of the nation's first such libraries.
The Berkeley Public Library opened in 1893 on Shattuck Avenue with 264 books. In 1905, the library moved to a new brick building on Shattuck Avenue at 2090 Kittredge Street. The new library was funded by Andrew Carnegie and built on land donated by Rosa M. Shattuck, the widow of Francis K. Shattuck. Immediately following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the resulting population surge from across the San Francisco Bay, the library opened four other branches around Berkeley. In 1930, the library was demolished and a new design from architect James W. Plachek was approved.[3] Construction of the new building began in 1931.[4] The new central library opened in 1934, where it remains.[5] It was renovated and reopened in 2002.[6]
In 2011, the Berkeley Public Library began a series of renovations and expansions of its four neighborhood branches. It completed renovation of the Claremont and North Branches in 2012, the South Branch and Tool Lending Library in May 2013, and the West Branch library in December 2013.[7] During construction, a bookmobile called the Branch Van parked near each location to conduct basic transactions and provide access to library collections in the local neighborhoods.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2018, the Berkeley Public Library eliminated overdue fines for non-children's media; children's books were already fine-free.[8] The Tool Lending Library followed suit on October 3, 2022.[9]
Also in 2018, Berkeley Public Library instituted the Easy Access Card, a library card available to persons without a fixed address.[10]
TechnologyEdit
All Berkeley Public Library branches have self-checkout machines. Patrons can use these to check out materials themselves by scanning the items and their library card. This checkout method works for all media—books, CDs, DVDs, etc.—and provides the patron with a receipt for the items. All branches still also offer checkout from library staff at circulation desks.[citation needed]
Patrons can also request and renew books over the Internet from their homes, or over the telephone.[11]
Tool Lending LibraryEdit
The Tool Lending Library opened in 1979 and is one of the nation's first such libraries.[6][12] It is located at the South Branch. To borrow tools, patrons must be over the age of 18 and be residents or property owners of the city of Berkeley.[13]
Tool Lending Library offerings include basic hand tools, light power tools, and equipment: screwdrivers, various hammers, drills, biscuit jointers, string trimmers ("weed wackers") shovels, ladders, concrete mixers—and free advice. Lending times are seven days for manual items, and two days for power tools.
GalleryEdit
Incised lettering above a fanciful Mayan rosette
The Central Branch of Berkeley Public Library, renovated and reopened in 2002
^. Berkeley Public Library. Archived from the original on 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berkeley Public Library.
Official website
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. CA-2697, "Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, Alameda County, CA", 48 photos by William Porter, 27 data pages by Page & Turnbull, 1998
October 21, 2023
berkeley, public, library, public, library, system, berkeley, california, consists, central, library, claremont, branch, north, branch, west, branch, tarea, hill, pittman, south, branch, tool, lending, library, which, nation, first, such, libraries, national, . The Berkeley Public Library is the public library system for Berkeley California It consists of the Central Library Claremont Branch North Branch West Branch Tarea Hill Pittman South Branch and the Tool Lending Library which is one of the nation s first such libraries Berkeley Public LibraryU S National Register of Historic PlacesBerkeley Landmark No 57Show map of Oakland CaliforniaShow map of CaliforniaShow map of the United StatesLocation2090 Kittredge St Berkeley CaliforniaCoordinates37 52 5 39 N 122 16 7 W 37 8681639 N 122 26861 W 37 8681639 122 26861Built1931 1934ArchitectPlachek James W Architectural styleModerne Zig Zag ModerneNRHP reference No 82002156 1 BERKL No 57Significant datesAdded to NRHPJune 25 1982Designated BERKLApril 19 1982 2 Contents 1 History 2 Technology 3 Tool Lending Library 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe Berkeley Public Library opened in 1893 on Shattuck Avenue with 264 books In 1905 the library moved to a new brick building on Shattuck Avenue at 2090 Kittredge Street The new library was funded by Andrew Carnegie and built on land donated by Rosa M Shattuck the widow of Francis K Shattuck Immediately following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the resulting population surge from across the San Francisco Bay the library opened four other branches around Berkeley In 1930 the library was demolished and a new design from architect James W Plachek was approved 3 Construction of the new building began in 1931 4 The new central library opened in 1934 where it remains 5 It was renovated and reopened in 2002 6 In 2011 the Berkeley Public Library began a series of renovations and expansions of its four neighborhood branches It completed renovation of the Claremont and North Branches in 2012 the South Branch and Tool Lending Library in May 2013 and the West Branch library in December 2013 7 During construction a bookmobile called the Branch Van parked near each location to conduct basic transactions and provide access to library collections in the local neighborhoods citation needed On July 1 2018 the Berkeley Public Library eliminated overdue fines for non children s media children s books were already fine free 8 The Tool Lending Library followed suit on October 3 2022 9 Also in 2018 Berkeley Public Library instituted the Easy Access Card a library card available to persons without a fixed address 10 Technology EditAll Berkeley Public Library branches have self checkout machines Patrons can use these to check out materials themselves by scanning the items and their library card This checkout method works for all media books CDs DVDs etc and provides the patron with a receipt for the items All branches still also offer checkout from library staff at circulation desks citation needed Patrons can also request and renew books over the Internet from their homes or over the telephone 11 Tool Lending Library EditThe Tool Lending Library opened in 1979 and is one of the nation s first such libraries 6 12 It is located at the South Branch To borrow tools patrons must be over the age of 18 and be residents or property owners of the city of Berkeley 13 Tool Lending Library offerings include basic hand tools light power tools and equipment screwdrivers various hammers drills biscuit jointers string trimmers weed wackers shovels ladders concrete mixers and free advice Lending times are seven days for manual items and two days for power tools Gallery Edit nbsp Incised lettering above a fanciful Mayan rosette nbsp The Central Branch of Berkeley Public Library renovated and reopened in 2002 nbsp The South Branch renovated in 2013 nbsp The tool lending library at the South BranchReferences Edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 Berkeley Landmarks Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association Retrieved 2013 08 04 Berkeley Public Library Main Branch Berkeley Plaques Retrieved 2020 10 20 Berkeley Public Library 2090 Kittredge Street Berkeley Alameda County CA Library of Congress Retrieved 2020 10 20 Fun and Funky Downtown Berkeley Oakland Magazine 2018 03 22 Retrieved 2020 10 20 a b History of the Berkeley Public Library Berkeley Public Library Foundation Archived from the original on 2006 07 14 Retrieved 2007 02 22 New 7 5M Berkeley West Branch library to open Saturday Berkeleyside 2013 12 12 Retrieved 2020 10 20 Dinkelspiel Frances 2018 06 08 Berkeley Public Library to end late fees for teen and adult books Berkeleyside Retrieved 2019 03 08 Kwok Iris 8 September 2022 Berkeley Tool Lending Library will end late fees go fully fine free Berkeleyside Retrieved 13 June 2023 Peet Lisa Berkeley PL Launches Cards for Patrons Without Fixed Address The Library Journal Retrieved 2019 03 08 Berkeley Public Library official site Berkeley Public Library Retrieved 2007 02 22 One in Ohio opened in 1976 Tool Lending Library How To Use It Berkeley Public Library Archived from the original on 2007 07 20 Retrieved 2007 07 31 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berkeley Public Library Official website History of the Berkeley Public Library Historic American Buildings Survey HABS No CA 2697 Berkeley Public Library 2090 Kittredge Street Berkeley Alameda County CA 48 photos by William Porter 27 data pages by Page amp Turnbull 1998 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Berkeley Public Library amp oldid 1167182573, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
