Asian welcomes teen volunteers for its summer reading program (June – August). We also have other volunteer positions throughout the year.
Please call the library at 238-3400 for details.
The Asian Library is unique among public library branches in the United States as it houses eight Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian, Tagalog and Laotian) in major reference titles and general subject titles. Additionally, it has an Asian Studies collection, an in-depth Asian American collection in English and a unique young adult Manga collection. English holdings comprise 30% of the total library collection which has approximately 74,000 books, CDs, videos, DVDs, VCDs, magazines and newspapers for adults, pre-school children and a growing teen collection.
Computers
Eight (8) computers with Internet access. Please call the branch (238-3400) for more information.
Computer lab has (5) computers with multilingual interface for instructional purposes. Call the branch for computer coaching hours and classes, 238-3400.
Meeting Room Information
There is no meeting room in the Asian Branch Library. Click here for a list of meeting rooms at other Oakland Public Library branches.
Lighthouse Charter School
271-8801
345 12th Street
Lincoln Elementary School
879-1330
225 11th Street
Little Stars Preschool
286-9800
169 14th Street
Oakland Head Start, Frank G Mar Center
465-8403
274 12th Street
Yuk Yau Child Development School
879-0824
291 10th Street
Oakland Adult Education - Evening School
879-4020
750 International Boulevard
Branch History
The Asian Branch Library was founded in 1975 as part of a Federal Library Services Construction Act grant to create a model library serving the Asian community in Oakland with multilingual staff and collections. In 1978, the branch moved from its original location at the Park Boulevard to the Main Library. In 1981, it moved to its own building at 9th street and Broadway. The current location in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza opened to the public in 1995.
Directions & Public Transit Information
By Car:
From San Francisco: Take I-80 East towards Oakland. Take the I-580 East/Downtown Oakland (CA-24). Exit towards Hayward-Stockton. Take the I-980 West exit towards Downtown Oakland. Take the 18th Street/14th Street exit. Continue on Brush St. Turn Left on 17th St. Turn Right on Martin Luther King Jr Way. Turn Left on 9th St. Arrive at 388 9th St, Oakland.
From San Jose: Take I-880 North towards Oakland. Take the Broadway exit towards Alameda. Bear Right on 9th St. Arrive at 388 9th St, Oakland.
Asian Branch Library
