For Immediate Release: March 7, 2008

Legendary Poet And Activist Nikki Giovanni
Headlines Annual National Library Week Celebration

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(Oakland, CA)— The Oakland Public Library, in conjunction with the Oakland Museum of California and the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, invite you to “join the circle of knowledge” with poet, writer, activist, and educator Nikki Giovanni on Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. at the James Moore Theatre, Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak at 10th Street).

This annual author event – now in its sixteenth year - celebrates National Library Week, April 13 – 19. First launched in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country to celebrate the contributions of libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

In a rare West Coast appearance, Ms. Giovanni will read from and discuss her most recent books, including Acolytes, Rosa, On My Journey Now, and The Grasshopper’s Song. This event is free, but seating is limited (first-come, first-served). Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. KTOP-TV, the city of Oakland’s Cable station, will be taping the program for a later broadcast.

Ms. Giovanni is the author of nearly 30 books for both adults and children. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Lincoln Heights, a black suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her first book of poetry, Black Feeling Black Talk, was published in 1968. Since then, many of her titles have received awards and honors.

Her autobiography, Gemini, was a finalist for the National Book Award; Love Poems, Blues: For All the Changes, and Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, were honored with NAACP Image Awards; and her children’s picture book, Rosa, about civil rights activist Rosa Parks, was named a Caldecott Honors Book. Recently, Oprah Winfrey called her one of America’s twenty-five “Living Legends.” Ms. Giovanni currently teaches at Virginia Tech University.

The Oakland Public Library will also sponsor several children’s events in honor of National Library Week. The award-winning theatre troupe Word for Word presents When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake at seven libraries. This retelling of a family folktale by Greg Sarris asks the question, “Who is the most powerful medicine man, Tom Smith or Big Jose?” Tom Smith’s uncontrollable desire to be the winner results in some pretty strong magic that spreads all the way to San Francisco. (Can you hear the rumbling??) Days and times follow:

April 12, 2 p.m. Dimond Branch Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, 510-482-7844

April 14, 3:30 p.m. Martin L. King, Jr. Branch Library, 6833 International Blvd., 510-615-5728

April 15, 10:30 a.m. Montclair Branch Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd., 510-482-7810

April 15, 1 p.m. Eastmont Branch Library, Eastmont Town Center,

7200 Bancroft Ave., Suite 211, 510-615-5726

April 17, 10:30 a.m. Elmhurst Branch Library, 1427 88th Avenue, 510-615-5727

April 17, 1 p.m. Brookfield Branch Library, 9255 Edes Avenue, 510-615-5725

April 24, 1 p.m. Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero. 510-238-7344

Traditional Japanese tales are the subject of “Stories to Play With: Kids’ Tales Told with Puppets, Paper, Toys, and Imagination!” In a special Bay Area appearance, Hiroko Fujita, an “ohanashi obaasan” (storytelling granny) in the traditional folk style, will perform country tales she learned in childhood from village elders and farmers in Japan. A teacher, author, and popular storyteller with an international reputation, Ms. Fujita has been called a “National Living Treasure” by the Japan Folktale Society. Professional storyteller Fran Stallings will introduce each tale with a brief synopsis. Days and times follow:

April 8, 1 p.m. Asian Branch Library, 388 9th Street, Suite 190, 510-238-3400

April 8, 7 p.m. Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, 510-597-5017

April 11, 10 a.m. Elmhurst Branch Library, 1427 88th Avenue, 510-615-5727

April 11, 1 p.m. Eastmont Branch Library, Eastmont Town Center,

7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite 211, 510-615-5726

All events are free. For more information about the Nikki Giovanni event, call 510-238-3271. For more information about the children’s events, call your neighborhood library, 510-238-3848, or visit the Oakland Public Library’s Website at www.oaklandlibrary.org. To request sign interpretation or other accommodation, please contact the numbers above at least five working days prior to the event. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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