For Immediate Release: June 15, 2007

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus Tour
Kicks Off a Month of Magic at the Library

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(Oakland, CA)— The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be released to the world at midnight, Saturday, July 21st, and Oakland Public Library is where the best magic is happening! Starting with the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus tour, we’ve got movies, crafts, and tons of copies of the new book, so don’t miss out on these special festivities:

The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus Tour
Based on the purple, triple-decker bus described in the Harry Potter books, Scholastic Corporation’s Knight Bus will be stopping at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street, on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Young people will have a chance to board the bus and make a video about why they love the Harry Potter books. Oakland is one of just 37 libraries across the nation who will host the Knight bus in the days leading up to the book’s release on July 21. Kids need to pre-register by calling the Main Library’s Children’s Room at (510) 238-3615.

Children’s and Teen Services present
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Midnight Release Party
Come in costume for an evening of incredible entertainment, including live bands. Come make wizard hats and wands with MOCHA artists. We’ll do a free raffle for 100 winners who will be able to check out the new book that night! Copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be checked out starting at midnight. There will be 100 copies reserved for raffle winners. Also, patrons who are among the first 100 to place a hold reserve on the book will be able to check it out that night.

Friday, July 20th, 8 pm, until just-after Midnight, Saturday, July 21st
Main Library 125 14th street (enter through the Children’s Room on Oak street) (510) 238-3615

Dimond’s Harry Potter Release Party for Early Risers
If you want your book early, come join the fun and festivities! We’ll have crafts, games, prizes, refreshments and more! Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character.

Saturday, July 21, 8 to 10 am, Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. (510) 482-7844

Harry Potter Read-Aloud!
Listen to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows read aloud at your library for an hour every day. Begins Monday, July 23, and runs every day at 4 pm at all of these branches:

Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave., (510) 597-5017
Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Blvd., (510) 615-5728
M.L.King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., (510) 615-5728

Harry Potter Crafts
Come make a magical dragon with the artists from MOCHA, the Museum of Children’s Art, for children ages three to 12 years.

Wednesday, July 11, 1 pm, Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Ave. (510) 615-5725
Tuesday, July 17, 3:30 pm, Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Ave. (510)597-5049
Saturday, July 21, 2 pm, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd. (510) 482-7810
Monday, July 23, 7 pm, Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160-41st Ave. (510) 597-5011
Thursday, July 26, 2 pm, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave. (510) 597-5023
Monday, July 30, 7 pm, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. (510) 597-5017
Tuesday, July 31, 6 pm, Cesar Chavez Branch, 3301 East 12th St., Ste. 271 (510) 535-5620
Wednesday, August 8, 2 pm, Asian Branch, 388-9th St. (510) 238-3400

For more information, please call (510) 238-3615, or see the Library's Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products. To request sign interpretation or other accommodation, call the number above or (510) 834-7446 (TTY) 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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