For Immediate Release: December 14, 2007

OLAS – Oakland Libraries After School:
A Service of the Oakland Public Library

*****************************************************************************************************************************************

(Oakland, CA)—The Oakland Public Library will continue its long tradition of providing high quality after-school programming for children with a new initiative starting in January 2008. Oakland Libraries After School (OLAS) will offer access to computers, library collections that support school curriculum, drop-in homework assistance for elementary school students, and the opportunity for children to participate in enrichment programs. Four branch libraries (Main, César E. Chávez, Eastmont and Golden Gate) will be the pilot sites to offer OLAS.

The program is primarily designed to benefit elementary school students (grades K-5) and first-year middle school students (grade 6) from Oakland, though students from Emeryville and Piedmont are also welcome. Regular attendance is not required, so children who come to the libraries on an occasional basis can still participate in OLAS programs.

OLAS activities will take place 3-5 P.M. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 2-5 P.M. on Wednesdays. Drop-in tutoring offered by qualified volunteers from the community and from local institutions of higher education (such as UC Berkeley and Mills College) will be available in either group or one-to-one settings. Activities may include bibliographic instruction or using educational software on library computers. Community partners will contribute to enrichment programs such as art, theater, dance, calligraphy, nutrition and computer literacy training. Potential partners in these enrichment programs include the Oakland Museum of California, the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department, MOCHA, the Berkeley Repertory Theater, the Alameda Community Food Bank, HEROES, and Americorp.

For more information, please call (510) 238-3848, or see the Oakland Public Library’s Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products to library events. To request sign interpretation or other accommodation, please 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.

###