For Immediate Release: 12/21/09

Oakland Public Library to Close for Holiday Week 

No Books Due December 24 – January 1

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( Oakland, CA)—The Oakland Public Library will be closed for slightly more than one week for the holidays and in response to the citywide budget shortage. The Library will be closed from December 24 through New Year’s Day, resuming normal hours on Saturday, January 2, 2010

“We regret not being able to keep our libraries open for our patrons during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but given the city’s budget situation, we determined that some additional savings could be achieved if we closed for an extended period,” Library Director Carmen Martinez said.

To avoid any inconvenience or confusion for patrons, the Library circulation department has ensured that no materials checked out from the Library are due during the last nine days of 2009.

The nine-day break is unusually long for the Library, so Library Administrators are taking extra steps to notify patrons of the closures. The Library is asking that patrons not attempt to return books or other checked-out materials during the long break, as Library staff will empty the book receptacles only three times during the break. The Library will have three crews that will empty book drops at the Main Library and all branches on December 26, 29 and 31. The City of Piedmont Bookdrop will be closed during this period and not reopened until January 2. Book receptacles often fill up and overflow when the Library is closed for several days, which can result in the loss of library materials.

During the break, Library patrons can still access the catalog and all databases via the Library’s Website, www.oaklandlibrary.org. Patrons can place materials on hold and renew checked out materials as long as they have their library card and PIN. If they don’t have a PIN, they can get one by visiting the circulation desk at any branch before Thursday.

For more information, please contact the Public Services Office at (510) 238-3511, or visit us online at www.oaklandlibrary.org.

The Oakland Public library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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