| Oakland Public Library

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Amy Sonnie

Career Online High School

Do you know an adult (age 19+) who wants to get their high school diploma? Learn more about this exciting new program at Oakland Library.

Oakland Public Library’s Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate. Advance in your profession or take the next step in your education. We support you from enrollment to graduation so that you can achieve your goals.

The Library is offering a limited number of free enrollments to qualified adult learners. Applicants should:

Be over 19 years old
Reside in Oakland, Emeryville or Piedmont
Have a Library card
Be willing to dedicate 8-10 hours a week to coursework.

Program Quick Facts

Click here to read more

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Tamar Kirschner

Book an Appointment for eBook Help

One-on-One eBook help is now available at OPL at four different locations and four different times.

We are happy to announce that OPL Librarians are now offering hands-on, one-on-one eBook Help at four of our libraries (by appointment):

Eastmont - Mondays 5-6:30pm
Eastmont Town Center
7200 Bancroft Ave.
(510) 615-5726

Rockridge - Tuesdays 6-7:30pm
5366 College Ave.
(510) 597-5017

Click here to read more

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Amy Sonnie

Literacy Week: Are You Connected?

Learn how we are bridging the digital divide while investing in the professional capacity of local youth.

By Andrea Guzman, Coordinator, Ready Set Connect Program

Computer help photo

What can you do with the Internet?

As witnessed in business trends, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and the Bay for the past couple of decades: A LOT. From gaming to job searching, online dating, apps, virtual classrooms and so much more, the use of the Internet through computers and personal devices has become a prevalent and necessary component of daily life in the Bay Area.

In Oakland, however, there are numerous families without access to a computer, the Internet, and other essential tools many of us take for granted. Just like the ability to read, using and understanding how to use digital tools can greatly impact the accessibility of crucial services and opportunities!

Luckily, the Oakland Public Library continues to serve as a valuable resource to community members from all walks of

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Posted on September 24, 2015 by Amy Sonnie

Literacy Week: Help Us Help Adults Become Literate

Second Start Adult Literacy is recruiting volunteers from the communities most impacted by low-literacy. Learn more.

By Resonja Willoughby, Student Advocate, Second Start Adult Literacy

Image with a quote from a learner We are celebrating National Adult Chart showing literacy crisis Education and Family Literacy Week to raise awareness of about the effects of not having the basic literacy skills to survive in a world that is forever changing.

I work for Oakland’s adult literacy program, Second Start. We have been in existence for 30 years and we have watched the demographics change. We are serving more immigrants from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The region of South and West Asia is

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Posted on September 23, 2015 by Amy Sonnie

Literacy Week: Kids in the Hall Find ‘This Beautiful Thing Called Writing’

For incarcerated youth and adults literacy is about more than spelling words “correctly.” It's about believing you have something to say and learning that people will listen.

By Peggy Simmons, Library Assistant, Elmhurst Branch

“When I’m locked up, I see a pencil and paper as my best friends …. I’ve been locked up over 18 times, and writing is one of my strongest traits.”

– Pengo in The Beat Within. Read his entire article, “Why I Write,” here.

Cover of The Beat Within magazine

When Pengo was 11-years-old, The Beat Within, an arts program that publishes writing by incarcerated young people, came to the juvenile hall where he was locked up and “turned him on to this beautiful thing called writing.” Pengo writes so clearly about how writing helps him deal with the situations he is in. He is also very clear that

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Posted on September 21, 2015 by Amy Sonnie

Literacy Week: Lifelong Learning at OPL

We’re celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week by highlighting lifelong learning programs. New posts daily Sep. 21-26.

Happy Adult Education and Family Literacy Week!

This week is a chance to recognize the hard work and resilience of adult learners who juggle family, jobs, and the challenges of life — even as they dedicate hours to pursue their educational goals. To celebrate we're highlighting a few of our lifelong learning programs for adults, young adults and families! Check back for daily blogs celebrating literacy this week.

To kick off, here are some our top programs:

Adult Basic Education

Second Start logo Across this country, one in six adults struggles with low literacy, one in three with basic math, and one in ten speaks limited English. In Oakland those numbers are much higher. Navigating life without these skills takes hard work and a lot of

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Posted on March 20, 2015 by Sharon McKellar

Found: Art and Literature Left Behind at the Library

If you aren't touched by the tale of Mr. Poopy-Loopy Stinky Butt, then you clearly have no soul.

It's time for another edition of our Found in a Library Book (or in the Library) series. This one is full of some great stuff including a brand new edition to the Mr. Men series, Mister Poopy-Loopy Stinky Butt! You will not want to miss what happens to this poor guy.

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Posted on February 27, 2015 by Sharon McKellar

On "The Stupid Dress" and Other Optical Illusions

Is it white/gold or blue/black? WHO CARES! Check out these other awesome optical illusions and then make your own dress.

There is a lot of conflict going on in the world these days, but none of it is as divisive as....THE DRESS!!!

Which side are you on? Is it white and gold? Or blue and black? Can you even believe that people can see it differently than you can? Did it change colors before your eyes making you doubt everything you believe (like it did to me)?

THIS DRESS IS EVERYTHING! At least it is everything, according to the Internet yesterday. But let me tell you, there are better less frustrating optical illusions out there! Like this spiral.

Would you believe me if I told you that the

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Posted on February 17, 2015 by Sharon McKellar

Tell us what you think!

The City of Oakland is conducting a survey to evaluate the quality of our service. Take a minute and fill it out!

The city is conducting a 2-week survey to look at language access to city services. Please take a couple of minutes and let us know how the library is doing.