Reasons to Celebrate in Oakland
By Kathleen Hirooka
khirooka@oaklandnet.com
October 2004
For the first time since the post-Proposition 13 years, the Oakland Public Library opened all 15 of its branch libraries six days a week beginning September 11, 2004. The Main Library remained open seven days per week. This increase in hours was a direct result of the passage of Measure Q on the March ballot, a measure calling for a $75.00 parcel tax for single family households that captured a 78% majority. "It has been my goal to expand hours at our libraries since I first came to Oakland four years ago," states Carmen Martinez, Library Director. "Now, thanks to the generosity of our community, this vision has become a reality." The branch libraries held celebrations and, in some cases, special performances on September 11th. Other improvements, including more library materials and upgrades to library technology, will also be ushered in this fall.
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The library also has a new state-of-the-art bookmobile that it introduced at the City of Oakland's Art and Soul Festival over Labor Day weekend. The rainbow-colored vehicle is a 32 foot, specially equipped vehicle with a wheelchair lift, two public access computers and an enlarged book capacity of 2,500 volumes. It carries a full array of multi-media materials, as well as items in Chinese and Spanish, and circulates approximately 6,000 volumes per month.