Berkeley Public Library

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Incised lettering above a fanciful Mayan rosette
Incised lettering above a fanciful Mayan rosette

The Berkeley Public Library is the public library system for Berkeley, California. It consists of the Central Branch, the North Branch, Claremont Branch, South Branch, and West Branch.

Contents

[edit] History

The Berkeley Public Library opened in 1893 on Shattuck Avenue with 264 books. In 1905 the library moved to another location on Shattuck Avenue at Kittridge Street, into a new brick building funded by Andrew Carnegie onto land donated by Rosa Shattuck. Immediately following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the population surge that resulted, the library opened four other branches throughout Berkeley. A new central library opened in 1934 at its current site and remained the central branch until it was renovated and reopened in 2002. [1]

[edit] Technology

The Berkeley Public Library recently switched almost all checkouts to electronic self-checkout. Several self-checkout machines are placed inside the library and allow patrons to check out the books themselves by scanning their card and placing the books on the machine. This form of checkout allows for all types of media, from books to CDs to DVDs, and provides the patron with a receipt of the items checked out. Currently, checkout at the circulation desk occurs only in the case that there is an error with a book, card, account, or machine.

In addition to this system, patrons can request and renew books over the Internet, allowing them to do so without leaving their homes. This option is also available over the telephone. [2]

[edit] Tool lending library

The Central Branch of Berkeley Public Library was renovated and reopened in 2002.
The Central Branch of Berkeley Public Library was renovated and reopened in 2002.

The Tool Lending Library, the nation's first[1], is located at South Branch. To borrow tools, patrons must be over the age of 18 and be residents or property owners of the city of Berkeley.[3]

Some of the offerings of the Tool Lending Library are as follows: screwdrivers, a variety of hammers, drills, biscuit jointers, shovels, ladders, concrete mixers, and free advice. Late fees are $2 per day for small items, and $5 per day for power tools. Lending times are seven days for manual items, and two days for power tools.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b History of the Berkeley Public Library. Berkeley Public Library Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
  2. ^ Berkeley Public Library, official site. Berkeley Public Library. Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
  3. ^ Tool Lending Library - How To Use It. Berkeley Public Library. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.

Coordinates: 37°52′4.8″N, 122°16′6.6″W