New 81st Ave East Oakland Community Library is Open: See Oakland Public Library notice.

Local families will have a new, state-of-the-art facility in which to explore new ideas, find literacy and informational assistance, and come together for fun community activities in a safe, supportive environment.

Urban libraries bring enormous benefits to the communities they serve. The East Oakland Community Library at 81st Avenue, which at 21,000 sq. ft. will be the largest branch library in the Oakland library system, will offer programs and services essential to the continued growth and well-being of this rapidly changing neighborhood.

A joint partnership of the Oakland Unified School District and the Oakland Public Library, the East Oakland Community Library at 81st Avenue will meet the needs of the young and old alike, with class visits and after-school programming for the students of ACORN Woodland Elementary School, EnCompass Academy (located on the same site), and 11 other neighboring schools; and a computer lab, Internet cafe, and access to other information technologies for the general public.

In addition to these wonderful amenities, the 81st Avenue branch will also feature the latest in environmental building technologies. Constructed with recycled and sustainably produced materials, and built to optimize natural light and minimize energy use, the library will be an impressive addition to the city’s array of eco-friendly municipal buildings.

CREDITS FOR EAST OAKLAND LIBRARY NEWS PAGES

Copywriter and photos: Tracy Baxter, www.tracybaxter.net

Artist’s rendering (above): Group 4 Architecture, Research and Planning

Special Thanks: Brook and Ben Vanderford