Thursday, April 2, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, April 4, 2026 – 1:00–2:00pm
Teen Advisory Board @ Montclair
Join the Montclair Branch Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make your voice heard! Take an active role in creating and planning the programs and services you want to see as a teen at your local library! We meet the First Saturday of the month from 1pm-2pm in the Teen Zone at the Montclair Branch Library.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all designed for participants 0 to 1 years old, followed by playtime with your baby and other caregivers.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book Club
Join us to discuss Moonglow by Michael Chabon.
https://oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S183C2080976

Thursday, April 9, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Today’s Storytime will feature a special performance by Malinky Music in honor of Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros. Join Emilia Lopez-Yanez of Malinky Music for a joyful, bilingual Spanish-English music and movement program for young children (ages 0-5) and their families, promoting language development, motor skills and cultural appreciation.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pmView all dates
Baby Bounce

Thursday, April 16, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Saturday, April 18, 2026 – 2:00–4:00pm
Oakland Bloom Presents: Eritrean Coffee Ceremony with Cafe Anbesa
Join us for a live demonstration of a traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony with Chef Senait from Cafe Anbesa.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – 6:00–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club with Lellobird
Celebrate Arbor Day this month by learning how to draw trees using simple shapes and then add color with fun mixed media, like paint, collage, colored pencils and pastels. Suitable for all skill levels (beginners…

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – 6:00–7:30pm
Meet the Author: Dani Burlison
Join editor Dani Burlison in discussion of her 2025 book, Red Flag Warning: Mutual Aid and Survival in California’s Fire Country.

Thursday, April 23, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Thursday, April 30, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Deep Care by Angela Hume.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – 2:30–4:00pm
MOCHA At The Library!
Join us for monthly art workshops for children and families led by teachers from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). For ages 5-15 and caregivers. MOCHA workshops focus on building creativity, social-emotional and academic skills.

Thursday, March 5, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 1:00–2:00pm
Teen Advisory Board @ Montclair
Join the Montclair Branch Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make your voice heard! Take an active role in creating and planning the programs and services you want to see as a teen at your local library! We meet the First Saturday of the month from 1pm-2pm in the Teen Zone at the Montclair Branch Library.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Thursday, March 12, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 6:00–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club: Invented Tools
Learn to make your own art tools from natural and found materials like sticks, pine needles and string and use them to create abstract art and textures with ink and paint.

Thursday, March 19, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
LIBRARY CLOSED – Farmworkers Day

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Family Style by Thien Pham.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – 2:30–4:00pm
MOCHA At The Library!
Join us for monthly art workshops for children and families led by teachers from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). For ages 5-15 and caregivers. MOCHA workshops focus on building creativity, social-emotional and academic skills.

Thursday, February 5, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, February 7, 2026 – 1:00–2:00pm
Teen Advisory Board @ Montclair
Join the Montclair Branch Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make your voice heard! Take an active role in creating and planning the programs and services you want to see as a teen at your local library! We meet the First Saturday of the month from 1pm-2pm in the Teen Zone at the Montclair Branch Library.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Valentine’s Craft
Celebrate all things love with DIY Valentine’s Day cards and crafts. Open to children and their parents/caregivers.

Thursday, February 12, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Monday, February 16, 2026
LIBRARY CLOSED (Presidents Day)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 6:00–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club: Insect Art, Charley Harper Style
Using basic geometric shapes and fun colors, we’ll create beetles, butterflies, bees and other insects inspired by the mid-century style of illustrator Charley Harper. Open to all teens/adults, beginners welcome! All materials provided thanks to FOML.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Piece by Piece: Celebrating African American Contemporary Art
This hands-on visual arts workshop for kids and families introduces participants to influential African American contemporary artists while encouraging creative interpretation through paper mosaic techniques. Participants will observe iconic works by selected artists and reconstruct visual elements using color, texture and pattern — learning how storytelling, identity and culture are embedded in contemporary art practices.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – 11:45am–12:15pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Thursday, February 26, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 1:00–2:00pm
Teen Advisory Board @ Montclair
Join the Montclair Branch Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make your voice heard! Take an active role in creating and planning the programs and services you want to see as a teen at your local library! We meet the First Saturday of the month from 1pm-2pm in the Teen Zone at the Montclair Branch Library.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all designed for participants 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 6:30–7:00pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Sourdough by Robin Sloan.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 2:30–4:00pm
MOCHA At The Library!
Join us for monthly art workshops for children and families led by teachers from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). For ages 5-15 and caregivers. MOCHA workshops focus on building creativity, social-emotional and academic skills.

Thursday, January 8, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Monday, January 19, 2026
LIBRARY CLOSED (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – 6:00–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club: Greeting Card Workshop
Come make cards with us! Using simple collage and printing techniques and maybe some playful watercolors, create beautiful greeting cards for any occasion which you can use throughout the year. We’ll also have letter stamps and some hand-lettering tips for those who want to add text. Every participant will come away with at least a handful of cards ready to send and share. Audience: Adults

Thursday, January 22, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Thursday, January 29, 2026 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

The Friends of Montclair Library will be planning more author events in 2026, and we want to hear from you about the authors you want to see. Complete this short, 2-minute survey to tell us what you’re interested in!

https://forms.gle/38cj3x4ymNR7jyq39

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 2:30–4:00pm
MOCHA At The Library!
Join us for monthly art workshops for children and families led by teachers from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). For ages 5-15 and caregivers.

Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 1:00–2:00pm
Teen Advisory Board @ Montclair
Join the Montclair Branch Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make your voice heard! Take an active role in creating and planning the programs and services you want to see as a teen at your local library! We meet the First Saturday of the month from 1pm-2pm in the Teen Zone at the Montclair Branch Library.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – 6:30–7:30pm
One Village, One Book
Join us to discuss Paper is White and Flavors of Oakland, plus share foods from Flavors and choose our 2026 books! Feel free to come at 6 if you want more time to chat, eat and discuss 2026 book options.

Thursday, December 11, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – 6:00pm–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club: Design Your Own Mini Art Calendar
Use our template and some of the art techniques we’ve explored this year (like collage, printing and drawing) to make an illustrated or abstract personalized 2026 calendar, and learn some ways to copy, share and display it throughout the year.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – 2:00–3:00pm
Winter Lights For The Solstice
The Winter Solstice is the perfect time of year to celebrate light. Join us in making a paper lantern to share a little light with others.

Thursday, December 18, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Thursday, December 25, 2025
LIBRARY CLOSED (Christmas Day)

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, December 31, 2025
LIBRARY CLOSED (New Year’s Eve Day)

Descriptions in quotes are from the library catalog unless otherwise noted.

Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman
“A group of misfit, big-box store employees working the overnight shift in a small upstate New York town vie for the stability, salary and possibility of a new job when their store manager announces he is leaving,” and attempt to band together to influence the choice of his replacement.

Ladies’ Paradise by Émile Zola
Also known as Au Bonheur Des Dames and The Ladies’ Delight (you’ll find it in different formats depending on which title you search), this book, set at an eponymous department store in 19th century Paris, deals with surprisingly timely themes of sexual harassment, office politics and big shops putting small ones out of business by undercutting prices. “Charting the beginnings of the capitalist economy and bourgeois society, Zola captures in lavish detail the greedy customers and gossiping staff, and the obsession with image, fashion and gratification that was a phenomenon of nineteenth-century French consumer society.” Also, it’s “the only book by Zola that won’t make you want to cry yourself to sleep thinking about how much humans suck.” (Buzzfeed) It was also made into the BBC miniseries “The Paradise,” available from the library streaming or on DVD.

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland
(Not in OPL, but available through Link+, and Coupland is always worth tracking down)
“The first and only story of love and looming apocalypse set in the aisles of an office supply superstore.” (Goodreads) “Over the course of several months, two retail workers at an office supply superstore–Roger, a divorced, middle aged ‘aisles associate’ at Staples, and his young co-worker, Bethany, an early twenty-something, former Goth–strike up a unique epistolary friendship.”

Supersaurio by Meryem El Mehdati
“An uproarious debut novel about a young woman from the Canary Islands whose internship with a supermarket chain reveals the soul-crushing vagaries of modern life.”

Finna by Nino Cipri
“When an elderly customer at a Swedish big box furniture store — but not that one — slips through a portal to another dimension, it’s up to two minimum-wage employees (who recently broke up with each other) to track her across the multiverse and protect their company’s bottom line.”

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
“After strange things start happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, three employees volunteer to work an overnight shift to investigate, but what they discover is more horrifying than they could have imagined.” The book is set up like an IKEA catalog, “complete with product illustrations, a home delivery order form and a map of Orsk’s labyrinthine showroom.”

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Several of the short stories in this collection deal with “the horrors of consumerism and the toll it takes on us all.” “The titular story…(and its linked stories “How to Sell a Jacket as Told by IceKing” and “In Retail”) transport the reader to an outerwear store at the fictional Prominent Mall.” (Ploughshares)

November is DINOvember, and we’re here to help you celebrate with 12 picture books about dinosaurs, from the silly to the scientific.

Dinos are a perennial kid favorite, maybe because these big, bold creatures can be depicted with big, bold personalities and feelings that make them great stand-ins for young kids dealing with the world around them. They’re especially fun when combined with other kid favorites like trucks, trains, sports or pirates!

There are so many good dinosaur picture books out there that it was hard to narrow down this list to just a dozen – if you just can’t get enough dino books, here are more lists from various libraries:

• Dinovember
• Dinovember Booklist
• DINOvember Part 1

P.S. – Today (November 12, 2025) from 2-3pm, stop by the library for Dinosaur Craft Time!

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton
A fun first book about dinosaurs for the littlest listeners. “This superb introduction for the very young shares the excitement of dinosaurs with its audience, without tangling their attention spans in boring details.” (School Library Journal)

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
In this typically zany Willems story, Mama Dinosaur, Papa Dinosaur and “some other Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway” are definitely not making tasty chocolate pudding in order to lure a yummy little girl into their home.

I’m Bad! by Kate McMullan
“A hungry Tyrannosaurus rex searches for food in the prehistoric forest but is thwarted in its attempts to find something to eat.” See also I’m Big.

Dino-Soccer by Lisa Wheeler
“Plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs in a soccer match.” If soccer’s not your sport, Wheeler also has books about dinosaurs playing hockey, baseball, basketball and football, and wrestling, skateboarding, swimming and racing cars.

Dinosaur Roar! by Paul Stickland
“Illustrations and rhyming text present all kinds of dinosaurs, including ones that are sweet, grumpy, spiky or lumpy.”

Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures With the Family Lazardo by William Joyce
In this delightfully quirky book, “the Lazardo family finds and brings back to America a friendly dinosaur that becomes the talk of the town,” even playing baseball for the local team.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen
In this entertaining and edifying book, “Mother and child ponder the different ways a dinosaur can say goodnight, from slamming his tail and pouting to giving a big hug and kiss.” Part of a lengthy series of “How Do Dinosaurs…” books, if you like this one!

My Visit to the Dinosaurs by Aliki
“A visit to a museum of natural history provides a little boy with an introduction to the habits, characteristics and habitats of fourteen kinds of dinosaurs.”

Dinotrux by Chris Gall
“Millions of years ago, the prehistoric ancestors of today’s trucks, such as garbageadon, dozeratops and craneosaurus, roamed the Earth until they rusted out and became extinct.”

When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach
“Although his mother is a little worried, a young boy is delighted to discover that every shop in town is giving away real dinosaurs to their customers.”

Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael H. Slack
“They’re adorable! They’re daring! They’re kitties who love to climb things — things like cat trees and real trees, and oh yeah . . . dinosaurs! What could possibly go wrong?”

If I Had a Dinosaur by Gabby Dawnay
“Although she has considered other pets, a young girl is sure a dinosaur would be the perfect pet and imagines all the things she would do with her dinosaur.”

(The descriptions in quotes above are from the library catalog unless otherwise noted.)

Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 2:00–3:00pm
Día de Los Muertos Calavera Decorating
Join us to decorate skulls made out of magic modeling clay! All materials provided. | ¡Únete a nosotros para decorar calaveras con plastilina mágica! Todos los materiales están incluidos.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce
Come to Montclair Baby Bounce Every Tuesday morning. We will sing, dance, and read books all targeted towards 0 to 1 years old. Come and play with your baby and other caregivers.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 2:30–4:00pm
MOCHA at The Library!
Join us for monthly art workshops for children and families led by teachers from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). For ages 5-15 and caregivers.

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime
Join us for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – LIBRARY CLOSED

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 2:00–3:00pm
Dinosaur Craft Time
It’s Dinovember and time to celebrate all things dinosaur! Come to the library and enjoy a dinosaur craft activity!

Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Saturday, November 15, 2025 – 11:00–11:45am
Drag Queen Storytime with Per Sia!
Come and celebrate stories with Per Sia, a Latinx non-binary storyteller, Drag Queen and youth educator based in the Bay Area.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 6:00–7:30pm
Tuesday Night Art Club: Found Object Printing
Turn trash into treasure by using string, cardboard, buttons, bottle caps, rubber bands, bubble wrap, kitchen tools and other found objects, plus a little imagination, to print beautiful patterns. You’ll never look at your recycling bin the same way again!

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 10:15–11:15am
Toddler Storytime

Saturday, November 22, 2025 – 2:30–3:30pm
“Nature To You” with a Park District Naturalist
Join East Bay Regional Park District Naturalists as we bring Nature to YOU at the library. We’ll learn about the animals that can be found in the parks and in your neighborhood and even get to meet a few!

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – 11:45am–12:00pm
Baby Bounce

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – 2:00–3:00pm
Teen Crafting @ Montclair
Come hang out and get crafty every fourth Wednesday at 2:00pm.

Thursday, November 27, 2025 – LIBRARY CLOSED

Friday, November 28, 2025 – LIBRARY CLOSED

Ready for a snack? Here are ten picture books about pizza, from sweet to silly:

Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin (J PICBK RUBIN)
Hilarious silliness ensues when a hungry raccoon tries to sneak some pizza. A long-time favorite in our house!

Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig (J PICBK STEIG)
When Pete feels miserable because rain makes it impossible to play ball outdoors, his father finds a fun indoor game to play with his son. Perfect for reading to a cranky kid.

Hi, Pizzaman by Virginia Walter (J PICBK WALTER)
“While a young girl waits for the delivery of a hot pizza, she provides the appropriate animal sounds for a variety of pretend animal pizza deliverers.” A fun read-aloud.

Pizza Shark by Mike Lowery (J PICBK LOWERY)
“Edgar the shark is hosting a pizza party, but he forgot the pizza, so he and his crab friend, Lotta, decide to make a pizza from scratch–and invite all their friends to bring their favorite toppings.”

The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges (J 398.2 STURGES)
“In this version of the traditional tale, the duck, the dog and the cat refuse to help the Little Red Hen make a pizza but do get to participate when the time comes to eat it.”

Cook It! ¡A Cocinar! by Georgia Birkett (J SPA PICBK COOK)
In this bilingual book, “A girl helps her father shop for groceries and prepare and serve a home-made pizza. Una niña ayuda a su padre hacer la compra y preparar y servir una pizza hecha en casa.”

A Pizza With Everything on It by Kyle Scheele (J PICBK SCHEELE)
“When a pizzeria owner’s son requests a pizza with everything, his father helps him add sauce, a house, penguins and more, until they accidentally create a pizza black hole.” Fittingly illustrated by Andy J. Pizza.

Pizza! Lea Redmond (J BOARD REDMOND)
In this board book by Oakland’s own Lea Redmond, “Create the perfect pizza with each turn of the page…that shows any pie is made better with love–and someone to share it with.”

How to Eat Pizza by Jon Burgerman (J PICBK BURGERMAN)
How about a pizza story from the pizza’s point of view? “When a slice of pizza realizes it is about to get gobbled up, it quickly offers a few suggestions on what you can eat instead.”

Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by Kim Dean (J PICBK DEAN)
“Pete the Cat wants to throw the perfect pizza party. Pete invites the gang over to share his awesome pepperoni pizza. But when no one else agrees with Pete’s choice of toppings, they try adding their own. Will Pete’s perfect pizza party be ruined?”