West Oakland Public Library

Black Studies Collective Fam 🖤

Are y’all ready for tomorrow’s discussion? As a reminder, we’re reading pages 100–135, and this section definitely has some bangers. Reading “The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought” alongside “Venus in Two Acts” just makes sense.

crafted some really thought-provoking questions, so come ready to dig in- even if you didn’t get through all the reading 😉

And we’ll also be recording some BSC reflection clips for anyone who wants to share a bit about your experience in the Collective

Many thanks to for sponsoring our work!

📅 Tuesday, 3 March
⏳ 6–7:15 pm

West Oakland! Today, We're Inside!!!!
Come through to a special edition Taste of West.

We got resources, chili, pasta, groceries, fruit, YOU NAAAAMMMEEEE IT!!!!

Many thanks to our volunteers and community partners for making this happen!

For October, Black Authors Book Club is keeping an eye on Alyssa Cole’s When No One Is Watching 👀. Suspense on the block, neighbors with hidden agendas, and a story you won’t want to put down. 📚

We just finished the sharp twists of My Sister, the Serial Killer 🔪, and now we’re ready for a new kind of thrill.

📅 Tuesday, October 21 | 6–7 PM
📍 West Oakland Branch

💳 Use your Oakland Public Library card to check out our next read on Hoopla, or place a hold for pickup at your favorite branch (hopefully West 😉).

🙏 This program is made possible by a grant from Friends of the Oakland Public Library.

If you missed yesterdays discussion of “The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Dalila Harris, don’t worry! You can still pick up a book themed book mark at West Oakland branch and check out a copy of the novel.

Next month, please join us to talk about “Sky Full of Elephants” by Cebo Campbell. You don’t want to miss the riveting dialogue surrounding this dystopian story, so be sure to grab a copy at West Oakland Branch or check it out on Libby or Hoopla.

🗓️ July 15th, 2025
📍1801 Adeline St.

We had a wonderful time discussing ‘Homegoing’ by Yaa Gyasi at last nights meeting. If you missed it, it’s not too late to stop by and grab a bookmark for ‘Homegoing’ or any of our previous book club books.📚

Our book for the month of June is ‘The Other Black Girl’ by Zakiya Dalila Harris. You do not want to miss the discussion for this best selling thriller, so mark your calendars! We have copies at West Oakland Branch and digital copies and audiobooks are available on Libby and Hoopla. We can’t wait to see you there!✨🔎

🗓️ June 17th, 2025
📍1801 Adeline St. Oakland, CA

If you weren’t at April’s Book Club, you missed a wonderful discussion about “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” by Junauda Petrus as well as the unveiling of our book club themed book marks. You can still stop by West Oakland branch to grab a book mark while supplies lasts!📚

Next month, we will be discussing “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi. You’re not going to want to miss our conversation about this tremendously powerful story, so stop by to pick up a copy or check out Hoopla or Libby for the audiobook. We can’t wait to see you there!

🗓️Tuesday, May 20th, 6-7 pm
📍1801 Adeline St.

Every Tuesday evening, our wonderful garden volunteer picks a small batch harvest to share with our community. Come by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning to take some home!🥕🥬

This beautiful poem above is an excerpt from “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” by Junauda Petrus which we will be discussing next week at our April Book Club!♉️✨

It’s not too late to stop by and pick up a copy or check out the audiobook on Libby or Hoopla. You don’t want to miss the conversation about this magical, q***r coming of age story hosted by .rose. We hope to see you there!✨

🗓️Tuesday, April 15th, 6-7 pm
📍1801 Adeline St.

If you weren’t at last night’s Cultivating Mushroom event, you missed out on a lovely event! Luckily for you, farmer Yolanda Burrell will be coming back next month to teach another class called Seed Starting🌱

This is an event you don’t want to miss! There are 20 spots available and you can reserve yours by stopping by West Oakland Branch or calling 510-238-7352 during our business hours. We can’t wait to grow with you all!

🗓️TUESDAY, May 6th, 6 pm
📍1801 Adeline St.

*Reposting with the correct day*

Do you know anyone who struggles on the computer? Could you benefit from learning more digital skills? If so, clear your Wednesday night schedule and come to one or all of our Computer Classes this May!💻

Not only will this class teach basic digital skills, but at the end of every class, one lucky participant will get a free laptop from ! Registration is required, so sign up by stopping by West Oakland Branch or calling 510-238-7352 during business hours. We can’t wait to see you there!⌨️💫

🗓️ Wednesday, May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, 1-3 pm
📍1801 Adeline St.

Attention all teens join us tomorrow for our Mario Kart tournament!! We will provide pizza and board games. Also for our winners whoever wins first and second place will be winning prizes!! The event is open for teens 12-18.

Tuesday community garden at your favorite Library!!