Who We Are
Who We Are
Mission
& Purpose
The Berkeley Public Library Foundation amplifies the public investment to make a great public library extraordinary. The Foundation raises the funds needed for innovations, literacy projects, and building improvements that are not covered by bond measures and taxes.
About The
Foundation
Grants from the Foundation make new things possible. The Foundation outfits and refurbishes library buildings, resources dynamic new projects to advance STEM, the culinary arts, and reading. The Foundation secures literacy centered technology to keep the library creative, flexible, and ready to serve the public in an ever-changing digitized and interconnected world.
Milestones
February 1990
Early 1990s
Library trustees declare buildings overcrowded, seismically unsafe, and inaccessible to the disabled.
February 1996
1996
Rallied by a community-wide campaign, voters approve a $30-million bond to expand and renovate downtown’s Central Library.
February 1997
1997
Berkeley Public Library Foundation is established to raise funds needed for furnishings and technology not covered by the bond measure.
February 1998
1998
Central library closes for renovation. Foundation commits funding for Berkeley READS adult literacy project. We Love the Library campaign, with honorary chairs Alice Walker, Amy Tan, and Elizabeth Farnsworth, raises $4 million.
February 2002
2002
Central Library grand re-opening; at 100,000 sq. ft. its space has doubled.
February 2003
2003
Foundation hosts the first Authors Dinner gala which becomes a beloved annual tradition.
February 2021
2004
Foundation inaugurates the Cody Award, in honor of booksellers Pat and Fred Cody. Given to individuals and organizations that help shape, broaden, and illuminate Berkeley’s literary and library landscape.
2008
Berkeley voters pass Measure FF, approving a $26-million bond to renovate, expand, and improve the four neighborhood branch libraries.
2010
The Foundation’s Neighborhood Libraries Campaign raises $3 million for furniture, fixtures, and technology for the four renewed branch libraries.
2012
North Branch and Claremont Branch hold grand re-openings.
2013
New South Branch and new West Branch hold grand re-openings. West is the first Net Zero Energy public library in California.
2014
Foundation funds the Library on Wheels, which becomes a fixture at Berkeley community events.
2015
With needs identified in its strategic plan, the Library holds public meetings to help map out critical improvements at the Central Library. Architects Noll & Tam, experts in library design, hired to lead the project.
2016
Foundation launches It’s Time for Central to raise funds for a new teen space, technology upgrades, and other building improvements at Central. Fundraiser Tall Tales and Local Ales held at Central Library, featuring local storytellers and tasty brews. Foundation donors provide funding to pilot Berkeley Builds Readers, a now thriving early-childhood literacy program.
2017
With support from Stephen M. Silberstein, the Foundation and Library partner with Cornerstones of Science, launching the first science literacy program of its kind at a West Coast library. Foundation creates The Generation Fund, aimed at increasing financial readiness for future significant projects. Library champion Linda Schacht Gage receives the Cody Award for her leadership and unwavering advocacy for the Berkeley Public Library.
2018
Foundation commits funding for technology enhancements, staff training, and librarian-identified innovations. Berkeley celebrates naming of Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, honoring the civil rights and community activist. With Foundation support, Library installs a laptop lending kiosk and inaugurates “The Commons,” a flexible open space at Central.
2019
Following the 17th Annual Authors Dinner in February, construction began on the new teen space and other renovations at Central. Library partners with The Charlie Cart Program, using the Berkeley-originated curriculum and mobile kitchen to teach food and nutritional literacy while also advancing math and STEM learning.
2020
The Foundation invested in the Library’s first collection of circulating digital devices, Launchpads/Playaways, which contain secure, preloaded, ad-free educational apps with STEM and literacy themes. Facing new challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation supports the Library in re-opening for curbside pickup and providing community access to Brainfuse online tutoring for k-12. Foundation produces Reading is Instrumental, an online celebrity musical story time in partnership with Berkeley Symphony.
2021
Grants support expansion of Tool Library to include culinary equipment. Funding for annual Library Lego Challenge to distribute classic LEGO sets to shelters and organizations serving children living in poverty. Hotspot and Chromebook Lending Pilot Project provides laptops for long term lending. Foundation hosts its first virtual event, Libraries are Central, hosted by Roman Mars. Launches the Fan Club, a new monthly sustaining gift category.
June 2024
2022
Foundation funds Story Room renovation at Central and “Conscious Kits,” a pilot collection of book discussion kits on racial equity, identity, and social justice for preschoolers, parents and caregivers. Produces Library Love Letters, a virtual celebration featuring local authors Robert Reich, Annie Barrows, RC Barnes, and librarian Michael Kwende. The Foundation celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Authors Dinner gala returns and is held outdoors at the Claremont Hotel. The Legacy Society is launched.
2023
Foundation gifts provide sewing machines for the Library’s new “sewing literacy” project. Personal hygiene kits, including essentials like soap and sanitary products, are made available at all BPL locations. Amid rising censorship, the Foundation speaks up for libraries to help stop book bans. The 20th Authors Dinner is held at the Central Library.
Are you ready to invest in your public library?
Leadership
BOARD
Christa Aboitiz
Santhi Analytis
Deepti Doshi
Catherine Dower
Tienne Lee
Erin McMahon-Lyman
Mary O’Neill
Libby Hadzima Perkins
Lauren Schiller
Christine Staples
Jennifer Tang
Leslie Teicholz
Autumn Woish
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kathy Huff
FOUNDATION COUNCIL
Joy Carlin
Michael Chabon
Linda Schacht Gage
Trish Hawthorne
Karen Holtermann
Maxine Hong Kingston
Michele Lawrence
Carol & Tom Leonard
René Mandel
Malcolm Margolin
Rita Moreno
Michael Pollan
Matt Ross
Nancy Skinner
Bryant Terry
Ayelet Waldman
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