We’ve heard worries from a number of patrons lately about how fast cars zip down Mountain Boulevard outside the library. Please remember the nearby school, library and neighbors — and all the associated free-range kids — and obey the posted speed limits, don’t make u-turns over the double-yellow line, etc. And if you’re on foot make sure you look around carefully, especially when parking across the street from the library.

MSIC has identified this street as one of their pedestrian safety focus areas, and OPD is aware of the problem and has been stepping up enforcement when they can.

If you have further concerns about traffic safety near the library, please contact MSIC or the OPD’s Neighborhood Services Coordinator (NSC) for Beat 13Z, Jacqueline Long, at 238-7750/615-5912 or jlong@oaklandnet.com.

During the month of February, the Library will be closed on the following dates:

Friday, February 12 (Lincoln’s Birthday)
Monday, February 15 (Presidents’ Day)
Tuesday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day – Main Library will be open)

All library locations will be open Saturday, Feb. 13. The Main will be open Sunday, Feb. 14.

OPL is conducting an online patron survey to gather public opinion on branch schedules. Click on over to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SK87GV2 to make your voice heard.

OPL says: “In the current budget situation, increasing branch hours is not an option. Branches must remain open five days a week only. Currently, all branches are open Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday. The Library hopes to assess whether some branches can better serve the community by changing schedules without increasing the hours of operation.”

Today’s San Francisco Chronicle mentions the Montclair branch library in its “Street Date” column (in the 96 Hours entertainment section), which today profiles Mountain Blvd. and Moraga Ave.  There’s even a picture of our sweet little owls.  You can read the full article here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/07/NS411BCGI2.DTL

During the month of January, the Library will be closed on the following dates:

January 1 (New Year’s Day)
January 15 (due to the citywide budget shortage)
January 18 (for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
January 19 (for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – the Main Library will be open 1/19, but the branches will be closed)

Plan ahead!

Happy New Year and welcome back after the library’s holiday break!

OPL is doing a bit of housekeeping in the new year and updating all patron records.  Between December 11, 2009 and February 28, 2010,  all patrons with library cards must visit a library in person to re-register their card and show a photo ID with their current address (or a recent bill or postmarked letter with current address).  A parent’s ID is acceptable for children, but the child must be present.   It’s a pretty painless process which for most people just consists of showing your driver’s license next time you go to check out books, if you haven’t done it already.

You’ll want to make sure you stop in and update your info, though, because after March 1, 2010 access to online services and to the Internet will not be available to patrons who have not verified their cards.  Plus, beginning March 1, the Library will purge records of patrons who have not visited the library since November 1, 2006 — so anyone who hasn’t used their library card in the past three years will need to get a new one the next time they want to check out materials or take advantage of Library programs and services.

The Library has never before purged old, inactive records, so streamlining things will help them provide better services to active users.  Plus, while re-registering your account you can opt to receive phone or email notifications when your checked out materials are due and when your on-hold items are available (both handy features, I can tell you from personal experience).

Sounds like a great excuse to stop into the library (especially if you haven’t been in a while) and pick up some books to start off the new year!

For further information visit the Library’s Web site.

Don’t forget: The Friends of the Montclair Library will be hosting a holiday book sale this Saturday, December 5, from 11 am-4 pm.  We’ll be set up in the teen/kids area at the back of the library, so come on in!  There are great deals to be had as usual.

Just a reminder that, between the holidays and budget cutbacks, the Montclair branch and all Oakland public libraries will be closed from Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1.  Normal business hours will resume on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

The changing table the Friends purchased is now installed in the library restroom.  A small thing, but good news for all the nannies and families of wee ones who use the library!

The Friends of Montclair Library will be hosting a Holiday Book Sale Saturday, December 5 from 11am-4pm.  If you came to our re-opening book sale back in July, you know the great deals that can be had on gently used books.  Plus all the proceeds benefit the Montclair Branch Library, helping fund programs, purchase materials and more.

You can drop off donations for the book sale at the library during business hours.  Please review our book donation guidelines to help us make the most of your donation.  Thanks!