This summer the Oakley library was one of five libraries in Contra Costa County that were chosen to host an “Idea Box.” The “box” is set up like a Rube Goldberg-inspired collection contraption for which children and adults were able to write their ideas on pieces of paper and place them in a ball. The ball is then placed in the box and rolls its way to a storage place for the ideas at the bottom.
“We received thousands of ideas,” Oakley Library manager Andrea Freyler told members of the Oakley City Council recently.
The box was added before the end of the school year and throughout summer break. Freyler said that the children and adults loved putting ideas in it. Some of the many ideas included story time all day every day, making a huge Lego house, robotic competitions on Saturday mornings and superhero visits. Freyler said the biggest suggestion by far was to make the Oakley Library bigger, for which the council hoped there might be ideas on how to accomplish that goal.
The Oakley Library has also been awarded $2,500 to help make some of the ideas a reality, which the organization will begin working on beginning this fall. The Idea Box is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museums and by the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered in California by the state librarian.
Freyler also reported that Oakley’s small community library located in Freedom High School was a little busier this summer in part due to the closure of the Brentwood Library while it is under construction. She reported that 838 children signed up for 59 programs during summer break.
“We can’t offer recreation programming throughout the year,” Freyler explained to the council, because of restrictions with the school schedules.
That leaves just five short weeks to accomplish a lot of programming and keep children and adults coming into the library, she said. In the fall, Freyler said that they hope to offer a computer docents program and bring back the basic computer skills program to help fill the gap between those who have computer skills and those who don’t. They also plan to host seven authors in their fall authors series.
“You guys do so much for so little,” said Oakley’s Vice Mayor Claire Alaura. “I’ve seen it firsthand, and I appreciate everything the volunteers do.”
Alaura added that she hopes the library won’t see a drop in visitors after the Brentwood Library opens “because they will remember the great experience they had at the Oakley Library”.
High holy day services: Those interested in experiencing a bit of Jewish culture during the high holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can attend the Congregation B’nai Torah of Brentwood’s high holy day services, which take place over a 10-day period Sept. 9-19.
“This is a celebration of the birth of humanity, welcoming in the new year of 5779, heeding the blast of the shofar horn and praying for the expiation of our sins,” said Howard Lentzner, Congregation B’nai Torah vice president.
Services for the program will be led by student Rabbi Michael Lewis, with the support of cantorial soloist Dennis Corburn.
“Rabbi Michael brings rigor, enthusiasm and Judaic knowledge to our services,” Lentzner said. “And Dennis Corburn projects his love of sacred and secular music in his repertoire.”
The high holy days program includes Rosh Hashanah services Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. Yom Kippur services will begin Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and resume Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
High holy day services are open to the public at no fee, but seating is limited. RSVP to tomattcord@comcast.net or 650-759-6939 by Aug. 24. Programs are held at the Unity Center Building, 50 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. For more information, see www.bnaitoraheastbay.org.
Roni Gehlke can be reached at oakleynow@comcast.net.
