News & Events

Don’t miss the latest events and news from the Library Foundation and our local libraries.

Upcoming Events

Come celebrate with the entire family. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and the day will include activities for children and a program with Gary Bogue in the new meeting room on the second floor!

Learn more about the downtown library . . .

Recent Events

Poetry Live! Becoming a Poet

Cheryl Dumesnil, G.E. Patterson, & Deema Shehabi discussed their work and how they became poets at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. The third annual Poetry Live! program was filmed by CCTV and will be broadcast regularly. Please check the CCTV schedule for more information.

Candor and Pearls: An Evening of Social Satire from the Comics Pages

Fans of the comics pages came to the Shadelands Arts Center to meet Stephan Pastis and Darrin Bell, two nationally syndicated cartoonists who tickle our funny bones and offer an alternative way of looking at the world.

Pastis, creator of "Pearls Before Swine," and Darrin Bell, of "Candorville," discussed their work and inspiration with Lisa Wrenn, Features Editor from the Contra Costa Times before a standing-room-only crowd at 7:30 on November 12.

One City One Book

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows was the 2009 One City One Book selection.

Leam more about One City One Book....

 

Authors Under The Stars, A Literary Affair

The Walnut Creek Library Foundation and Broadway Plaza present "Authors Under the Stars," a benefit for the new Walnut Creek Library. The gala dinner will feature Diablo Magazine's Peter Crooks in conversation with local Bay Area authors Lisa McGuinness, Eric Simons, Cameron Tuttle, Ayelet Waldman and Simon Wood.

 

 

Join the Celebration - Celebrate the Fun

On Sunday, June 14 families and children enjoyed a festive afternoon with famed children's author and Caldecott winner Robert D. Souci, the PT Puppets performing The Three Little Pigs and The Magic of Germar.

The event was designed to raise awareness for the new downtown library, scheduled to open in the summer of 2010, and for the programs and events that will be offered in the new library once it opens.

The afternoon was presented by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation and Mechanics Bank.

 

Visit our Live! From the Library Webpage for information on our recent programs.

 

 

Foundation Presents Check to City

The Walnut Creek Library Foundation delivered a $750,000 check to the City of Walnut Creek at the January 20, council meeting for the construction of the new downtown library.

 

Thousands Attend LibraryFest at Civic Park

On Sunday September 14, 2009 thousands gathered at Civic Park to enjoy the full program of activities, exhibits and events that demonstrated the dynamic range of facilities, programs, and services that will be available when the new downtown library opens in 2010. Highlights included appearances by authors Gail Tsukiyama and Brian Copeland, Chinese and Russian cultural activities, marionettes, Su-percussion with the California Symphony and much more.

LibraryFest kicked of the Library Foundation’s community campaign. Visit the new library website to learn more and help complete the dream.

 

Buena Vida at Va de Vi

On May 18, 2008, Va de Vi Restaurant hosted an afternoon in the garden and raised funds for our local library programs.The Foundation thanks the event sponsors.

Read more about the event . . .

 

Hundreds "Dig In!" at Walnut Creek Library Groundbreaking

Community members young, old and in-between came to break ground for our new downtown Walnut Creek Library on May 19, 2008. Mayor Gwen Regalia welcomed the crowd and thanked the Foundation for its fundraising to date. County Librarian Anne Cain and Foundation board member Tom Donahoe also spoke about the exciting new library that will be a welcome addition to downtown Walnut Creek.

View photos from the groundbreaking . . .

 

Thanks for the Memories

In January 2008 the Foundation hosted a retirement party for the old downtown Walnut Creek library. As part of the festivities school-aged children participated in a coloring contest and many amazing pictures were submitted!

See the contest winners . . .

The event showcased local musicians, a timeline from 1961 to the present, wall signing and many activities for children.

Read and see more about the party . . .

Artist Presents Public Art for Downtown Library

Artist Christian Moeller presented the art commissioned by the city of Walnut Creek for the new downtown library at a special Arts Commission meeting on Monday,
July 16. The piece, called "Portrait in 12 Volumes of Gray," will be a 26-foot tall bookcase filled with 4,400 books in different shades of gray. When viewing the bookcase from a distance, library patrons will see the image of a Woman with a finger to her lips."
Read more about the artwork . . .

In the News

Contra Costa's Libraries Have Become High-tech Community Centers
County Librarian Anne Cain in Diablo Magazine

When Anne Cain was growing up in the suburbs of Boston, her local library refused to carry Nancy Drew mysteries. Cain had to borrow the beloved books from a neighbor, and the memory of that would one day spur her ambition to transform Contra Costa County's library system into one of the most inclusive and innovative in the United States.

Read the complete article . . .

Foundation Announces $4.2 Million Raised to Date

Walnut Creek Library Foundation President Ed Del Beccaro announced at the April 15 City Council meeting that the Foundation has raised $4.2 million toward the capital construction of our new Walnut Creek Library. Del Beccaro told the council the Foundation will meet the $5 million goal promised to the city. "We have strong prospects for an additional $1.5 million in foundation grants and anticipate raising up to $7.5 million for the capital campaign." He added that the outpouring of donations so far is testimony to the community's support of a library that will meet the community's needs.

Read the Complete Article . . .