News & Events
Don’t miss the latest events and news from the Library Foundation and our local libraries.
Upcoming Events
LibraryFest
A Day of Discovery
Sponsored by the Walnut Creek
Library Foundation
On Sunday September 14th from 1-5 PM Civic Park will be the setting for a free, fun, single day event with a full program of activities that will draw community members of all ages together to showcase the new downtown library as a premier cultural and educational center for the City of Walnut Creek and Central Contra Costa County. Library in the Park will demonstrate the dynamic range of facilities, programs, and services available at the new downtown library.
See the list of programs and activities . . .
One City, One Book 2008: The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
Bill Bryson's humorous and nostalgic memoir about growing up in America in the 1950s, is this year's selection for One City, One Book: Walnut Creek Reads. Community members are invited to join the community read this summer and then participate in a variety of citywide events in September and October.
Read more about the fall events . . .
Recent Events
Buena Vida at Va de Vi
On May 18, 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. 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 . . .
Live from the Library
Over 300 community members enjoyed an evening with Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Hass at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek on April 10. Hass read from his latest book of poems, Time and Materials. Live from the Library is the Foundation's free speaker series that will be held at various locations in Walnut Creek while the new library is under construction. The next program will be in October 2008.
See photos from the evening . . .
Thanks for the Memories
In January 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!
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.
Did You Know?
Between 1903 and 1911, 9 Contra Costa Count communities applied for Traveling Book Collections of 50 books each loaned by the State Library.
Upcoming Events
Live! From the Library
Our next event is scheduled for Wednesday October 22 at 7 pm at the Lesher Center for the Arts when award winning author Ying Chang Compestine will read from and discuss Revolution is Not a Dinner Party, a novel inspired from a true story and described as "Anne Frank during China's cultural revolution."
Opening Spring 2010 in Civic Park
Every great community needs a great library, and building a new library is an investment that a community like Walnut Creek undertakes perhaps once in a generation. Learn more about the new library on the new Walnut Creek Library website and take a virtual tour.
Business Sponsors
Thank you to members of our Literary Circle.
