Welcome friends and fellow advocates for quality school libraries!
We are excited to share our commitment to ensuring that all Oakland Unified School District students have access to a quality school library.
Garfield opened their beautiful new library in March 2011. Much of the work was done by community volunteers.
Public school libraries and professional school librarians have suffered from budget cuts and continue to be at risk if funding does not improve. Many OUSD school libraries have been forced to close, collections have become outdated or unavailable to students and teachers due to lack of library staff. Regardless of these challenges, the resources provided by a quality school library are paramount to success in reading, especially in disadvantaged communities. Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries are dedicated to putting books back in the hands of OUSD students, one library at a time. Please take some time to learn more about who we are, what we do, where we are going and how YOU can help.
Since 2009, eight OUSD libraries have been refurbished with the help of community volunteers under the direction of the OUSD district librarian, Ann Gallagher. Currently we are rehabilitating the libraries at two elementary schools: PLACE @ Prescott and Community United Elementary/Futures Elementary. In addition, we are supporting the renovation efforts at Fruitvale Elementary, Bridges at Melrose and Cleveland Elementary. If you are interested in becoming part of the solution, please come join us!
Grass Valley School library was completed over the 2011 summer, opening in the fall with a staff of parents and community volunteers.
Due to the dedication of caring parents, community volunteers and the direction of OUSD Library Services, Howard Elementary School Library reopened fall of 2011.
The beautifully restored library at Marshall Elementary School opened in the fall of 2011, staffed by dedicated parents and community volunteers.
- Over the 2011-2012 school year, Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries has been working with OUSD Library Services to restore the libraries at many more public schools in Oakland.
