Stopped in today to dropoff some old batteries for recycling and donate some books to the "Friends…read moreof the Library" used bookstore. Battery recycling is located in the same alcove as the self-service print/scan/fax station (next to the info/checkout desk). Be careful and follow instructions to wrap batteries separately/individually in plastic before dropping them off. Surprisingly the library also has a Kilowatt usage measuring device that you can checkout/rent to understand and see electricity usage for devices/home goods/etc. The cafe in the back (which carries limited snacks and drinks) has plenty of indoor and patio seating. The "Friends of the Library" self-service book sales shelf (honor system) is in the far corner of the same cafe. Their regular bookstore/donation center is next to the restrooms on your right as you enter.

Free parking and street parking Next to Park street but…read morewell insulated so you won't hear the noise from outside Next to the APD as well, can't feel any safer Well lit, high ceiling, clean flat flooring and some sections are carpeted, outdoor seating and a cafe inside Restrooms are clean, private rooms for meetings and studying Can't say anything bad, been coming here for years

This library is located across the street from Safeway. The MLK Jr. book "strength to love" may be…read moreavailable here. Reference #252.06 King In the foreword Coretta Scott King says this is King's bestsellng book. It capsulizes themes from his sermons into essays. Some MLK Jr.'s thoughts: -"love your enemy" in a rhetorical sense, not literally. You don't have to "like them". -capitalism is materialistic. At extremes, it corrupts the soul... -"neighbor" is an unknown person Christians lends support to without knowing his identity. Altruism. -One can "love" someone who willingly performs a wrong act but wasn't conscious of consequences. "He didn't know what he was doing". God has faith that person would change if given right info. -Jesus was a nonconformist. -God saw the Egyptian Pharoh oppressing the Israelites as "evil". -God will not unilaterally lift the burdens off mankind. Man must do the work. God will assist.. -MLK Jr. found Ghandian nonviolence compatible with Christian beliefs. -God doesn't see Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodist, Black or white worshippers as distinct entities. ..... Note: not a practicing Christian. Just a student of humanities...

I love the friendly staffs here. They gave me so much resources and let me rented a backpack full…read moreof hiker stick, binocular, maps, free pass, etc. They taught me a link that offers library cardholders to free concert tickets, tours, museums and etc. I have used so many and its free, but you only need to plan in advanced since it is limited availability. I have saved so much money on things I could have not afford otherwise. They offer free computer class, magic store, stories times, lawyers, tax help and so much more. I love taking my niece here and she enjoys the free markers, papers and peace. There is a limited small parking lot, but there are meter street parking's available. If you get hungry, then there is a Safeway across the street as well. This is my favorite library in Oakland.

I came here expecting to see accolades for individual Oakland history tours and tour leaders, but…read moremine may be the first. I've been on a few of these (like Chinatown, Old Oakland, Oakland Waterfront), but yesterday's walking tour of the F. M. "Borax" Smith estate in Cleveland Heights led by Phil Bellman was outstanding! Mr. Bellman has been doing this tour for 34 years, which shows in his preparation, organization, easy delivery and ancillary materials (including a VERY handy map). At all times Phil was easy to hear, and his information was fascinating. It was great to be allowed inside a few private properties and through revealing side paths while learning of the career of this amazing couple who left such a mark on the history of Oakland. I hope to participate in many OHA walking tours in the future.

My home has a name, it's the Cates-Downing house. I know that my Italianate Victorian was built by…read moreAugustus Cates in 1879 as a commuter house. See the Bay Bridge didn't exist and cars had not yet been invented. In order to get to San Fransisco you had to take the 7th Street trolley to the Port of Oakland and then jump on a Ferry to get to SF. I also know that Augustus Cates was a fine builder of houses since mine is still here after two major earthquakes (1906 & Loma Prieta) and the maintenance over the last 128 years has left much to be desired. Mr. Cates also had a fascination with curves since there are parts of the house with few and sometimes no right angles. He would build a house, live in it for a few years then sell it. Then Andrew Downing followed by Ella Clume were the owners of my house. So how do I know this and lots of other details that date back before this even became my Mami's 'hood (she was born here in 1931)? The fine folks at the Oakland Heritage Alliance were of great help. Their website and the historians who work there strive to save local Oakland history since it would otherwise be lost. To quote their Mission Statement: Our Mission Oakland Heritage Alliance is a non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland's architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action. They provide tours of historic Oakland neighborhoods in the Summer and Fall. They can point you in the right direction if you are doing research for your house or are a history nerd. They are always in need of volunteers and there are memberships available. History is a beautiful thing. My love of Oakland is not solely based on my lifetime spent here but learning and talking about who and what it took to get where Oakland is now. The Oakland Heritage Alliance, the Oakland Museum, the Oakland Latino History Project and the Oakland History Room at the Main Library have all been huge resources to me. Fellow Oaklanders, maybe I've piqued your interest? Maybe these will become your resources too? If you love Oakland even just a little, please learn about it and pass it on!

This location is hit and miss. Some people you meet are nice and friendly while others are…read moreborderline shaming you. They also NEVER answer their phone. You have to listen to this long notice about how June is men's health month and they're having classes. It's now January. I press 0 to talk to an operator and it goes straight back to that June message that has been there since April 2018.

I went into the WIC office, it only took 40 minutes for intake, interview,approval, and to get a…read moreWIC card. Staff was extremely friendly and respectful.

Worked directly with executive director, Karen Dea, of OCCC on executing a custom digital display…read morefor their offices. The stakeholders were the supporting businesses, both small local and corporate, and the board of directors. Karen exemplified solid communication and punctual executive decisions. I expect nothing less from the face of the chamber of commerce, but staff was friendly, attentive, and punctual. Central location above the fountain at the Oakland Library, adjacent to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

This is a great local chamber of commerce centered around Oakland Chinatown. It organizes and runs…read morethe gigantic Oakland Chinatown Street Festival every August. The Chamber hosts numerous business and social mixers for its members who range from East Bay professionals and politicians to Chinatown merchants. The Chamber has a dynamic executive director and the Chamber has been a real asset to Oakland Chinatown.

I had a great experience at this library. The staff were very helpful, friendly, and caring. I was…read moreable to find everything I needed for my school research. I really appreciate their wonderful service!

I think libraries don't get enough credit, and the San Leandro Library is definitely a good example…read moreof that!!! My daughter has been going here for what seems like forever. Through middle school, high school and even college. She's an avid reader so she loves this place!! She's also the reason I've been here multiple times, and yes, I do have a library card. Getting a library card is quick, easy, and free. Just fill out your info on the computers they have set up and they will give you a card. This place is large and spacious, plenty of places to sit and read, tables to work or study, and computers are available for use also. There is gift shop and cafe here along with conference rooms and very clean restrooms. There is also a second story here, like I said, very spacious!! So don't sleep on the San Leandro Public Library, if you do get a chance to go here, you will be pleasantly surprised!!

Most preschool have parents pay even for when children are absent, you are paying for the spot to…read morebe held. The # 1 most important thing to look for in a childcare program is how the children are treated. Children are treated very well at this center, it is a SAFE and Fun enviroment! I hope anyone who is considering a childcare will disregard the other review and check this site out!

I am a public school teacher so I believe that I have a bit of an insider perspective on rating…read morechildcare. Absolutely every single time I have either picked up my child or dropped him off, the facility is running like a well oiled machine. I trust Brian with my kid. He has excellent communication with parents and his staff. He is very good with the kids, and mine always finishes his homework there. I would not trust most places to pick my child up and drive him to an off site facility. I was a stay at home mom for a bit and watched, horrified, to see how irresponsible many of these off site facility staffers are around the logistics of picking up and driving kids to their facilities. I went to Davis street because they are on site and I did not need to fret about at least that one aspect of my son's care. I soon realized that Davis street is an all around good deal for a family on a budget too. I realize that there are a lot of kids at Davis Street, and that they rely upon donations a lot of the time for their supplies, but it is at least as good and in some cases better than pricier options. Davis Street as an entire organization does a lot of good for our community. I can think of only one other secular, non extra-curricular based child care program around, and it has a long waitlist. Davis Street doesn't force your kid into an extra curricular (I already have mine in two which are near and dear to us, thank you very much!) and doesn't have a religious agenda either. That is rare to find at an affordable price with such stellar over all care The negative reviewer here seems to be thinking of the low cost childcare options available at some underserved/low socioeconomic schools. Long gone are the low cost on site childcare options for all for school aged children. Its sad to see someone leave such a negative review for a place where folks are working very hard for very little. Do your homework before you leave a one star rating at the safest, most affordable childcare option in town. No matter, they are running a wait list themselves because of their stellar reputation despite that ignorant review.

The best place ever. You can book free events here, grab zines and patches, the coolest place and…read morething in the Bay Area, I miss it immensely

Very cool activist and library space that is volunteer run. I borrowed a book in Spanish from them…read moreabout an incident in Mexico that I had never heard about despite having lived in Mexico 3+ years. It took me forever to return it but they were very kind to me when I showed up late with the book.