Library Lines: Pick up, return materials at new North Richmond lockers

They're easy to use and available to any resident with a valid Contra Costa County Library card.

The Contra Costa County Library system is now offering easy pickup and return of library materials in new lockers installed in the Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center at 515 Silver Ave. in North Richmond.

The library lockers are a self-service system, offering contact-free, remote access to library materials. The addition of lockers offers a more convenient way for cardholders who don’t live near a library branch to access library materials.

The lockers are easy to use and available to any resident with a valid Contra Costa County Library card. To have an item delivered to the North Richmond lockers, visit the online catalog at ccclib.org to place a hold and select “North Richmond Lockers” as the pickup location.

Digital resources update: Facing more than a $16 billion budget deficit, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators made cuts to several state agencies, departments and programs.

The cuts affected the California State Library system and some of the programs and resources it funds, including the California Library Services Act that funds several digital resources for libraries across the state.

The Contra Costa County Library system will continue funding for some of the popular resources slated to end, including Brainfuse HelpNow, Brainfuse VetNow, Linkedin Learning and Learning Express Library. The library system will not continue funding for Coursera, for which access will end Sept. 14.

The county system has recently added several other new digital resources, including the Washington Post, Mango Languages and Literary Reference Plus. You can visit the system’s digital resources webpage at ccclib.org/resources to learn about these resources and start using them today.

Afrofuturism: The library system is celebrating Afrofuturism this August. Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic and artistic movement that explores the intersection of African diaspora culture with science fiction, technology and the future. Learn more about the history of Afrofuturism by checking out a book from a curated booklist, which also features selections from the genre for all ages.

Stop by any branch to pick up a coloring sheet designed by local artist Robert Lui-Trujillo or enjoy an in-person event like Afrofuturist collage at the Antioch Library, book making at the Hercules Library and movie screenings at the Pinole Library. Visit the library system’s diversity webpage at ccclib.org/diversity for program links, blog posts, and booklists.

Clipper cards: The county library system will offer free Clipper cards for use with Discover & Go reservations to select museums and cultural destinations, while supplies last.

Starting Aug. 1, county residents who are library card holders and are 18 or older can submit a one-time request for up to two Clipper cards by clicking on the banner ad on their Discover & Go pass for a qualifying attraction. For further details, visit ccclib.discoverandgo.net starting Aug. 1.

Raspberry Pi: The library system is adding to its Library of Things collection with a new Raspberry Pi kit, which contains a Raspberry Pi 400, a small and portable computer with basic capabilities and more advanced programming possibilities for beginning and experienced coders.

The kit also has a tablet, coding materials and is preloaded with programs. Patrons can take the new kit home for three weeks and use the preinstalled programs to browse the Internet, create documents and code.

Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via online chat, email ask@library.cccounty.us or text questions to 925-290-7627.

Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.

---

Library calendar

Sterling the Bubblesmith: 4:15 p.m. Aug. 1. at the Walnut Creek Library. Sterling the Bubblesmith will use hands, hoops, loops and more to create a stunning bubble extravaganza.

Introduction to Bonsai: 11 a.m. Aug. 17 at the El Sobrante Library. Whether you have a green thumb or can’t keep a house plant alive, this talk will demystify the art of maintaining bonsai trees and give you the tools and confidence you need to get started with this addictive hobby.

Storytime with Oaktown Jazz: 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at the Hercules Library. Listen to a story read by your local librarian and hear some jazz performed by the Oaktown Jazz Performance Ensemble.

STEAM Builders: 2:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Antioch Library. Designed for children ages 6 to 12, this program provides educational toys and activities to improve fine motor skills, support problem-solving and build confidence in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Robotics Workshop with Decade Prep: 11 a.m. Aug. 31 at the El Cerrito Library. Learn about coding and engineering and get the chance to operate a simple robot in this hands-on workshop presented by Decade Prep.