Staff Report Harold Bray, a longtime Benicia resident and survivor of the infamous torpedo attack on the USS Indianapolis, will discuss his harrowing experiences following that incident in a speech at the Benicia Public Library in October. He will be joined by one of the authors of a book about the Indianapolis sinking. […]
Council approves $18K grant for library literacy services
The Benicia City Council approved a grant by the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) grant to the tune of $18,000 for the library’s Adult Literacy Services (ALS) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at Tuesday’s meeting. In 1987, the Benicia Public Library established its ALS program, which provides 1:1 tutoring and […]
Bocce ball art exhibit rolls into Benicia Library
The popularity of bocce, the Italian ball sport, only continues to grow. With its roots in ancient Rome, the game is huge in Europe and also has sprouted leagues in North America as well, especially in California. This includes Benicia, where a bocce court was constructed in Civic Park in 2006 followed by an additional […]
Library gallery seeking artists, committee members
Staff Report The Benicia Public Library’s Marilyn O’Rourke Gallery is accepting applications for its 2019 schedule of exhibitions, according to a news release by the library. Applications are open to all artists, and the deadline is Sept. 28. Applications and information about the exhibits are available on the library’s website at benicialibrary.org/gallery/submissions. Applications should be […]
Mystery author to speak at Benicia Public Library in September
Local mystery author David Corbett will stop by the Benicia Public Library in the September to promote his new book “The Long-Lost Letters of Doc Holliday.” Corbett’s book is about the reappearance of the most notorious love letters in American history, which were previously thought to have been destroyed more than a century ago. Arts […]
Time to hit the books: New library exhibit focuses on physicality of books
Typically, the main room of the Benicia Public Library is where one will find books and the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery is where one will find art. Mixed media artist Carol Dalton appears to have asked the question “Why not both?” and thus, the room is where visitors can find various book parts repurposed as […]
Library adds bilingual storytime in English, ASL
Staff Report The Benicia Public Library has added a monthly bilingual storytime in American Sign Language (ASL) and English to its Saturday storytime repertoire. The library also hosts a storytime in English and Mandarin. “We are so excited to add another bilingual storytime,” Library Director David Dodd said in a statement. “Our Mandarin storytime […]
Images of France come to Benicia Library
When visitors step into the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery at the Benicia Public Library, they will be transported to scenes of France as they gaze upon photographs taken by Michel Guido. Beginning today and continuing through August, the photographer’s images of France and California are on display in his exhibition “Tour de France.” Guido, 69, […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Build a Library”
Build a library where 7,000 books become 100,000, where children with Teddy bears listen to stories until they fall asleep, and teens study late into the evening, cell phones left on vibrate— where neighbors meet to hear a famous author speak, or a musician play guitar. Build a library where literacy is a free gift, […]
Benicia Library celebrates silver anniversary in current building
(This post has been updated.) Today marks 25 years since the Benicia Public Library opened its doors to its state-of-the-art new building to the public. The facility got a head start on the festivities Saturday with a birthday celebration featuring cake, history and speeches by local dignitaries as well as those who helped make […]