photo CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by Curtis Cronn

Oakland's Main Library is the largest branch of the Oakland Public Library (OPL) branches and one of the largest public library facilities in the Bay Area. In addition to large collections of more than 350,000 reference and circulating non-fiction and fiction books, the Main Library offers hundreds of current and historic magazines and newspapers, a major collection of sheet music, and thousands of maps. The Magazines & Newspapers Room has more than 400 active subscriptions. The Main Library also has a Children's Room, and a Teen Zone. It is home to a number of special collections (including the Oakland History Room), and houses OPL's administrative offices.

Location

125 14th Street, Oakland, California 94612

Telephone

General Information 510.238.3134

Children's Room: 510.238.3615

Teen Zone 510.238.7332

Hours

  • Monday: 10 AM - 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM - 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM - 8 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM - 8 PM
  • Friday: 12 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM - 5:30 PM

History

CC SA-BY Our OaklandThe building for the main library was designed by architects Miller and Warnecke, and dedicated on January, 7, 1951. Peter T. Conmy was the head librarian and spoke at the dedication.

Dr. Conmy speaking at the dedication
photo courtesy of Oakland History Room (via OAC)
1951 1
photo by Rondal Partridge

Links and References

  1. Recently Completed Public Library Architect and Engineer September 1951