Libraries – They’re Not Just for Bookworms Anymore

In many communities, local libraries struggle to stay afloat. Here in Lamorinda, thanks to dedicated volunteers and ongoing fundraising efforts, ours are thriving, vibrant, multi-use spaces for people of all ages. You can still browse the stacks for titles by your favorite author, but don’t miss out on a plenitude of other offerings.  ​

Books and Beyond 

You can have as many as 100 items checked out of the library at any given time. That’s a lot of media, Between the three Lamorinda locations: Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga, selections available to borrow include hundreds of thousands of books, magazines, CD-ROMS, audio and eBooks. Worried about late fees? As of January 1st, 2019, all Contra Costa Libraries have eliminated fines in order to open access to a wider audience.  
 
Can’t locate what you’re looking for in the Contra Costa database? Check out LINK+, which offers interlibrary loans from other libraries in California and Nevada for those hard to find items. Reserve a book and pick it up at your local location. Going on a trip and don’t want to haul that hardcover on the plane? Visit Enki and use your library card to borrow an eBook for your Kindle, Nook or iPad from the librarian curated collection.  
 
Computers are available for use free of charge at all our libraries. Ensure you get the time you need by reserving one online before you go using your library card and pin. Printing and copying are also available for a nominal fee. ​

Free News, Who Knew?  

Your Contra Costa Library card also offers complimentary, 24-hour access to digital edition of The New York Times. Simply enter your library card information and create an account or log in to your existing account. Note to the crossword or cooking addicted: The Crossword and Cooking apps are not included. Not to worry, crosswords from the past week and other archived puzzles can still be found in the Crossword section. Recipes are accessible through the paper’s online Food section.  ​

Gimme  Some Space  

Need a place to get together? Each of the libraries have spaces to rent depending upon the size of your group and its needs. At the Orinda Library, Group study rooms can be reserved in advance for parties of up to 8 people. Visit their website for rules regarding usage.

​To book one of their meeting rooms or the large auditorium, you’ll have to go through the City of Orinda, but facilities at the Lafayette Library, including the Don Tatzin Community Hall, conference rooms, and the Arts and Science Discovery Center can be booked by emailing rentals@LLLCF.org directly or calling their office at 925-283-6513 ext. 103 between the hours of 10:00 and 2:00. The Moraga Community Room at the library is available by reservation through Moraga Parks and Rec.  ​

Homework Help 

When your kid is having a Common Core meltdown and you don’t know what to do, the library is there for you. Online tutors from Brainfuse are available every day from 1:00-10:00 p.m. for library cardholders. Live help required? High schoolers are on hand Saturdays from 10:30-12:30 and some weekday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 at the Lafayette Library to help kids 3rd-12th grade with their homework. Check the website for each week’s schedule.  
 
Need information for that 5th grade project? Each of California’s Missions has its own book accessible in electronic format through the library’s website. Many other digital resources offered free for students elementary to high school, including biographies, encyclopedias, dictionaries, primary source documents, magazines, reference books and historical essays, can make your child’s writing project a less painful.  ​

Living and Learning  

There’s a lot going on at our libraries. Visit the Contra Costa Library events calendar for information on activities and programs at each location.

From storytime for the littles to after school classes for tweens and many other fun and functional programs for kids of all ages, each of the Lamorinda libraries have a wide range of offerings to keep everyone busy and entertained.

​For the adult crowd, presentations by The World Affairs Council of the East Bay and renowned authors as well as T’ai Chi classes, musical performances, book clubs, writers groups and more, can keep your date book full each month.  ​

Getting Out and About 

One of the libraries’ best kept secrets is their Discover and Go program. Available to Contra Costa County card holders, Discover and Go offers discounted and free tickets to museums, zoos, theaters and cultural events around the bay. 

​Log in and browse the selections, make a reservation, print or download your passes and enjoy. Passes are limited and non-transferable and any unused pass will count against your total, so make sure to check your dates carefully. Visit the Discover and Go tutorial page to find out how to avail yourself of the offerings.  ​

Shelving It 

Sometimes a book is so great, you want a copy all your own. Fortunately, all of our library locations have used bookshops, supplied by donations and staffed by volunteers from the community. 

With large and varied selections and fantastic prices (many books are under $3.00), that pile on your bedside table might get a little out of control. Open since 1967, The Friends Corner Bookshop in Lafayette is located on the back side of the library.

The tidy, organized shop features titles in fiction, biography, travel, art, history, young adult and much more. Visit their website for hours and more information. 

​Moraga Friends Bookshop at the library on St. Mary’s Road, is open Tuesday-Sunday.  In addition to its regular hours Monday-Saturday, Orinda’s Friends’ Bookshop holds “dealer days” once a month in their bookshop/sorting room as well as two big public sales in July and November. Proceeds from all the bookshops and sales benefit library operations and programs. ​

Giving Back  

There are plenty of ways to support your local library. If you have some time on your hands, consider volunteering in one of the bookshops or help your librarian by shelving books.

Join the Friends of the Orinda Library or Friends of Moraga Library or donate to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center to ensure funding for their enrichment programs and to aid in the purchase of library materials and maintain facilities. 

In addition, the LLLC can always use assistance with graphic design, IT, administrative duties, or their annual fundraising gala.  
 
Got extra books? Donate them to any of the three libraries. In Lafayette, drop off up to two bags on the shelves in the library’s underground garage. Donations to the Orinda Library can be left inside the book room just as you enter their parking garage. 

​In Moraga, leave your books in the bins located in the lobby. Books should be gently used and free of stains, mildew or odors. All donations are tax-deductible and help our libraries continue to grow and prosper.  ​