Our History

The UN officially declared a famine in some parts of southern Somalia today. The UN alone says it needs $300 million in the next two months to provide adequate aid.

The United Nations has officially declared the food crisis in parts of Somalia a "famine" and reiterated its desperate call for more aid from donor countries.

5th Graders from ACORN Woodland Elementary and EnCompass Academy talk about why the library is important to them and their community.

EnCompass Academy and Acorn Woodland Elementary students witness the delivery of 30,000 new books and videos delivered to the new 81st Ave Branch Library

Hundreds of community members come out to celebrate the opening of Oakland Public Library's brand new 81st Ave Branch Library in East Oakland.

Our Oakland, with the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Public Art Program, presented 'Stories Building Bridges' on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at the brand new 81st Avenue Library in the heart of East Oakland at 81st and Rudsdale.

Residents of East Oakland and staff from Acorn Woodland Elementary show their enthusiasm for the opening of a new library in their community.

Ms. Cooper narrates her memories when she and her sisters attended the Acorn Woodland School in the 1960's.

Kimi Kean's journey from a high shool dropout to a school principal in East Oakland.

Hi my name is Marta Ibarra and I am from Guadalajala, Jalisco. I arrived here at Oakland in the 80's. I came to Oakland because here I found a a job, I found security, and I felt safe here with my children. I am happy to be here in Oakland. I had two transformations, in myself and in the community. After sometime here, I became member of ACORN. We began by cleaning the streets. We were organizing ourselves to have a nice city, to have pretty streets. After the Oakdale Charter School was closed. There was talk about opening the ACORN school on Rudsdale and 81st here in Oakland.