Our Place

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

If you come into the 81st Avenue Library, you can’t miss the Our Oakland art glass – it spreads across the 65 foot wide, two storey-tall bank of clerestory windows in the main reading room, in shades of blues and greens. The art glass features Our Oakland’s thematic imagery of linked ripples symbolizing community interconnection and replenishment, and a stylized design of an elm leaf and seedpods, referring to the history of the Elmhurst district where the Library is located.

Jeffery and Tyresse give their thoughts on violence in East Oakland and what they would do to change it. 

 Jeffery, Lauren and Tyreese talk about their favorite memories in East Oakland and dreams for the future.

Gabriel, Natasha and Dave tell us about what the like about East Oakland and what they would change.

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.