Melrose Branch Library - Oakland

Melrose Branch Library - photo by JL

The Melrose Branch Library is one of sixteen libraries in the Oakland Public Library system. The branch features special collections in African American fiction, Urban Fiction, Non-fiction, and has a good selection of a Spanish language collection.

The branch has 35,000 books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, magazines and newspapers, including a reference, parenting, careers, classics, LGBTQ, and ESL collections. The branch has an Adult, Teen, and Children's section on the main level. There an elevator on the 48th Ave. side for entry and access to the main level.

This branch, along with three others, were designated as an Oakland Landmark on November 4, 1980. It is one of six Carnegie libraries in Oakland. Melrose Branch is a beautiful building with marble lined foyer that was constructed between 1916 and 1918. It has a wedge shaped lot, with two rectangles set as angles with a rotunda between. It is said to be one of the most fireproof of the Oakland branches.

There are computers available with internet access, free of charge. There are three 1-hour computers on the Adult side, One 1-hour computer in the children's side, One 20-minute computer in the children's side, and One interactive children's learning computer with no internet access in the children's side. There is one catalog computer with no internet access. There is also a computer lab that has four computers with internet access. The computer lab is only open on Saturdays. Free computer help is offered in the computer lab. Print jobs cost .15 cents per page/no color printing/no fax or scanner options. Our 81st branch has scanner availability for your needs.

The Meeting Room has a capacity of 75 people. It has tables, chairs, a small stage, and entry to the beautiful garden.

Recurring Events (as of Dec 2022)

Children & Families
- Tuesdays: Family Storytime
- Saturdays: Art with MoCHA
Teens
- Wednesdays: Anime Club
- 1st & 2nd Fridays: Teen Crafts
- Saturdays: Teen Gaming
Adults
- Fridays: Food Pantry
- 1st & 3rd Saturdays: Knitting Club