Monday, August 15, 2011

Oakland Library Participates in "Late Night Live" Initiative


Oakland Library Stays Open Late to Fight Weekend Homicides. (The Bay Citizen, 7/30/2011)

Excerpt: An East Oakland library will stay open late in August as part of the city's campaign to provide youth with safe alternative places to spend their weekend nights.

The 81st Avenue East Oakland Community Library has joined city officials and the Oakland Unified School District for their "Late Night Live!" initiative, which aims to provide city youth with a safe haven on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The program came about in April after the Oakland Unified School District police Chief Pete Sarna presented data to city department heads showing most student-related homicides and shootings occurred late on Friday and Saturday nights.

In response, the city and school district leaders, along with community groups and sponsors, established Late Night Live!, which will give students in East and West Oakland places to go and offer programs that include athletics, cooking classes, digital arts classes and a talent search, according to the mayor's office
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