Find Your Story: Local Authors, Librarians & Belonging
November 9, 2026 6:00 pm
Monday, November 9, 6 to 8 pm at Local Economy in Oakland
Oakland readers have a good reason to gather at Local Economy on Monday evening. This one brings together librarians, authors, graphic novelists, students, and neighbors for a conversation about stories, belonging, and the people who help books find their way into our lives.
The room should feel casual and community focused, the kind of setting where you can grab a snack, listen in, ask a question, and leave with a few new names for your reading list.
The panel includes Denise Nguyen from Roosevelt Middle School Library, Sam Soloman from the Calvin Simmons Library, YA and kids author Maggie Tokuda Hall, and graphic novelists Thien Pham and Wahab Algarmi. That is a strong mix of school library, public library, prose, and comics, which should make for a lively conversation without feeling stiff.
This gathering is part of the Oakland is a Reading Town campaign, a citywide effort with Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, Oakland Literacy Coalition, OUSD, families, and local groups. Middle and high school students are especially encouraged to come, but anyone who cares about books, youth voices, and Oakland stories will likely find something here.
There will be snacks, N/A drinks, and a button making station too. Simple, fun, and very Oakland.
This is an anchor event for the Oakland is a Reading Town campaign this fall. That’s a collaboration among Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, Oakland Literacy Coalition, OUSD, families, and community groups. This event will feature an incredible panel of librarians and storytellers.
We’ll have Denise Nguyen, Roosevelt Middle School Librarian, Sam Soloman from the Calvin Simmons Library, YA/kids author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, as well as graphic novelists Thien Pham and Wahab Algarmi.
There’ll be some snacks and N/A drinks. We’ll also have a button-making station! Middle and high school students particularly encouraged to attend.