Alameda Free Library Event Alert

Published on May 28, 2024

Event Descriptions – Ongoing Adult and Teen Events: 

Dungeons & Dragons: Want to try Dungeons & Dragons but can’t find a group? Looking for a new party? Come to our Dungeons & Dragons Teen Meetup! No previous experience required. Character sheets will be provided as well as rules explanations and dice. Registration is encouraged; please see the online calendar for the registration link.

Make It: Calling all knitters, crochetiers, embroidery enthusiasts, and fiber ateliers! Please join us in the Family Study Room at Main for a fiber arts craft circle. Please bring your own project, materials, and expertise. Limited instruction available!

Teen Advisory Board (TAB): Do you wish the library would do more events and programs that you’re interested in? Have you been anxiously awaiting a new book and you want the library to buy it? Do you need an impressive membership to put on your applications and resumes? Join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to let the library know what you’re interested in. The Teen Advisory Board is your chance to make a difference in the library for yourself and other teens in Alameda. Members of the Teen Advisory Board will help plan teen programs and choose teen events. Teen Advisory Board members will earn community service hours for every meeting and event that they participate in.

Teen Book Club: Teen book club members choose what we read from a variety of titles and genres each month. Additionally, while supplies last, book club members receive a free copy of the book to keep. The title we will discuss in June  is The Cousins by Karen M. McManus.All teens, ages 13 to 18, are invited to join the book group. Registration link is on the calendar. We will be meeting in person in the Stafford Room at the Main Library.

Lawyers in the Library: The Lawyers in the Library program provides free 15-minute consultations by phone with a volunteer attorney who will provide guidance on legal matters. Examples of areas covered include landlord/tenant disputes, probate matters, employment problems and other general consumer issues. Please see the online calendar for registration form and instructions.

Alameda Library Writers’ Group: This group is open to all adult writers looking for an opportunity to connect and share with other writers. At the meeting you are welcome to share your writing and everyone will be given a writing prompt. Whatever your genre, you are welcome to join the group! Join in person or via Zoom.

Alameda Great Books Discussion Group: Join us for a discussion of The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Supper and Support: Join us at the library every 3rd Sunday for Supper and Support. At these programs you will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library, build community with the library, and make connections with local resources.

Mystery Book Club: Join the Alameda Free Library’s Mystery Book Clubfor a fun and engaging literary discussion!  We are offering this popular book club in two different locations, the Main Library and the Bay Farm Island Library. The June mystery is The Body by the Sea by Jean-Luc Bannalec.

A Novel Idea: A Novel Idea is a book club for adults featuring novels from diverse genres and authors. Join us for a lively discussion and deepen your engagement with your reading!  The June selection is The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo.

Movie Night: Please join us for a screening of Moonlight. Snacks will be provided.

Event Descriptions – Special Adult/Teen Events: 

Study Hall at AFL: Teens, are you hunting for a great spot to study or work on group projects? The Library has got your back! During Study Hall, we've got plenty of open seating, snacks to keep you fueled up, and even coloring pages to help you take a break and unwind.

Urban Cycling 101: Get ready for city cycling! Learn rules of the road, how to equip your bicycle, fit your helmet, use different types of bike infrastructure, and avoid common hazards.  Presented in partnership with  Bikes East Bay.

Windows Basics + File Management: Learn the basics of managing a computer that is running the Windows operating system. We’ll cover File Manager basics, shortcuts, as well as general applications/programs that come installed on a basic station. We’ll practice managing files, attachments, and then moving them around to get the general concept of file storage and organization. This workshop will be based on computers running Windows 10 in the computer lab. All ages are welcome to attend this workshop. Feel free to bring your personal laptop to follow along instead. Limited slots are available and registration is required.

Renters Rights: Join us for a discussion with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) covering the basics of renters’ rights, including topics such as: habitability problems, rent increases, reasonable accommodation of disabilities.

Pathway to Learning Kit Petting Zoo: Introducing our new collection of Pathway to Learning Kits. With these kits cardholders can check out all the entry level tools they might need to get started with a new craft or hobby! Come and see what kits are available and check one out! Kits will be available for checkout beginning June 15.

Black Punk Resonance: Join us for this free, after hours program in celebration of Black Music Month. Learn about the impact of punk music and DIY culture and enjoy performances by musical guests.

Event Descriptions – Ongoing Children’s/Family Events: 

Bay Farm Island Branch:

Preschool Storytime: A 30-45 minute program geared toward children ages 3-5 years old. Creating a language-rich environment through books, music, and movement, this program also offers children an avenue toward Kindergarten readiness by asking them to take turns, share, and follow simple directions. Mondays at 10:30am, ages 3-5.

Family Storytime: Put on your pajamas and join us at the Bay Farm Island Library for family storytime! Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more. Every Tuesday at 7pm, all ages.

Toddler Storytime: A 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourages families to build social connections with other parents and children. Thursdays at 10:30 AM.

Build with LEGO: We will provide the LEGO building blocks.  Use your imagination and creativity to create with them! Every Thursday at 3:30 pm.

Main Library, Children's Programming Room:

Preschool Storytime: A 30-45 minute program geared toward children ages 3-5 years old. Creating a language-rich environment through books, music, and movement, this program also offers children an avenue toward Kindergarten readiness by asking them to take turns, share, and follow simple directions. Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 3-5.

School-Age Storytime: A 45 minute program for children in Kindergarten through third grade. Through the use of books and conversation, children are encouraged to engage with the stories, learning context from pictures and memory, and building comprehension by asking questions about the book just read. Every Wednesday at 3:30pm, grades K-3rd.

Mother Goose on the Loose: This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old. This program starts promptly at 10:30am. Latecomers may not be admitted. Every Thursday at 10:30am, ages 0-2.

Toddler Storytime: A 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourages families to build social connections with other parents and children. Every Friday & Saturday at 10:30am, ages 1-3.

Main Library, Family Study Room:  NEW monthly program for Tweens!

Tween Crafternoon: Kids ages 9 to 11, get crafty at the Main Library on the fourth Thursday of every month!Tween Crafternoon is a free, drop-in program where kids in 4th through 6th grades can unwind, unplug, create, craft and socialize. Join us as we demonstrate and provide supplies for a different STREAM centered activity each time we meet, or bring your own project to work on in a shared space. Like to journal? Find inspiration from our community craft cart. No registration required.

West End Branch:

Family Storytime: Put on your pajamas and join us at the Bay Farm Island Library for family storytime! Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more.

Toddler Storytime: A 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourages families to build social connections with other parents and children. Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 1-3.

Play-Doh Playtime: Join us at the West End Library for Play-Doh Playtime, where kids can squish, sculpt, and be as creative as they like! Recommended for children ages 2+ and their caregivers.

Event Descriptions - Special Children’s/Family Events:

Summer Reading Kickoff Party: Are you ready for some Summer Reading fun?

The 2024 Summer Reading Program kicks off on Saturday, June 1st with games, crafts, and a family dance party at the Main Library. Kids, teens, and adults are all welcome to visit their neighborhood library to sign up to read and earn prizes.The program runs from June 1 to July 31.

Coding with LEGO Summer Series: Introducing for the first time ever... the Coding with LEGO Summer Series! LEGO Education SPIKE™ combines the well known playful blocks with easy-to-use hardware and an intuitive coding software to create hands-on purposeful play. Participants will collaborate with a partner in using their creativity, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills in this 90 minute activity. There will be two separate LEGO groups aimed at different age groups. All Coding with LEGO Summer Series programs will take place at the Main Library from 3:00 - 4:30 pm, except for the special 3:00 - 4:00 PM June 15 session at the West End Branch Library . Sign up is required. Call 510-747-7705 or email childref@alamedaca.gov for more information or to register for the program.

Flashlight Friday: Love reading and relaxing in the outdoors, but don't get to go camping this year? Camp out and read with us! We have tents, pillows, a "campfire" and, of course, flashlights! This program is open to independent readers ages 5-12 who want to hang out on their own and read, read, read. Each session is 30 minutes long and registration is required. Call 510-747-7705 or email childref@alamedaca.gov for more information or to register for the program.

Sensory Play at the Library: Come and play with sensory toys, interactive books, bubbles, sensory bins, and more. Behaviors and/or noise are no problem. Families and siblings are welcome!

MOCHA - Museum of Children’s Art at the Library: Teaching artists from Oakland's Museum of Children's Art will be conducting sessions at all three Alameda Free Library locations through July. All events are from 3:00pm-4:30pm. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Call 510-747-7705 or email childref@alamedaca.gov for more information or to register for the program.

Family Movie Matinee - Paw Patrol The Mighty Movie (PG): What to expect during the Family Movie Matinee program? During movie showings we aim to create a sensory-friendly environment by keeping half the room lights on, lowering the volume, turning on movie captions, offering fidget toys to use during the movie, and leaving open seating with wobble cushions so kids have room to move around. Audience participants are welcome to bring in food, blankets, and pillows! We provide light refreshments and snacks during the movie screening.

Ballet Stories with Tutu School: Join Miss Avala and Tutu School for a special Toddler Storytime at the Main Library on Tuesday, June 11th, at 10:30 am. We'll read ballet stories, practice twirling, and best of all, wands will be provided! Call 510-747-7705 for more information.

Music and Movement: Join us in Leydecker Park (right next to the Bay Farm Island Branch Library) for this 30 minute interactive family program! Early literacy skills are enhanced through songs, movement to music, and stories. This program is intended for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers.

Teddy Bear Picnics: Let’s meet at the park for a picnic storytime! Bring your lunch and a blanket, come early to play, then join Dawn under the trees and listen to stories while you eat. Storytime begins at 10:30 a.m. and takes place at Franklin Park on June 12 and at Little John Park on 6/26.

Author Visit with Lucky Diaz:  Join the Main Library on Saturday, June 15th from 11-1pm to meet multi-Latin Grammy Award winning musician and children's author, Lucky Diaz! There will be a free book giveaway* of Lucky Diaz's Paletero Man and La Guitarrista. *While supplies last.

East Bay Vivarium: The East Bay Vivarium brings their traveling menagerie to the Bay Farm Island Library on June 15 and to the West End Library on June 29. Get ready to be surprised, delighted, and amazed! Meet up to 20 amazing creatures in this exciting, safe program! All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Crab Cove Storytimes: Meet naturalists from Crab Cove Visitor's Center as they lead a special storytime and craft at the Bay Farm Island Branch Library (June 18) and the West End Branch Library (June 25). Perfect for kids ages 5 and up and their caregivers.

Eric Carle Day: An afternoon of stories and crafts celebrating the work of master illustrator Eric Carle. Perfect for kids ages 5-8 and their caregivers.