Library Event Alert - January 2025

Published on December 23, 2024

Event Descriptions – Ongoing Adult and Teen Events: 

• 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 January book is The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. All teens, ages 13 to 18, are invited to join the book group. The registration link is on the calendar. We will be meeting in person in the Stafford Room at the Main Library.
• 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 Apology by Plato.
• A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book Club: Wondering what to read next? Instead of a monthly book everyone reads, A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book Club will discuss what everyone is currently reading or has recently read that they enjoyed. The January theme is Cold Climates (takes place in or is about a country with a cold climate). Please email the facilitator, Lynda, at llyndaw@gmail.com for more information.
• Mystery Book Clubs: 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 January mystery is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.
• A Novel Idea: A Novel Idea is a book club for adults featuring novels from diverse genres and authors. The January selection is Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. Ten copies are available for checkout from the reference desk as part of a Book Club in a Bag set. Join us for a lively discussion and deepen your engagement with your reading!
• Movie Night: Please join us January 29th for Showing Up, an A24 production. The story follows Lizzy, an introverted and introspective sculptor, who works tirelessly to prepare a new collection for an upcoming gallery show. As she strives to invest her creative energy into her art, she must continually work to manage the complex dynamics of her eclectic, melodramatic inner circle of family and friends. Starring Michelle Williams, Hong Chau,  Andre Benjamin (Andree 3000), Todd-O-Phonic Todd, and Lauren Lakis.  Snacks will be provided!

Event Descriptions – Special Adult/Teen Events: 

• Resolve to Create series: We encourage adults in our community to start the new year by creating magnificent pieces out of everyday materials. DIY projects include vision boards (1/2/25), 3D perler bead sculptures, and memory bracelets. Join us for one, several or all! No registration required.
• Apples to Apples to …Applesauce!: Enjoy some friendly competition in the classic game of hilarious comparisons for the grand prize: an applesauce-making kit!
• Frank Bette Art Center History & Demonstration: Join us to hear the history of Alameda’s Frank Bette Center For The Arts with guest speaker President Margaret Fago. Program will include the history of Frank Bette, the Art Center’s founding as well as a watercolor demonstration by President Margaret Fago. Questions to follow.
• Addressing Disinformation with Discernment: Join us for a presentation and conversation facilitated by one of our librarians on the topic of misinformation--how it spreads, how to identify it and how to seek credible sources for research and beyond. No registration required--see you there!
• MLK Day Movie Screening - “In Remembrance of Martin”: Gather to learn about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the words of those closest to him in life. We will screen the 1987 PBS Documentary: "In Remembrance of Martin" for your viewing pleasure. No registration required.

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!
• 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 they 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.
• 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.

Event Descriptions - Special Children’s/Family Events:

• Family Movie Matinee -The Wild Robot: 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.
• Snakes & Amphibians of the East Bay: The West End Library is excited to host East Bay Regional Park Rangers (EBRP) who will be discussing snakes and amphibians of the East Bay. Come learn about these fascinating creatures. You might even meet one!
• 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.