|
SCHEDULE FOR ALL ALAMEDA FREE LIBRARY DURING THE HOLIDAYS
CLOSED: Monday, January 1, New Year's Day
OPEN: Thursday, January 2, at 10 AM - 5 PM
CLOSED: Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
|
|
January Newsletter:
"In Remembrance of Martin"
|
|
 PBS Documentary "In Remeberance of Martin"
Sunday, January 19, 2025 | 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Gather in the Stafford Meeting Room 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.
|
|
STORYTIME SCHEDULE AT ALL LOCATIONS |
|
Storytimes are on hiatus at all locations Sunday, December 22nd through Sunday, January 5th.
Storytimes will resume on Monday, January 6th.
|
|
MAIN LIBRARY, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING ROOM
|
|
MAIN LIBRARY: PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN |
|
|
How it Works
- Starting January 21st, bring your clean, gently used, re-giftable toys to the Main Library and exchange them for a ticket to the Toy Swap on February 3rd.
- Toys will be accepted at the Children's Reference Desk. Entry tickets will be required for the Toy Swap on February 3rd -- please drop off your toys early so that we can sort them for the Swap!
Toy Questions:
- The Library is collecting toys for children ages 0-12. Limit 2 toys per child.
- No stuffed animals, please!
- You will get a ticket for clean, gently used, re-giftable toys.
- Toy collection will run from January 21st through February 2nd.
What to Expect on Monday, February 3rd!
-
Doors open at 6 PM.
- Toys will be grouped by age ranges.
- You can exchange your tickets for toys.
- Staff members will be available to assist you with any questions.
|
|
 |
|
Join us for the first Tween Crafternoon of 2025 and make your very own mini zine.
Friday, January 24 | 3:30-4:30pm.
Materials provided, bring your creativity!
|
|
|
 |
|
Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee!
Sunday, January 12 | @2:00pm.
January selection:
The Wild Robot.
|
|
|
CHILDREN MONTHLY EVENTS
-
Family Movie Matinee. Second Sunday of the month | Stafford Room | @2PM. 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. No registration required
|
|
MAIN LIBRARY: PROGRAMS FOR TEENS |
|
|
Teen Book Club Read: The Greatest Game By Jennifer Lynn Barnes
|
|
-
Take & Make: DIY QUARTER ZINE Monday, December 9, from 12 pm through Saturday, January 8, 8 pm. Register to make a zine on any topic you choose, using tools from your library! Never made a zine before? We have how-to resources for you! Kits will be distributed at the Children's Desk (in the Children's Area on the 1st floor) as well as the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor.
-
Tech Petting Zoo: Meet Our 3D Printer! Saturday, January 04, 2025 | 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM. Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing in this hands-on workshop. Ages 7 and up. Limit 10 learners. Registration strongly encouraged. Submit your questions for the presenter ahead of time along with your registration - no question is too large or too small!
|
|
TEEN MONTHLY EVENTS
-
Teen Advisory Board. First Tuesday of the month. Tuesday January 7th, 4:30PM | Main Library. Are you a teen in 7th-12th grade? Do you want to share your interests and help with library projects? If yes, then why not join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB)? You can gain valuable experience and earn volunteer hours as a member.
-
Teen Book Club. First Wednesday of the month. Wednesday, January 8th, 4PM | Main Library. Teens choose what we read each month. Free copies of the book while supplies last. Next up: The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
-
Dungeons & Dragons. First & Second Mondays of the month. Mondays January 6th & 13th, 6PM | Main Library. Looking to get into Dungeons & Dragons? No experience needed. Character sheets, dice, and rules explanations provided.
-
Teen Book Reviews. Teens in the 7th-12th grades are invited to write book reviews for the library. Please visit the Teen Book Reviews page for more information.
|
|
Rachel reviewed:
If I See You Again Tomorrow
by Robbie Couch
If I See You Again Tomorrow is a cozy, earnest novel that follows Clark, who is reliving Monday, September 19, for the 310th time. When his fate intertwines with Beau's, he's determined to escape the loop, heal his relationships, and make the most of each day. Perfect for a light winter escape, fans of Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End will enjoy this blend of science fiction and romance.
|
|
Zoe reviewed:
When the World Tips Over
by Jandy Nelson
When the World Tips Over is a magical realism novel set in Paradise Springs, following the Fall siblings—Wynton, Miles, and Dizzy—as they uncover family secrets connected to their father's disappearance with the arrival of Cassidy. Jandy Nelson beautifully blends past and present, creating a whimsical world filled with ghosts and curses, while exploring the complexities of sibling bonds.
|
|
|
MAIN LIBRARY: PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS |
|
|
Frank Bette Art Center History & Demonstration. Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Join us to hear the history of Alameda’s Frank Bette Center For The Arts with guest speaker President Margaret Fago. The 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.
|
|
|
We encourage adults in our community to start the new year by creating magnificent pieces out of everyday materials. Join us for one, several or all! No registration required. DIY projects include:
 |
|
Vision boards.
Thursday, January 02, 2025 | 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Create a visual representation of your intentions for 2025 with our collaging tools and other art supplies. Share your goals and create networks of accountability in community. No registration required.
|
|
|
 |
|
3D perler bead sculptures.
Thursday, January 09, 2025 | 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Make easy, beautiful, and practical sculptures using perler beads/fuse beads! No registration required.
|
|
|
 |
|
Memory bracelets.
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Infuse simple bracelets with an intention for the new year, a reminder for a daily task, or a remembrance of a loved one who has passed on. Beads & cord of various kinds provided. No registration required.
|
|
|
-
Take & Make: DIY QUARTER ZINE Monday, December 9, from 12 pm through Saturday, January 8, 8 pm. Register to make a zine on any topic you choose, using tools from your library! Never made a zine before? We have how-to resources for you! Kits will be distributed at the Children's Desk (in the Children's Area on the 1st floor) as well as the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor.
-
Tech Petting Zoo: Meet Our 3D Printer! Saturday, January 04, 2025 | 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM. Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing in this hands-on workshop. Ages 7 and up. Limit 10 learners. Registration strongly encouraged. Submit your questions for the presenter ahead of time along with your registration - no question is too large or too small.
-
Apples to Apples to...Applesauce! Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM. Enjoy some friendly competition in the classic game of hilarious comparisons for the grand prize: an applesauce-making kit!
-
Addressing Disinformation with Discernment. Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM. 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!
-
Movie Night. Wednesday, January 29th, 5:30PM. This month: Showing Up, an A24 production (Rated R). Snacks Provided.
|
|
JANUARY PROGRAMS AT THE BRANCHES:
CHILDREN — TEENS & TWEENS — ADULTS
|
|
 BUILD WITH LEGO: we will provide the lego building blocks.
Use your imagination and creativity to create with them!
|
|
-
Preschool Storytime. Mondays at 10:30am, ages 3-5. 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. .
-
Family Storytime. Tuesday at 7pm, all age. 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. Thursdays at 10:30 AM. 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.
|
|
-
Family Storytime. Every Monday at 7:00pm. 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. Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 1-3. 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.
-
Snakes & Amphibians of the East Bay. Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 3pm. 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!
-
Play-Doh Playtime. Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 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.
|
|
|
Age-appropriate content from the world’s leading reference materials.
You may need to enter your library card number.
|
|
Looking for more recommendations?
Check out these book lists created by AFL librarians. |
|
|
|
|
