|
Monday, October 6
 All Alameda Free Library locations will be open
Thursday, October 16, 2:00-6:00PM
|
|
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Join Us In Celebrating
|
|
AFL FRESH
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Sunday, October 05, 2:00 - 04:30 PM
2:00-2:30pm: We are hosting Philippine folk dance and music presented by Barangay Dance Company of San Francisco. This educational performance will be perfect for children of all ages and their families.
2:30-4:30pm: We invite attendees to join us for a free serving of Halo Halo catered by The Sarap Shop. While supplies last.
|
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Hispanic Heritage Month Cunamacué
Saturday, October 11, 2:00 - 03:00 PM
Join us! This engaging interactive performance invites audiences of all ages to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of Afro-Peruvian culture, where they can experience unique rhythms, instruments, and dances such as Zamacueca, Zapateo, and Festejo.
Esta presentación interactiva invita al público de todas las edades a sumergirse en el vibrante mundo de la cultura afroperuana, donde pueden experimentar ritmos, instrumentos y bailes únicos como la zamacueca, el zapateo y el festejo.
|
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Hispanic Heritage Month Screening "HUMMINGBIRDS"
Tuesday, October 14, 3:30 - 05:30 PM
We will screen HUMMINGBIRDS (2023): Silvia and Beba tell their own coming-of-age story in "a punk-rock portrait of the immigrant experience," transforming their hometown on the Texas-Mexico border into a wonderland of creative expression and activist hijinks. Filmed collaboratively over the final summer of their fleeting youth, their cinematic self-portrait celebrates the power of friendship and joy as tools of survival and resistance.
|
@Main Library, Stafford Room
Wednesday, October 29, 3:30 - 05:00 PM
The event is for TEENS in the 7th -12th grade. Teens, decorate a photo frame that looks good enough to eat with fake cake supplies, sprinkles, and colorful slime charms.
Registration is required. Registration opens October 1, 2025—please check back then to sign up. Questions? Email refdesk@alamedaca.gov
|
|
|
STORYTIME SCHEDULE AT ALL LOCATIONS |
|
MAIN LIBRARY, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING ROOM
|
|
BAY FARM ISLAND LIBRARY
|
|
 |
|
@Main Library, Children's Programming Room
Wednesday, October 01, 3:30 - 04:00 PM
Designed for children ages 5-8 in mind, this storytime incorporates longer songs and stories, perfect for children with longer attention spans. Parents and caregivers must remain in the library during the program.
|
|
|
@Bay Farm Island Library
Thursday, October 02, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Open to 4th through 8th graders, meets on the first Thursday of every month to create works of art! Our first meeting in October focuses on zines.
|
|
|
@West End Library
Monday, October 06 - October 30
Choose a wrapped banned or challenged book with a few hints about what is waiting inside. Just like a blind date, you will spend a few hours with unknown characters; you might find a new love or decide blind dates are not for you.
Either way, you will experience a book that some people don’t want you to read.
|
|
|
@Bay Farm Island Library
Monday, October 06, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Thursday, October 09,10:30 - 11:00 AM
Celebrate the freedom to read by joining us for a special storytime featuring challenged or banned books. Designed for children one to three years old and their caregivers, but all are welcome! You may be surprised to learn which beloved classics and treasured recent publications have been challenged.
|
|
|
@West End Library
Tuesday, October 07, 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Acompáñanos en la Biblioteca West End para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con una hora de cuentos bilingüe especial para niños pequeños. Esta hora de cuentos se presentará en español e inglés.
Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special Bilingual Storytime for toddlers. This storytime will be presented in Spanish and English.
|
|
|
 |
|
@West End Library
Wednesday, October 8, 3:300 - 04:00 PM
The West End Library will be hosting Miss Jenn from Temple Israel. She will be teaching us about the Jewish Harvest Festival of Sukkot. Miss Jenn will be reading a story or two and we will have a craft representing the holiday.
|
|
|
 |
|
@Bay Farm Island Library
Saturday, October 18, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Join us for a bilingual celebration of Filipino culture featuring songs, stories and crafts.
|
|
|
 |
|
@West End Library
Saturday, October 25, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Join us for a bilingual celebration of Filipino culture featuring songs, stories and crafts.
|
|
|
 |
|
@Bay Farm Island Library
Saturday, October 25, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
The East Bay Vivarium brings their traveling menagerie to the Bay Farm Island Library.
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.
|
|
|
MONTHLY EVENTS :: CHILDREN
|
|
 |
|
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Sunday, October 12th, 2PM
Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee!
June selection: Lilo and Stitch (PG)
Rated PG for action, peril and thematic elements.
|
|
|
LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS & ADULTS |
|
@Main Library
Filipino American History Month Spotlight
Wednesday, October 01 to Friday, October 31
Throughout the month of October, Filipino American library patrons and residents of Alameda are invited to share their stories of growing up in the community, building organizations and businesses on the island, and carrying their families' legacies forward by recording short video interviews.
Videos will be compiled and shown in an ongoing installation on the first floor, which is wheelchair accessible.
|
|
|
|
@West End Library
Monday, October 06 - October 30
Choose a wrapped banned or challenged book with a few hints about what is waiting inside. Just like a blind date, you will spend a few hours with unknown characters; you might find a new love or decide blind dates are not for you.
Either way, you will experience a book that some people don’t want you to read.
|
|
|
@Bay Farm Island Library
Tuesday, October 07, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Bring lightly used craft supplies to share and leave with new-to-you materials! All teens are welcome! Donations will only be accepted by swap participants on the day of the event.
|
|
|
@West End Library
Thursday, October 16, 4:00 - 05:00 PM
Hey Teens, Celebrate TeenTober with us at the West End Library. You can decorate your own canvas bag PLUS we'll have snacks! Check out our teen collection, make a new friend and enjoy some Boba! Everything will be provided, just bring yourself!
Registration Required.
Sign up today! Space is limited.
|
|
|
@Main Library, Stafford Room
Saturday, October 25, 2:00 - 03:00 PM
The event is for TEENS, in the 7th -12th grade.
Join us as local Oakland artist Rachel Palacios speaks about the art of henna and practice making your own designs. You will also receive your own henna tattoo design from Rachel. By registering, you acknowledge that henna can last anywhere from one to three weeks. You also confirm that you have discussed appropriate symbols and placement for the temporary design with your guardian.
Registration is required. Register Here Questions? Email refdesk@alamedaca.gov
|
|
|
MONTHLY EVENTS :: TEENS ONLY |
|
 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.
|
|
 |
|
Reviewed by: Kiana
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang is a detailed fantasy following a Cambridge student named Alice Law, who has the potential to be one of the smartest people in the field of Magick. She has done everything she could to reach that potential, but one mistake may have ruined it all. Professor Grimes, a man Alice desperately wanted to work with, died unexpectedly in a magic accident that may have been her fault. Now she and her rival, Peter Murdoch, must venture through the depths of hell to retrieve him. Full of academics, philosophy, and character building, this book is complex, character-driven, and fulfilling.
|
 |
|
Reviewed by: Lori
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab is a fantasy fiction novel and sequel to the Shades of Magic series. It follows Kosika, queen of White London, Delilah Bard, returning thief, and Tes, a runaway with special powers. After the events of the series, the Londons are seemingly at peace, but Tes receives a magical music box that becomes the center of a political and magical battle. Schwab revisits old characters while introducing new ones, weaving action, depth, and unpredictability. Though the ending felt rushed, this is an epic read for fans of Schwab and the world of parallel Londons
|
|
|
 Tuesday, October 7, 4:30 - 05:30 PM
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 Group (TAG)? You can gain valuable experience and earn volunteer hours as a member.
|
|
MONTHLY EVENTS :: TEENS & ADULTS
@Main Library, Children's Programming RM
Every Wednesday, 12:15 - 12:45 PM
Try a different pace of life with our new weekly storytime for adults!
Bring your lunch to the Children's Programming Room of the Main Library on Wednesday afternoons for a half-hour of short stories, picture books, and other tales curated by our expert librarians.
|
|
|
@Main Library, Family Study Room
Tuesday, October 7, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Tuesday, October 21, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Please join us at the Main Library in the Family Study Room for a casual fiber arts craft circle. All kinds of fiber artists are welcome. Please bring your own materials and expertise, and come ready for an afternoon of community building and crafting.
|
|
|
@Main Library, Family Study Room
Friday, October 10, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Join us in the Family Study Room on the second Friday of every month at 3pm to practice your French conversation skills.
This is a monthly series designed to increase your confidence in speaking French conversationally in your communities.
All dialects welcome. À bientôt!
|
Saturday, October 11, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Come prepared for a short intro, including: your name, why you write, what you write (genre(s)), what you're working on now or most recently. And then let's get to it!
I will provide 5 short prompts for your choosing for those of you that like warming up or prefer to start with some inspiration for writing short stories and such.
I look forward to seeing you in person or on zoom!
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84243653058?pwd=RHVMT3I0amZoRGJTOEFKd2FpVVVUZz09
Meeting ID: 842 4365 3058 ; Passcode: 816773
|
|
|
 @Main Library, Family Study Room
Fourth Friday of the month, 12:30 AM - 02:00 PM
Join us for a workforce development community of practice. New job, new you. Your next chapter starts right here in Alameda. Let us support you in taking that first step toward your future. You bring the hustle; we’ll bring the tools. From resumes to interviews, networking to job boards, we’ve got what you need to get hired. Because every great journey starts with a roadmap—come get yours. Any and all career stages welcome.
|
|
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Wednesday, October 1st, 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM
Teens, join our Teen Book Club!
Each month, members get to pick the book we read from our Young Adult (YA) collection. While supplies last, free copies are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. To join, please register.
Next up: The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg
|
|
|
-
A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book. Bay Farm Branch. Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00PM. This month's theme: Democracy*. Please email the facilitator, Lynda, at llyndaw@gmail.com for more information.
-
Main Library Mystery Book Club. Fourth Monday of the month at 6:00pm. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: Past Lying by Val McDermid.
-
Bay Farm Mystery Book Club. Fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: Past Lying by Val McDermid.
-
A Novel Idea. Main Library. Fourth Sunday of the month at 3:00 - 4:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Farm by Joanne Ramos. Join us for a lively discussion and deepen your engagement with your reading!
-
No feeling is Final. West End Library. Third Thursday of the month at 3:00PM. Taken from Austrian poet Rainier Maria Rilke's The Book of Hours, "No feeling is final" is the name given to our poetry reading group and community of practice where participants are encouraged to move through life's variable rhythms with the help of a regular poetry practice. We encourage adults 18 and up to come build community through poetry in this monthly part-book club, part-workshop gathering. Read poetry, write to prompts, and welcome local poets to share their works-in-progress. Bound poetry zines featuring each month's poems will be available to pick at the West End Branch Library the week prior to the program, with additional copies available when we meet. All levels of experience reading and writing poetry are welcomed!
“Go to limits of your longing: let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” - RMR
|
|
|
Thanks to the funding from Friends of the Alameda Free Library we are excited to offer All Access to the New York Times Digital Subscription which includes the News, Games, Cooking, Wirecutter, and the Athletic.
How to access / redeem your code:
-
While within the Library:
Navigate to www.nytimes.com/register
Create an account with your personal email address, or “Log In” if you've already created an account.
Click through 5+ articles to ensure you do not hit a NYT paywall.
-
If not physically at a Library location:
Access the Library's subscription link here and redeem the code with your NYTimes account.
After redeeming the code, You will receive an email with your login code to get all access.
|
|
Recommended by: Micaela
Flamboyants : the queer Harlem renaissance I wish I'd known by George M. Johnson, illustrated by Charly Palmer
I recently read a YA book by an author whose debut work has been at the top of most banned book lists (George M. Johnson, All Boys Aren't Blue).
The book in question is called "Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known." It is one of the most unabashedly and unashamed pieces of creative nonfiction that I've read in a long time and combines history, personal essays, and striking painted illustrations to create an unapologetic declaration of a person's right to exist and know that people like themselves have existed before. It is a queer manifesto for the ages as well as a great deep dive into lesser known Black history."
|
|
|
 |
|
Recommended by: Mia
Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga
I recently finished Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga. The unnamed narrator is a translator and increasingly gives up more of herself in order to help the people she meets, which slowly begins to erode the bonds she has with her husband (and, sometimes, reality).
|
|
|
 |
|
Recommended by: Oliver
Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg
I enjoyed Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg. Two young housemates embark on a road trip to discover themselves in this exceptional, keenly observed meditation on art and love in a fractured America. The parallel narration style and relatable characters held my interest throughout
|
|
|
 |
|
Recommended by: Das
Evergreen Review: Dispatches from the Literary Underground
Evergreen Review: Dispatches from the Literary Underground...covers the 100 issues of the art, essays and photography of the avant-garde Evergreen Review. Fun watching Fantagraphics choices for non-comics releases. This one authored by local record producer and member of the long running band Mushroom, Pat Thomas.
|
|
|
 |
|
Recommended by: Hannah
Evil Flowers by Gunnhild Øyehaugg
This is a witty and poignant book of short stories translated from Norwegian. The stories are intricate and a little absurd, and many of them are in conversation with each other, responding to points made in previous stories. It's very well written, and even in a short format, the author is able to cleverly write about everyday life, the mundane and the whimsical. I really enjoyed reading it
|
|
|
This was a long list!
Thank you for supporting your library with your readership and attendance to events. Please let us know how we are doing.
We listen!!
Looking for more recommendations?
Check out these book lists created by AFL librarians.
|
|
|
|
|
