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MARCH NEWSLETTER
Join Us In Celebrating
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AFL FRESH
@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Thursday, March 05, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Join us when New York Times bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds introduces, When You Dream Big!, an uplifting story about learning to follow your heart and your toes. Mr. Reynolds will sign copies of his book after the presentation.
Registration for this program is encouraged. This event is free but requires a ticket for entrance: Please claim your free ticket here.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Saturday, March 07, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Join the Main Library for a Women’s History and Empowerment Month! Scientific Adventure for Girls will be hosting a Hands-On Neuroscience for Young Learners Spark.
Spark curiosity about the brain with our interactive neuroscience program designed for TK-6th grade! Each activity combines creative activities with age-appropriate science concepts, making complex topics accessible and fun. Fun for the whole family!
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Saturday, March 21, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Spend the morning with local poet, filmmaker, and cultural worker Tae Poetically Divine. In honor of Women’s History Month, we will screen her short films, experience her poetry, and share a cup of tea.
Registration for this program is encouraged.
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@Bay Farm Island Library
Family Storytime NEW
Starting from:
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.
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STORYTIME SCHEDULE AT ALL LOCATIONS |
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MAIN LIBRARY, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING ROOM
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@Main Library
NEW! Each week we will be leading a different S.T.E.A.M focused program for ages 8+ focusing on topics like Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Find out more about the activities planned.
Activities start at 4pm and registration is required! Please contact Children's at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7705 | ChildRef@alamedaca.gov
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@Bay Farm Island Library
Thursday, March 05, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
To celebrate Women's History Month we are spotlighting some of the women who serve our community! Join us for a special storytime with Firefighter Cary of the Alameda Fire Department and stay for a fun craft and photo ops.
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@West End Library
Celebrating Women’s History Month Special Storytime - with AFD member
Thursday, March 10, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
As part of our Women in the Community Storytime series at the West End Library, we are very excited to have a special guest who will be joining us at our regularly scheduled Toddler Storytimes during the month of March. A member of the Alameda Fire Department will be joining in the fun and reading one or two of their favorite stories.
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@West End Library
Celebrating Women’s History Month Special Storytime - with APD member
Tuesday, March 17, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
As part of our Women in the Community Storytime series at the West End Library, we are very excited to have a special guest who will be joining us at our regularly scheduled Toddler Storytimes during the month of March. A member of the Alameda Police Department will be joining in the fun and reading one or two of their favorite stories.
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@Bay Farm Island Library
Monday, March 23, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
To celebrate Women's History Month we are spotlighting some of the women who serve our community! Join us for a special snake-themed family storytime with Naturalist Susan of Crab Cove. Stay for a fun craft and photo ops.
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@West End Library
Saturday, March 28, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Coding with LEGO comes back to the West End Library! Families, join us at the West End Library. Each family or small group will build and use block-based coding to create a fantastic LEGO project.
This event is geared towards beginners ages 6-11.
Registration is required. Please call: 510-747-7767 to register.
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MONTHLY EVENTS :: CHILDREN
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@Bay Farm Island Library
2nd Thursday of the month from 3:30 - 5:00PM
Learn how to create reproducible art!This month, we will have a short lesson on the history of stamping and printmaking and then create our own stamps!
Spaces are limited with a new sign-up required each month. No prior experience is needed and all materials are provided.
Open to 4th-8th graders.
Space is limited and registration is required Please register online or call the Bay Farm Island Library at (510) 747-7787.
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@West End Library
Third Saturday of the month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Join us at the West End Library for drop-in Chess Club for Kids (8+) No instruction provided. Just bring yourself; boards and pieces will be available.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Sunday, March 8th, 2PM
Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee!
March selection: Elio
Rated PG for some action/peril and thematic elements.
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LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS & ADULTS |
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@West End Library
Saturday, March 07, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
In honor of Women's History month the West End Library will be having a Women in Weaving workshop. This workshop will be presented by local artist Cristina Edwards.
This is an intergenerational workshop and is geared for children ages 7 and up as well as teens and adults. Space is limited, therefore Registration is Required.
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 The Alameda Free Library invites Peep-le of all ages to bring their imagination to life by designing and constructing a Peep-tastic diorama featuring Peeps marshmallow characters.
Your challenge? Create a shoebox-sized diorama featuring at least one Peep, inspired by a family-friendly book, movie, TV show, or creative theme of your choice. Use recycled materials, magazines, paint, pipe cleaners, and other craft supplies to bring your Peep-sterpiece to life!
Let’s get crafty and have some fun, because who doesn’t love an excuse to play with their food? More info here.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Thursday, March 12, 3:45 - 5:15 PM
Teens, get ready for your first job or career fair! Learn how to create a basic resume, talk to employers with confidence, and make a great first impression. Facilitated by Alameda Free Library and ARPD staff, this workshop is designed as a starting point to help teens practice the basics and feel more confident taking their first steps into the working world. (*This program is for teens.)
Registration is required due to limited space (20 spots available). Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register on this page.
Questions? Email refdesk@alamedaca.gov
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MONTHLY EVENTS :: TEENS ONLY |
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 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.
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Reviewed by: David
The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-Of-The-Century America by David Baron
The Martians by David Baron is a nonfiction book set in the late 1800s when many people truly believed that Mars was inhabited by Martians. The book explores scientists, journalists, and everyday citizens, and presents themes of curiosity, imagination, and the power of media. It was written in an engaging and accessible way, explaining scientific concepts without being overwhelming. The book was enjoyable and thought-provoking, and made me reflect on how misinformation and the media can influence the public. I would recommend this book to readers interested in history or science
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Reviewed by: Elliana
Never Thought I'd End Up Here by Ann Liang
Never Thought I’d End Up Here is a romance novel written by Ann Liang. It’s about Leah, a 17-year-old Chinese American, who makes a culturally offensive comment and is sent on a trip to reconnect with her roots in China. The novel was the perfect blend of romance and coming-of-age and was relatable and entertaining. The direct writing makes the story easily comprehensible, while the cliché creates a light-hearted story. Overall, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Asian dramas, casual reads, and teen romance.
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 Tuesday, March 03, 04:30 - 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.
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MONTHLY EVENTS :: TEENS & ADULTS |
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@West End Library
First Saturday of the month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Love Chess? Join us, beginning January 3rd. Boards will be provided, however, there will be no instruction. Pre-registration not required.
(Lookout for the Kids Chess club on the 3rd Saturday of each month.)
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@Main Library Café
First Saturday of the month, 11AM-12PM
Please join us in the Main Library Cafe for a discussion of articles and short fiction from The New Yorker magazine.
Registration is strongly encouraged; here is the link.
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@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.
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Tuesday, March 3, 4:00 - 5:30 PM Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Please join us at the Main Branch in the Family Study Room for a fiber arts craft circle. All kinds of fiber artists' welcome. Please bring your own materials and expertise. Limited instruction available. It will be an afternoon of community building and crafting.
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@Main Library, Conference Room 224
First Tuesday of the month, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Please join the Alameda Coin Club in the 2nd Floor Conference Room 224 for presentations, discussions, and valuation of rare coins.
Special information for February's meeting: it will be a hybrid meeting. You may either attend in person at the Alameda Free Library or on Zoom. The program will be presented by Ken Keltz and the title is: “A brief history of Mexican coins”. The coin of the month is any foreign coin, but, if possible, a Mexican coin.
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Second Saturday of the month, 10:30 AM -12:30 PM
Come learn the basics of sewing from local makers Gaby and Cynthia. Make a new sewing project every session! We will provide materials, instruction sheets, and know-how to get you started. This month's project is Improv Quilting! No previous experience is required - please come ready to learn!
This program is designed for adults ages 18 and up.
Registration required. Please register online or call the Main Library at (510) 747-7713 for support.
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@Main Library, Conference Room 224
First Saturday of the month 2:00 PM - 3:00PM
Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing in this hands-on workshop.
Ages 7 and up. Limit 10 learners. Registration only at this time.
This program takes place on the second floor also accessible by elevator.
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@Main Library, Conference Room 224
Third Saturday of the month 2:00 to 3:00PM
As a companion to our Tech Petting Zoo series, patrons ages 7 and up are encouraged to share and advance their learning of 3D modeling techniques in community. We will begin by progressing through the basic lessons available through Tinkercad, the free app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. A range of backgrounds, skills, and experience levels is desired for this community of practice-style workshop.
If you are 7+ and wondering if this workshop is for you - it probably is!
Registration is required, and bringing your own device is preferred.
This program takes place on the second floor also accessible by elevator.
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Second Friday of the month, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Join us 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!
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Second Saturday of the month, 1:00 - 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
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@ Bay Farm Island Library
Third Tuesday of the month, 1:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Join us at the Bay Farm Island Library at 1pm for small-group instruction on computers, tablets, smartphones and more!
Registration required.
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Fourth Saturday of the month, 11AM - 1PM
Join us in the Large Group Study Room at the Main Library for personalized career advice - from resumes to interviews, networking to job boards, we’ve got what you need to get hired. Please bring any materials you'd like reviewed as well as an Internet-enabled device if you have one. Registration is strongly encouraged.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Second Tuesday every other month Tuesday, March 10, 12:00 - 05:00 PM
To sign up please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ALAMEDALIBRARY To save time while saving a life please fill out a Rapidpass. Learn more at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass
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A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book. Bay Farm Branch. Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00PM. This month's theme: Hollywood (in time for the Oscars!). Please email the facilitator, Lynda, at llyndaw@gmail.com for more information.
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Main Library Mystery Book Club. Fourth Monday of the month 4:30 to 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard.
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Bay Farm Mystery Book Club. Fourth Tuesday of the month 4:30 to 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard.
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A Novel Idea. Main Library, Large Group Study Room. Fourth Sunday of the month, 3:00 - 4:30PM. 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! This month's pick: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab. A few complimentary copies of each book are available at the Main Library Reference Desk the day after each meeting and through LINK+.
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Enjoy over 5,000 popular eMagazine titles for all ages. Libby titles are compatible with most devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and Kindles. Use the Libby app to start reading magazines with no wait and no limits.
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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.
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