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 Logo of the Alameda Free Library. Image Text: Alameda Free LIbrary - Between the lines -
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If you need accessibility accommodations to participate, or information translated or in other formats, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov or fill out our ADA Request Form at least five (5) working days before any event listed. |
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Starting April 1st patrons will be able to reserve study rooms at the Main Library online
The Library will be closed Sunday,
April 5th to observe the Easter holiday
All Alameda Free Library locations will be open
Thursday, April 9, 1:00-5:00PM
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APRIL NEWSLETTER
Join Us In Celebrating
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 Text on blue background image: Arab American Heritage Month
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 Image with peeps. Image Text: 2026 peeps diorama gallery. Check out this year's entries
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AFL FRESH
@Bay Farm Island Library
Saturday, April 4, 2:30 PM
Learn the art of Palestinian embroidery! Embark on a captivating journey and join Palestinian Tatreez artist Amanne Sharif in this two-hour, hands-on workshop. Discover the historical and political significance of Tatreez while learning the fundamentals of the falahi stitch. All materials provided.
Open to ages 15 and up. Space is limited. Call 510-747-7787 to register. Please email ncanellas@alamedaca.gov for additional information.
Event will take place in the Leydecker Event space next door to the library.
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@West End Library
Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month - with a MOCHA artist
Saturday, April 4, @ 3:00 PM
A MOCHA artist will be hosting an art workshop featuring the work of Arab American artist Helen Zughaib, children ages 5 and up are welcome. Each participant will create their own art piece inspired by the work of this artist.
Space is limited and registration is required.
To register or if you need more information about this program, please email WEBref@alamedaca.gov or call (510) 747-7767.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Saturday April 18, 12:30 - 4:30 PM
Join the Alameda Free Library for our annual Día de los Niños Celebration!
¡Acompáñanos en la celebración anual del Día de los Niños!
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Monday, April 20, 4:00PM
Join the Main Library to meet writer and graphic novel illustrator, Wahab Algarmi!
In this event, Mr. Algarmi will guide storytellers of all ages find that sweet spot in their stories and art. He’ll have two fun exercises to teach you how to edit your art and story to get just the right message across in your work. This workshop is recommended for storytellers of all ages, as it builds off each person’s own abilities! Join Wahab for a fun activity as he challenges you to think a little differently and get out of your drawing and writing comfort zones!
All drawing materials will be provided. The first 25 families will receive a free copy "Almost Sunset".
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@Bay Farm Island Library
Family Storytime NEW
Every Saturday at 10:30AM, all ages
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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@Main Library, Children's Programs Room
Monday, April 13, 4:00pm
Join us for a reading of the book "On The Way To Neptune" with local author and illustrator, Aparna Krishnamoorthy.
We'll be reading the picture book and creating beautiful take home cardboard vases filled with flowers.
On The Way To Neptune is a picture book that invites you to move through the world at the pace of a three-year-old. Set on the sunlit paths of Alameda, this book is an appreciation of curiosity, nature, and connection.
For more information about this or any Children’s program, please email us at ChildRef@alamedaca.gov
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@West End Library
Wednesday, April 22, @ 3:00 PM
Lindsay Wildlife will be visiting the West End Library. Not only will they be celebrating Earth Day with us, they will be discussing California Native Wildlife and bringing a few rescued friends with them, a raptor, a reptile and a suprise guest. The naturalist will introduce audience members to each animal discussing habitat, life cycle and how they came to Lindsay Wildlife. This is a family friendly event. No registration required.
If you would like additional information about this program, please email WEBref@alamedaca.gov or call (510) 747-7767.
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 29, 4:00PM
Join the Main Library to create a self-portrait inspired by Arab American artist Helen Zughaib.
Registration is required! Please contact the Children's Department at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7705 | ChildRef@alamedaca.gov
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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
Youth Art Club Presents: Sew Your Own Star Stuffie! We will learn some basic sewing skills and sew star shaped stuffies.
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
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, April 12th, 2PM
Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee!
March selection: Chicken Run
Rated G: General audiences
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LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS & ADULTS |
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@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room
Thursday, April 9, 2:30PM
Please join us in celebrating National Library Week (April 6-12) with a special screening of “The Librarians.” This 2025 documentary profiles real working librarians as they face “harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work” with a “rallying cry for freedom to read.”
There is no registration required for this program.
Please contact refdesk@alamedaca.gov with any questions regarding this program.
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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: Rachel
The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie
The Only Girl in Town has a dystopian premise, but the story is personal. July wakes up to find that everyone has vanished. She is alone with the eerie emptiness of her town. A stranger prompts her to ‘get them back,’ but she doesn’t know how. As July follows clues, the reader is slowly immersed in her past. The story has a unique plotline and a good combination of dystopian, mystery, and drama, with a psychological thriller aspect. I recommend it to people looking for an easy young adult novel. However, it isn’t a light book; July struggles with mental health.
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Reviewed by: Saanvi
Bones and Berserkers: 13 True Tales of Terror by Nathan Hale
This is the latest book in Nathan Hale's “Hazardous Tales” series. While the other books are about American History, this book is a collection of scary folk tales. From a demon baby to a murderous butler, you will get hooked, especially if you love the series. My favorite is "Who is Dead in the White House", a story where President Abraham Lincoln dreams of his funeral 3 days before his assassination. This book is made for kids, but I need to warn you that it is a lot gorier. I recommend this book for ages 13 and older.
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 Tuesday, April 07, 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
First & Third Tuesday of the month, 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.
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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 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 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, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Join us on the second Friday of every month at 12pm 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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@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 required.
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@Main Library, Large Group Study Room
Wednesday, April 15, @ 4:30 PM
Practice genuine connection through playful exercises. No performance pressure—just building the confidence and skills to show up and spark connection in our everyday unscripted lives. Learn to navigate awkward moments, meet new people with ease, and trust yourself when there's no script. Free and open to ages 13+.
Facilitated by Claire Slattery, founder + creator of Alameda's Improv Central. Registration required.
To register: follow the prompts on the online event, call the Main Library Reference Desk at (510) 747-7713, or visit any branch for help.
Please email refdesk@alamedaca.gov with questions about this program.
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 How the Teen Book Club Works:
Each month, we read and discuss the monthly title. Members get to pick the book we read from our Young Adult (YA) collection, read it by our meeting date, and then join us to talk about it. After the discussion, we’ll vote on the book for the following month.
To join, please register.
Note: Some of our book selections may explore heavier topics and themes. We encourage teens and their grown-ups to decide together if a book feels like the right fit.
Questions? Email Aireana at amcdade@alamedaca.gov
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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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If you need accessibility accommodations to participate, or information translated or in other formats, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov or fill out our ADA Request Form at least five (5) working days before any event listed. |
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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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