@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room

Una ofrenda musical: A musical altar for our muertos

Sunday, November 1, 2:00 - 3:00PM

¡Celebra el Día de Muertos con Cascada de Flores! Disfruta música, cuentos y danza en un espectáculo bilingüe e interactivo que celebra las tradiciones de México y Centroamérica, los recuerdos y la vida de nuestros seres queridos. ¡Pan de muerto gratis hasta agotar existencias!

Celebrate Día de Muertos with Cascada de Flores! Enjoy music, storytelling, and dance in an interactive, bilingual performance celebrating traditions from Mexico and Central America, cherished memories, and the lives of loved ones. Pan de muerto will be available while supplies last!

@Bay Farm Island Library

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - Author Talk: Mam History

Thursday, November 5, 4:00 - 5:30PM

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Oakland educator and historian Javier Armas, author of Mam History. Mam History is a meticulously researched book that delves into the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Mayan-Mam indigenous community. Armas will discuss Mam History, his writing process, and the connection of the Mam community to Oakland and the Bay. Program open to all; best suited for teens and adults. 

@Main Library, Children's Programs Room

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - Rafael Rope and Bracelets with The Ohlone Sisters

Tuesday, November 10, 4:30 PM

Join the Ohlone Sisters in a hands-on rope and bracelet workshop inspired by Ohlone traditions and teachings. Learn about the connections between land, community, and ancestral knowledge while exploring stories of Indigenous resilience and cultural continuity.

Participants ages 5 and older will create their own handcrafted rope and bracelet to take home. 

Registration is required! Book Now.

@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - Cafe Ohlone at the Library

Friday, November 13, 3:30PM

Join Cafe Ohlone for a special presentation in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Cafe Ohlone enact ‘oṭṭoy — a philosophy and intention of repair and mending — building bridges to the East Bay Ohlone community promoting a clearer understanding of the lived experiences of the East Bay Ohlone people throughout history.

@West End Library

Bug Power with the Beetlelady

Wednesday, November 18, 3:30 PM

Do you love Bugs?! We do too! Did you know they have Superpowers? Amazing! We've invited Dr. Stephanie Dole to present: Bug Power at the West End Library. Dr. Dole, also known as the Beetlelady, will be bringing some of her buggy friends to share and discuss the incredible powers bugs have! She is an expert in the field of Entomology and has studied bugs in many places around the world. This presentation is recommended for ages 4 and up. 

The first 25 families will receive a FREE copy of Dr. Dole's new children's book, Bug Power!  No registration is required.

@Main Library

November STEAM Wednesdays

4:00PM - 5:00PM

Most weeks we will be leading a different S.T.E.A.M event/activity for ages 8+ focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Find out more on activities planned by clicking a date below:

November 4 | November 18

Activities do 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

@Bay Farm Island Library

Printmaking Workshop

Saturday, November 14, 12PM

Join us for an intergenerational print making workshop! This program will meet at the Bay Farm Island library from 12-2 PM on Saturday, November 14th. This drop-in program is open to anyone ages 4 and up. Children 10 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided and no prior experience is necessary to make your own mono-print!

@West End Library

Dinovember Puppet and Magic Show

Saturday November 14, 3:00PM

We will be hosting a Puppet Show with a Magical twist. This show will be presented by California Kids Fun. This show is appropriate for the whole family, good time guaranteed! No registration is required. So bring a friend and enjoy the show!

@Bay Farm Island Library, Leydecker Room

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - Special Family Storytime

Saturday, November 28, 10:30AM

Join us for a special Family Storytime with Storytelling Artisan Alicia Retes in the Leydecker Room right next to Bay Farm Island Library. Alicia will guide participants through a multidimensional program designed to support a greater sense of community and shared responsibilities between individuals and Earth as a living being. This program will highlight "companion planting," which reflects the spirit of land stewardship thourgh cooperation and interconnectedness inherent in Indigenous cultures. All ages are welcome to attend! 

@Bay Farm Island Library

Youth Art Club

2nd Thursday of the month, 4:00 - 5:30PM 

Youth Art Club Presents: mini stuffies! Learn basic sewing skills to create a mini bunny!

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 (Ages 9-13)

Please register online or call the Bay Farm Island Library at (510) 747-7787.

@West End Library

Drop-in Chess Club for Kids

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. 

@West End Library

Playdough Playtime

Fourth Saturday of the month, 10:30A - 12:00P

Join us at the West End Library, children aged 3+ can squish, sculpt and play with playdough.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month -- Online Author Talk

Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom: Sacred Indigenous Teachings with Asha Frost

Tuesday, November 3rd, at 11:00 AM

BOOKS REVIEWED - You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance. 

Register and add questions for the author, then tune in live or watch the event recording -|- A Library Speakers Consortium Event

@Main, Stafford Room

An Afternoon with the California Historical Radio Society

Friday, November 6, at 2:00 PM

Please join Alameda's own California Historical Radio Society for an interactive presentation about radio history on our island, a meet-and-greet with their representatives, and a show-and-tell of some of their coolest gadgets! All ages are welcome to attend. 

Online Author Talk

A City on Mars: The Science and Absurdities of Space Settlement with Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

Tuesday, November 10th, at 11:00 AM

BOOKS REVIEWED - A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? by Kelly & Zach Weinersmith

Register and add questions for the author, then tune in live or watch the event recording -|- A Library Speakers Consortium Event

Online Author Talk

How Money Became God: Rethinking Wealth and Greed in Modern Society with Paul Vigna

Thursday, November 11th, at 11:00 AM

BOOK REVIEWED - The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin.

Register and add questions for the author, then tune in live or watch the event recording -|- A Library Speakers Consortium Event

Online Author Talk

Epic Worlds and Celestial Prophecies: Exploring the Between Earth and Sky Trilogy with Rebecca Roanhorse

Thursday, November 19th, at 4:00 PM

BOOK REVIEWED - Between Earth and Sky trilogy:  Black Sun, Fevered Star, and Mirrored Heavens.

Register and add questions for the author, then tune in live or watch the event recording -|- A Library Speakers Consortium Event

@Main, Large Group Study Room

Doing Death Differently

Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM

Most of us prepare for our death through legal documents and financial planning—but few of us consider what we want our final days to actually feel like. This interactive workshop explores “vigil planning”: intentionally preparing for the active dying period, when comfort, presence, and connection often matter most.

@Main Library, Large Group Study Room

Make It

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. No registration is required for this program, though space is limited to 12 participants in-person. 

@Main Library, Conference Room 224

Alameda Coin Club - 2026                     

First Tuesday of the month, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Please join us for presentations, discussions, and valuation of rare coins. No registration is required for this program, though space is limited to 12 participants in-person. There is also the option to participate virtually via Zoom.

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83607021976
Meeting ID: 836 0702 1976 ; Passcode: 028681

@Bay Farm Island Library

Books and Hooks

Second Tuesday of the month, 10:30AM - 11:30PM

Do you enjoy crocheting? And are you interested in a fun way to capture all the books you read in a given period of time? The premise is using the colors in a book cover to create each square.

Basic crocheting skills are required. Limited instruction will be provided and limited supplies of yarn and hooks are also available. You are welcome to bring your own supplies and/or other crochet projects in progress.

@Main Library, Children's Programming RM

Grown Folks' Storytime

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 Café

Alameda Readers Group - New Yorker Short Stories

First Saturday of the month, 10AM-12PM

Please join us in the Main Library Cafe for a discussion of articles and short fiction from The New Yorker magazine. No need to book through the Library website - registration is handled at this link: New Yorker Short Stories by Alameda Readers Group | Eventbrite

The stories for each meeting are from recent past issues and are listed at the registration link. Haven't had a chance to read before the gathering? Come early and read them - we will have copies available!

@Main Library, Large Group Study Room

Learn Sewing at the Library

Second Saturday of the month, 10:30 AM -12:30 PM

Come learn the basics of sewing from local makers Gaby and Cynthia. Work progressively on the same project month to month, or make a new sewing project every session! We will provide materials, instruction sheets as appropriate, and know-how to get you started.

No previous experience is required - please come ready to learn! This program is designed for adults ages 18 and up.

Registration is required! Please contact the Adult/Teen Services Department at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7713  |  RefDesk@alamedaca.gov

@Main Library, Large Group Study Room

Allons-y! French Conversation Circle

Second Friday of the month, 1:00 - 2:00 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!

Alameda Library Writers' Group

 Second Saturday of the month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

@Main Library, Stafford Room

Live Figure Drawing

Saturday, November 28, 2:00 - 4:00PM

Try your hand at drawing from life at this monthly, drop-in event. Each month's event will feature individual poses, paired poses, or a mixture of both. All poses will be clothed.

Please bring your own materials (sketchpad, charcoal, easel, paints) if you can; we will have a limited number to donate during the program.

@Main Library, Large Group Study Room

Adult/Teen Literacy - We Should Talk - English Conversation Circle

Third Friday of the month, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Join us to practice your English conversation skills. This is a monthly series designed to increase your confidence in speaking English conversationally in your communities. No registration is required for this program. All levels and dialects welcome. See you there!

@Main Library, Stafford Meeting Room

Alameda Free Library Blood Drive

Second Tuesday, every other month (November-January-March-May-July,)       12:00 - 05:00PM

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 @ redcrossblood.org/rapidpass

Teen Book Club. Main Library, Conf. Room 224

Wednesday, November 4th, 4:00 - 4:40 PM

November Read: Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

While supplies last, free copies are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. 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

A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book. Bay Farm Branch. Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00PM. This month's theme: The The November theme is Holidays. This program takes place at the Islandia Clubhouse, 1138 Island Drive, Alameda. Questions? Please contact the moderator, Lynda, at llyndaw@gmail.com, or the Bay Farm Island Library at: (510) 747-7787 | BFIref@alamedaca.gov.

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: Golden Gate by Amy Chua. Registration is NOT required! Questions? Please contact the Adult/Teen Services Department at the Main Library via phone or email (510) 747-7713 | RefDesk@alamedaca.gov

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: Golden Gate by Amy Chua. Space is limited and registration IS REQUIRED! Please contact the Bay Farm Island Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7787 | BFIref@alamedaca.gov

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: There, There by Tommy Orange. A few complimentary copies of each book are available at the Main Library Reference Desk the day after each meeting and through LINK+. To browse past selections, check out this list on our online catalog!