Politics & Government

Alameda Free Library December 2023 Events

Whether you're looking for story time, author talks, coding events or something else —​ there's a lot happening at the Alameda Library.

Bea Karnes, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Press release from the City of Alameda:

ALAMEDA, CA — Here's what's happening at the Alameda Library this month.

Ongoing Adult and Teen Events:

  • Mystery Book Club: Join the Alameda Free Library’s Mystery Book Clubfor a fun and engaging literary celebration as we wrap up 2023 by sharing our favorite mysteries read this year. Both clubs will join together for this special meeting.
  • Make It: Calling all knitters, crochetiers, embroidery enthusiasts, and fiber ateliers! Please join us in the Family Study Room at Main for a fiber arts craft circle. Please bring your own project, materials, and expertise. Limited instruction available!
  • Lawyers in the Library: The Lawyers in the Library program provides free 15-minute consultations by phone with a volunteer attorney who will provide guidance on legal matters. Examples of areas covered include landlord/tenant disputes, probate matters, employment problems and other general consumer issues. Please see the online calendar for registration form and instructions.
  • Alameda Library Writers’ Group: This group is open to all adult writers looking for an opportunity to connect and share with other writers. At the meeting you are welcome to share your writing and everyone will be given a writing prompt. Whatever your genre, you are welcome to join the group! Join in person or via Zoom..
  • Alameda Great Books Discussion Group: Join us for a discussion of An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume.
  • Game Break: Don’t forget to take a break…A GAME BREAK! Try out our new games and/or watch others play. No registration needed, masks strongly encouraged. Teens only!
  • A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book Club: Wondering what to read next? Instead of a monthly book everyone reads, A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book Club will discuss what everyone is currently reading or has recently read that they enjoyed. The December theme is Best/Favorite Reads of the Year! Please email the facilitator, Lynda, at llyndaw@gmail.com for more information.
  • Movie Night: Join us for a screening of Marcel the Shell with Shoes (2021, PG). Marcel, a one inch-tall shell, lives with his grandmother Connie, the only residents of their town after their neighbor's sudden, mysterious disappearance. When a brush with fame gives him a chance at reuniting with his long-lost friends and family, Marcel’s big adventure begins in this bighearted and bittersweet, delightful and moving story of finding home.


    • Event Descriptions – Special Adult/Teen Events:

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  • Author Talk: Susan Ito discusses her recently published memoir, I Would Meet You Anywhere. Growing up with adoptive nisei parents, Ito knew only that her birth mother was Japanese American and her father white. But finding and meeting her birth mother in her early twenties was only the beginning of her search for answers, history and identity.
  • Lab Workshop: Internet Basics and Printing: This class will be based on Windows 10 stations, and we’ll cover things such as completing a website search, saving images and printing them, general browser tools like bookmarks, internet security, safe passwords, and making a safe purchase on the internet. This workshop is open to anyone that would like to learn, no prior experience is necessary. Participants are welcome to bring their own devices or use one of the lab’s computers. Registration is required. Please visit the library website to sign up.
  • Study Hall at AFL: Teens, are you hunting for a great spot to study or work on group projects? The Library has got your back! During Study Hall, we've got plenty of open seating, snacks to keep you fueled up, and even coloring pages to help you take a break and unwind. And while supplies last, don't forget to grab a study swag bag to take home with you!

    • Event Descriptions – Ongoing Children’s/Family Events: Please note that there are no storytimes or children’s programs December 22 through January 6.

    Bay Farm Island Branch:

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  • Preschool Storytime: 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. Mondays at 10:30am, ages 3-5.
  • Family Storytime: 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. Every Tuesday at 7pm, all ages.
  • Toddler Storytime: 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. Thursdays at 10:30 AM.
  • Build with LEGO: We will provide the LEGO building blocks. Use your imagination and creativity to create with them! Every Thursday at 3:30 pm.

    • Main Library, Children's Programming Room:

  • Preschool Storytime: 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. Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 3-5.
  • School-Age Storytime: A 45 minute program for children in Kindergarten through third grade. Through the use of books and conversation, children are encouraged to engage with the stories, learning context from pictures and memory, and building comprehension by asking questions about the book just read. Every Wednesday at 3:30pm, grades K-3rd.
  • Mother Goose on the Loose: This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old. This program starts promptly at 10:30am. Latecomers may not be admitted. Every Thursday at 10:30am, ages 0-2.
  • Toddler Storytime: 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. Every Friday & Saturday at 10:30am, ages 1-3.

  • West End Branch: Special Children’s/Family Events:
  • Family Storytime: 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: 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. Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 1-3.
  • Coding with LEGO: LEGO Education SPIKE™ combines the well known playful blocks with easy-to-use hardware and an intuitive coding software to create hands-on purposeful play. Participants will collaborate with others in using their creativity, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills in this 45-60 minute activity led by library staff. This activity is for 3rd to 5th grade students. Registration is required and begins on Friday, November 17th. There are 20 seats available. Please visit the Alameda Free Library website calendar event listing for the registration link.
  • Drop In Hour of Code: Learn the basics of coding while playing your favorite games. Registration is not required. Students in second through eighth grade are welcome and will receive a certificate for their participation!
  • Family Movie Matinee: Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused screening of Trolls, a clever, funny, irreverent animated comedy. Enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake and other popular artists, the film includes the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, and Gwen Stefani.
  • Teen Advisory Board (TAB): Do you wish the library would do more events and programs that you’re interested in? Have you been anxiously awaiting a new book and you want the library to buy it? Do you need an impressive membership to put on your applications and resumes? Join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to let the library know what you’re interested in. The Teen Advisory Board is your chance to make a difference in the library for yourself and other teens in Alameda. Teen Advisory Board members will earn community service hours for every meeting and event that they participate in.
  • Teen Book Club: Teen book club members choose what we read from a variety of titles and genres each month. Additionally, while supplies last, book club members receive a free copy of the book to keep. The title we will discuss in December is The Davenports by Krystal Marquis. All teens, ages 13 to 18, are invited to join the book group. Registration link is on the calendar. We will be meeting in person in the Stafford Room at the Main Library.
  • Dungeons & Dragons: Want to try Dungeons & Dragons but can’t find a group? Looking for a new party? Come to our Dungeons & Dragons Teen Meetup! No previous experience required. Character sheets will be provided as well as rules explanations and dice. Registration is encouraged; please see the online calendar for the registration link.

    This press release was produced by the City of Alameda. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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