Special Hours and Closures:

-Monday, February 20: Closed in observance of Presidents' Day

Upcoming Events

Adults

A History of Black Resistance in Alameda

Tuesday, February 21 at 6:00pm

Main Library, Stafford Room

Since the kidnapping and trafficking of the first Africans brought to the Americas, resistance to all forms of oppression has been a common theme in African American history. Black responses to oppression have taken the form of armed resistance, voluntary emigration, education, culture, forming Black institutions, and more. African Americans have a history of resistance in Alameda too. Early migrants fleeing the Jim Crow South formed and joined organizations, led labor strikes and boycotts of schools, fought housing discrimination, protested police brutality, used arts and culture, and built families and independent institutions. 

The 2023 Black History Month theme is, “Black Resistance.” Alamedan Rasheed Shabazz will discuss a history of Black Resistance in Alameda. Shabazz is a journalist, historian, and urban planner. He grew up in Alameda and is currently working on a book about race and housing in Alameda.

- Computer Lab Workshop: Google Apps 2023

• Tuesday, February 7, 6:00pm, Computer Lab

- Women Returners Workgroup

• Wednesday, February 8, 1:30pm on Zoom

Alameda Library Writers' Group

• Saturday, February 11, 12:30pm, Family Study Room

- A History of Black Resistance in Alameda

• Tuesday, February 21, 6:00pm, Stafford Room

- February Movie Night: Loving

• Wednesday, February 22, 6:00pm, Stafford Room

Children

- Bay Farm Island Branch:

• Family Storytime: Every Tuesday at 7pm, all ages
• Preschool Storytime: Every Thursday at 10:30am, ages 3-5

- Main Library, Children's Programming Room:

- Preschool Storytime: Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 3-5

- School-Age Storytime: Every Wednesday at 3:30pm, grades K-3rd

- Mother Goose on the Loose: Every Thursday at 10:30am, ages 0-2

- Toddler Storytime: Every Friday at 10:30am, ages 1-3

- Toddler Storytime: Every Saturday at 10:30am, ages 1-3

- West End Branch:

- Mil y un Cuentos: Every Monday at 7pm, all ages

- Toddler Storytime: Every Tuesday at 10:30am, ages 1-3

Teens

Teen Book Club

• Wednesday, February 1 at 4:00pm, Stafford Room

- Girls Who Code Club

• Every Thursday, 3:30-4:45pm, Computer Lab

- Teen Advisory Board (TAB)

• Tuesday, February 7 at 4:30pm, Stafford Room

- Game Break

• Wednesday, February 8 at 3:30pm, Stafford Room

- Dungeons & Dragons

• Monday, February 13 at 6:00pm, Stafford Room

Book Clubs

Staff Pick

Family Business by S.J. Rozan

Looking for an engaging read filled with history and intrigue? Check out Family Business (2021) by S. J. Rozan, Edgar award winning author. Private detectives Bill Smith and Lydia Chin investigate a murder in New York City's Chinatown and become immersed in conflicts between preservationist and development interests. Rozan's architecture background lends added detail and perspective to this intricately plotted, satisfying mystery with memorable characters. 

Featured Resources

Books for Friends

Did you know the library has a bookstore? The volunteer-run used book sale space is through the café. Check out the great selection of books for all ages and interests.

Link+

If a book is unavailable at Alameda Free Library, you can request it from another LINK+ member library. It gets sent to AFL for you to pick up using your Alameda library card! 

Novelist

Looking for your next favorite book? Novelist can help! Search for a book you love and find read-alikes and similar authors to try out. Great for all ages!