Alameda Free Library's June 2024 Newsletter
AFL's Got Pride!
Please note: All library locations will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Summer Reading Begins June 1st!
The Alameda Free Library is gearing up for an exciting summer with our annual Summer Reading Program kicking off Saturday, June 1, and running through Wednesday, July 31. Our summer reading program encourages a love of reading and discovery for children, teens, and adults. A library card is not needed to participate in the 2024 Summer Reading Program or any event the library hosts.
 
The library has a full schedule of special programs and events, allowing everyone to participate in fun reading and learning activities. The 2024 Summer Reading Program kickoff event will be held at the Main Library on Saturday, June 1, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, and will include crafts, games, and a family dance party. Programs you can look forward to include an author visit with multi-Latin Grammy Award winning musician and children’s author Lucky Diaz and an introduction to our new Pathway to Learning kits on June 15; a presentation on the Black punk music scene on June 29; a visit from Tracy the Animal Show Guy on July 6; and Teddy Bear Picnics happening every Wednesday at parks around the City of Alameda.

In addition to these programs, participants can track their reading and activities to earn rewards along the way. Create or log into your Beanstack account to register and begin tracking. By tracking your progress, you have the chance to win some amazing prizes, making the summer reading experience both fun and rewarding. 

The library encourages everyone in the community to join the summer reading fun and take advantage of the many resources and opportunities available. Whether it's attending a story time, browsing our collections, or checking out a California State Library Parks Pass, there's something for everyone at the library this summer.
 
For more details, please visit www.alamedafree.org/SRP2024
 
Featured Resource: Pathway to Learning Kits
Introducing our new collection of Pathway to Learning Kits. With these kits cardholders can check out all the entry level tools they might need to get started with a new craft of hobby! Come and see what kits are available and check one out! Kits will be available for checkout beginning July 1st.
 
Join us Saturday, June 15th 3-4:30PM for a "Petting Zoo" to learn more.
 
June Programs
For Adults
  • Windows Basics and File Management. Tuesday, June 11th, 6PM | Main Library Computer Lab. For more info and to sign up: bit.ly/AFLcomputerlab! 
  • Renters Rights. Wednesday, June 12th, 6PM | Main Library. A discussion with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates covering the basics of renters' rights, including topics such as habitability, rent increases, and reasonable accommodation of disabilities.
  • Make It. Tuesday, June 4th & 18th, 4:30PM | Main Library. Bring your own project and materials. Limited instruction available. All crafts welcome.
  • Urban Cycling 101. Tuesday, June11th, 5:30PM | Main Library. Learn rules of the road, how to equip your bicycle, fit your helmet, use different types of bike infrastructure, and avoid common hazards.
  • Supper & Support. Sunday, June 16th, 1PM | Main Library. Join us at the library every 3rd Sunday to enjoy a free meal and make connections with local service providers.
  • Movie Night: Moonlight. Wednesday, June 26th, 5:30PM | Main Library. Rated R. Snacks provided.
  • Black Punk Resonance. Saturday, June 29th, 6PM | Main Library. An after hours program featuring author and director James Spooner, and joined by special musical guests. In honor of Black Music Month, this program celebrates the contributions of Black folks in the punk music scene. 
Book Clubs
  • A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book. Bay Farm Branch. Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00. This month's theme: Fruit.
  • Main Library Mystery Book Club. Fourth Monday of the month at 6:00pm. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Body by the Sea by Jean-Luc Bannalec.
  • Bay Farm Mystery Book Club. Fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Body by the Sea by Jean-Luc Bannalec.
  • A Novel Idea. Main Library. Fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo.
 
For Teens
  • Study Hall. Monday, June 3rd, 4PM & Tuesday, June 4th, 3PM | Main Library. Teens, looking for a quiet place to study? Come to the Main Library's Study Hall! We've got snacks, coloring pages to unwind, and plenty of seating. Check website for details.
  • Dungeons & Dragons. Monday, June 3rd & 10th, 6PM | Main Library. Looking to get into Dungeons & Dragons? No experience needed. Character sheets, dice, and rules explanations provided. 
  • Teen Advisory Board. Tuesday, June 4th, 4:30PM | Main Library. Calling all teens! Plan community events, get experience, and earn volunteer hours!
  • Teen Book Club. Wednesday, June 5th, 4PM | Main Library. Teens choose what we read each month. Free copies of the book while supplies last. Next up: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus. 
                                                                  
For Children
  • Summer Reading Kickoff Party. Saturday, June 1st, 11AM | Main Library.  The 2024 Summer Reading Program kicks off on Saturday, June 1st with games, crafts, and a family dance party at the Main Library. Check our website for more info.
  • Build with LEGO. Every Thursday, 3:30PM | Bay Farm Branch. We will provide the LEGO building blocks. Use your imagination and creativity!
  • Coding with Lego Summer Series. Every Monday & Thursday June 6th to July 25th, 3PM | Main Library. 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. Sign up is required.
  • Museum of Children's Art Series. Multiple dates through July 29th. Teaching artists from Oakland's Museum of Children's Art will be conducting sessions at all three Alameda Free Library locations. See website for more details and to register.
  • Flashlight Fridays. Every Friday June 7th-July 19th, 2PM | Main Library. Camp out and read with us! We have tents, pillows, a "campfire" and, of course, flashlights! Open to independent readers ages 5-12. Each session is 30 minutes long and registration is required.
  • Sensory Play. Saturday, June 8th, 11AM | Main Library. Come and play with sensory toys, interactive books, bubbles, sensory bins, and more. Behaviors and/or noise are no problem. Families and siblings welcome!
  • Family Movie Matinee. Sunday, June 9th, 2PM | Main Library. Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee! June selection: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
  • Author Visit: Lucky Diaz. Saturday, June 15th, 11AM | Main Library. Meet multi-Latin Grammy Award winning musician and children's author, Lucky Diaz! Check the website for details.
  • East Bay Vivarium. The East Bay Vivarium brings their traveling menagerie of up to 20 amazing creatures.
    • Saturday, June 15th, 3:30PM | Bay Farm Island Branch
    • Saturday, June 29th, 2:30PM | West End Branch
  • Eric Carle Day. Wednesday, June 26th, 2PM | Main Library. An afternoon of stories and crafts celebrating the work of Eric Carle. Ages 5-8.
  • Tween Crafternoon. Thursday, June 27th, 3:30PM | Main Library. Kids ages 9 to 11, get crafty at the Main Library on the last Thursday of the month!
  • Play Doh Playtime. Saturday, June 29th, 10AM | West End Branch. Join us at the West End Library for Play-Doh Playtime, where kids can squish, sculpt, and be as creative as they like! Recommended for children ages 2+ and their caregivers.
Storytime Schedule
  • Bay Farm Island Branch:
    • Family Storytime: Every Tuesday at 7:00PM, all ages 
    • Preschool Storytime: Every Monday at 10:30AM, ages 3-5
    • Toddler Storytime: Every Thursday at 10:30AM, ages 1-3
    • Music & Movement Summer Series: Tuesdays at 10:30AM
      (June 11th -July 30th), all ages
    • Crab Cover Storytime: Tuesday, June 18th & July 16th, 1PM, ages 5 and up
  • Main Library, Children's Programming Room:
    • Preschool Storytime: Every Tuesday at 10:30AM, ages 3-5
    • School-Age Storytime: Every Wednesday at 3:30PM, ages 5-8
    • 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
    • Ballet Stories with Tutu School: Tuesday, June 11th, 10:30AM, all ages
  • West End Branch:
    • Family Pajama Storytime: Every Monday at 7:00PM, all ages
    • Toddler Storytime: Every Tuesday at 10:30AM, ages 1-3
  • Teddy Bear Picnic:
    • Wednesday, June 12th, 10:30AM @ Franklin Park
    • Wednesday, June 26th, 10:30AM @ Littlejohn Park
    • Wednesday, July 3rd, 10:30AM @ Leydecker Park
    • Wednesday, July 10th, 10:30AM @ Longfellow Park
    • Wednesday, July 17th, 10:30AM @ Lincoln Park
    • Wednesday, July 24th, 10:30AM @ Jean Sweeney Open Space
    • Wednesday, July 31st, 10:30AM @ Krusi Park
 
                                                                 
Staff Picks
Eva is reading...

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande

A prominent surgeon argues against modern medical practices that extend life at the expense of quality of life while isolating the dying, outlining suggestions for freer, more fulfilling approaches to death that enable more dignified and comfortable choices. 
Dawn is reading...

Louder Than Hunger
by John Schu

Even though he likes helping people, Jake, who avoids kids his own age, mirrors, and food, must help himself when the destructive voices inside get to be too much, in this raw and transformative novel-in-verse about managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love. 
Lauren is reading...
 
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again
by Johann Hari

In this urgent, deeply researched book, the author shows how our focus has been stolen by powerful external forces determined to raid our attention for profit and, taking us on a thrilling journey around the world, shows us how we can get our focus back. 
Ken is reading...

The Tower of Swallows
by Andrzej Sapkowski

As her world falls into war, Ciri, the child of prophecy, disguises herself as a petty bandit, but mercenary forces, and the Witcher Geralt, close in on her, forcing her to flee to the Tower of Swallows.
Andie is reading...

The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly

When a teenage boy appears out of nowhere in 1999, claiming he's the world's first time-traveler and has a book outlining the events of the next 20 years, 12-year-old Michael wants to get his hands on the book and must decide how far he's willing to go to do so.
Natalie is reading...
 
The Ministry of Time
by Kaliane Bradley

What happens if you put a disaffected millennial and a Victorian polar explorer in a house together? A time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingenious exploration of the nature of power and the potential for love to change it all.
Looking for more recommendations?
Check out these book lists created by AFL librarians!
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