SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER!!
 
What's Happening at AFL?
 
Important notices: 
*All library locations will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.*
*Regular programming will resume this Tuesday, September 3rd!!*
 
Featured Resource 
Culture Grams
Unique cultural information provided by natives and long-term residents on daily life and social customs around the world. The World Edition is written at a higher Lexile for older grades. Log in with your library card, then scroll to the bottom to see "Teaching Resources" and "Teaching Activities".
 
Exhibit: Clubs in Alameda--Past and Present
Currently on the second floor of the Main Library there is a display of news articles, photos, and other documents from our library files highlighting some of the many and varied clubs and organizations throughout Alameda history. Some of the groups represented include the Adelphian Club (founded in 1896), the Rod and Gun Club (1926), the NAACP (1954), Shakespeare Club (1895), Boys Club (1948) and Kiwanis, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. Come check it out!
 
Visit our website for more local history resources.
 
September Programs
For Adults
Make It!
Renter's Rights!
Movie Night!
  • Make It. Tuesday, September 3rd & 17th, 4:30PM | Main Library. Bring your own project and materials. Limited instruction available. All fiber crafts welcome.
  • Alameda Writers' Group. Saturday, September 14th, 1PM | Main Library. We provide 5 short prompts for your choosing for warm-up or inspiration. Join us in person or on Zoom.
  • Renter's Rights. Wednesday, September 18th, 6PM | Main Library. Join us for a discussion with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates covering the basics of renters’ rights, including topics such as habitability problems, rent increases, and reasonable accommodation of disabilities. 
  • Human Library. Saturday, September 21st, 1PM | Main Library. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be neurodivergent? Are you curious about the lived experience of people from different cultures? Do you have questions for people who live with stigma and prejudice but don’t know who to ask? Come to the Human LibraryⓇ and borrow one or more of our human books for open and vulnerable dialog about what it’s like to be them.
  • Movie Night. Wednesday, September 25th, 5:30PM | Main Library. This month: Licorice Pizza. Rated R. Snacks Provided. 
     
Book Clubs
  • Alameda Great Books Group. Main Library. Family Study Room. Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM. This month's pick: Rothschild’s Fiddle by Anton Chekhov.
  • A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book. Bay Farm Branch. Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00PM. This month's theme: New England.
  • 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: Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett.
  • 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: Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett.
  • A Novel Idea. Main Library. Last Tuesday of the month at 5:30PM. Copies are available in the Alameda Free Library collection and through LINK+. This month's pick: Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai.
 
For Teens
  • Teen Advisory Board. Tuesday, September 3rd, 4:30PM | Main Library. 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 Board (TAB)? You can gain valuable experience and earn volunteer hours as a member.
  • Teen Book Club. Wednesday, September 4th, 4PM | Main Library. Teens choose what we read each month. Free copies of the book while supplies last. Next up: Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto.
  • Dungeons & Dragons. Monday, September 9th & 16th, 6PM | Main Library. Looking to get into Dungeons & Dragons? No experience needed. Character sheets, dice, and rules explanations provided. 
  • Climate Solutions: What Alameda Youth Are Doing. Saturday, September 14, 1:30PM | Main Library. Hosted by Youthpower Climate Action, join Alameda young people for an hour-long panel about a few ways YOU can fight climate change. Listen to the youth as they present and reflect on their projects, and afterward, explore how you can get involved or start a project of your own. This program is for anyone ages 12-112. Families welcome! 
  • Teen Book Reviews. Teens in the 7th-12th grades are invited to write book reviews for the library. Please visit the website for more information.
                                                                  
For Children 
Todd Parr, Be Who You Are Day!
Robert Liu-Trujillo: Author Visit
Tween Crafternoon
  • 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 Family Edition. Every Thursday & Friday through September, 3:30PM | 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. Fully Booked.
  • Family Movie Matinee. Sunday, September 8th, 2PM | Main Library. Join us for a sensory-friendly, family focused movie matinee! September selection: The Super Mario Bros.
  • Robert Liu-Trujillo: Author Visit. Wednesday, September 18, 3:30PM | Main Library. Come hear about his fascinating journey to becoming a children’s book artist, and listen to him read Fresh Juice, a celebration of mixed families and the many individuals who help make a neighborhood feel like a community! No Purchase or registration required. 
  • Play Doh Playtime. Saturday, September 21st, 10AM | West End Branch. Join us for Play-Doh Playtime, where kids can squish, sculpt, and be as creative as they like! Ages 2+ and their caregivers.
  • Tween Crafternoon. Thursday, September 26th, 3:30PM | Main Library. A free, drop-in program where kids in 4th through 6th grades can unwind, unplug, create, craft and socialize.
  • Todd Parr: Be Who You Are Day. Monday, September 30th, 3:30PM | Main Library. All kids are special, all families are special, and everyone deserves to be celebrated for being who they are! Join us in the Children's Department to we celebrate the unique & wonderful things that make it so great to be who YOU are. Families welcome and no registration is required.
Storytime Schedule 
  • Bay Farm Island Branch:
    • Preschool Storytime: Every Monday at 10:30AM, ages 3-5
    • Family Storytime: Every Tuesday at 7:00PM, all ages 
    • Toddler Storytime: Every Thursday at 10:30AM, ages 1-3
  • 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
  • West End Branch:
    • Family Pajama Storytime: Every Monday at 7:00PM, all ages
    • Toddler Storytime: Every Tuesday at 10:30AM, ages 1-3
Staff Picks
Isak is reading...

Guantanamo kid : the true story of Mohammed El-Gharani

by Jâerãome Tubiana

Recounts the story of one of Guantanamo's youngest detainees, reflecting on El-Gharani's memories and experiences of life in the camp
Eva is reading....

Apprentice to the Villain

by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Happy working as the assistant to The Villain, Evie Sage notices something strange happening with the kingdom's magic and must protect their lair in Rennedawn in the second novel of the series following. Original. 300,000 first printing.
Oli is reading...
 
Crying in H Mart : a memoir
by Michelle Zauner

"From the indie rockstar of Japanese Breakfast fame, and author of the viral 2018 New Yorker essay that shares the title of this book, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean-American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity. In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far more than a dazzling singer, songwriter, and guitarist."
Mia is reading...
 
Emperor of Rome : ruling the ancient Roman world
by Mary Beard

The best-selling The Fires of Vesuvius presents a comprehensive history of the social and political world of the Roman emperors including Julius Caesar, Nero, Alexander Severus, Caligula and Marcus Aurelius. Illustrations.
Nico is reading...
 
Las malas/ The Evil Ones
by Camila Sosa Villada

Las Malas describes the oddities and the dreary realities trans people usually go through together with supernatural phenomena presented as fairy-tale-like segments disruptively. This amalgamation of real and magical elements elevates the tone while being informative and rough in content.
Lauren is reading...
 
Radical acceptance : embracing your life with the heart of a Buddha
by Tara Brach

Combining the principles of psychotherapy with the teachings of Buddhism, this illuminating guide explains how to eliminate the personal conflicts and feelings of not being good enough that can cause such problems as addiction, overwork, and perfectionism, and how to develop balance, compassion, acceptance, self-healing, and a more fulfilling life.
Vicky is reading...
 
Here after
by Amy Lin

This memoir from the debut Canadian author traces the dizzying loss she faced after the sudden death of her 32-year-old husband who had led her to greater joy, adventure, and self-acceptance. 50,000 first printing.
Looking for more recommendations?
Check out these book lists created by AFL librarians!
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510-747-7777
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