Special Events

Adult Events

Happy Hour! Online Cooking Class with Kitchen on Fire: Cook along with Chef Olivier from Kitchen on Fire at this fun, quick, "Happy Hour" demo. On the menu: Thai Larb (Lettuce Cups) with Beef, Chicken, or Tempeh and Chocolate Lava Cake with Berry Coulis and Whipped Cream! Please register at https://bit.ly/3Gy406W Participants will be sent a shopping list and zoom link a week before the event.

The Beatles: ‘Abbey Road’: Join us for an entertaining illustrated lecture presented by professional musician Dulais Rhys. Dulais discusses this final - but controversial - Beatles album, the crucial role that ‘5th Beatle’, George Martin, had in its creation, and how the ‘joined-up’ song fragments of the second side formed a musical gem.

Mystery Book Club – Best of 2022:Join us for a lively discussion of the best mysteries we have read this year! We will meet in the Stafford Room at the Main Library.

Computer Lab Workshop: Basic Internet: For this workshop, we’re going back to the basics of internet browsing. This class will be based on Windows 10 stations, and we’ll cover things such as completing a website search, general browser tools like bookmarks, internet security, safe passwords, and making a safe gift 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 computers.

Teen Events

Exam Cram: Study rooms full? Cramming for finals? Bring your study groups and work to the library. We'll provide free snacks, seating, outlets, and Wi-Fi. Teens only.

Event descriptions – ongoing events: 

Teen Advisory Board: 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. Members of the Teen Advisory Board will be involved in planning Teen programs and choose teen events. 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 and every book club member gets a free copy of the book to keep. The title we will be discussing in Dec. is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. 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. Masks are strongly encouraged.  

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! We will be playing a stand-alone adventure in 5th edition. No previous experience required. Character sheets will be provided as well as rules, explanations, and dice. Teens only.

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!

Award Winner Book Club: Join us for an engaging literary discussion! Our featured book in Dec. isDetransition, Babyby Torrey Peters. Print and e-book copies are available in our Alameda Free Library collection and print copies are available through our LINK+ library partners. A limited number of free copies provided by the Friends of the Alameda Library will also be available for participants at the reference desk of the Main Library. Please register on our web calendar.

Alameda Great Books Discussion Group:Join us for the 2022-2023 discussion series. Alameda Great Books is free and open to the public. Dec.’s read isMedeaby Euripides.

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 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!

Movie Night: Join us for a screening of The Mountain Between Us (2017) PG-13. Based on the novel by Charles Martin, “The Mountain Between Us” follows two strangers (Kate Winslet and Idris Elba) who embark on a dangerous trek to safety after their chartered flight crashes on a remote snowy mountain in Utah. Along the way, the pair begin to develop feelings for each other as they try to stay alive and get back to civilization. Light snacks provided.

Women Returners Workgroup:Are you seeking to return to the workforce after a break? Offered in partnership with Women Back to Work and SJPL Works, the Women Returners Workgroup features job search experts to teach and guide you during each session. Join the Women Returners Workgroup to jumpstart your job search, build your confidence, strengthen your existing skills for meaningful employment, and create momentum by collaborating with other woman returners. The Dec. 7^thtopic is Elevator Pitch. This is a multiple session workshop that will take place on a Wednesday once a month until February 2023. Each session will explore a different topic and have exercises that will help you in your resume and job search. You don't have to attend every session in order to participate.

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 read recently that they enjoyed. This is a fun and informal way to get some recommendations and give some too. The Dec. theme is 2022 Best Picks (favorite books of the past year).  Please email the facilitator, Lynda, at [email protected] for more information. 

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