City Of Alameda News: Alameda Free Library Event Alert - September 2022

Special Events – please publicize

Adult Events

- Banned Books Week - Online Quiz: Test your banned book knowledge by completing our Virtual Banned Books Quiz! During the quiz, you will be learning about banned book titles and trivia. Answers to the questions below can be found by doing simple internet searches or by visiting the linked website on the form. Visit https://tinyurl.com/49rscpr8 or pick up a print copy at the MAIN Library (1550 Oak St.) and play for a chance to win a banned book package! Submissions will be accepted until September 30th! The winners for the teen group as well as the adult group will be announced on September 28, 2022 and receive a banned book package.

- Bike-Friendly Driver Workshop: At this class we will discuss bike safety from a driver perspective, and answer questions you might have about new bikeways. This class is great for beginners and experienced drivers alike. We'll cover a number of interesting topics, including: Rules and responsibilities for bike riders, turn conflicts, types of bikeways, passing bike riders, managing speed. Register here for this free program.

- Papel Picado Take & Make Kit: Pick up a kit to make your own Papel Picado! Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican folk art that consists of stacking, folding, and cutting tissue paper to create beautiful designs. Crafts will be available at the Main Library beginning September 9th while supplies last.

- Financial Workshop Series – Online: Is money controlling you? Or do you control your money? With this Financial Foundation Educational Program, you will learn how to: make money work better for you, find and save more money, understand investments and build wealth, protect and preserve your money. You can learn the habits of successful people. Register here for the Zoom Link: https://TINYURL.COM/StellaWorkshopRSVP

- Urban Cycling 101: This fun, in-person workshop is taught by an instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists in coordination with the City of Alameda. Learn basic rules of the road, how to equip your bicycle, fit your helmet, avoid bike theft, ride after dark, and prevent common crashes. 2-hour, indoor workshop for adults and teens, no bike required. Register here for this free program.

- Lo Min - Meet the Author: Meet Lio Min, author of  the new book Beating Heart Baby, a friends-to-enemies-to lovers YA story. Swoony, angsty, and tender in all the best ways, Beating Heart Baby is a quintessential teen love story with two queer, Asian American leads at its center. It is also an ode to Los Angeles, indie rock, anime, internet friendships, and found family. Above all, it is a celebration of finding yourself and the people you can call home.  Lio Min has listened to, played and performed, and written about music for most of their life. They've profiled and interviewed acts including Japanese Breakfast, Rina Sawayama, MUNA, Caroline Polachek, Christine and the Queens, Raveena, Tei Shi, Speedy Ortiz, and Mitski.

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 plan 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 September is Sabriel by Garth Nix. 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.

- 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!

- Queer Social Club (QSC): Queer Social Club Looking for a casual place to connect with your queer community? Good news! It’s at the library! Chat with like-minded teens about queer media, share LGBTQ+ books, participate in fun activities, or just hang out at QSC. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:30-5:30pm. This event is for teens only, no registration is needed, and masks are strongly encouraged.  

- Award Winner Book Club: Join us for an engaging literary discussion! Our featured book in September  is “Why Fish Don’t Exist” by Lulu Miller. Print and e-book copies are available in our Alameda Free Library collection and print copies through our LINK+ library partners. A limited number of free copies provided by the Friends of the Alameda Library will also be available at the reference desk of the Main Library. Register here: https://alamedaca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EmFbEMm7SDS1p8iEKiVlTw

- Alameda Great Books Discussion Group:  Join us for the 2022-2023 discussion series. Alameda Great Books is free and open to the public. September’s short story is “The Nose” by Nikolai Gogol.

- 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.

- Me, MyShelf, and I Book Club: Join the Alameda Free Library’s Biography and Memoir Book Club - Me, MyShelf, and I, for a literary discussion! Copies are available in our Alameda Free Library collection and through our LINK+ library partners. A limited number of free copies provided by the Friends of the Alameda Free Library will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://alamedaca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wXd37TdRSLuUr8KiFwT1nQ  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

- 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 zoom 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!

- Mystery Book Club: Join the Alameda Free Library’s Mystery Book Clubfor a fun and engaging literary discussion!  We are offering this popular book club in two different locations, the West End Library and the Bay Farm Island Library. Copies are available in our Alameda Free Library collection and through our LINK+ library partners. A limited number of free copies provided by the Friends of the Alameda Free Library will also be available soon at the Main Library.  

- September Movie Night: Join us for a screening of “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl who Decided to go for it” on September 28 at 6:00 PM at the Main Library Stafford Room.

- 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 September 21st topic is Strengths. 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.

Download and share the press release here.