Mission
The Alameda Free Library is an inviting and comfortable place where people of all ages develop and enjoy a love of learning and reading, connect to the online world, and find the information they need for daily living.
About Us
The Alameda Free Library serves those who live, work, play, and learn in Alameda by providing materials, services, and programs to advance their recreational, educational, and professional goals. The Library offers a wide range of services to support community priorities, including answering reference questions, staging story times, providing summer reading programs, hosting class visits, and offering free public programs and displays for all ages and interests.
Special Programs Tuesday, January 16th, 6 PM | MAIN. Biking After Dark. Join us for a workshop on riding safely after dark. Sunday, January 21st, 1-3PM | MAIN. Supper & Support. Come enjoy a free, hot meal at the library! Tacos & Info from…
Read More »Cozy Up with a Good Book! All Alameda Free Library branches will be closed on Sunday, December 24th and Monday, December 25th! Letter from the Acting Director As the end of the year approaches we look forward to welcoming you to the library for…
Read More »Alameda Free Library Events Alert - December 2023 Title Date & Time Location Audience Contact Main Library: Toddler Storytime Dec. 1, 8, 15 10:30 AM Children’s Programming Room…
Read More »Book it to the library this November! All Alameda Free Library branches will be closed on Saturday, November 11th for Veteran's Day and on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving. Letter from the Acting Director For…
Read More »Title Date & Time Location Audience Contact Main Library: Preschool Storytime Nov. 1, 8,15,29 10:30 AM Children’s Programming Room Main Library Children (3-5) Children's…
Read More »Reap the Benefits of Your Library Card this October All Alameda Free Library branches will be closed on Monday, October 9th for Staff Development Day. Let's learn, connect, and have a great time together this October! Featured Online Resource…
Read More »September at Alameda Free Library is Literary All Alameda Free Library branches will be closed on Monday, September 4th in honor of Labor Day. Letter from the Acting Director As we approach the month of September, I am thrilled to invite you to…
Read More »Let The Library Come To You! Sign-ups are Open. Class Visit Scheduling Page TK-8th grade classroom teachers at schools in the City of Alameda may schedule grade-level specific classroom visits. Use the link above to find your school, choose an…
Read More »Click here to view more information about Alameda Free Library News - August 2023
Read More »August at AFL is Fully Booked Letter from the Acting Director I am very happy to address you as the new Acting Library Director, and am looking forward to embarking on a new journey of literacy, learning and curiosity with you all. As we begin…
Read More »Click here to View the Information About "Alameda Free Library News - July 3,…
Read More »Title Date & Time Location Audience Contact First Day of Summer Reading June 1 Bay Farm, Main, West End Children, Teens, Adults Children's Department [email protected] 510-747-7705…
Read More »All Alameda Free Library locations will be closed on Monday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. Summer Reading Challenge The Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 1st through July 31st. Readers of all ages can play and win prizes. No…
Read More »AFL's Summer Reading Challenge Begins June 1st! Read and do fun activities in June and July to earn REAL prizes! Sign up in person or online starting on June 1st. The challenge ends July 31st. Anyone can play, no library card required! Check our…
Read More »At the turn of the century when Japanese immigrants arrived at the island community of Alameda, California, they built a thriving Japantown along lower Park Street, bustling with bath houses, a sewing school, bicycle shops, a photo studio, and…
Read More »May 2023 All Alameda Free Libraries will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Labor Day. May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Join Alameda Free Library in honoring the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific…
Read More »April 2023 Dia de los Niños Join us on April 29th for a celebration of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The schedule of events for Día de los Niños is as follows: Lotería 1:00 to…
Read More »Library Resources for TK-8 Educators March 2023 Please spread the word to your students and families: Author Joanna Ho will visit the Alameda Free Library on Monday, 3/27 at 3:30pm! Books, Inc will be selling her books at the event, so snag a copy…
Read More »Event Descriptions – Ongoing Adult and Teen Events: -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 receives a free copy of the book to keep. The title we…
Read More »Alameda Free Library Special Hours and Closures: Thursday, March 30: CLOSED for Staff Training Upcoming Events Author Visit: Joanna Ho Monday, March 27, 3:30-4:30pm, Stafford Room Dynamic local author and educator Joanna Ho will speak…
Read More »Enter the lottery to attend the FREE event for your grade level now! Joanna Ho will speak to K-2nd grade classes at 9am and 3rd-5th grade classes at 11am. Both events will take place in person at the Main Library on Monday, 3/27/2023. In the…
Read More »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…
Read More »Alameda Free Library Event Alert - February 2023 Event Descriptions – Ongoing Adult and Teen Events: - 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…
Read More »Holiday Hours and Closures: - Saturday, December 31: Main Library & West End, 10:00am - 4:00pm - Bay Farm Library, CLOSED - Sunday, January 1: CLOSED - Monday, January 2: CLOSED - Monday, January 16: CLOSED in observance of Martin…
Read More »Alameda Free Library Event Alert - January 2023 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…
Read More »Kids! Join AFL's Winter Reading Challenge Today! From Jan.1 to Jan. 31, 2023, Alameda Free Library is participating in “All the Feels,” a Winter Reading Challenge sponsored by Beanstack. We challenge kids to read for 8 hours during…
Read More »December 2022 Holiday Hours and Closures: Saturday, December 24: 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday, December 25: CLOSED Monday, December 26: CLOSED Saturday, December 31: 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday, January 1: CLOSED Monday, January 2: CLOSED Upcoming Events…
Read More »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…
Read More »November 2022 Special Hours and Closures: - Friday, November 11: Closed in observance of Veteran's Day - Wednesday, November 23: All locations closing at 4:00pm - Thursday, November 24: Closed on Thanksgiving Day - Friday, November 25: Closed in…
Read More »Our school group performance is full - thanks to all who entered the lottery, and condolences to those who weren't selected this time around. Please encourage students and their families to attend this public performance at 3:30pm on 11/2! Middle…
Read More »October 2022 Special Hours and Closures: Monday, October 10: Closed for Staff Training On Monday, October 3, the City of Alameda will release the full draft Active Transportation Plan for public review. Find out more at www.ActiveAlameda.org…
Read More »Special Events Adult Events: - Spark Joy: Make Tidying a Special Event – Online: KonMari Gold consultant Shannon Honeycutt will be bringing the life-changing magic of tidying to you through her Spark Joy ® program. You will learn the…
Read More »Beginning Monday, September 12, Alameda Free Library will increase the number of hours it is open to the public. The Main Library will now be open on Monday and Tuesday mornings and will be adding an extra hour on Sundays. The West End and Bay…
Read More »New Hours for Alameda Free Library Starting Monday, September 12, Alameda Free Library will be open more hours! The Main Library will be open at 10am Monday and Tuesday mornings and will add an extra hour on Sundays. The West End and Bay Farm Island…
Read More »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!…
Read More »Class Visits and Tours Sign up now for virtual and in person class visits, a Library-To-Go Book Box, or a Library Tour! Hope your summer was splendid and your school year is off to a great start. I hope you can find time to fit a visit or two…
Read More »Special Events Adult Events -Searching for Jimmy Lyons – Film Screening and Q&A: Alameda Premiere of the jazz documentary exploring the music and life of Jimmy Lyons (a singer/songwriter and long-time resident of Alameda). Jimmy was a…
Read More »Special Hours and Closures: Monday, July 4: Closed in observance of Independence Day. Adults: -Financial Workshop Series: Tuesdays July 5, 12, & 26, 2:30pm & 7pm on Zoom -Women Returners Workgroup: Wednesday, July 6 at…
Read More »Click Here To View Alameda Free Library Event Alert July…
Read More »Free online financial workshops at the Alameda Free Library The Alameda Free Library invites you to attend a financial foundation education series presented by the Heartland Institute for Financial Education. The workshops will take place on…
Read More »Library Resources for TK-8 Educators June 2022 AFL's Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1st! No Library Card Required. 2022 Summer Reading Challenge: Read Beyond the Beaten Path Alameda Free Library's Summer Reading Program is for all…
Read More »Click Here To View Alameda Free Library Event Alert - June 2022
Read More »Summer Reading Program at the Alameda Free Library The Alameda Free Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Challenge: Read Beyond the Beaten Path starts June 1 and runs through July 31. Created to encourage reading as well as life-long learning, this…
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