The Main Library and its branches will be closed on Monday, October 9th, 2023 for a Staff Development Day and will reopen on Tuesday, October 10th for regular hours.
State and County indoor mask mandates have been lifted in most places for everyone who is vaccinated starting June 24, 2022. Indoor masking is strongly recommended for everyone in high-risk settings and the City of Alameda continues to recommend masks at all City facilities.
COVID-19 Updates
Please note: We use Beanstack to manage our reading challenges. Through Beanstack you’ll be able to participate in challenges, earn incentives, and discover great books. It’s free to sign up and your information will remain confidential.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: This free program encourages you to read 1000 books with your child before they enter school. Every child enrolled receives a tote bag, a folder for recording the titles listened to, and information on ways to help children gain the skills needed to be ready to learn when school starts.
Pin Pals: Your challenge is to read five books from a single genre, then tell us which of the five books was your favorite and why. When you're done, come into your neighborhood library and claim your pin to keep and wear. There are 15 different genres and 15 different pins. Collect them all!
Virtual Field Trips: Visit the animals, landmarks, local attractions, and hidden gems of our world from the comfort of home. Earn digital badges - like passport stamps - as you complete activities and enjoy this fun way to travel the world with the help of your local library and your library card.
Digital Literacy (for grades K-5 and 6-12 or adult): Participants will enjoy earning digital badges as they learn digital citizenship; online safety; typing skills; how to use; identify, and care for technology; and more, and earn a digital certificate upon completion.
Summer Reading: The Summer Reading Challenge is FREE for children, teens, and adults and runs from June 1st to July 31st. Readers earn prizes for the amount of time spent reading during the two-month period! All three library locations have expanded programming schedules, so be sure to check our online calendar for dates and times. Stop by any Alameda Free Library branch to sign up, or register for the challenge at alamedafree.beanstack.org between June 1st and July 31st!
Seasonal and Special Occasion Challenges: Visit alamedafree.beanstack.org frequently throughout the year to find limited seasonal challenges, too!
Kids in grades 2-7 may join either Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced Book Club. Children's Book Clubs
8th grade students may contact Aireana, our Teen Librarian, at 510-747-7713 to inquire about joining the Teen Book Club.
In-Person storytimes are now live!