FRIENDS OF THE ALBANY LIBRARY (FAL) 

The Friends’s purpose is to benefit the library by selling books and other materials in the library, on the Internet, and during on-site book sales. Please go to the Benefit Page to see the types of ongoing events and items that FAL supports. FAL operations and most of our sales take place at 1247 Marin Ave, Albany CA 94706.

Call us at 510.526.3720 during library open days/hours, after selecting a language option, wait for the option to reach Friends of the Albany Library to leave a message as our office is not “staffed”. Leave a message and we’ll call you back. You can also reach us by email at friendsalbany@yahoo.com any time.

For more information about the Albany Branch of the Alameda County Library including open days/hours, visit Albany | Alameda County Library (aclibrary.org)  The Albany Library is closed on all Fridays. Upcoming library holiday closures are Labor Day, Monday, September 7 and Staff Training Day, Thursday, October 15

FRIENDS OF ALBANY LIBRARY ONE DAY POP-UP BOOK SALE AUGUST 29 UPDATE    

A big thank you to the City, Library, Library Staff, Friends of the Albany Library Volunteers and Library Patrons! The One Day Pop-Up Book Sale was a great success and brought in $816.00 in revenue! Your efforts, contributions and support were fabulous! We could not have done it without you! 

FREEDOM TO READ FEST SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4      

Save the date! The Albany Library Freedom to Read Fest is coming on October 4, 2026, from 12 PM – 5 PM. 

 This fun, family-friendly event celebrates Banned Books Week with something for everyone!

• Author panels & workshops
• Banned books drag bingo with Ms. Sweet Nothing
• Banned books trivia 
• Scavenger hunt
• Youth Poet Laureate readings
• Zine-making
• Button-making
• Carnival games
• Henna
• Book prizes
• …and much more!

Participating authors:

Katryn Bury
Laura Gao
Sue Granzella
Joanna Ho
Dorothy Lazard
Michael Leali
Eugene Yelchin

HOLD THE DATE – FALL BOOK SALE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8      

We are happy to announce that our Fall Book Sale is scheduled Saturday, November 7th & Sunday, November 8th. We will be selling “CRV” (Collectibles, Rare & Vintage, as well as oversized books, sets and adult material in addition to many different book genres, Holiday items and puzzles. We will provide more detailed information as we get closer to the sale date. Please note that revenues from past book sales starting in March 2020 through the most recent book sale are kept on the Sales Page: Sales & Signup | Friends of the Albany Library  We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Friends Book Sale!

BOOK DONATIONS ACCEPTED BY APPOINTMENT 

The Friends are now taking donations, but by advance appointment only.

Call us at 510.526.3720 during library open days/hours, after selecting a language option, wait for the option to reach Friends of the Albany Library to leave a message as our office is not “staffed”. Leave a message and we’ll call you back. You can also reach us by email at friendsalbany@yahoo.com any time. Please note that our office isn’t staffed, so it may take a few days for us to get back to you. 

For more information about the Albany Branch of the Alameda County Library including open days/hours, visit Albany | Alameda County Library (aclibrary.org)  

Please see the Donate Books page which can be accessed by clicking the link on the navigation bar in the upper right of the Home Page for more information on acceptable donations. Thank you for your donations, they support Albany Library’s programs! 

UPCOMING LIBRARY EVENTS SUPPORTED BY THE FRIENDS

We are happy to share a list of one-time library events supported by the Friends for the month of September.

Please go to the Friends Site Events Page for more detailed event information, including event time and location

September One-Time Events Supported by the Friends

• Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along – Wednesday,  September 2

• Chess Class – Wednesday, September 2

• Family Storytime – Sunday, September 6

• Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along – Wednesday,  September 9

• High School Book Club – Wednesday, September 9

• Pajama Storytime – Wednesday, September 9

• Family Storytime – Sunday, September 13

• Little Dance Party – Monday, September 14

• Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along – Wednesday,  September 16

• Californios: Culture & History – Wednesday, September 16

• Storytime in Hebrew – Saturday, September 19

• Albany Library Saturday Afternoon Book Club – Saturday, September 19

• Family Storytime – Sunday, September 20

• Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along – Wednesday,  September 23

• Family Storytime – Sunday, September 27

• Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along – Wednesday,  September 30