Friends Supported Events

LIBRARY EVENTS SUPPORTED BY THE FRIENDS

Below are upcoming one time and ongoing library events supported by the Friends of the Albany Library. The one-time events are listed first by month, then the ongoing events follow. Please go to the Albany Library Website Events page for more detailed information, and also to see additional Events that are provided by the Alameda County Library Events | Alameda County Library | BiblioCommons

One Time Library Events

February Events

Below is detailed information about one time February Events supported by the Friends of the Albany Library.

Chess Class

For 2nd grade – teens. Each session will have a lesson, demonstration, “simul” play against our experienced chess guide, and open informal play.
Beginners are welcome, but students should know the names of the pieces and how they move. Registration encouraged. Link to event for more information: Chess Class

Sunday, February 1, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Rain Harvesting from the Ground Up

James Ryder of Hillside Earth-Arts Lab presents ecological garden design using low-cost strategies to manage the water in our landscapes. The key is healthy soil. Plant diversity, earthworks, mulching, and rain catchment systems provide us with simple, reliable tools. Join the conversation and meet other local water-wise allies! Link to event for more information: Rain Harvesting from the Ground Up

Learn low-tech means to slow-sink water.
Restore vitality to your garden.
Reduce runoff pollution.
Save money on municipal water use.
Create reserves for the dry season.

Sunday, February 1, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Edith Stone Room

iSearch Help

Attention Albany Middle School 8th grade students: we’re here for you! Drop-in to get iSearch research and writing help from experienced high school students and librarians. Learn how to make the most of Alameda County Library print resources and online databases. Link to event for more information: iSearch Help

Monday, February 2, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Albany Library’s Conversation Club

Want to learn how to improve the following language skills?

Your listening ability.
Your ability to pronounce words clearly.
Your ability to determine words’ meaning and how to use them correctly in sentences.
Your ability to have brief conversations with strangers.

If these language skills are important to you, then please consider coming to our workshop.

Attention Albany Middle School 8th grade students: we’re here for you! Drop-in to get iSearch research and writing help from experienced high school students and librarians. Learn how to make the most of Alameda County Library print and online databases. Link to event for more information: Albany’s Conversation Club

Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

iSearch Help

Wednesday, February 4, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Preschool Storytime and Craft

Join us for stories, songs, and movement! This 30-minute storytime is designed for ages 3-5, but children of all ages are welcome. Stay after for a simple craft activity. Link to event for more information: Preschool Storytime and Craft

Saturday, February 7, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Story Quilt Craft

Join us for this special Black History Month craft and create art inspired by traditional quilting patterns! You’ll learn about how fabric in the United States made an impact during the times of slavery and how quilting patterns have been passed down through the generations. You can even create your own story quilt inspired by Faith Ringgold’s book, “Tar Beach.” This program is for grade school children. Children 5-7 will need a grown-up helper. Kids 8+ can participate on their own. Link to event for more information: Story Quilt Craft

Saturday, February 7, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Paint By Numbers Community Mural

Join us to help complete a paint-by-numbers acrylic canvas mural that will be installed at Albany Library. All paint and materials will be provided by Brushstrokes For the Bay. All ages are welcome! Link to event for more information: Paint By Numbers Community Mural

Sunday, February 8, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

iSearch Help

Monday, February 9, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Celebrating Lunar New Year

Come eat mango sago and learn how to make paper lanterns and red envelopes! Albany High School’s Chinese Culture Club will host this Lunar New Year celebration. Everyone is welcomed! Link to event for more information: Celebrating Lunar New Year

Tuesday, February 10, 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Valentine Card Making

Join us for an afternoon of creative fun with artist Lauren Meyer. Make unique cards for all your valentines. It’s free and easy! Children under 8 must be with an adult. Link to event for more information: Valentine Card Making

Wednesday, February 11 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

iSearch Help

Wednesday, February 11, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Pajama Storytime

Wear your pajamas*, put on your bunny slippers*, bring your stuffed animals, and get ready to hear some fun stories, sing, and do some movement. This event is for children of all ages and their caregivers. Link to event for more information: Pajama Storytime

Wednesday, February 11 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Fancy Pens for Valentine’s Day Gifts

Need help with selecting a Valentine’s Day gift? Maybe the library can help you. For Valentine’s Day, design unique pen(s) to write special notes for loved ones or friends. The library will offer a workshop that allows you to create tailored writing tools. Join us on February 14th in the Edith Stone Room for our workshop. Program designed for 15 attendees. The library provides all supplies for creating 2 pens. Link to event for more information: Fancy Pens for Valentine’s Day Gifts

Saturday, February 14, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Chess Class

Sunday, February 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Path to Belonging: Genealogy Workshop

Learn how to find historic documents and even images of your family! Professional genealogist Grant Din and experienced genealogist volunteers will help you research your family history using resources including the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) and other online and in-person collections. You will learn about free resources available at the library including:

Ancestry.com Library Edition
Newspapers.com Library Edition
Fold3 Library Edition
Heritage Hub
Heritage Quest
My China Roots
My Heritage

Whether you’re just getting started or deep into research, there will be something for everyone at this workshop. Registration recommended but not required. Bring a laptop if you have one (not required). If you register, we’ll email you a list of what information to bring (basic data about your ancestors) to make the workshop most productive for you. You’ll need a library card to access the library’s genealogy resources. Bring your library card, or apply here. Link to event for more information: Path to Belonging: Genealogy Workshop

Wednesday, February 18, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Family Music Lab

Play along to the beat on basic percussion instruments like hand drums, tambourines, shakers and more! All ages of children are welcome. We have instruments for babies and toddlers. Children under 8 must be with an adult. No experience necessary. Link to event for more information: Family Music Lab

Sunday, February 22 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

iSearch Help

Monday, February 23, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Albany Library’s Conversation Club

Want to learn how to improve the following language skills?

Your listening ability.
Your ability to pronounce words clearly.
Your ability to determine words’ meaning and how to use them correctly in sentences.
Your ability to have brief conversations with strangers.

If these language skills are important to you, then please consider coming to our workshop.

Attention Albany Middle School 8th grade students: we’re here for you! Drop-in to get iSearch research and writing help from experienced high school students and librarians. Learn how to make the most of Alameda County Library print and online databases. Link to event for more information: Albany’s Conversation Club

Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along

Join East Bay children’s musician Stephanie Pepitone for some singing, dancing and hands-on play with real instruments! There will be a mix of original children’s music, multilingual nursery rhymes and family-friendly rock ‘n roll favorites. Space is limited. Late attendees might not be admitted. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along

Wednesday, February 25 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

iSearch Help

Wednesday, February 25, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Read to a Dog

Volunteers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs will be at the library to listen to you read. They are very friendly and are so excited to hear all kinds of stories! This program is for children to practice their reading skills. Priority sign ups are given to elementary school age children who are working on these skills. Space is limited. On the day of the program, please sign up at the reference desk or call 510-284-0601 to reserve your 15 minute time slot. Link to event for more information: Read to a Dog

Wednesday, February 25, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Movies at Albany Library – Nickel Boys (Oscar Nominated Movie)

Two Black teenagers, Elwood and Turner, form an unlikely bond while serving time at Nickel Academy, a harsh Florida reform school. Elwood, a hopeful college student, finds himself thrown into the brutal world of the institution after an upsetting accident. With Turner’s guidance, he navigates the challenges of survival while maintaining his optimistic spirit. Link to event for more information: Movies at Albany Library – Nickel Boys (Oscar Nominated Movie)

Saturday, February 28, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Ongoing Library Events

Ongoing Library Events are divided by age category; Babies and Toddlers, Kids, Tweens & Teens, and Adults.

Babies & Toddlers

Baby Story Time

Join us for Baby Storytime at the Albany Library! The lap sit story time is designed for babies up to 18 months and their adult caregivers. Hear stories, sing songs, participate in lap bounces and stay after to play with toys. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Baby Story Time

Every Tuesday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Edith Stone Room

Stay and Play

Little ones and their caregivers are invited to join us for a drop-in playtime. This is a great opportunity to have fun with your children and meet other families in the community. We’ll provide toys, music, and a warm, welcoming setting. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Stay and Play

Every Thursday 10:30 am – 11:00 am Edith Stone Room

Kids

Build It/Make and Play Lab/Kids Craft Hour

Join us every Wednesday at the Albany Library for crafts, STEAM activities, Lego building, and more! We’ll be doing a different activity each week in the Edith Stone Room. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Note that each Make and Play Lab may have different activities. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Kids Craft Hour

Build It/Make and Play – Every Wednesday during the school year 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Edith Stone Room

Kids Craft Hour – Every Wednesday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Edith Stone Room

Family

Family Storytime

On a Saturday each month at the Albany Library for Family Storytime. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Link to Albany Library Events for more information including the date of Family Storytime each month: Events At Albany Library

On some Saturdays each month (see link above for dates and times) Edith Stone Room

Teens & Tweens

Dungeons and Dragons and Beyond: Roleplaying Games at Albany Library

Swords! Sorcery! Snacks! Looking for somewhere for your fantasy roleplaying game needs? Come over to the Albany Library! We’ll be running a campaign for you! We’ll teach you the rules, and while you’re welcome to bring your own character, pre-built characters will be provided to everyone. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Dungeons and Dragons and Beyond: Roleplaying Games at Albany | Events | Alameda County Library (bibliocommons.com)

Every Tuesday 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm Edith Stone Room

Game On

A space for teens and tweens to hang out after school. We have board games, card games, snacks, and art supplies, and we hook a Switch up to the projector for multiplayer gaming. Come by for some low-pressure recreation! Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Game On

Every Monday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Edith Stone Room

Teen Zone – Chess, Board Games and Crochet

Come hang out and play board games with your friends, dive into some drop-in chess, or chill out and learn to crochet. We have the games, yarn and needles. You bring creative strategizing skills and curiosity! Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Teen Zone – Chess, Board Games and Crochet

Every Wednesday 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Edith Stone Room

Teen Chill Zone – Silent Reading and Coloring

Need a break from a noisy world? Grab a book (we have plenty!) and enjoy some relaxing downtime. We’ll have mandala coloring available too. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Teen Chill Zone – Silent Reading and Coloring

Every Thursday 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Edith Stone Room

Albany Library Teen Advisory Group

Get involved with the Teen Advisory Group (TAG)! TAG members advise the library on the best way to connect with and serve teen library members. For example, they may select new teen books, build displays, suggest new programs and services, or even design and run their own programs. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: TAG – Teen Advisory Group

Monthly on 2nd Sunday, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Edith Stone Room