Friends Supported Events

 

One Time Library Events  

 

August 

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

CANCELLED! STEAM for Kids: Paper Circuits – CANCELLED!

Learn about electrical circuitry and make your own paper circuit card! A paper circuit lights up an LED and is powered by a battery. Experiment and let your creativity soar as you create a unique greeting card that really lights up! This STEAM workshop is designed for kids ages 6-12. Children under 8 must be with an adult. Link to event for more information: STEAM for Kids: Paper Circuits

CANCELLED!  Saturday, August 2,  11:00 am – 12:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Jam On for Teens – Teen Music Lab

We bring the instruments, you bring the energy!

Want to try a new instrument? Already have an instrument but just want a chance to play it? Never touched music before but curious about it? Once a month, we hold a space where you can come pick up an instrument and just jam. Guitars, percussion, keyboards, and more will all be provided, or bring your own. Staff will be on hand to help teach some music skills, but primarily this isn’t a lesson, this is a place to experiment, to explore, and to play! Link to event for more information: Jam On for Teens

Sunday, August 3,  2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Crafts for Kids: Decorate a Tote Bag

Come get crafty with us at the Albany Library.  It’s back-to-school time, so this week we will be decorating a tote bag for carrying your books or lunch. Bookmark-making supplies will also be available. This activity is best for ages 8 and up. Limit one tote per child. Children under 8 must be with an adult.  Link to event for more information: Crafts for Kids: Decorate a Tote Bag

Monday, August 4,  1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Jam Out, Slime Out, National Night Out

Join us at the library for a night of creativity, community building, and fun!

On the patio, craft your own glittery, gooey slime to take home from the Slime Party!

In the Edith Stone Room drop in for our Open Music Lab Party & Jam Session. We have guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, and more, to experiment with, just bring your curiosity and join the fun! Link to event for more information: Jam Out, Slime Out, National Night Out

Tuesday, August 5,  6:00 pm – 7:45 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Little Dance Party

Get Your ya-yas out! Let’s all have fun together dancing to songs the little ones know and love and other music that’s new to them. Parents, caregivers, toddlers and preschoolers are all welcome to hit the dance floor and move their bodies at this inclusive event. Link to event for more information: Little Dance Party

Thursday, August 7,  10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Learn to Make Reusable Cloth Beeswax Food Wraps

Looking to reduce your plastic footprint and keep your food fresh naturally? Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make your own reusable beeswax food wraps! These eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap are perfect for covering bowls, wrapping sandwiches, or preserving that half-cut onion. Craft your sustainable kitchen essentials and take a step towards a greener lifestyle.  Link to event for more information: Learn How to Make Reusable Cloth Beeswax Food Wraps

Sunday, August 10,  2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Want Free Passes to Parks, Museums, Movies & More? Come to our Free eResources Workshops and Learn How to Get Access! Introduction to Library Tools.

Why use eResources? They give you access to countless resources (e.g., current movies and magazines, eBooks, audioBooks, TV Programs, full concerts, music albums, documentaries, magazines, and more) the library may not have in physical form. They are free. You are never charged overdue fines. They are returned automatically when due. All you need is a library card and PIN to access eResources. Link to event for more information: Want Free Passes to Parks, Museums, Movies & More? Come to Our Free e-Resources Workshops

Each month we will explore two of the following eResources and show you how to use them.

• 8/12/25 – Introduction to Library Tools (e.g., library card, PIN, locating eResources on the library website, & more)
• 8/26/25 – LIBBY (e.g., Magazines, eBooks, eAudioBooks, Movies, Comics, and more)
• 9/9/25 – HOOPLA (e.g., eBooks, eAudiobooks, Comics, Movies, Documentaries, TV programs, and more)
• 9/23/25 – NAXOS (e.g., Full Jazz, Opera, Classical, R&B, Country Music, & more)
• 10/7/25 – QELLO CONCERTS (Full Concerts)
• 10/21/25 – ARTIST WORKS (LIBBY EXTRAS)
• 11/18/25 – DISCOVER and GO ( Free Passes to Museums, Exhibits, & More), and FREE PASSES to STATE PARKS.

Tuesday, August 12,  2:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Your favorite stuffed toy gets to explore the library at this fun sleepover! Drop them off in the afternoon, and when you pick them up the next day you will receive photos from their overnight adventure.

Note: Only stuffed animals will be sleeping over at the library.

Drop off your friends at the reference desk on Tuesday between 12-6pm, and pick them up on Wednesday after 12pm. Name cards will be made to ensure all stuffed animals return home safe and sound.

Please register, and limit one stuffed animal per child.  Link to event for more information: Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Tuesday, August 12,  12:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Reference Desk, Albany Library

Little Dance Party

Get Your ya-yas out! Let’s all have fun together dancing to songs the little ones know and love and other music that’s new to them. Parents, caregivers, toddlers and preschoolers are all welcome to hit the dance floor and move their bodies at this inclusive event. Link to event for more information: Little Dance Party

Thursday, August 14,  10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Sewing Series

Join us for fun and creative Sewing Sessions at the library! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your stitching skills, this hands-on program is perfect for ages 13+. Each session will guide participants through a simple, seasonal project.

Session 1 Tote bags August 14, 4:00-5:30

We will provide – Sewing machines (limited), Pattern templates, guidance from an expert instructor, basic tools and supplies.
Feel free to bring your sewing machine and 2.5-3 yards of light-weight cotton, pins, thread and scissors.  Link to event for more information: Sewing Series

Thursday, August 14,  4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Albany Library’s Saturday Afternoon Book Club  

We welcome you to Albany Library’s monthly book club discussion. The club meets every third Saturday to discuss select reading materials. Pick of the Month: There There by Tommy Orange.

The group is open to adults as well as teens, and the number of participants is 12. Link to event for more information: Albany Library Saturday Afternoon Book Club

Saturday, August 16,  1:00 pm – 3:00 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 tickets given to elementary school age children who are working on these skills. 

Space is limited. Please come to the Reference Desk to get a free ticket 15 minutes before the program starts. Link to event for more information: Read to a Dog

Tuesday, August 19,  6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Little Dance Party

Get Your ya-yas out! Let’s all have fun together dancing to songs the little ones know and love and other music that’s new to them. Parents, caregivers, toddlers and preschoolers are all welcome to hit the dance floor and move their bodies at this inclusive event. Link to event for more information: Little Dance Party

Thursday, August 21,  10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

My Albany Story – Make Your Own Collage for Teens

Have you lived in Albany your whole life? Just moved last year? No matter how long you’ve called Albany your home, we want to see what makes you feel like you belong, or don’t belong, in this community.

In collaboration with Path to Belonging, Albany Library welcomes teens to create their own photo collage. Drop-in for one session, or for all!

Workshops will be held in the Teen Area from 3 – 4:30 PM on:

• Saturday, August 23
• Sunday, August 31
• Sunday, September 7

Link to event for more information: My Albany Story – Make Your Own Collage for Teens

Saturday, August 23,  3:00 pm – 4:30 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library 

Bird Boxes with Eco Innovate

Eco Innovate was sparked in January 2024 by a couple of high schoolers looking to experiment for their club, but what we have accomplished and our ambitions far surpass what we ever imagined could come out of it, and soar above what the majority of student-led organizations do! From working together, to sharing our findings with our community, our founding team discovered a passion for solving environmental issues with state-of-the-art technology. So naturally, we are committing ourselves to this goal with our organization, Eco Innovate! We foresee many prominent collaborations, the birth of new innovative projects, and the flourishing of our original ones (Explore the ground-breaking initiative that started it all, our Birdbox Project!)  Link to event for more information: Bird Boxes with Eco Innovate

Sunday, August 24,  3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Want Free Passes to Parks, Museums, Movies & More? Come to our Free eResources Workshops and Learn How to Get Access! Introduction to Library Tools.

Why use eResources? They give you access to countless resources (e.g., current movies and magazines, eBooks, audioBooks, TV Programs, full concerts, music albums, documentaries, magazines, and more) the library may not have in physical form. They are free. You are never charged overdue fines. They are returned automatically when due. All you need is a library card and PIN to access eResources. Link to event for more information: Want Free Passes to Parks, Museums, Movies & More? Come to Our Free e-Resources Workshops

Each month we will explore two of the following eResources and show you how to use them.

• 8/26/25 – LIBBY (e.g., Magazines, eBooks, eAudioBooks, Movies, Comics, and more)
• 9/9/25 – HOOPLA (e.g., eBooks, eAudiobooks, Comics, Movies, Documentaries, TV programs, and more)
• 9/23/25 – NAXOS (e.g., Full Jazz, Opera, Classical, R&B, Country Music, & more)
• 10/7/25 – QELLO CONCERTS (Full Concerts)
• 10/21/25 – ARTIST WORKS (LIBBY EXTRAS)
• 11/18/25 – DISCOVER and GO ( Free Passes to Museums, Exhibits, & More), and FREE PASSES to STATE PARKS.

Tuesday, August 26,  2:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Electrifying Your Home from a Consumer’s Perspective OR How I got my PG&E Bill Down to $13.00 per Month

You can’t avoid the periodic PGE increases. It seems every time there is a major fire, and PGE is found liable for the incident, our bill increases. Are you wondering? If there a way to mitigate this situation? Recently, Paul Giganti decided to explore the topic, and found some unique solutions. Come to our workshop on Electrifying Your Home from a Consumer’s Perspective— Or How I Got My PGE Bill Down to $13 per Month, he may offer you a solution for managing your bill. Link to event for more information: Electrifying Your Home from a Consumer’s Perspective

Wednesday, August 27,  6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Little Dance Party

Get Your ya-yas out! Let’s all have fun together dancing to songs the little ones know and love and other music that’s new to them. Parents, caregivers, toddlers and preschoolers are all welcome to hit the dance floor and move their bodies at this inclusive event. Link to event for more information: Little Dance Party

Thursday, August 28,  10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Sewing Series

Join us for fun and creative Sewing Sessions at the library! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your stitching skills, this hands-on program is perfect for ages 13+. Each session will guide participants through a simple, seasonal project.

Session 2 Pajama Pants August 28, 4:00-5:30

We will provide – Sewing machines (limited), Pattern templates, guidance from an expert instructor, basic tools and supplies.
Feel free to bring your sewing machine and 2.5-3 yards of light-weight cotton, pins, thread and scissors.  Link to event for more information: Sewing Series

Thursday, August 28,  4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

Movies at Albany Library: Sinners

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back (Source: Swank Movies, Rated R). Link to event for more information: Movies at Albany Library: Sinners

Saturday, August 30,  2:00 pm – 4:15 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library

My Albany Story – Make Your Own Collage for Teens

Have you lived in Albany your whole life? Just moved last year? No matter how long you’ve called Albany your home, we want to see what makes you feel like you belong, or don’t belong, in this community.

In collaboration with Path to Belonging, Albany Library welcomes teens to create their own photo collage. Drop-in for one session, or for all!

Workshops will be held in the Teen Area from 3 – 4:30 PM on:

• Saturday, August 23
• Sunday, August 31
• Sunday, September 7

Link to event for more information: My Albany Story – Make Your Own Collage for Teens

Saturday, August 31,  3:00 pm – 4:30 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library 

 

Ongoing Library Events

 

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

Babies & Toddlers

Baby Story Time  

Join us for Baby Storytime at the Albany Library! The lap sit storytime 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

Toddler Time  

Toddler Time is back at the Albany Library for songs, stories and movement activities!  No registration is needed but attendance is limited. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Toddler Time

Kids     

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)

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 

Second Sunday of Each Month 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm  Edith Stone Room    

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