Friends Supported Events
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
March
Below is detailed information about one time March Events supported by the Friends of the Albany Library.
Albany Library’s Arts and Crafts – A Look at Frida Kahlo Through Art with Focus on Jewelry
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who specialized in self-portraits and other compelling art pieces. Her work was inspired by life events. These events even inspired her style of dressing, jewelry choices, makeup, lifestyle, and strong opinions. She used color masterfully to enhance her works and create oddly beauty pieces. Our workshop will focus on her jewelry. Specifically, we will show attendees how to create Frida like jewelry.
Whatever you create is yours to take home with you. No charge for instruction or supplies. This program will accommodate 15 attendees. Children are allowed if accompanied by parents.
Seating: First Come Serve Basis. Link to event for more information: Arts and Crafts at the Albany Library – A Look At Frida Kahlo Through Art with Focus on Jewelry
Saturday, March 1, 2:00 pm – 4:00 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, March 5, 12:30 pm – 1:00 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, March 5, 6:30 pm – 7:00 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, March 6, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Origami with Margo
Join us for origami at the Albany Library! Our teacher Margo will be showing us how to make folds for a variety of skill levels and ages. No registration required. Children under 8 must be with an adult. Link to event for more information: Origami with Margo
Saturday, March 8, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
STEMosphere: Physics in Action
STEMosphere: Physics in Action introduces 5th – 8th grade students to the world of physics through hands-on experiments and real-world applications. Each session will explore key physics concepts like motion, energy, and force, while also touching on chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Fun, interactive lessons will spark curiosity and help students see the science behind everyday life! This 3-part series is taught by an accomplished High School student.
Session 1: Balloon-Powered Cars: Exploring Motion and Force
In this session, students will design and test their own balloon-powered cars while learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion. They’ll explore how force creates movement and how factors like the size of the balloon and the angle of the car affect speed and direction. Students will connect physics concepts to real-world applications of force and motion. Link to event for more information: STEMosphere: Physics in Action
Sunday, March 9, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Cinema Sundays for Teens – Stand By Me
Come watch the original, classic movies that took over the cinema world in the 70s and 80s! It’s a movie program hosted by teens for teens. Free snacks! Stand By Me (1986, R*, 87 minutes) A coming-of-age tale about four 12-year-old boys who hear that there is a dead body in the woods near where they live and proceed to try and find it. In the process, their friendship is tested. Link to event for more information: Movies For Teens at Albany Library – Stand By Me
Sunday, March 9, 3:00 pm – 5:00 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, March 12, 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Albany Library – Memoir Writing Workshop
Memoir Writing— causes you to examine impactful events that occurred in your life and then considers possibly making changes. Do any of the following statements sound like you? If they do, then please consider taking our free workshop on Memoir Writing.
- Are you compelled to share messages with others that might benefit them?
- Are you’re a person needing to recover from a horrific event, and wonders if journaling or memoir writing might help your healing process?
- You’ve had a wonderful life full of ups and downs. However, writing your memoir might provide some prospective about next steps you should take.
- You’re curious about memoir writing, don’t know how to get started.
The workshop is presented by Danell Doty, who is an accomplished designer of written materials that are concise, reflect timely events, and are fine-tuned messages to those seeking her assistance. We hope to see you at this personal growth event.
Link to event for more information: Albany Library – Memoir Writing Workshop
Wednesday, March 12, 6:00 pm – 7:15 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, March 13, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – 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: On Animals by Susan Orleans. “How we interact with animals has preoccupied philosophers, poets, and naturalists for ages,” writes Susan Orlean. Since the age of six, when Orlean wrote and illustrated a book called Herbert the Near-Sighted Pigeon, she’s been drawn to stories about how we live with animals, and how they abide by us. Now, in On Animals, she examines animal-human relationships through the compelling tales she has written over the course of her celebrated career.
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, March 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, March 19, 12:30 pm – 1:00 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, March 20, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Teen Movie Thursday – Pokemon Detective Pikachu
The world of Pokémon comes to life! The first-ever live-action Pokémon adventure, “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu” stars Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, the iconic face of the global Pokémon phenomenon—one of the world’s most popular, multi-generation entertainment properties and the most successful media franchise of all time. Link to event for more information: Teen Movie Thursday – Pokemon Detective Pikachu
Thursday, March 20, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Movies at the Albany Library – Conclave
Conclave: Follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. Link to event for more information: Movies at the Albany Library – Conclave
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 pm – 4:00 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, March 26, 12:30 pm – 1:00 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, March 27, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
New Year, New You – Updated Vision Board with New Goals!
New Year, New You—Your Life Has Changed & What About Your Vision Board
It’s March 2025 and a few unexpected developments have almost knocked the wind out of you. Your priorities have changed drastically, which means your vision board should change. The board should focus on your new goals and provide you with the steps to accomplish them. This workshop will provide attendees with more choices for creating their boards. For example, attendees can create any of the following motivational tools:
- the library provides images from magazines, books, and affirmations, plus use of trinkets, quotes, and guides to create their goals or
- attendee(s) can bring their own unique materials for creating their vision boards or
- an attendee(s) can create board(s) that reflect only a segment of their life, or
- an attendee designs a guide for someone else use to create a board.
The attendee(s) decides on what their board focuses on. The program is free, no registration necessary, and will accommodate 15 individuals. Link to event for more information: New Year, New You – Updated Vision Board with New Goals
Saturday, March 29, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Micro Plastics
Join us for an insightful library program on “Plastics: Climate Change and Health Impacts,” featuring three distinguished speakers. Dr. Jean Woo, a pediatrician and climate activist with the Albany Climate Action Coalition, will discuss plastics’ environmental and health repercussions. Stephani Regni, zero waste advocate and founder of Fillgood, will offer practical tips for reducing plastic use in daily life. Additionally, Benji Willet, a CivicSpark Fellow specializing in sustainability and waste reduction for the city of Albany, will explore local efforts under the new sustainable food ware ordinance. Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can make a difference! Link to event for more information: Micro Plastics
Sunday, March 30, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
April
Below is detailed information about one time April Events supported by the Friends of the 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, April 2, 12:30 pm – 1:00 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
Thursday, April 2, 6:30 pm – 7:00 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, April 3, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Tibetan Storytime
Welcome to our Tibetan Storytime, an engaging program for children of all ages and their families interested in exploring the Tibetan language and cultural traditions. Dive into a world of enchanting stories, traditional songs, and interactive activities that make learning Tibetan fun and accessible. This program is entirely in Tibetan. Link to event for more information: Tibetan Storytime
Saturday, April 5, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Libraries Rock!
Get ready to rock as we plug-in to a fresh new partnership with School of Rock and Berkeley Public Library!
This FREE concert will be in the library, after regular open hours, and features the School of Rock House Band kickin’ up the jams right in front of the Reference Desk!
Performances will alternate between Albany Library and Berkeley Public Library through the first half of 2025.
School of Rock Berkeley gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Berkeley’s House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at CA rock venues throughout the year.
Doors 6pm, show 6:30pm. Light refreshments and ear plugs provided. Link to event for more information: Libraries Rock!
Saturday, April 5, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Reference Desk, 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. For comfort and safety, attendance will be limited. Link to event for more information: Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Wednesday, April 9, 12:30 pm – 1:00 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, April 10, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Origami with Margo
Join us for origami at the Albany Library! Our teacher Margo will be showing us how to make folds for a variety of skill levels and ages. No registration required. Children under 8 must be with an adult. Link to event for more information: Origami with Margo
Saturday, April 12, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
New Year, New You – Arts and Crafts at the Albany Library!
Each month, we offer a new 2-hour workshop where teens and adults are taught how to make simple crafts. We provide instruction and workshop supplies for free. Our programs are unique, relaxing, and fun. Members are encouraged to take items created home with them. Please consider joining us and bring a friend! Link to event for more information: New Year, New You – Arts and Crafts in the Albany Library
Saturday, April 12, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
STEMosphere: Physics in Action
STEMosphere: Physics in Action introduces 5th – 8th grade students to the world of physics through hands-on experiments and real-world applications. Each session will explore key physics concepts like motion, energy, and force, while also touching on chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Fun, interactive lessons will spark curiosity and help students see the science behind everyday life! This 3-part series is taught by an accomplished High School student.
Session 2 of 3: Marble Tracks: Kinetic vs. Potential Energy in Action
Students will build marble tracks to investigate kinetic and potential energy. They’ll create ramps, curves, and obstacles to challenge marbles as they roll down the track, observing how energy transforms and how the height of the ramp and angle affect speed and distance. Link to event for more information: STEMosphere: Physics in Action
Sunday, April 13, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Cinema Sundays for Teens – Dirty Dancing
Come watch the original, classic movies that took over the cinema world in the 70s and 80s! It’s a movie program hosted by teens for teens. Free snacks! Dirty Dancing (1987, PG-13, 97 minutes) An innocent teen vacationing with her upper-middle-class parents at an upscale resort in the 1960s Catskills gets a jolt of culture shock when she crushes on the hotel’s slick, handsome dance instructor. The soundtrack yielded the Oscar-winning Best Song “(I’ve Had the) Time of My Life.”. Link to event for more information: Movies For Teens at Albany Library – Dirty Dancing
Sunday, April 13, 3:00 pm – 5:00 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, April 17, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Bilingual Storytime / Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe
Join us as we celebrate Día de los Niños/ Children’s Day with stories, songs, and fun in Spanish and English! Our children’s librarian will be joined by Matilde Hollander, a children’s book author with 30 years of experience as a bilingual educator. This event is for children of all ages and their caregivers. Link to event for more information: Bilingual Storytime/ Hora de Cuentos Bilingue
Saturday, April 19, 11:00 am – 11:30 am – 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: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
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, April 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 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, April 24, 10:30 am – 11:00 am – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Movies at the Albany Library – Wicked
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.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: Movies at Albany Library – Wicked
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm – Edith Stone Room, Albany Library
Albany FilmFest Presents “Sorry We’re Dead” with Filmmaker Q&A
The ennui of a filmmaker, trapped between aspiration and reality, frames Lana Jing’s quirky, sarcastic, and cinematic-joke filled quarter-life crisis. At her lecture hall job, where aging white men wax on, self-involved, Lana accidentally frames her friend and co-worker when she destroys the only copy of an aging tech-bro’s high-profile lecture. Lana is forced to navigate stop motion animation, a secret admirer, and terrible bridge traffic to sort out a way forward to her destiny… kinda. Link to event for more information: Albany FilmFest Presents “Sorry We’re Dead”
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – 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
Build It/Make and Play Lab
Every Wednesday during the school year 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Edith Stone Room
Homework Help Taught By Teens
This is a free, informal, teen-led tutoring program for elementary to middle school students starting in October. High School volunteers will help with homework and assignments that need reviewing. Our goal is to help students get homework done in a productive and relaxed environment. Drop-in anytime. Space is limited. Link to Albany Library Events for more information: Homework Help Taught By Teens
- Math
- Reading
- Writing
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
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)
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 Thursday 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Edith Stone Room
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