Alameda Free Library Event Alert May 2026

Published on April 29, 2026

Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Descriptions (in date order as they appear in the table above):  

Asian Voices in the Arts: Children in kindergarten through third grade are invited to celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month by participating in a Petit Picassos Art Camp! Children will be introduced to two Asian-American artists that have left an indelible mark on the art world. Nikita Ares is a Seattle-based painter from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Her paintings and drawings are vibrant and energetic.  Ruth Asawa was a renowned artist, sculptor, and arts educator born in Norwalk, California to Japanese immigrant parents.  Both artists have pushed the boundaries of contemporary art through their unique voices and cultural backgrounds.  Children will create art inspired by the work of both artists. Registration is required! Please contact the Bay Farm Island Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7787 | BFIref@alamedaca.gov

Family Odissi Dance Class: Discover the beauty of Odissi, a classical dance from eastern India, in a fun and nurturing class designed for young learners. Families can build confidence and creativity as they learn foundational movements and expressive storytelling. Each session includes mindful circle time, engaging mythology stories, warm-ups, guided dance practice, and relaxing cool-downs—creating a joyful and enriching experience for the whole family. Registration is required! Please contact the Children's Department to sign up your family for both or either program date: (510) 747-7705 | ChildRef@alamedaca.gov

Author Talk – Alka Joshi: Join us as award-winning journalist Deepa Fernandez speaks with Alka Joshi about her internationally acclaimed Jaipur Trilogy and new novel, Six Days in Bombay. This event is hosted by the Friends @ Home Committee from the Friends of the Alameda Free Library, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds and advocates for the success of the Alameda Free Library. Advanced registration is required. Limited copies of Alka Joshi’s books will be available for sale in Books For Friends, located inside the Main Library, the day of the event. Alka will be available post-program for book signing.

Laya Arts Collective – Stories That Dance: There will be Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance demonstrations interspersed with story-based movements and activities. Bring the family to enjoy this wonderful and unique event. All are welcome!

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month Descriptions (in date order as they appear in the table above):  

Jewish American Heritage School Age Storytime - Join us for a discussion of Jewish American identity in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month! Alameda educator Natalie Abber will read stories, answer questions, and do a craft activity with us. We hope you can attend! 

Jewish American Heritage Month – Celebrating Irving Berlin: Celebrate the music of Irving Berlin with a fun, family-friendly library program! Enjoy familiar songs, simple activities, and stories about one of America’s most beloved songwriters. Perfect for all ages to sing, learn, and have a great time together! This program is presented alongside Ms Jenn from Temple Israel of Alameda. Registration is required! Please contact the Children's Department at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7705  |  ChildRef@alamedaca.gov

Film Screening: Elie Wiesel Soul on Fire: In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, the West End Library will be streaming the PBS American Masters film, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire. The film explores Mr. Wiesel's life experiences, his writings and his lifelong fight against injustice. There are a limited number of copies of one of his autobiographical books, Night, which will be given to attendees, while supplies last. While the film is not rated, parental guidance is recommended. This film is recommended for adults and teens.

Live Performance – Vocolot:  Join us for a special performance! Vocolot brings a joyous fusion of folk, jazz and cantorial vocal traditions into the contemporary a cappella world. Their music, rooted in universal heart, social conscience and Jewish soul, communicates a powerful vision of world peace and reconciliation. Vocolot sings in English, Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish, and Arabic, blending lush harmonies, soaring melodies and global percussion in original works and new renderings of ancient songs and texts.

Online Author Talks

Online Author Talk Program Descriptions (in date order as they appear in the table above):  

Marjan Kamali - On Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love. Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran. Register and add questions for Marjan Kamali.

Dr. Vivienne Ming - How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself). Join us for a timely conversation on AI, humanity, and the next steps towards building a better future with self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Dr. Vivienne Ming as we discuss her new book, Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People. In Robot-Proof, Dr. Vivienne Ming helps readers grasp the ugly and the amazing likelihoods of how individuals, companies, and societies will respond to the changes that are already taking hold due to the advent of AI. Join us LIVE for a chance to win a copy of Vivienne’s book, Robot-Proof! The giveaway link will be in the Resources area under the broadcast screen during the live event. Please ensure you are watching on your library's webpage for the chance to participate. Register and add questions for Dr. Vivienne Ming.

Nir Ayal – Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential. What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief.  Most of your limits aren’t physical. They’re psychological. In Beyond Belief, Nir Eyal reveals how the hidden assumptions you carry shape what you see, how you feel, and what you do—and how to replace them with beliefs that unlock your true potential. Register and add questions for Nir Ayal.

Other Special Events

Special Event Descriptions (in date order as they appear in the table above):  

Star Wars Day: Join us for a day of intergalactic fun! 12-2:30 PM: Button making, scavenger hunt, make-your-own lightsaber, and more crafts! 12:00-1:00 PM: Star Wars Bingo: 1:00-2:00 PM Star Wars Family Trivia Plus! A special visit from the 501st Legion. Come ready to take a picture! Crafts and giveaways are while supplies last.

Local Author Art Workshop with Constance Moore: Join us for an art workshop with local author, artist, and teacher Constance Moore. Together, we'll be celebrating Moore's newest book A Language of Stitches: The Radical Quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins by creating collages inspired by Rosie Lee Tompkins' work. We encourage anyone over the age of 6 to join us! Registration is required! Please contact the Bay Farm Island Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7787 | BFIref@alamedaca.gov.

Beeswax Candle Making Workshop: Sager Family Farms will bring their Live Viewing Hive so that you can see the inner workings of a beehive, and you will also learn about bees and how they produce beeswax. Topping that off, we will have a Beeswax Candle Making Workshop, where participants will roll and decorate their own beeswax candle. Registration is Required. Book online or contact the West End Library: WEBref@alamedaca.gov | 510) 747-7767.

Crochet Workshop - Create a Book Quilt: Do you enjoy crocheting? Are you interested in a fun way to capture all the books you read in a given period of time? Join us to learn from our marvelous guest instructor, Cara! She made a beautiful book quilt to commemorate all books read by her in 2025. The premise is using the colors in a book cover to create each square. Registration is required! Please contact the Bay Farm Island Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7787  |  BFIref@alamedaca.gov.

Seedball Workshop: Sager Family Farms brings their Live Viewing Hive for attendees to see bees at work. Attendees will also learn about pollinators and their importance in our world. Participants will then create their own seedball filled with native, drought resistant species of plants to bring home and grow in their own garden. This workshop is appropriate for children ages 5 and up. Registration is required. Please contact the West End Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7767 | WEBref@alamedaca.gov.

Ballet Family Storytime: Join us for a Ballet Family Storytime lead by a ballerina from Tutu School Alameda. This all ages 30-minute storytime for the whole family will include twirling, songs, new ballet moves, and stories, of course!

Legal Pathways for End of Life Choices: There are moments in life when pain, loss, or decline can feel overwhelming—when options seem to narrow and a sense of control slips out of reach. This conversation begins from a place of compassion for those experiences, acknowledging how real and complex that suffering can be. Join local death doula, Sarah Hill, as she leads a gentle, informative discussion exploring legal pathways that some people consider at the end of life, including Medical Aid in Dying, Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), and international options such as Dignitas. Together, we’ll look at the ethical, legal, and practical dimensions of these choices, with an emphasis on informed decision-making, personal autonomy, and supportive care. The goal is to create a respectful, grounded space where participants can learn, ask questions, and reflect on what dignity and agency might mean for themselves or those they love. Registration is required.

End of School Year Party! Celebrate the end of the year with us at Bay Farm Island Library on Wednesday, May 27th from 3-5PM! We'll kick off the beginning of summer together with games, coloring, and sunshine at the theatre space outside of our library! We'd like to especially honor the fifth graders who will be rising up to middle school next school year.

For more information about any of these programs, please contact the following:

Bay Farm Island Library:  bfiref@alamedaca.gov, 510-747-7787

West End Branch Library:  webref@alamedaca.gov, 510-747-7767

Adult and Teen programs (Main Library): refdesk@alamedaca.gov, 510-747-7713

Children’s programs (Main Library):  childred@alamedaca.gov, 510-747-7705

All events are free and open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of the Alameda Free Library.

If you need accessibility accommodations to participate, or information translated or in other formats, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov at least five (7) working days before the event.