July 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Summer in Alameda always brings something to look forward to, and this month is no exception. From a parade this Saturday to a brand-new website launching today, there is a lot happening and we are grateful to share it all with you.

First, this Saturday: as we have done in past years, Friends of the Alameda Free Library is participating in Alameda's Fourth of July Parade with a "float" — a fully decorated pickup truck and trailer, prepared by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Whether you would like to help get the float ready beforehand or walk alongside us on Saturday, everyone is welcome. Help decorate the FAL float or sign up to walk in the parade. Family, friends and Library lovers are all invited. And as you enjoy the parade route, keep an eye out for Alameda Pride's Little Library. We donated books to Alameda Pride to be featured along the route, and we are delighted to be part of that effort.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Saturday, July 11. The Alameda Free Library is hosting the Alameda Book Con (ABC) at the Main Library (1550 Oak St., Alameda, CA): the first literary celebration of its kind in our community. More than 40 local authors and creators will be on hand for readers of all ages. We hope to see you there.

Later in the month, on Saturday, July 25, the Downtown Alameda Business Association is hosting the Art & Wine Faire on Park St., and FAL will be stationed at a tent between Lincoln Ave. and Buena Vista Ave. from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. We will be selling glasses and drink tickets, and all tips collected at our tent will go directly to FAL. Come enjoy a summer afternoon on Park Street while supporting the Library.

We are also excited to introduce Semaj Brown, FAL's newest intern. This summer, FAL has partnered with Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) to host Semaj for six weeks as part of their pilot work-ready program for teens. Semaj comes to us with a Food Handling certificate and years of volunteer experience in youth sports. He will be dividing his time between Books For Friends and Books & Bites Cafe — learning retail operations, engaging with patrons and volunteers, and becoming a valued member of the team. Please give Semaj a warm welcome when you see him at the Library.

We want to take a moment to recognize our executive director, Marcie Soslau Johnson, who will be stepping down effective July 15, 2026. Marcie joined FAL first as a Board member before taking on the executive director role, and we’d like to highlight a few of the things she accomplished: she hired an administrative assistant and launched the search for a Books For Friends retail manager; founded the Fund Development Committee; coordinated the return of the beloved Live @ the Library concert series; established a partnership with Books Inc; created sponsorship opportunities for the Alameda Used Book Sale and Live @ the Library; and secured grants from the Alameda Welfare Council, Alameda Municipal Power, the City of Alameda Public Art Commission, the Rotary Club of Alameda and the Alameda Community Fund. We will be sharing details about the search for a new executive director soon. On behalf of the entire organization, thank you, Marcie.

Speaking of the Alameda Community Fund (ACF), we are pleased to share that FAL has received a grant from the ACF for capital purchases. The ACF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with roots going back to 1964, dedicated to supporting Alameda nonprofits primarily through capital grants. Since its founding, the Fund and its predecessors have awarded more than $600,000 to Alameda nonprofit organizations, and we are honored to be among its recipients.

Finally, you may have noticed a fresh look and feel to our recent emails – that is intentional. Today, we are excited to introduce our new website at alamedafriends.org (formerly alamedafriends.com), powered by Ghost, a modern platform that supports both our website and newsletter. You do not need to do anything differently on your end. But we would love to hear from you: if you have feedback, questions or suggestions, please reach out. We are always working to improve how we connect with our community.

Cheers,

Josh Dapkus
President, Friends of the Alameda Free Library

Alɑmeda Book Con 2026

The Alameda Free Library and Friends of the Alameda Free Library (FAL) are excited to announce the Alɑmeda Book Con (ABC), the Library's first local book festival. ABC will take place at the Main Library (1550 Oak St., Alameda, CA) on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:30 am to 4 pm. This engaging, all-day literary event will feature more than 40 local authors and creators. This free program is made possible through the generosity of community members and grant-making organizations that support FAL with financial gifts. RSVP today and mark the date on your calendar!

Books For Friends

Quality Used Books at Great Prices

Books For Friends is a mostly volunteer-run, curated bookshop located in the Main Library, with an entrance on the side of the building (Times Way Alley).

Special Shop Hours

Saturday, July 11, 2026
10 AM - 4 PM

Welcome to Alɑmeda Book Con (ABC) 2026
Books For Friends is partnering with the Library and Books Inc. to offer ABC author book selections for sale to the public. Please visit us during our extended hours on ABC day and have your books autographed or inscribed by your favorite authors.

Thursday, July 16, 2026
1 - 4 PM

Delayed Opening
All three Library branches will have a delayed opening on Thursday, July 16 due to an all-staff meeting. Books For Friends will open at 1 pm when the Main Library opens.

Books For Friends is Looking for a Part-Time Retail Manager

Friends of the Alameda Free Library (FAL) has opened a part-time retail manager position for Books For Friends bookshop operations. If you are, or know, an experienced bookseller who would love to lead a volunteer staff of more than 30 individuals in support of the Alameda Free Library, please learn more about the retail manager position on FAL's website. Books For Friends offers a welcoming work environment alongside highly motivated and dedicated volunteers who give their time to make access to used books and media a priority for the Alameda community.

Please Donate Children's Books

Children's books are a top seller at the Alameda Used Book Sale, and at Books For Friends. We are always in need of children's picture books and board books. Books For Friends may accept one bag of children's books (picture or board books only) per donor during regular shop hours. If you have more than one bag to donate, please complete a book donation request form and the Book Donation Coordinator will schedule you for an upcoming Sunday drop-off time.

What’s Happening in the Books & Bites Cafe?

Books & Bites Cafe is open 6 days a week, and is fully staffed by dedicated volunteers. Find the Cafe at the back of the Main Library.

As we celebrate Independence Day, we invite everyone to stop by to check out the festive decorations and enjoy great snacks, friendly service and the welcoming atmosphere you've come to love.

Volunteers needed — one to two times a month

We are looking for volunteers who can pick up pastries one to two times each month. Pick up would be from Firebrand Pastries at Alameda Point on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Delivery would need to be to the cafe by 9:30 am. This simple commitment helps keep our cafe stocked with fresh treats for all our Library visitors. Please email us at volunteer@alamedafriends.com or talk to a volunteer at the cafe if you can spare a little time — we'd love to hear from you.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and fun-filled Fourth of July. We look forward to welcoming you to Books & Bites Cafe!

Volunteer Corner

Walk with the Library

Friends of the Alameda Free Library (FAL) invites you to walk with the Library in Alameda's Fourth of July Parade. The annual parade is the longest in the nation, with a route of more than three miles. It attracts more than 150 participating groups and draws more than 60,000 spectators.We would like to invite you, as a fellow Library supporter, to join us on the walk. Walking in the parade is a great experience that will give you a new appreciation for Alameda, the Library and FAL. Vehicle transport will be available for those who prefer to ride some or all of the parade route. To RSVP, please sign up to walk in the parade. Meeting location details will be sent to the email address associated with your volunteer profile.

If you would like to join us to create signs and decorate our float, we will be doing this together on Friday, July 3 from 10 am to 2 pm at 2329 Eagle Ave., Alameda. If desired, please bring a donation of red, white and blue decorations. We are also collecting plastic plants and flowers to fit our theme of Growing a Community of Readers, which aligns with the Library's 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Plant a Seed, Read. Poster boards and markers will be supplied for sign making. Please write to volunteer@alamedafriends.com with questions about volunteering with us.

We hope to see you on the parade route!

Join the FAL Volunteer Committee

At the June 2026 Board of directors meeting, FAL approved the establishment of a Volunteer Committee. If you are interested in helping with volunteer recruitment, volunteer onboarding, data collection and/or planning of the annual volunteer celebration event held each spring, please write to volunteer@alamedafriends.com. The Volunteer Committee will meet once a month for an hour at the Main Library (1550 Oak St., Alameda, CA) beginning August 2026. FAL committee participation builds community around the Library's mission, provides practice space for professional skill-building and is fun. Responsibilities are tailored to individuals. We would love – and need – your help to ensure that community members can connect with the Library to support an essential public resource.

Join the FAL Technology Committee

FAL is looking for tech-savvy volunteers to join the Technology Committee. This committee is responsible for managing all of FAL's digital platforms and services, such as Google Workspace and website hosting and management. This is a great opportunity to volunteer remotely and put technical skills to work in support of the Library. Please reach out to volunteer@alamedafriends.com if you would like to learn more about joining the Technology Committee.

One upcoming project for the committee is a one-time data cleanup, part of FAL's ongoing systems upgrade. If you have 10 hours to spare in July, this is a great way to get involved and see the committee's work firsthand. This flexible, behind-the-scenes project is perfect for someone who enjoys organizing information and wants to make a tangible difference for the Library. Reach out to operations@alamedafriends.com to learn more and get involved.

Upcoming FAL Events

Art Docent Talk | Piet Mondrian

Wednesday, July 15 @ 7 PM
Virtual (Zoom Webinar)

Piet Mondrian's art—created with the three primary colors and straight lines—is among the most easily recognized in the world, as familiar as the Mona Lisa. His work has been adapted into architecture, graphic design, bus benches, clothing, sneakers and food. Though his work may appear simple, the man was not. A spiritualist, a philosopher and a dedicated jazz dancer, Mondrian moved from Impressionist depictions of his native Holland to some of the earliest forays into abstraction before finding, in his Neoplastic style, a way to express universal values through aesthetic expression. Join us for this free Zoom webinar and follow Mondrian on his journey—learning how and why he took the radical path he did.

Remembering Judith Lynch

FAL was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Judith Ann Lynch, a valued member of its volunteer community. Born in January 1943, Judith served as a conscientious contributor to the FAL newsletter from 2015 to 2017. She wrote and edited many articles during her time with FAL, covering topics about Books & Bites Cafe (then known as Friends Cafe), the Alameda Used Book Sale, Alameda's Poet Laureate, the Discover & Go Library program, an interview with Imelda Merlin — who authored Alameda: A Geographical History — and more. Judith was always looking for new articles and angles and, drawing on her architecture background, organized local history programs for the Library. For the Main Library's 10th anniversary celebration in November 2016, Judith suggested inviting 10-year-olds for a photo in front of the Library.

In addition to a career in city planning, she contributed to many other local organizations and endeavors: she helped the Alameda Museum develop the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society walking tours; taught at elementary schools, Mastick Senior Center, Stanford and San Francisco State; authored a book on Bay Area architecture; and founded the San Francisco City Guides. In her spare time, she restored her Colonial Revival home on Versailles Ave. FAL is fortunate that Judith chose to volunteer her time with the Library community.

Alameda Free Library Events

All events are free and open to the public. Check out the full events calendar or call the Library at (510) 747-7777 for more information.

Make It! - Keep Calm and Carry Yarn

Tuesday, July 7 @ 4 - 5:30 PM
Large Group Study Room, Main Library
Ages 13+

Please join us for a casual fiber arts craft circle. All kinds of fiber artists are welcome. Please bring your own materials and expertise, and come ready for an afternoon of community building and crafting.

No registration is required for this program, though space is limited to 12 participants in-person.

Teddy Bear Picnic

Wednesday, July 8 @ 10:30 - 11 AM
Longfellow Park, 520 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA
All ages

Let’s meet at the park for a picnic storytime!

Bring a snack and a blanket, come early to play, then join Dawn under the trees and listen to stories while you eat.

East Bay Regional Parks: Reptiles and Amphibians

Thursday, July 16 @ 3 - 4 PM
West End Library
All ages

Do you love reptiles? How about amphibians? If you do, then you don't want to miss East Bay Regional Parks: Reptiles and Amphibians Event at the West End Library on Thursday, July 16 at 3 pm.  Meet a real reptile and learn more about these amazing creatures. What are the differences between a reptile and an amphibian anyway? Come to this event and find out!

3D Modeling Community of Practice

Saturday, July 18 @ 2 - 3 PM
Main Library
Ages 7+

As a companion to our Tech Petting Zoo series, we invite you to share and advance your learning of 3D modeling techniques in community. Facilitated by local maker Evan.

Registration is required! Please contact the Adult/Teen Services Department at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7713  |  RefDesk@alamedaca.gov

Speed friending 35 to 45 edition

Thursday, July 23 @ 4 - 5:30 PM
West End Library
Ages ~35-45

Are you looking to make new friends? Join us at the West End Library for a fun interactive event, where you will meet new people and hopefully make new friends. Speed friending events will be hosted on the fourth Thursday of the month (every month) and will be separated by age range. This event will be for people who are between 35(ish) and 45(ish). First come, first seated. Bring along fast facts and interesting questions to dive deep into the handful of moments provided with each participant. Sheets of interesting questions and ideas will be available for participants. A fun activity will be available after the sessions.

Hope to see you there! Herbal Tea will be available.

Astro Everywhere!

Saturday, July 25 @ 2 - 4 PM
Bay Farm Island Library
All ages

Space expert Josh Roberts will lead a presentation on solar system exploration in the Leydecker Room next to Bay Farm Island Library followed by solar observation through telescope on Saturday, July 25 from 2 to 4pm! Journey through space and time with us at this dynamic, all-ages celebration of the magic of outer space. We'll be celebrating Space Week all week at Bay Farm Island Library with crafts available from Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23 in preparation for this special event!

Upcycled Fairy Wings

Tuesday, July 28 @ 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Stafford Room, Main Library
Ages 7+

Adults! Step out of your comfort zone and show your creativity in this unique workshop facilitated by community members Eve and Logan of Upcycle Alameda. We will be decorating wearable, wire frame fairy wings with upcycled materials. Great for Pride or any occasion!

Registration is required! Please contact the Adult/Teen Services Department at the Main Library via phone or email to register: (510) 747-7713  |  RefDesk@alamedaca.gov

Support the Alameda Free Library's Programs

We encourage you to support the Alameda Free Library through Friends of the Alameda Free Library's Annual Campaign! Your monetary gift fuels engaging programs, expands book and eBook collections and brings inspiring cultural events to the community. Every contribution strengthens our library’s role as a place for discovery, learning and connection.