Across the Pages: An Alameda Community Reads Program
Alternate Worlds @ your Library

What Are Community Reads Programs?

Community reads programs encourage the entire community to read the same books and to participate in discussions and programming that focus on the central themes of the books.

This year the Alameda Free Library's Community Reads program focuses on speculative fiction. This theme includes sub-types, such as science, fantasy, horror and supernatural fiction. By choosing this general theme, the Library can offer the community a wide variety of titles to choose from and broaden the experience for all participants.

Thank You!

The Alameda Free Library would like to extend a very special thank you to the Friends of the Alameda Free Library for their generous support of the Community Reads Program.

Schedule of Events

March 1—28. Main Library. Scavenger Hunt for all ages. Adults and teens, pick up your scavenger hunt sheet from the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the Main Library. Kids, you may pick up your sheets from the Boys’ and Girls' desk at the Main Library. Make sure you’re finished by March 27 to be eligible for prizes! All Ages.

Monday, March 1, 6 p.m. Main Library. Film: Please call 510-747-7713 for details. Rated PG-13. (99 minutes). Dress up as your favorite character to see this science fiction classic! All Ages.

Sunday, March 7, 2 p.m. Main Library. Film: Please call 510-747-7713 for details. Rated G (79 minutes). All Ages.

Monday, March 8, 7 p.m. Main Library. Talk: Tim Pratt. Pen to Paper or Fingers to Keyboard: Writing Science Fiction/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction, with local author Tim Pratt, will focus on what it takes to turn imaginative ideas into a compelling story. Adults.

Wednesday, March 10, 3:30 p.m. Bay Farm Island Library. Crafts: Robot Crafts. Ages K to 5th Grade.

Thursday, March 11, 3:30 p.m. West End Library. Crafts: Robot Crafts. Ages K to 5th Grade.

Saturday, March 13, 2 p.m. Main Library. Crafts: Robot Crafts. Ages K to 5th Grade.

Sunday, March 14, 2 p.m. Main Library. Author Ellen Klages will speak about her book of short stories, Portable Childhoods. Adults.

Wednesday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. Main Library. Talk: The History of Horror Fiction with Claire Coustier. Ms. Coustier’s talk will focus on Horror fiction; both supernatural and taken from the real world. She will discuss the genre from its earliest Gothic beginnings to current day and how horror fiction affects the reader as a possible alternate existence. Adults.

Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m. Main Library. Film: Please call 510-747-7713 for details. Rated PG (115 minutes). All Ages.

Wednesday, March 24, 3:30 p.m. Bay Farm Island Library. Crafts: Fairy Crafts. Ages K to 5th Grade.

Thursday, March 25, 7 p.m. Main Library. Talk: Exploring Alternate Worlds: A History of Speculative Fiction, with Professor Aaron Jason from California State University East Bay, will provide a guided tour touching on themes, authors, sub-genres and related genres. Adult.

Saturday, March 27, 2 p.m. Main Library. Crafts: Fairy Craft. Ages K to 5th Grade.

Sunday, March 28, 1 p.m. Main Library. Meet a Stormtrooper as he takes a break from the busy life of fighting good! Join us as we find out who won the scavenger hunt! All Ages.

Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m. Main Library. Film: Please call 510-747-7713 for details. Rated PG (90 minutes). All Ages.