Book Sales Author Nights Summer Reading Programs Junior Friends
Juvenile Hall Subscriptions Literacy Program Library Art Project
Political Advocacy Library Cafe Publicity Leadership in the Friends

There are many opportunities to support the Alameda Free Library by volunteering your time through the Friends:

Contact the Friends (janina27@gawab.com) if you would like to volunteer, or fill out and mail the membership form.

Book Sales

Volunteers are always needed to help set up, maintain tables, and help visitors complete their purchases.

Author Nights

On an occasional basis, the Friends sponsor Author Night programs at the Library. These events typically feature local authors reading from their books and discussing their writing process. Copies of the authors' books are available for purchase at the events.

Friends volunteers are needed to help with planning, publicity, refreshments, and set-up.

Summer Reading Programs for Children and Teens

The Friends contribute financially to the Library's summer reading programs for children and teens. The money goes toward publicity, books, prizes, and other expenses for this program to encourage young people to read during their summer vacations. For some, this is the start of a lifetime love of reading.

Junior Friends

In the past, the Friends have had a division for young people called the Junior Friends of the Alameda Free Library. This group was open to young people age 13-18. The Jr. Friends supported the Library by holding monthly story times and an annual book sale fundraiser. The Jr. Friends group is currently inactive, although teens are welcome to join the Friends in the Student category. If you would like to help the Friends revive this program, contact the Friends (janina27@gawab.com).

Juvenile Hall Subscriptions

The Friends of the Alameda Free Library help to promote literacy for teens in trouble in Alameda County by subscribing to popular magazines for the County's Juvenile Hall facility. Juvenile Hall administrators have reported back to us that the copies of Sports Illustrated, Motor Trend, and other titles are much appreciated by young people at the facility.

Literacy Program

The Friends contribute to the success of the Alameda Reads literacy program with financial support for the book club and special events. This important service of the Alameda Free Library matches tutors with students to help those with low reading and writing skills.

For more information about Alameda Reads check out their web site:

http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/literacy/

New Library Art Project

Friends members have participated in the effort to incorporate public art into the design of Alameda's new main library. We have worked with artists to commission the art work and we've contributed financially to the project. Click here for more information about art in the new library.

Political Advocacy

When state and local issues arise that affect the Library, the Friends are there to serve as advocates for the Library's best interests. This can take the form of letter writing campaigns, meetings with state and local officials, and informing the public about ballot measures.

Cafe in the New Library

Space has been set aside for a cafe in Alameda's new main library. Volunteers are needed to help develop this space as a comfortable place to socialize and enjoy a beverage and pastry. After the new library opens, volunteers will also be needed to staff the cafe.

Publicity

We publicize our book sales and other activities with press releases, feature stories, and advertisements placed with various print and online media.

Leadership in the Friends

The Friends organizational structure includes elected officers and appointed committee chairs. These volunteers plan activities, handle accounting matters, hold monthly business meetings, and serve as contacts for members, library staff, City officials, and the general public. Elections are normally held at the May meeting.

The Friends are currently looking for volunteers for the following positions:

• An archivist is needed to organize our newsletters, meeting minutes, press clippings, treasurer's reports, correspondence, and other miscellaneous information.

• We need a volunteer to organize the volunteers. This could include developing a database of information about members' interests and availability, contacting members to let them know about volunteer opportunities, and making sure our activities are adequately staffed.

• Volunteers are needed to help publicize Friends events by sending out press releases and calendar announcements to local media, writing feature stories, etc.