Library

Library Happenings - June and July

There is a lot happening at your Hayward Public Library this summer! Check out these great events and activities:

June 18, 2021

Alka Joshi

Many Voices Series: Author Talk Featuring Alka Joshi

On Wednesday, July 7 at 6:00 p.m., meet Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist, discussing her new novel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, on Zoom! Part of our new program series, Many Voices.

In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi’s intriguing new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling.

All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of Alka Joshi's new novel The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. (We will give away 15 copies of the book!) Visit our calendar to learn more and find out how you can purchase copies of Joshi's books at a ten percent discount.

Learn more about this event and pre-register

Questions? Contact: Sally Thomas | sally.thomas@hayward-ca.gov | (510) 881-7700

A colorful banner with the text: Reading colors the world

Take the Summer Reading Challenge (June 21 - July 31, 2021):

For all ages

Read, learn, and explore! Register and report your minutes online, or stop by the Main Library after June 21st to pick up your reading log. 

Children's Summer Reading Challenge (babies - age 12): For every 20 minutes that you read (or are read to), color in a square on your reading log or report your minutes online. When you have finished a reading log, bring it to the Downtown Library or Weekes Branch during our HPL Express Hours to pick up your prizes, then get a new reading log and keep going! For every reading log that you return to the library, you will win a brand new book of your choice and entries into our weekly raffles.

Teen Summer Reading Challenge (ages 13-18): Track the number of minutes that you read online or by using your reading log. For every 300 minutes that you read, stop by the Downtown Library or Weekes Branch during our HPL Express Hours to pick up your prizes and be entered into our weekly raffles. Complete the Summer Reading Challenge by reading 20 hours (1200 minutes) from June 21st-July 31st and receive a $5.00 gift card of your choice!

Adult Summer Reading Challenge (ages 18+): Why let the kids have all the fun? Log your progress as you complete activities. Read a book, read with your child, attend a library program, support a local business - for each activity you complete, you will be entered into a weekly prize drawing and our grand prize drawing. Write book reviews for extra drawing entries. 

Register online

*Please note: only minutes read between June 21st and July 31st can be counted for the Summer Reading Challenge. Prizes will be available beginning Monday, June 28th.

Green and white banner with the text: Lunch at the library. Monday - Friday, June 21 - July 31, 11 a.m. - noon

Lunch at the Library:

Stop by the Downtown Library (888 C Street) to pick up a free healthy lunch for children and teens aged 18 and under. There is no sign-up, application, income verification or identification needed. Meals are served to all children on a first come, first served basis. Presented in partnership with Hayward Unified School District, through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.

Monday-Friday, June 21st - July 31st, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cartoon of a child reading a book sitting next to their lunch

Virtual Words for Lunch:

Children of all ages can register for an engaging, one-hour virtual reading experience with a trained read-aloud volunteer. Words for Lunch programming promotes literacy development for participating children and families.

Children under the age of 18 years old can visit the Downtown Library or Tyrrell Elementary, Monday-Friday, between 11 am and 12 pm, to pick up a Grab and Go lunch and a FREE book to build your in-home Library!

  • Available to children under the age of 18 years old
  • Virtual Reading Circles start June 21, 2021, every Monday and Wednesday, from 1-2 pm
  • Free meals start June 21, 2021, Monday thru Friday, until August 2, 2021  
  • Registration is required

Register (English) Register (Spanish)

A cartoon child floating in a space suit next to toys and learning supplies

Virtual Summer Learning Camp:

Camps aim to help students remain academically active throughout their summer vacations and help students improve their math, science, computer, reading, and writing skills. Trained volunteer tutors, from the Library’s well-known After-School Homework Support Center, work with students in small, age-specific groups on specified enrichment activities for each themed week. Lesson plans are designed to enhance the skills that students use during their academic school year. Each Summer Learning Camp session includes a unit explanation/instruction, as well as a hands-on activity.

  • Available to children entering 2nd – 8th grades
  • Registration is required
  • Once registration is completed, students will receive a Zoom invitation for the camp, as well as instructions for the date and time for the craft and book pickups
  • Waitlists are available  

Register at one of the following links. Please select ONE camp:

SLC Waitlist for all weeks

*Please note: all camps offer the same activities
 

Cartoon children running and playing

Virtual Junior Summer Learning Camp:

Online craft videos posted to Hayward Public Library’s YouTube channel will be available to TK-1st grade students. Craft activities aim to help students remain academically active throughout their summer vacations. Children will receive a free craft kit for various activities and access to a collection of craft videos to complete at home.
  • Available to children entering K-1st grades
  • Registration is required (free craft supplies are limited to the first 100 registrants)
  • Once registration is completed, students will receive a link to the craft videos, as well as instructions for the date and time for the craft and book pickups
  • Waitlists are available 

Register Online Junior SLC waitlist

Children and math tools on a laptop screen

Virtual Math Review Circles:

Virtual Math Review Circles is a program where students receive weekly experiences that promote math development. Participating students will receive an engaging, 1-hour math experience with a trained volunteer tutor.

  • Available to students entering 3rd-6th grades
  • Starting June 22, 2021, every Tuesday thru July 27, 2021, from 1-2 pm
  • Registration is required

Register in English Register in Spanish

A girl reading a book in a hammock

The Teen Book Club is back! June's meeting theme is LGBTQIA+ Pride. Read any teen book featuring an LGBTQIA+ character and join us via Zoom on Wednesday, June 30, from 4:00-5:00 p.m., to discuss what you read and hear from other teen readers.

All teens ages 13 to 18 are welcome. 

Learn more and Register

Questions? Contact: Ari Nussbaum | ariana.nussbaum@hayward-ca.gov

Colorful yarn and crochet hooks

Do you knit or crochet or spin or tat or weave or do anything else with sticks & string? Would you like some good conversation, encouragement, and/or advice while you work on your projects? Come join us at Sticks & String!

On Friday, July 2, from 7-8:30 p.m., we'll be hosting a trivia game on Kahoot. No app or special knowledge necessary, but if you want to play it's helpful to have a second device handy!

Learn more

Questions? Contact: Michelle Nogales | michelle.nogales@hayward-ca.gov | (510) 293-3315