Seed Library Program Series: Propagating from Cuttings

Saturday, February 7, 11:00 a.m., Downtown Library

Sometimes, starting a plant from a seed is more difficult than starting from a cutting. Join us to discuss how to grow plants from cuttings.

If you'd like to bring some cuttings from your garden, we love to share!

Seed Library Seed Sorting Party

Thursday, February 19, 11:00 a.m., Downtown Library

Many hands make light work! Join us monthly to sort seeds for the Seed Library.

Benefits include: Getting to brag about your garden, getting a sneak peek at what seeds are going out soon, making new friends.

Digital Literacy 101

Thursday, February 19, 3:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Do you need to improve your computer and digital literacy skills? Learn how to use a computer or laptop in Digital Literacy 101. Get familiar with the parts of a computer, navigating the internet, sending emails, and more! 

Digital Literacy 101 is a 6-week session that meets once a week for 1.5 hours. Each class builds on the previous class. Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot!

Healthy Heart, Happy Heart

Thursday, February 19, 2:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America? Learn how to reduce your risk of heart disease and build a happier heart with guidance from Alameda County Nutrition Services and the Happy Heart program.

After the presentation, receive free nutrition educational materials and a gift to support your effort to be healthier. 

6th Annual Yarn Swap
Saturday, February 21, 10:30 a.m, Downtown Library

Got excess stash you want to keep out of the landfill? Or maybe you don't have quite enough for that cute scrappy project? Join Sticks & String for our 6th annual yarn swap! Bring your clean, untangled yarn and supplies and swap them for something new-to-you.

Bring whatever you've got lying around that you're willing to swap, including roving, craft books, tools, and yarn-related accessories. Partial skeins should be labeled, and yarn from environments where smoking occurs will not be accepted.

East Bay Writers' Circle

Wednesday, February 25, 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Downtown Library

Calling all writers—new and experienced! Join our free monthly group for adults and seniors, open to writers of all experience levels. Enjoy a structured, respectful space to share your work, receive constructive feedback, build your skills, and explore the craft of writing.

All genres and formats are welcome, including short stories, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and long-form projects.

Registration is recommended but not required. Come write with us!

Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures: An Online Author Talk with Novelist Vanessa Riley

Thursday, February 5, 4:00 p.m., Online

Hayward Public Library welcomes Vanessa Riley, award-winning author and proud recipient of the 2024 Georgia Mystery/Detective Fiction Author of the year. She’ll be discussing her newest book, Fire Sword and Sea, based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye.

Register now to receive your Zoom invitation. 

Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic: An Online Conversation with Dr. Lindsey Stewart

Thursday, February 12, 11:00 a.m., Online

Join us in conversation with Dr. Lindsey Stewart who will be discussing her book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic. Dr. Stewart's work has been featured in Blavity, Signs, Hypatia, and the British Journal for the History of Philosophy, and she holds a 2021 Michael Beaney Prize 

Register now to receive your Zoom invitation. 

Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch

Tuesday, February 24, 11:00 a.m., Online

Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble.

Register now to receive your Zoom invitation. 

YA Book Club for Adults: So Let Them Burn

Tuesday, February 10, 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Downtown Library

Are you an adult (18 or older) who still loves to read teen/young adult (YA) literature? Join our YA Book Club for Adults! Each month we will read & discuss a YA book. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

At this meeting, we'll discuss So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole.

The Literary Corner: West with Giraffes

Wednesday, February 11, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Downtown Library

The Literary Corner is a monthly literary fiction book club for adults. Meetings take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Books to participate in the club are available from the library's collection.

February's book selection for reading and discussion is West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge.

Mystery Book Club: City Under One Roof

Wednesday, February 18, 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Downtown Library

Thursday, February 19, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Weekes Library

Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of every month for Mystery Book Club. We read a mix of cozy mysteries, thrillers. Copies are available on a first come first served basis. 

Can't make to our evening discussion? Join us at the Weekes Branch Library on Thursday, February 19 at 11:00 am for a morning discussion. 

This month's discussion: City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita.

HPL Recommends: Biographies for Black History Month 

2025 was a great year for biographies of legendary Black Americans who made history and continue to influence our culture. Celebrate Black History Month with one of these books! 

Google Workspace Workshop
Saturday, February 7 & 21, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.,  Downtown Library

Do you want to learn how to use computer programs like Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides? Participate in a Google Workspace Workshop! In these workshops, you will learn how to use one of the programs mentioned above to accomplish specific tasks. 

Registration is required once a year for this drop-in program; first come, first served.

Spectrum Community Services Tabling: Apply for Help Paying Your Power Bill
Tuesday, February 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.,  Downtown Library

Do you need help paying your power bill? You may qualify for federal aid.

A representative from Spectrum Community Services will be on site to accept applications and answer questions about the Low Income Home Energy (LIHEAP) assistance program. LIHEAP helps qualified households with a one-time-per-program-year payment on their energy bill. 

Mobile Health Clinic
Friday, February 13 & 27, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., In front of the Downtown Library

The mobile health clinic offers free dental services for people without housing.

First come, first served. No appointment required; just come to the van parked in front of the library on Mission Blvd. between the City Hall Garage and C Street.

Services are provided by Alameda Health System in partnership with Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless. 

Uke Can Do It! Ukulele Strum Along
Saturday, February 21, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Come join us for a monthly Ukulele Strum Along! Strummers of all ages and levels are welcome.

This is a BYOU (Bring Your Own Ukulele) Program. If you don't have an ukulele, you can check one out just like a book!  

Yoga at the Library

Unlock energy, strength, and joy in this wellness-focused class led by certified instructor Iva Chu. 

Please arrive a few minutes early and dressed for stretching. Mats provided, but if you have your own, please bring it.

Though the class is appropriate for all levels of yoga experience, many of the poses require balance and the ability to move from standing to floor-based stretches without assistance.

Book Sale

1st and 3rd Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Pop in to the New Leaf Bookstore on the first floor, across from the Children's Room, for some great deals! All proceeds support library programs for kids, teens, and adults.

Basic English Class

Fridays, 10:30 a.m., Downtown Library

Everyone wants and needs to be able to read, write and speak well. Understanding phonics (the sounds of words) makes reading, writing, and speaking easier and provides the opportunity to communicate ideas and knowledge.

Small group of learners will begin by learning to read, write, and pronounce the letters in the alphabet. Then we’ll include vocabulary words and grammar.

English Conversation Circles
Online and in person at the Downtown Library and the Weekes Branch; see the schedule below

English Conversation Circles are designed for adults who are looking for a supportive and fun environment to practice their English-speaking skills. The goal is to strengthen conversational skills, while building confidence and community with other adults whose native language is not English. 

Citizenship Resources

We offer FREE 10-week Citizenship Preparation Classes, Citizenship Mock Interview Sessions, a Citizenship Corner at the Downtown Library and one online, and much more.

Tech Support Tutor Sessions
By appointment

Do you need some basic tech support? Tech Support Sessions are here to help. Meet one-on-one with a tutor to get assistance with basic tech issues, such as setting up your email, emailing photos, downloading an app, & more!

Community Hub
Various days and times, Downtown Library

The Community Hub is offered by Hayward Public Library in partnership with Hayward Promise Neighborhoods. It is a full-service, one-stop resource center for patrons to access City of Hayward and community partner services.

Service providers include 4Cs of Alameda County, La Familia, Fresh Food for Families, and more. Check out our schedule for more info!

Holiday Closure: Thursday, February 12

In observance of Lincoln's Birthday, all library branches will be closed on Thursday, February 12.

Downtown and Weekes Library will resume normal hours on Friday, February 13.

We're always open online with eResources, eBooks, streaming video, and more at https://www.hayward-ca.gov/public-library 

Brainfuse VetNow Writing Lab

Are you looking to improve your writing skills? Look no further than Brainfuse VetNow's Writing Lab! Whether you're crafting an email, working on essays, or simply honing your communication skills, the Brainfuse Writing Lab is here to support you every step of the way. It's never too late to sharpen your writing abilities and reach your academic and professional goals.

We've got Zip Books!

Can't find the book you need at the library? No problem! Use our new Zip Books service to have the book mailed directly to you for free, and return it to us when you're done.

This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

What else is going on at the library?

Don't just sit there wondering; visit our online event calendar! Special events, weekly and monthly programs, holiday closures, bookmobile stops... it's all in there. Check it out:

Weekes Branch
27300 Patrick Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544
510-782-2155