Read 1,000 Books With Your Kid Before Kindergarten!

Enjoy reading 1,000 books with your little one! Log reading and earn badges and prizes all along the way. Our program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to five years can participate. Just follow these steps:

Register: Sign up on Beanstack or pick up materials in the Children's Room at our Downtown branch.
Track Your Reading: Fill in a circle on the worksheet (available at the library) or track on Beanstack each book you read with your child.
Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books your child hears at storytimes, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member.
100-Book Milestones: Every time you've read 100 books with your little one, come in to the library to receive a reward. Don't forget to bring in your reading worksheet!
1,000 Books: You did it! Come celebrate at the library and receive a very special prize!
Keep on Reading: Don't stop at 1,000! Keep on reading together; there's more learning ahead!

1,000 Books???

A thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book at bedtime, you'll meet your goal in less than three years. If you read three books at bedtime, you could reach your goal in just one year! Ask our friendly staff for suggestions—we're here to help you on your journey to 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!

The Power of Reading Together

The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps your child learn pre-reading skills such as:

Understanding the sounds letters make
Developing a bigger vocabulary
Building background knowledge
All-important skills that help prepare your child for learning to read and entering kindergarten

More Ways to Build Literacy Skills

Singing songs, saying rhymes, telling stories, and playing with your child are all great ways to build their literacy skills. Visit Hayward Public Library often for free programs that are fun and educational for your little one, and to find great books to share with them.

Happy reading!

Learn More and Sign Up

Just for Kids

Storytime at Southland Mall

Monday, May 5, 11:00 a.m., Southland Mall Food Court

Join us for a special storytime at the mall with Ms. Martha! It'll be 30 minutes of stories, songs, and movement activities.

Learn More

Storytimes

Monday-Saturday, Downtown Library; see schedule for details

We offer a variety of storytimes for little learners! Most are in English but we also offer Spanish and Mandarin bilingual storytimes. All of our storytimes help children develop early literacy skills through reading, singing, writing, talking, and playing.

Schedule

Homework Support Center

Monday-Thursday afternoons; see schedule for details

Welcome back to the HSC! Bring your kids, grades K-12, for support from trained volunteer tutors and college students. We work with students in small groups (5:1 ratio), directly on their homework assignments and projects. School supplies, computers, and free lunches are provided.

Once you register your kid, this free service is provided on a drop-in basis. Check it out!

Schedule

We're taking a break!

There will be no storytimes from Tuesday, May 27 through Saturday, June 7. In the meantime, check out the Big List of Virtual Author Activities from We Are Teachers. It includes tons of children's book authors reading their books aloud, along with activities for kids.

Virtual Author Activities

Just for Teens

Teen Craft Session: Bad Art

Wednesday, May 14, 4:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Join us to de-stress by making the ugliest, weirdest, worst art you can! At the end of the event, we’ll vote on the worst art piece and the winner will get a prize. Supplies provided.

All teens ages 13 - 17 welcome! No registration required.

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Teen Craft Buffet

Wednesday, May 21, 4:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Join us for an all-you-can-craft buffet and make whatever you want! We’ll have all sorts of supplies, including...

Washi tape & stickers

Paper

Markers, colored pencils, brush pens

Beads & bracelet-making supplies

Pin-making supplies

Teens ages 13 to 17; no registration required.

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Teen Game Day

Wednesday, May 31, 4:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Join us for video games & board games in the Teen Room! Drop in anytime from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. All teens ages 13 to 17 welcome. No registration required.

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Teen Center Homework Support

Mondays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays, 5:00-6:45 p.m.

Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Thursdays, 3:30-5:45 p.m.

Downtown Library

In-person homework help from a trained tutor specifically for teens, in the Teen Room on the 2nd floor. Registration is required.

Learn More & Register

Announcements

The library will be closed on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

But you can use our online resources 24/7/365! Download an ebook or audiobook; stream a movie; learn a new language or how to repair your car; get help with homework or research. All you need is a Hayward library card!

Learn More & Get Started

Got bored kids?

We can help! Use your Hayward Library card and Discover & Go to get free and discount tickets to tons of Bay Area attractions including the California Academy of Sciences, the Bay Area Discovery Museum, and more! Check it out:

Learn More

Curbie is Coming

Lots of times and places! Check our schedule.

Our bookmobile, affectionately known as Curbie, is coming to a neighborhood near you. When Curbie is there, you can check out books and movies, play games, get a new library card, and more!

Schedule

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:

Event Calendar

Library Hours
Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.