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Adults can join the Summer Reading Challenge and win prizes.
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Web Version

The Summer Reading Challenge Is
Also for Adults!

It's time to relive your personal pizza prize days and get to reading!


The Summer Reading Challenge starts on June 8 until August 1. Read every day this summer and log your days to earn tickets to enter into weekly and end-of-summer drawings for a chance to win a prize!  


What is the theme?

"Plant a Seed, Read" is rooted in the concept of farm-to-table. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. iREAD 2026: Plant a Seed, Read will provide a context for exploring culture, history, science, health, and human connection.


When can I sign up? 

Sign up on or after June 8 and receive a free book!


How do I sign up?  

On or after June 8, here are ways that you can sign up:  

1. Download the Beanstack Tracker App 

2. Go to the website: hayward.beanstack.com


What do I need to do? 

Once you sign up, all you have to do is log your reading on Beanstack. 


How do I win a prize?  

-You can win up to 3 books by registering and reading for the challenge

-You will earn tickets as you log your reading on Beanstack to enter into weekly drawings. Prize winners are selected digitally by random drawing and will be notified via email if selected.  


What are the prizes?  

New Books, a Kindle, and more!


Throughout the Summer, check out our special events!

Learn More

Program Highlights

Chinese Medicine for Chronic Pain  

Sat, June 6, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Downtown Library


Chronic pain is on the rise, impacting more than 24% of U.S. adults, according to a 2023 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We'll discuss natural reasons why the body manifests pain, what the healing process for pain may look like, strategies to cope with pain during the healing process, and beneficial attitudes that support pain relief.  

Register Now

Diabetes Class

Eight-week session starting on

Tues, June 9, 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Downtown Library 


Are you living with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes? Journey to better health with this free, 8-week program from Alameda County Nutrition Services. Learn how to control Type 2 diabetes and prevent related medical problems in a friendly, supportive environment.

Register

You and Your Kidneys 

Thurs, June 11, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Downtown Library 


Did you know that about 1 in 7 American adults has some form of kidney disease? 

  

Come to this informational presentation to understand how these vital organs work and how to keep them healthy. Bring your questions and insights to presenter Doris Lew from the National Kidney Foundation. 

Register

Seed Library Program Series - Waterwise Vegetable Gardening

Sat, June 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Downtown Library 


Learn how to water efficiently when growing your vegetable garden. From improving soil quality to strategic planting patterns, a UC Master Gardener will show you techniques to make your garden sustainable.

Register

Discovering Vietnamese Tea

Sat, June 20, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Weekes Library 

 

Steep into Vietnamese tea as we learn about its rich history and cultural significance with special guest Vina Vo from Creo Tea & Coffee. 

  

After the presentation, we'll have an interactive tea tasting session where we'll learn about different tea varieties, tasting notes, and the brewing process. 


Registration is recommended. 

Register

Online Author Talks

Your Ticket to the Best State Fair Crafts: An Online Conversation with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig 

Wed, June 3, 11:00 a.m.


Join us for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more! The catalog highlights personal stories and regional and cultural traditions, creating a vibrant portrait of American life. 

Apocalyptic Mayhem, Lava-Spitting Llamas, and One Very Sassy Cat: Surviving the Universe’s Most Twisted RPG with Matt Dinniman 

Thurs, June 11, 4:00 p.m.

 

Hold onto your heart-patterned boxers! Matt Dinniman, New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular (and just plain wild) Dungeon Crawler Carl series, joins us to chat about his latest book, A Parade of Horribles

Nurturing Future Generations: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood with Ted Page 

Thurs, June 18, 11:00 a.m.


Good Grandpa by storyteller and popular blogger Ted Page, is inspiring, uplifting, evocative, and filled with genuine emotion. It is a recipe of hope for a divided America, and the book that will be on every grandparent’s reading list. 

Simple, Sustainable, and Powerfully Delicious Meals with Sana Javeri Kadri and Asha Loupy 

Tues, June 23, 11:00 a.m.

 

Join us as we chat with Sana Javeri Kadri and Asha Loupy about The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook, celebrating beautiful, simple, and seasonal cooking with 85 recipes adapted from India and Sri Lanka’s best family spice farms. 

Book Clubs

One Book/One Coast: «Nos llamaron Enemigo» de George Takei 

Sábado, 6 de junio, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Downtown Library 


Acompañe al Concejal de Hayward y profesor de Español Francisco Zermeño en una discusión del libro «Nos llamaron Enemigo» de George Takei.  


«En 1942, por orden del presidente Franklin D. Roosevelt, todas las personas de ascendencia japonesa de la costa oeste fueron detenidas y trasladadas a uno de los diez «centros de reubicación», a cientos o miles de kilómetros de sus hogares, donde permanecerían recluidas durante años bajo vigilancia armada».   

YA Book Club for Adults: Long Way Down

Tues, June 9, 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 Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

The Literary Corner: The Colony Club

Wed, June 10, 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. 

  

April's book selection for reading and discussion is The Colony Club by Shelley Noble.

Mystery Book Club: An Intrigue of Witches by Esme Addison

Wed, June 17, 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Downtown 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.  

  

This month's discussion: An Intrigue of Witches by Esme Addison

Recommended Reading

Queer Graphic Novels Booklist


In celebration of Pride Month, we're sharing a list of Queer Graphic Novels! If you're drawn towards wholesome slice of life stories or prefer to embark on whimsical and magical adventures, then you're in the right place.


See Recommended Reads

Regularly Scheduled Programs

DigitalLIFT: Basics Training 

Tuesday, June 2 • 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Downtown Library 

In partnership with DigitalLIFT, we are offering Digital Literacy Classes! This program is best for older adults who have little to no computer skills. Classes meet once a week for 4 weeks and each class is 2 hours long. Learners who attend all 4 classes will receive a FREE Android Tablet!

Book Sale 

June 6 & June 20 • 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. 

Spectrum Community Services: Apply for Help Paying Your Power Bill

Tuesday, June 9 • 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Downtown Library 

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

June 12 & June 26 • 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. • Downtown Library 

Free, friendly medical services for people without housing every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. 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. First come, first served. 

Seed Library Seed Sorting Party

Thursday, June 18 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Downtown Library 

Help fold and label packets, sort seed, and spend an hour with fellow gardeners! Last year the Seed Library distributed over 5,000 little packets of seeds to the public! 

Yoga at the Library

Saturday, June 20 • 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. • Downtown Library 

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

Uke Can Do It! Ukulele Strum Along  

Saturday, June 20 • 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. Bring your own ukulele or check one out at the library!  

East Bay Writers' Circle

Wednesday, June 24 • 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. All genres and formats are welcome, including short stories, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and long-form projects.

Registration is recommended but not required.

Announcements

Holiday Closure: Friday, June 19


In observance of Juneteenth, all library branches will be closed on Friday, June 19. 

  

Downtown and Weekes Library will resume normal hours on Saturday, June 20. 

  

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

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