Embrace Love in the New Year: A Heartfelt Conversation with Rebecca Serle
Wednesday, January 10, 5:00 p.m., Online

Join us as we kick off the New Year talking to Rebecca Serle about her journey writing epic love stories to span generations. Learning the love story formula with Serle, we’ll chat with the author about her New York Times bestselling novels, One Italian Summer, In Five Years, The Dinner List, and many more. 

The Literary Corner: The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

Wednesday, January 10, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Library

Welcome to The Literary Corner! For our January meeting we'll be reading Tom Hanks' acclaimed novel. Get a copy at the library, or email ricardo.antoni@hayward-ca.gov!

Protect Your Home Equity: PACE Loans, Reverse Mortgages, and Other Common Risks
Thursday, January 11, 2:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Learn how to hold on to your home equity as you grow older. Understand the risks of reverse mortgages, PACE loans, and other equity-based loans. Explore your options! Bring your questions to this event, which features a 45-minute presentation followed by 45 minutes for questions and answers.

Repair Coaching Session

Saturday, January 13, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Join us for Hayward Public Library's first Fixit Clinic! Fixit Clinics are fun, community-based workshops where neighbors, friends, and families work collectively to learn how to repair broken items. We’ll provide a workspace, specialty tools, and volunteer Fixit Coaches.

Registration is encouraged so that the coaches can be prepared to assist you.

Garden Planning Workshop

Saturday, January 20, 11:00 a.m., Downtown Library

Join us for our first Seed Library Program of the new year: a hands-on workshop where you will plan your 2024 garden! Bring your garden's dimensions and sun exposure, and maybe a soil sample, and learn how to pick the best locations for your veggies, herbs, flowers, and companion plants. Then you'll be all ready for our seed starting workshop in February!

Winter Birds of the Central Valley

Saturday, January 20, 1:00p.m., Downtown Library

Discover why winter brings thousands of birds to California's Central Valley and learn where to find them in this fun, photo-filled presentation by scientist and storyteller Bob Lewis. In this talk, he will focus on swans, cranes, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, and falcons. These are some of the biggest birds we have in the Bay Area, and it’s easy and exciting to visit them at nearby wildlife refuges. 

Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster? How to Avoid the Hidden Traps in Retirement Planning Advice
Tuesday, January 23, 11:00 a.m., Online

Rajiv Nagaich's LifePlanning approach is a system that brings together legal, financial, and housing issues into a coordinated effort that can work to make sure you don’t end up being forced into institutionalized care, going broke, and being a burden on your family. In this enlightening and informative webinar, Rajiv explains why “retirement plan failure” happens and how you can keep it from happening to you.

The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine: An Online Author Talk with Dr. Robert Lustig
Tuesday, January 30, 11:00 a.m., Online

Launch your New Year healthy with Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric neuroendocrinologist who has long been on the cutting edge of medicine and science. He challenges our current healthcare paradigm which has gone off the rails under the influence of Big Food, Big Pharma, and Big Government.

Save the Date: The Literary Corner will be discussing Romantic Comedy in February! 

Wednesday, February 14, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Library

For our February meeting we'll be reading Curtis Sittenfeld's novel, Romantic Comedy. Get a copy at the library, or email ricardo.antoni@hayward-ca.gov!

HPL Recommends: Self Help for the Rest of Us

Sometimes something in our reality creates extra hurdles that we have to overcome when we want to make New Year's resolutions or set intentions around self help or self care. If that sounds familiar, one of these books may be for you. Check out our list:

Lawyer in the Library Phone Appointments

January 2, 10, 20, and 24

Need legal help? The Lawyer in the Library program is a free legal information and referral program hosted by the Hayward Public Library and staffed by a volunteer lawyer. 

Yoga at the Library

Saturday, January 6, 10:30 a.m., Downtown Library

Unlock energy, strength, and joy in this free monthly wellness-focused class led by certified instructor Iva Chu from Hayward's Yoga Sociale. 

Book Sale at the New Leaf Bookstore

January 6 and 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.

Uke Can Do It! Beginners' Strum-Along

January 6 and 20, 2:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Whether you're an old hand at Ukulele or have just started, you're welcome to join in on our group strum-alongs! This session is for beginners. No registration is required.

BYOU (Bring Your Own Uke)! If you don't own one, you can check one out from the Library.

How to Get Help Paying Energy and Water Bills

Tuesday, January 9, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Downtown Library

Do you need help paying your energy and water bills? 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) and Household Water (LIHWAP) assistance programs.

Palo Alto VA Mobile Medical Outreach Team
Thursday, January 11, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall

The VA Palo Alto Mobile Medical Outreach Team to facilitate examinations, consultations, and referrals for veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system. They will also assist veterans and their spouses, caregivers, family members, and survivors with information about veteran enrollment for VA healthcare.

Sticks & String Knitting Circle: Open Knit

Saturday, January 20, 10:30 a.m., Downtown Library

Come hang out with your fellow crafty folks! This month we're hosting an open knit/crochet session. All ability levels welcome. No registration required, and you don't need a library card to attend. Just drop in! And feel free to bring a friend.

Library Commission Meeting

Monday, January 20, 6:30 p.m., Hayward City Hall

Get involved! Members of the public are invited to attend our monthly Library Commission Meeting. Public comments may be made live at the Commission Meeting during the open public comment periods of the Commission Meetings.

Mobile Health Clinic
Friday, January 26, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Downtown Library

The mobile health clinic offers free, friendly medical 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 Center Garage and C Street.

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

English Conversation Circles
Monday-Friday, Online and in Person at the Downtown Library

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
Drop-in or 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!

The library will be closed on Monday, January 15 in honor of Martin Luther King 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!

Library Pro Tip: Save Money on Tabletop Games with Your Library Card!

Looking for a new game to play with your family or friends? With your Hayward Public Library card, you can now check out a variety of games for free. We've got a great selection of games for kids, teens, and adults. Check it out:

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