Voorheesville

By Lynn Kohler

On Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m., students from Albany Law School will give a free presentation regarding legal resources important to senior citizens, family members of seniors, caregivers and elder care professional sat the Voorheesville Public Library. Presenters are trained to supply  information and answer general questions in the areas of advanced planning, consumer rights, family law, housing and public benefits.  Presentation topics include wills, health care proxies, executors and an overview of legal issues affecting seniors.  The Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. has provided several print materials with questions and answers in these areas for distribution at presentations

Budget hearing and vote

The voters of the Voorheesville Central School District are invited to attend a public budget hearing on May 20, at 7 p.m., in the library community room. The board of trustees will be answering questions about the proposed 2013-14 library budget. Please plan to attend.

The budget vote will be held on May 21, from 2 to 9 p.m., at the Voorheesville Central Middle School.

Book discussions

On Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m., the 2nd and 3rd grade book discussion group will discuss Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians by Jarret J. Krosoczka.

On Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m., the 4th and 5th grade book discussion group will discuss Listen! by Stephanie Tolan.

Babygarten

Babygarten , our story times for babies under two years and their caregivers, meets on the first and third Thursday every month. The next Babygarten will be May 16, at 10:15 a.m.

In the library

Overdrive is the library’s collection of ebooks and audiobooks for you to download to your home computer or onto many portable devices. Just click the “downloadables” link on the front page of our website.

Collection Nooks

The library currently has 7 collections on Nook. They are: fiction, romance/ science fiction/fantasy, young adult, mystery/thriller, non-fiction, kids and picture books/easy readers. Stop by and check them out.

Mango languages

This online language program, has 48 different foreign languages. Mango languages also has 15 English as a Second Language courses. All language programs are free through the library.

DVD collection

Everytime I see someone putting a credit card in the Redbox at Hannaford, I want to remind them their library has hundreds of titles to choose from, and the only card needed is a library card. Shelves and shelves of dvd’s, cd’s and audiobooks are available for your use. Want a new release? Don’t waste your gas running around town. Go online and request it, we’ll give you a call when it’s your turn. Did you miss any new releases, come on in and look through the collection. For more ideas go to http://voorheesvillelibrary.org/new_materials.asp, click on DVD.

Altamont

By David Warner

Preserving history: The Altamont Free Library train station renovation was honored at the Historic Albany Foundation annual preservation award ceremony on May 7 with the Preservation Merit Award for Restoration and Adaptive Reuse. Preservation Merit Awardees have acted as examples of best practices for local preservation. Attending the ceremony in Albany were, from left: Tony Kossmann, holding the award; Pat Spohr; Library Director Judith Wines, holding a picture of the library; and Linda Cure. Sally Dague, the president of the Altamont Free Library Board, also attended. Other honorees included Overit Media, which hosted the event, as well as the Albany Housing Authority, the Independent Benevolent Society of Fuller Road, the New York State Capital Senate Staircase and Hall of Governors, and three residential restorations in Albany.

Altamont Free Library patrons may enjoy an armful of enjoyable activities this month.

May we?

Yes, you may!

Start with an author visit from Diane Cameron, who will read from and discuss her new book Looking For Signs. Cameron is the former director of the Community Caregivers and current development director for Unity House in Troy. She has been described as a “public person who writes about her private life with courage, compassion and humor.”

Cameron will be here on Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m.

Brother Outsider

This year, 2013, marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the site of Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. The award-winning documentary Brother Outsider focuses on the little known role of Bayard Rustin in both the peace movement and the struggle against racism.

The date and time of this program is Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m.

Click and learn

Want to try a Massive Online Open Course? Take a free online class, History of Rock and Roll with the Eastman School of Music Professor John Covach, and come to the library once a week to discuss.

Bethlehem

By Louise Grieco

On Monday, May 13, at 1:30 p.m., the Daybooks group will discuss Perla by Michael Carolina DeRobertis. New members are welcome. Copies are available at the information desk. Audio copies may also be available.

Stay healthy

On Monday, May 13, at 10:30 a.m., the library will have Scrubby stories, Glo-Germs, and The Scrubby Bear Handwashing Song. They will all help you learn about staying healthy; this program is presented by the American Red Cross. Call 439-9314 to sign up. For children up to age 6 with family or friends.

Guilderland

By Mark Curiale

 Historical novelist Anne Easter Smith will read from her novel, Royal Mistress, at the Guilderland Public Library on Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m.  If you haven’t heard Anne speak before, don’t miss this opportunity. She writes about the period of the War of the Roses, in which the Tudor and York cousins fought for supremacy in the 15th Century.  

Smith is an expert at finding a woman about whom not too much is known at the time, but who had access to the historical figures of the day.  She creates scenarios that allow that person to move among the royals and illuminate the historic events of their days. 

Literary garden

Are you looking for a quiet, outdoor space where you can read quietly, unbothered by the cares of the world?  Then come to the library’s Community Literary Garden, which is open whenever the weather is fair.

 Comfortable seats in both shade and sun give you the opportunity to enjoy some fresh air and good reading. 

Library info

 For more information about the library, call the library at 456-2400, or e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  The library is located at 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. Visit the library’s website at www.guilpl.org. Check out the “unofficial” library stuff at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library, follow the library on Twitter @GuilderlandLib, and get music information and free downloads on the library’s Freegal page. It all starts at guilpl.org.

Bethlehem

By Louise Grieco

On Monday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., the Bethlehem library board will meet. This meeting is open to the public. Public presentation of the proposed 2013-14 library budget precedes the meeting at 6 p.m.

Balloon Decathlon

On Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m., come to the library and use your brain and body to complete all ten challenges in the Balloon Decathlon. This program is for all ages including family and friends.

 Berne

By Judy Petrosillo

— Photo from Judy Petrosillo
Avid readers: Saturday, May 4, was Free Comic Book Day at the Berne Library. Each person who came to the library was able to choose a free comic book.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12.  Writer Robert Brault said, “A mom reads you like a book, and wherever she goes, people read you like a glowing book review.”  This weekend is a great time to show your appreciation to all the mothers in your life.  

Game night

If mom enjoys playing board games, bring her to Game Night at the Berne Public Library on Sunday, May 12, at 7 p.m.  She may take to it like a duck to water.  This monthly program is open to all adults at no charge.

Story time

Story time is on Tuesday, May 14, at 11 a.m.  During the program, children develop literacy skills in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This week join Kathy for stories about ducklings, participate in activities, and make a craft.  

Duckling parade

The picture book, Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McClosekey won the 1942 Caldecott Medal for McCloskey’s illustrations. The story takes place in Boston, Mass.  Each year on Mother’s Day, children dress as their favorite characters from the story and march in the Duckling Day parade from the Boston Common to the Public Garden.  A bronze statue of the mother duck and her eight ducklings was created by Nancy Schön and is on display in the garden. 

Lego League

If you like creating statues out of Legos, the library has a program for you.  Lego League meets on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m.  The library supplies the Legos for the participants. Creations are displayed in the library until the following month when they are disassembled and reused. This free program is designed for youth in grades 2 to 8.

Book club

One of the best gifts to give a mother is quiet time to read. Perhaps she would like to read the novel A Superior Death by Nevada Barr.  This book will be discussed at the next meeting of the book club on June 2.  Reserve a copy soon if you would like to participate in our entertaining book talk.

Ducklings and goslings will soon be attempting to cross the roads in Berne. Please drive carefully on Mother’s Day and every day.

Westerlo

By Sue Hoadley

Treat Mom to something sweet on her special day. The Westerlo Public Library’s annual bake sale will be held this Saturday, May 11, the day before Mother’s Day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the library.  Donations of baked goods will be accepted through Friday. 

Board meets

The board of library trustees will meet on Monday, May 13, at 7p.m., at the library.  This meeting is open to the public.

Book group

The library’s Book Discussion Group will meet on Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m., at the library.  We will continue our discussion of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.  Please join us.  New members are welcomed.

Display case

For the month of May the library is displaying eight-year-old Angelina Rufa’s Calico Critters. Built around the traditional values of family, friends and community, Calico Critters encourage little girls to use their imagination and share their own experiences as they play.  Angelina’s collection includes the Pickleweeds Hedgehog Family, the Norwood Mouse Family, the Hopscotch Rabbit Family, all living harmoniously in a beautifully appointed townhouse.

 Children’s programs

Toddler and preschool story time now meets on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Join Miss Lee for stories, songs, games and movement activities designed for children ages two to five years old.  In addition to developing pre-reading skills, singing, moving to music, and playing instruments all help foster a sense of rhythm and timing that are essential elements in developing the part of a child’s brain that shapes math skills.

Technology walk-in Wednesday

 Do you need to brush up on your computer skills – or obtain basic skills?  See Amy on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for free, personalized, one-on-one, hands-on instruction on how to work the mouse, navigate the Internet, set up an e-mail account, use office automation programs, and more.  If Wednesday mornings are not convenient, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Library info

All library programming is free unless otherwise noted and open to the public.  For more information, contact the library during business hours at 797-3415, visit westerlolibrary.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westerlolibrary.