Berne

By Judy Petrosillo

As the academic year draws to a close, the kindergarten students have finished their first year of formal schooling. The book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum offers advice. “Share everything. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Put things back where you found them.”  These words of wisdom certainly apply to libraries. We share all of our items with the public. With a free library card, you may borrow books, magazines, e-readers, audiobooks, music CDs, and movies.  The only catch is that you need to return them in a timely fashion.  But you don’t need to put them back; the staff of the Berne Public Library will do that.

Library friends

The members of Friends of the Berne Library are great at sharing time and skills.  Over the past fifteen years, their fund-raisers have added up.  Last week they gave a $30,000 check to the town of Berne to be used toward the renovation work at the new library site.  The money was matched by a New York State Library Construction Grant.  For the last two years, the group has been working on raising an additional $30,000 for furniture and equipment. We hope that this money will be matched by an additional grant.  Please help with any size donation. 

Game night

Participate with other adults at Game Night on Sunday, June 9, at 7 p.m. The group follows Fulghum’s advice, “Play fair. Don’t hit people.” 

Story time

Father’s Day is the perfect time for fathers to share time and play with their children. To prepare for the day, preschool children and their caregivers are invited to story time on Tuesday, June 11.  Join Kathy at 11 a.m. for stories, activities, and a craft that involves making a gift for dad.  

Trustees meet

The library’s board of trustees will meet to discuss library business on Thursday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m. All interested community members are invited to this open meeting.

Lapsit program

The library is holding a baby lapsit program on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m.  Bond with your baby while exposing them to stories, tickles, songs, and bounces which have been shown to help baby brain development.  Parents will learn rhymes so they can continue these interactions with their children at home.  

Lego League

The library shares our large Lego collection with children in grades 2 through 8 during Lego League.  The next monthly program is on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m..  Create a project to display at the library.  After a month the Legos will be put back and used in our next program.

As Robert Fulghum said:  “Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” The library can help you attain this daily goal.

Voorheesville

By Lynn Kohler

On Saturday, June 8, beginning at 10:15 a.m., at the Voorheesville Public Library, we will take out our bells, shakers, music and dancing for a busy fun-filled story time. For toddlers through kindergarteners with an adult, our musical program will include fun activities from books to Mother Goose rhymes. We will have an art activity that will finish our program.

Registration for

summer reading program

Sign up now for these summer programs:

— Tween Tech Week, from July 16 to 18, offers Bits, Bytes and Bots for Stop Motion Animated Movie Making;

— Caldecott Week, from July 22 to 26, includes a family trivia night competition and a two-day workshop with artist Kyra Teis;

— American Girl Doll Party on Aug. 6, includes games, crafts, refreshments, a cookie exchange, pictures with your doll and more. This program is for doll owners of all ages; and

— Flow Circus, on Aug. 8, a family comedy, magic and juggling performance for all ages and followed by a skill toy workshop just for tweens and teens.

Registration is required for all of the above programs. Please register early, as they are sure to fill up. Check the library online events calendar for the latest additional programming and descriptions.

Volunteers wanted

Students entering grade 6 and up are needed to assist with summer programs. Tasks include helping with craft projects, checking reading lists, crowd management, and working with younger kids at programs. To participate, volunteers must fill out a form on the library website or at the library, have the form signed by a parent, and return it to Mrs. Laiosa. For more information, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Attendance at the orientation meeting on Friday, June 14 at 4 p.m. is mandatory.

Museum pass program

The library has a museum pass program that allows patrons to borrow a museum pass to gain free entrance to many local museums. The program is done on a first come, first served basis, and the passes cannot be renewed. We have passes for The Guggenheim, Hancock Shaker Village, Norman Rockwell Museum, Clarke Art Institute and MassMoca, just to name a few. All of our passes allow at least 2 adults and children free entrance. Call the library at 765-2791 for more information.

Library displays

The June Artist of the Month is Paul Stenkamp, showing his Encaustic paintings. Encaustic painting is done with wax and heat. Be sure to stop by the library to see this unusual medium.

This June we also have Gittie Commino. Gittie does hidden pictures in pencil drawings. You really need to see this to believe it.

Guilderland

By Mark Curiale

— Photo by Rudy Lu
The Brian Patneaude Quartet will give a free Second Sunday jazz concert at the Guilderland Public Library on Sunday, June 9, at 2 p.m. the library advised patrons to come early as this is a popular show.Repeatedly cited as “Best Jazz” by Metroland magazine, Brian Patneaude – one of the top musicians in New York’s Capital District – will bring his quartet to the Guilderland Public Library for a free Second Sunday Concert on June 9, at 2 p.m.

Formed in 2002, the Brian Patneaude Quartet currently features pianist Dave Payette, bassist Mike DelPrete and drummer Danny Whelchel, Their music is an blend modern jazz styles, melodies and harmonic textures that appeal to the casual listener and jazz aficionado alike.

In addition to leading his own quartet, Patneaude teaches at Schenectady County Community College and Blue Sky Music Studios and maintains www.albanyjazz.com, an online guide to the region’s jazz community.

Friday family movie 

Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale about Thumbelina is brought to life in an enchanting G-rated movie that will be shown at the library on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. Enjoy the movie and the free popcorn.

Ancestry.com

Get expert help learning the ins and outs of Ancestry.com’s library edition, at a special class at the library on Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m.

Ancestry.com, which is available free at the library, is a treasure trove of information. Barbara Nichols Randall will demonstrate tips and tricks of using the database. In addition, you will learn how to search the databases included in Ancestry.com New York, and be able to contribute your own family tree free of charge. You will be able to use Library laptops, or bring your own, so that you can apply what you learned. Please register for this class by calling 456-2400, ext. 2.

Board meets

The library’s board of trustees holds its monthly business meeting on Thursday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the library’s Tawasentha Room. The public is encouraged to attend.

   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.

Altamont

By David Warner

The Altamont Free Library’s connection with barbecued chicken is unbreakable, nearly metaphysical – like Squanto’s to the first Thanksgiving.

So many purposes are met: it raises money, brings people together, provides a memorable meal, it’s a party, it celebrates the arrival of summer.

This year’s feast is taking place on Friday evening, June 14. There will be two servings, the first at 5 p.m., the second at 6 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance, at the library, are $9. Those who wait till the day of the event will pay $10. The meal includes a half chicken dinner with potato, roll, coleslaw, brownie and beverage. No quarter size orders this year.

So please come on in. Pick up your tics for chicks. Do it soon. A dollar is a terrible thing to waste.

South African visitor

Buyelwa Cecilia Xayiya is a South African. She will be in Altamont on Thursday, June 13, hoping to talk about her native land with interested listeners. Last week’s announcement urged readers to come with our “questions and vuvuzelas.” A vuvuzela is a long, horn with a squawky sort of sound. They are popular in South Africa. Come meet Ms. Xayiya at 7 p.m.

New art

The east wall of the library’s meeting room is intended to display the work of local visual artists. This month Altamont photographer, Connie Rue is featured. Rue’s photos focus on nearby sights and subjects. They are clear and precise: they don’t need “figuring out;” they are instantly pleasurable.

She has been a serious picture taker for two years, and photography is her first artistic passion. The discipline allows her to be alone, she explains, without being lonely; and she enjoys sharing her visions with others.

Got change for an eggplant

It’s a perfect Saturday morning event, a seedling exchange. Come to the library on Saturday, June 8, between 10 a.m. and noon. Bring your leftover seedlings and trade with another gardener for something new. It’s a new Altamont idea. We’re doing all we can to make it work.

Lava lamps

They’re a symbol of long ago – a simpler time. There was no texting back then. Come to the library on Wednesday, June 26, at 3 p.m., and make a beautiful lava lamp of your very own. Watch the shifting shapes rise and fall seemingly with thoughts and dreams all their own, blow your mind, kiss the sky.

Middleburgh

By Anne LaMont

On June 11, at 3:30 p.m., Indy is at the Middleburgh Library as a reading buddy to your child.  Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Bring your reader to the library to read to our therapy dog, Indy and his person, Karen VanDyke. Indy is non-judgmental and will give kids confidence while reading. No registration is necessary.

Kundalini Yoga

On June 12, from 5 to 6:15 p.m., Kundalini Yoga, “The yoga of awareness,” opens your heart, builds strength and releases the energy located at the base of your spine. Please wear comfortable clothing.  No registration is required.  A $5 donation is requested of all participants. Please use back entrance.

Knitting Circle

On June 13, at 7 p.m., come to the library where you can learn a new skill or share your own special talents with others or just craft in the company of friends. Drop in anytime. No registration is required.

Concert

On June 13, at 7 p.m., Josh White Jr. a concert artist, will perform for us at the library. Tickets are available at the door for a suggested $10 donation.

For more information, see our website at www.middleburghlibrary.info.