Altamont Library Notes for Thursday, January 10, 2019

As we enter the new year, it’s a time for new beginnings and sad goodbyes. At our library, we have been blessed with a long history of having members of our board of trustees who have been more than willing to roll up their sleeves and help out with just about any big task we’ve had to undertake.

When board members leave us, as two will be doing after our annual meeting next week, they’re often exhausted, dirty-handed, and satisfied with a big job well done. I’d like to offer my grateful thanks to Michelle Stevens and Bob Haggerty, both of whom have pitched in for book sales, bake sales, window-washing parties, light-bulb changing campaigns, accounting adventures, meetings, meetings, and meetings.

Bob and Michelle have honored the library with their time, energy, and hard work, and they have honored themselves with how well they have done their jobs. From all of us who love our library, thank you both!

It is always a great consolation to us that board members never really retire; they just stop showing up for meetings. We trust that they both will stay active in the life of the library, and we hope that they do. The light bulbs aren’t going to change themselves, after all.

Tech help

Now that the holidays are behind us, many of us are left trying to figure out how the heck to use the new techno-goodies we’ve received. For everyone who takes to new technologies like a fish to water, there are five of us who are utterly befuddled by new devices.

But fear not, that’s what the library is here for. Whether it’s a new phone, laptop, tablet or eReader that won’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can (probably) help! Call the library at 518-861-7239 to book an appointment to sit down with a librarian for up to a half-hour and sort out your gizmo issues. And hey, if we can’t help you, it just means that you’re not alone in your confusion.

Fine Freedom

Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.

In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared. We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!

“Dumplin’” Viewing Party

Teens, put on your cowboy boots and your best pageant-wear and join us on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. as we watch the Netflix Original movie “Dumplin’,” based on Julie Murphy’s best-selling young-adult novel.

We’ll be giving away a signed copy of Julie’s fantastic follow-up, “Puddin’.” If you don’t mind spoilers, come grab a copy and read ahead. 13 and up, please!

MLK Day Craft

On Thursday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.and again on Friday, Jan. 18, from 4 to 5 p.m., come celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us make peace flags that will hang here at the library. Drop in for 10 minutes and make one or hang out for an hour and make ten!

Library gala

The always anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets will be available at the library in the coming weeks.

If you haven’t attended in the past and are interested in receiving an invitation, please get in touch with us. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support.

You’ll enjoy a fantastic dinner and homemade desserts, exciting live and silent auctions, and the delightful company of your fellow library supporters. This year we will be honoring the many contributions made to our community by Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!

Annual meeting

The annual meeting of the Altamont Free Library Board of Trustees will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21. It will be immediately followed by our regular monthly board meeting. All members of the community are invited to observe.