Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, February 16, 2022

To state the obvious, we live in challenging times. With all of the tumult and anxiety that surrounds us all in our daily lives, many of us — myself included — are sometimes at a loss with how to cope.

Many people have found some solace in a recent book by the English journalist and essayist Katherine May called “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.” At the request of a library patron, we’re starting a small weekly book club to slowly read through “Wintering” and discuss it, a few chapters at a time.

Participation is limited to five readers and, if you want to be involved, you must be able to commit to a schedule of virtual meetings on Thursdays at noon starting March 3 and lasting seven weeks. (If you have to miss one or two, we’ll understand.) Please get in touch with me at or by phone at 518-861-7239 to reserve your copy today!

Automatic renewal

Altamont Free Library, along with all of the other libraries in Albany and Rensselaer counties, recently decided to change the way that we handle due dates. Starting on Feb. 1, when your library materials are two days away from being due, if they can be renewed, our system will automatically renew your items so that they don’t become overdue.

There are a few reasons that your items might not get automatically renewed: If someone else is waiting for your book or movie, or if it’s something like a museum pass that can never be renewed, it won’t be. Also, if you have excessive overdue fines, the system will prevent your items from being automatically renewed.

Other than that, for 95 percent of people and in something like 85 percent of cases, your items will simply be renewed without you having to do anything to make that happen.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please let us know! Just call me at 518-861-7239 or email me at Director@AltamontFreeLibrary.org.

Masks on!

Please continue to wear a face mask when visiting the Altamont Library. As you may have seen, the governor has rescinded the New York State indoor masking requirement. Nevertheless, at the Altamont Free Library, we’ve required all patrons over the age of 2 to wear a face mask since the beginning of the pandemic, and we continue to do so. The library leadership team will continue to monitor the situation and will update our rules as circumstances dictate.

If you prefer not to wear a mask or if you just prefer this kind of service, we continue to offer Grab & Go service that you are more than welcome to use. The board and I will review this policy at each board meeting going forward.

If you have any questions about this, give me a call at 518)-861-7239 or send me an email at . On behalf of the entire staff and board, we appreciate your patience and support.