Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, July 13, 2022

As you may have noticed, Altamont Free Library is one of the few libraries around that still requires patrons to wear face masks inside the library. It’s a policy that we’ve had in place for almost two years now, and it’s served us well. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gotten a few questions about why we still have this policy, so I thought I’d explain ourselves.

First of all, when I say that this policy has served us well over the past few years, I mean that not a single member of the library staff has tested positive for COVID even once over the past few years. But we’re a small staff in a small, sometimes crowded building, and if one of us gets it, there’s a pretty good chance that we’ll all get it.

We don’t have a large enough staff to be able to easily deal with more than one sick staff member at a time without having to close the library for an extended period of time while we quarantine and recover, and we think that having to shut the library down during our busiest season would be awful for our community.

Finally, we don’t know what medical vulnerabilities our patrons might have and it’s not our business to ask. To protect everyone, we ask that all patrons wear a mask so that nobody is prevented from coming in because of fear for their health.

We know it’s annoying for some community members. We know that some of you would rather not do it. We know that a few community members may even refuse to use AFL while we have this policy in place, and we truly regret that circumstance. (We can always figure out a way to help you get the materials that you need if that’s the case. Just email me at director@altamontfreelibrary.org.)

However, I think a greater good is served for most community members by keeping this policy in place for the time being. I sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.

Summer reading

Have you started your Summer Reading Bingo yet? It’s not too late to come pick up your Summer Reading Bingo card at the library and start earning chances to win fabulous prizes, by having adventures, being helpful, and especially, by reading, reading, reading!
 

Once you’ve off and running on your bingo card, join us on Thursday, July 21 at 6 p.m. for an up close and personal visit with the Llamas of Wunsupana Farms! If you participated in our Summer Reading Program last year, you know how cool these llamas are, and we’ll learn all about them from their owner, Teri Conroy, and her 4-H volunteers. (A word of caution: If the day is too hot, we’ll have to postpone this program. Llamas don’t’ like the heat!)
 

Speaking of wildlife, have you met our stuffed animal friend Shelly the Sea Turtle yet? All summer long, Altamont will be playing host to Shelly, and starting July 5, they’ll be hiding in different businesses all around the village. If you can find them, you can be entered into a raffle for a special prize at the end of the summer. Look for clues on our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on posters at the library.It's going to be a super fun summer, so come get your Summer Reading BINGO card today!

Summer Concerts

in Orsini Park

After a rain cancellation our first week, the 2022 Orsini Park Summer Concert Series, is off and running! Our concert organizer, Lori McCutcheon, has put together six Tuesdays of great music running through Tuesday, Aug. 9. All concerts begin at 7 p.m., and are supported in part by the Village of Altamont, as well as by donations to Altamont Free Library.
 

For our next performer on July 19, we’ve got the always fantastic Shades of Gray! Shades of Gray have been far and away the favorite performer of our last few Summer Concert Series, and we can’t wait to see what old favorites and rock classics they break out this time. We have a special sponsor for this concert in Montgomery Tree Service LLC, to whom we are grateful for their financial support. So break out your blankets and lawn chairs, gather the kids and bring your neighbors, and meet us out at the gazebo!

Family Feedback

Story Time

On Tuesday, July 19, we’re going to try a different kind of Storytime. All year long, Altamont Free Library is asking for feedback from our community to help us put together our new Long Range Plan. As part of that, on July 19, we’re going to have a community conversation with the parents and caregivers of young children to try and learn how we can serve you better. It’ll be happening at our usual story time time, 11 a.m. in Schilling Park instead of Orsini Park, and while we speak with you parents and caregivers, we’ll be keeping the children busy with a special story time conducted by a trio of amazing friends: AFL’s own Miss Ann and Miss Erika, as well as Thacher Park Wildlife Educator Shannon Duerr.

They’ll read stories, lead activities and crafts, and then monitor the kiddos on the Schilling Park playground so that the adults can have a conversation within sight and earshot of the children. We really want as much input from caregivers of children as possible, so please consider joining us for this very special story time!