This past week, we had the first meeting of 2021 of the Altamont Free Library Board of Trustees, the group of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time, energy, knowledge, and creativity to craft policies and provide oversight of the library’s operation.
Every year at the January meeting, we welcome new members to the board, and I am pleased to say that we have two phenomenal new additions to the board this year in Shannon Duerr and Katherine Nelson. Katherine and Shannon join an all-star group of seasoned trustees who join us from not only the village immediately surrounding the library, but also from the broader Altamont community and the town of Knox as well.
In addition to our new members, our board consists of board President Dan Capuano; Vice President Amanda Beedle; Treasurer Melanie Shatynski; Secretary Rachel Lane; and trustees Katie Barker, Dick Howie, Deborah Marion-Katz, and Paul Scilipoti.
We all owe them a debt of gratitude for all that they do for our library and our community. Thank you, trustees!
Online ASL classes
Have you ever wanted to learn American Sign Language? If so, please join us for a six-week introductory course in ASL!
These free virtual classes will meet on consecutive Thursdays, at 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 16 and running through March 23. Classes are cumulative, so plan to attend all sessions.
These classes are intended for people ages 15 and up. Registration is required and seats are limited; email to sign up.
New York Times access
If you’re reading this, then we already know that you’re a smart cookie and you subscribe to The Altamont Enterprise. Good for you! But here’s something new for the new year: Now you can use your Altamont Free Library card to access The New York Times online for free!
Normally, once you’ve read a few articles in The New York Times every month, you are restricted from accessing any more until the next month, which can be frustrating. Now, you can simply go to AltamontFreeLibrary.com/Times and get a code that will allow you to access every Times article for 72 hours.
Once your 72 hours are up, just come back to our website, get a new code and you’re good for another 72 hours. You’ll need to set up a free New York Times online account, which is super easy, and you’ll be set to read the online Times on as many computers or smart devices as you like! If you need any help getting set up, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 and we’ll walk you through it.
These days, it’s more important than ever to get your news from reliable journalistic sources like The Enterprise and The Times, so start reading today!
More magazines
Speaking of getting your news online, did you know that with your Altamont Free Library card, you have access to over 4,000 different digital magazines on every subject imaginable?
Whether you’re interested in photography or literature, celebrity gossip or architecture, sports or cars, just log on to Overdrive.com or download the free Libby smartphone app and start checking out the full text of current magazines for free today!
If you need any help, just give us a call at 518-861-7239.
If you’re reading this, then we already know that you’re a smart cookie and you subscribe to The Altamont Enterprise. Good for you! But here’s something new for the new year: Now you can use your Altamont Free Library card to access The New York Times online for free!
Normally, once you’ve read a few articles in The New York Times every month, you are restricted from accessing any more until the next month, which can be frustrating. Now, you can simply go to AltamontFreeLibrary.com/Times and get a code that will allow you to access every Times article for 72 hours.
Once your 72 hours are up, just come back to our website, get a new code and you’re good for another 72 hours. You’ll need to set up a free New York Times online account, which is super easy, and you’ll be set to read the online Times on as many computers or smart devices as you like! If you need any help getting set up, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 and we’ll walk you through it.
These days, it’s more important than ever to get your news from reliable journalistic sources like The Enterprise and The Times, so start reading today!
More magazines
Speaking of getting your news online, did you know that with your Altamont Free Library card, you have access to over 4,000 different digital magazines on every subject imaginable?
Whether you’re interested in photography or literature, celebrity gossip or architecture, sports or cars, just log on to Overdrive.com or download the free Libby smartphone app and start checking out the full text of current magazines for free today!
If you need any help, just give us a call at 518-861-7239.
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
If you’re reading this, then we already know that you’re a smart cookie and you subscribe to The Altamont Enterprise. Good for you! But here’s something new for the new year: Now you can use your Altamont Free Library card to access The New York Times online for free!
Normally, once you’ve read a few articles in The New York Times every month, you are restricted from accessing any more until the next month, which can be frustrating. Now, you can simply go to AltamontFreeLibrary.com/Times and get a code that will allow you to access every Times article for 72 hours.
Once your 72 hours are up, just come back to our website, get a new code and you’re good for another 72 hours. You’ll need to set up a free New York Times online account, which is super easy, and you’ll be set to read the online Times on as many computers or smart devices as you like! If you need any help getting set up, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 and we’ll walk you through it.
These days, it’s more important than ever to get your news from reliable journalistic sources like The Enterprise and The Times, so start reading today!
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
With the onset of cooler weather, we’ve had to migrate our book club meetings to the digital realm. If you would like to join us for our next meeting, please us at 518-861-7239 or email us at and we’ll make sure that you get the Zoom meeting connection details for our next meeting on at noon on Monday, Jan. 11.
At that meeting, we’ll be discussing the wonderful novel “The Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles, author of the beloved “A Gentleman in Moscow.” Call today to reserve your copy and join us!
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
Highest honor
Have you heard? For the third time in the past four years, the Altamont Free Library has been named a Library Journal Star Library!
Library Journal is the most prominent trade publication in the library world. Each year LJ publishes a list of the best-performing libraries for each of nine funding levels.
Performance is determined by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that oversees museums and libraries in the United States. Thousands of libraries nationwide were of sufficient size and stature to be eligible for consideration as Star Libraries and over a thousand share our funding tier.
IMLS scores are determined by a number of factors, including per-capita circulation, visits, computer use, Wi-Fi sessions, and other factors based on the statistics reported in our New York State annual report. In each funding tier, the libraries with the 30 highest scores are named as Star Libraries, the top 10 receiving five stars, the next ten receiving four, etc.
The Altamont Free Library was named a three-star library this year, as we were last year. We were, in fact, the 21st best performing library with a budget between $100,000 and $200,000 — in the whole country! Woo-hoo!
This is just about the highest honor that a library can realistically aspire to, and we have only received this acknowledgement because of all the hard work done by our incredible staff and board of trustees. More than anyone else, though, we have earned this acknowledgement because of you.
All of you borrowers and storytimers, Wi-Fi users and movie browsers, and all who love and use our library — you are all stars, every single one of you. Thank you all!
At the end of a long, hard year, here's some great news: For the third time in the past four years, Altamont Free Library has been named a Library Journal Star Library!
Library Journal is the most prominent trade publication in the library world. Each year LJ publishes a list of the best-performing libraries for each of nine funding levels.
Performance is determined by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that oversees museums and libraries in the United States. Thousands of libraries nationwide were of sufficient size and stature to be eligible for consideration as Star Libraries and over a thousand share our funding tier.
IMLS scores are determined by a number of factors, including per-capita circulation, visits, computer use, Wi-Fi sessions, and other factors based on the statistics reported in our New York State annual report. In each funding tier, the libraries with the 30 highest scores are named as Star Libraries, the top 10 receiving five stars, the next ten receiving four, etc.
The Altamont Free Library was named a three-star library this year, as we were last year. We were, in fact, the 21st best performing library with a budget between $100,000 and $200,000 — in the whole country! Woo-hoo!
This is just about the highest honor that a library can realistically aspire to, and we have only received this acknowledgement because of all the hard work done by our incredible staff and board of trustees. More than anyone else, though, we have earned this acknowledgement because of you.
All of you borrowers and storytimers, Wi-Fi users and movie browsers, and all who love and use our library — you are all stars, every single one of you. Thank you all!
Holiday hours
Please note that the library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 and closed on Friday, Jan. 1. On behalf of the staff and Board, I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Book Club!
With the onset of cooler weather, we’ve had to migrate our book club meetings to the digital realm. If you would like to join us for our next meeting, please us at 518-861-7239 or email us at and we’ll make sure that you get the Zoom meeting connection details for our next meeting on at noon on Monday, Jan. 11.
At that meeting, we’ll be discussing the wonderful novel The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, author of the beloved A Gentleman in Moscow. Call today to reserve your copy and join us!
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
Well, we’ve made it to the end of the most challenging, heartbreaking year that many of us have ever faced. As we say goodbye to 2020, despite all the anxiety and sadness this year has brought, I look back with a sense of gratitude and forward with a sense of hope.
This year more than most, I am overflowing with gratitude. I am grateful to the incredible Altamont Free Library staff, who keep the library humming on a day-to-day basis. I am grateful to our trustees, who selflessly volunteer their time, energy, and expertise to set policy for the library and make sure that we have the resources we need.
Above all, I am grateful to our community, which lifts us up in times of need, and keeps us going with its never-flagging support. Thank you all for rolling with the changes that we’ve had to put in place in order to serve you safely and in a way that maintains yours and the staff’s health. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for letting us serve you every day.
I hope that you all are able to look forward, as I do, to better, healthier, happier times ahead.
Holiday hours
Please note that Altamont Free Library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 and closed on Friday, Jan. 1. On behalf of the staff and board, I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Amazon Smile
Here’s a great, easy, cost-free way to support the library: If you do some of your holiday shopping on Amazon, please consider going to Smile.Amazon.com (instead of just regular old Amazon.com).
Everything on the website will be exactly the same as usual, but you’ll have the opportunity to choose Altamont Free Library as your charity of choice and a portion of your purchase will go to support the Altamont Free Library, even though your gifts won’t cost you a penny more than they normally would! (You can do that all year round, if you like, but we just thought we’d mention it now.)
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Library Lights: As darkness fell on Friday evening, a small crowd gathered at the gazebo in Orsini Park next to the Altamont Free Library at the center of the village. Names of friends, of family members, of pets were read as the people who loved them had paid for a light in their honor to support the library. And then — ta-da! — the darkness subsided as the lights in the gazebo, centered by a Christmas tree, brightened the night.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Library Lights: As darkness fell on Friday evening, a small crowd gathered at the gazebo in Orsini Park next to the Altamont Free Library at the center of the village. Names of friends, of family members, of pets were read as the people who loved them had paid for a light in their honor to support the library. And then — ta-da! — the darkness subsided as the lights in the gazebo, centered by a Christmas tree, brightened the night.
Last week, the Altamont Free Library celebrated our 22nd annual Library Lights gazebo lighting ceremony in Orsini Park. The purpose of Library Lights is to take some time at the beginning of the holiday season to remember friends, family members, and other loved ones and to honor their memory with a light on the Orsini Park gazebo
This year, we had a near record number of honorees, whose names were read aloud at the ceremony. Thank you to all of our friends who contributed to our effort, and to those of you who joined us in Orsini Park last Friday.
A full list of this year’s honorees may be found on our website at AltamontFreeLibrary.org.
I’d especially like to thank Mayor Dineen, Jeff Moller, Larry Adams, and the team at the Village Department of Public Works for all of their invaluable help in making a space in the park for us and setting up the lights, as well as to Dan Capuano, Paul Scilipoti, and Yvette Terplak for helping with the reading of names. Thank you all!
Holiday hours
Please note that Altamont Free Library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 and closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Looking further ahead, we’ll also be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 and closed on Friday, Jan. 1. Happy Holidays to all!
Amazon Smile
Here’s a great, easy, cost-free way to support the library: If you do some of your holiday shopping on Amazon, please consider going to Smile.Amazon.com (instead of just regular old Amazon.com).
Everything on the website will be exactly the same as usual, but you’ll have the opportunity to choose Altamont Free Library as your charity of choice and a portion of your purchase will go to support the Altamont Free Library, even though your gifts won’t cost you a penny more than they normally would! (You can do that all year round, if you like, but we just thought we’d mention it now.)
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
With Thanksgiving now behind us, the holidays are coming up fast! I can’t think of a better way to get into the spirit than by decorating a tree! And this year, we’ll have a doozy of a community holiday tree in Orsini Park!
Pick up a blank ornament from the library or from local businesses including Hungerford Market, Re-Nue Spa, and Remedies/Bella Fleur. Bring your blank ornament home and decorate it in your and your family’s own unique style, and then, starting on Dec. 1, you can hang your ornament on the big community holiday tree out in the park.
Then on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Altamont Festival of Lights, join us as we light it up! Thanks to Leanne Royer for coordinating the ornaments, and to Altamont Community Tradition for sponsoring this fun holiday activity!
Library Lights
Speaking of lighting things up, it’s also time to light up the Orsini Park Gazebo! This holiday season, honor the memory of a friend, loved one, or pet with a light on the Altamont Village Gazebo in Orsini Park. The lights cost $5 each and all proceeds benefit the Altamont Free Library.
The honorees’ names will be read during the annual lighting ceremony on Friday, December 11th at 6pm, and be published on the library’s website. Forms are available in the library’s entryway and in this week’s edition of the Altamont Enterprise. Please join us at the gazebo on Friday, Dec. 11 for what is always a lovely and moving (masked-up and socially distant) ceremony.
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
With Thanksgiving now behind us, the holidays are coming up fast! I can’t think of a better way to get into the spirit than by decorating a tree! And this year, we’ll have a doozy of a community holiday tree in Orsini Park!
Pick up a blank ornament from the library or from local businesses including Hungerford Market, Re-Nue Spa, and Remedies/Bella Fleur. Bring your blank ornament home and decorate it in your and your family’s own unique style, and then, starting on Dec. 1, you can hang your ornament on the big community holiday tree out in the park.
Then on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Altamont Festival of Lights, join us as we light it up! Thanks to Leanne Royer for coordinating the ornaments, and to Altamont Community Tradition for sponsoring this fun holiday activity!
Library Lights
Speaking of lighting things up, it’s also time to light up the Orsini Park Gazebo! This holiday season, honor the memory of a friend, loved one, or pet with a light on the Altamont Village Gazebo in Orsini Park. The lights cost $5 each and all proceeds benefit the Altamont Free Library.
The honorees’ names will be read during the annual lighting ceremony on Friday, December 11th at 6pm, and be published on the library’s website. Forms are available in the library’s entryway and in this week’s edition of the Altamont Enterprise. Please join us at the gazebo on Friday, Dec. 11 for what is always a lovely and moving (masked-up and socially distant) ceremony.
Grab & Go
Due to the worsening COVID situation, we are halting in-person browsing and temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great! Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!
As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase throughout our community, we are doing our best to make sure that your library experience is as safe as possible. From quarantining returned books and movies before we handle them, to frequently sanitizing our entryway where most of our traffic occurs, to the health checks that all of our staff members do every day that they work, we’re working hard to ensure that you have nothing to worry about whenever and however you use the library.
With that in mind, it is important that we respond to changing circumstances. As of last Thursday, Nov. 19, we have put a temporary halt to in-person browsing and have resumed offering only the Grab & Go Service until the public-health situation is under control. Please see details about Grab & Go below.
I beg you all, if you have not already done so, to stop hosting and attending indoor gatherings, even for the holidays. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. The sooner we all get on the same page about these common-sense health practices, the sooner things can go back to something like normal.
Thanksgiving
Altamont Free Library will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and be closed the following Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. On behalf of the board and staff, we wish you and your family a healthy, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Library Lights
Feel that nip in the air? That’s a pretty good sign that the holidays are creeping up on us. We’re about a month away from the Altamont Celebration of Lights, so it’s time to start thinking about lighting up the Orsini Park Gazebo. This holiday season, honor the memory of a friend, loved one, or pet with a light on the Altamont Village Gazebo in Orsini Park.
The lights cost $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Altamont Free Library. The honorees names will be read during the annual lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m., and be published on the library’s website. Forms are available in the library’s entryway and in this week’s edition of the Altamont Enterprise. Please join us at the gazebo with for what is always a lovely and moving (masked-up and socially distant) ceremony.
Grab & Go
As I mentioned before, due to the public health situation, we are temporarily going back to an all-Grab & Go service model. But that’s OK! Grab & Go is still pretty great. Here’s how it works:
— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;
— Reserve books and DVD’s at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518- 861-7239;
— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you with a time you to make an appointment for you to pick them up so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here and to control the flow of foot traffic in and out of the vestibule;
— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;
— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, faxing and photocopying services are available by appointment;
— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours or in out outside dropbox when we’re closed;
— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and
— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!