The Berne Public Library is flying into February with a bundle of activities planned. Get out your magic slate and schedule in the dates.
First up is “Bring Your Child to the Library Day” on Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event had its beginnings in 2012 at the Waterford Public Library in Connecticut. Nadine Lipman, a retired Children’s Services librarian, launched the idea. Libraries nationwide flocked in for their own version and it’s been continuing strong ever since.
Kathy Stempel wrangled the idea in for the Berne Public Library’s menu of programs and this is its fifth year here. Book some time on Feb. 2 to “Bring Your Child to the Berne Public Library” to dabble with some drop-in crafting, a special story time read at 1 p.m. and take home a keepsake of your visit.
Fine forgiveness
February is the Berne Library’s annual fine forgiveness month. Rake out under the beds, the dressers, the sofas; mine the piles around the house; drag the box of temporarily misplaced Berne library items out into the light and bring them back home to the stacks. Overdue fines will be x’d away with a big thank you smile from the staff.
Book Club
Skipping along to Sunday Feb. 3 is the monthly meeting for Berne’s Sunday Book Club. Due to the Super Bowl, please note the meeting time of 4 p.m. to discuss the lives of three women from different backgrounds. Each character revealing their reality during Hitler’s wartime ravaging. “Lilac Girls” is Martha Hall Kelly’s first novel and the book club’s first book of the year. Join the conversation.
Story time
Next up in February’s line-up is ‘Ground Hog Story Time’ on Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Featuring that charming 4 legged critter also known as the woodchuck. Learn some woodchuck habits such as hibernating in winter and feasting on dandelion shoots, clover and wild lettuces. Have your 5 and under group gather up the reins for stories, movement and crafts at this weeks Ground Hog story edition.
Photo Contest
February’s meeting of the Friends of the Berne Library gather on February 6 at 7 p.m. to firm up plans for the Juried Photo contest. Entries will be hung in the community room for all to see. Please take a moment to enjoy the display and vote for your favorite piece in the catagories of jr. division and adult division .
Escape Room
Wrapping up this first whirlwind of a week is an Escape Room set-up for the Tweens/Teens. Ages 10 to 18 are invited to test their puzzle and brainpower skills on Friday, Feb. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Can the challengees clear the room before time is up?
Fundraiser
Plus, it's time to put the buzz out to rev up plans for the annual book, jewelry and more fundraiser in March. Volunteers, new members and any type of helper in between is welcome to join the Friends. Visit the Berne Public Library’s web page @www.bernepubliclibrary.org and click on Friends.
— From Kathy Stempel
Two local authors, Mary Jo McKeon, left, who wrote “From the Beginning,” and Kathy H. Brown, who wrote “Summer Girl” discussed how they self-published their books at a session hosted by the Berne Library.
This is it folks. The final week to submit your photos to the “4th Annual Berne Public Library Juried Photography Exhibit.” Here’s a snapshot review of the categories this year:
— Charms of the Season;
— All Creatures Great and Small;
— Shadows and Reflections; and
— Our History/Heritage.
Pick up your registration form to enter your 8 x 10’s by the Jan. 31 deadline. Mats 11” x 14” are available at the library with your $5.00 entry fee per photo for adults ages 18 and up. The junior division ages 8 to 18 enters free and includes mats to bundle your photo into. Direct any questions to or call 518-872-1246.
All entries will fill the walls of the community room during the month of February.
Scrabble Night
Scrabble lovers pick your seven letters, it’s about to get hot. Bezique flows down hitting a triple word score with q landing on a double letter score plus 50 for using all your letters garnering 161 points. Wait, there’s more - the b simultaneously adds to end for bend also hitting a triple word score of 21 for a slam dunk of 182 total points! This Sunday is Scrabble Game Night starting 7 p.m. in the community room. May all your q’s be accompanied by u near a triple letter square.
Story time
Vroom Vroom story time is pulling up with cars taking the lead this Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m. Cars of all shapes and sizes reveal themselves to the waiting crowd of 5 and under listeners plus their caregivers. Rev up your crafted storymobiles and park them curbside as you settle in for stories, movement and a car inspired craft.
Calendar page
A quick peek into next month’s calendar page reveals “Take Your Child to the Library Day” on Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a special story time at 1:00 - long after groundhog Punxsutawney Phil may or may not have seen his shadow. Also featured on this special day at the Berne Public Library is the wildly popular ‘Drop in Craft’ zone. Mark your action list with a visit to the library for you and your child/children.
Get out there and self-publish that book! Friday, Jan. 18, at 6:30 p.m. local authors MaryJo McKeon and Kathy Hill-Brown will share insights at the Berne Public Library from their indie publishing experiences. Mark your calendar for this workshop loaded with step by steps and how tos.
By blending this program into your resolution cache you are gaining a foothold into seeing your name in print. “The Library Chronicles” by Susie Q Kidster copyright 2019.
Moon Walk
Moving along to adventures contained in the Library Moon Walk, you can continue adding minutes, miles or steps at librarymoonwalk.sals.edu. Each Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. the library offers an opportunity to meet and walk one half hour, outside or in. Over 48,000 miles have been completed by participants in three library systems - Upper Hudson, Mohawk Valley and Southern Adirondack. Catch the ‘movement improvement’ wave as we step forward to complete those miles to the moon by April 30.
Crafts
Knit-Wits, attention. A needle is one thing. Throw knitting or crochet in front of that needle and a whole new vision emerges. Warm hats, shawls, blankets, afghans and baby booties dance before your eyes. Yarn wizards, work your magic, have your wits about you and bring your creative spirit to the monthly gathering. All newbie and seasoned enthusiasts are invited to share this Sunday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Berne Public Library Community Room.
Story time
“White as Snow” story time flakes in on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 10:30 a.m. with a clue guiding you to the major theme:
— Snow is white and so is flour;
— A daisy’s petals are as well;
— White sneakers, sugar, milk jumps in;
— To join Penny Panda and Ziggle Zebra; and
As all claim parts of that color mentioned in “white as snow” .
Caregivers, rustle the 5-and-under squad to the library on Tuesday for a story, movement and craft. Treasure hunt for the color white within your sight, then pick your favorite color of the day.
Library shorts
Reminder flash for new hours: Mondays, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other hours remain the same.
Contest is on: Entries forms for the Friends 4th Annual Juried Photography exhibit are here.
New Event shout out: Calling all word scrabblers for Scrabble Game NIght’s premier opening night on Sunday, January 27 at 7 p.m.
Puzzling mystery: The library is missing 10 chairs from its community room. Are they being held hostage somewhere? Please contact us if you have intel on their whereabouts. We just want them to come home safely. Call 518-872-1246, e-mail or stop by in person. Thank you.
January resolutions are in full swing with pledges to eat healthy food, exercise, explore better choices, and step up book reading — all subjects that library resources can assist you with through books, videos, and online searches.
The Berne Library Moon Walk can aid with the exercise portion. Meet at the library at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays for a half-hour walk or follow a video from the community room TV set-up.
Check out librarymoonwalk.sals.edu and log in your minutes, miles, or steps. Close to 33,000 steps have been logged so far. Challenge finish line is April 30. Join the many walkers stepping up to get to the moon.
Story time
Bundle-up story time is on deck for Tuesday Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Join Kathy Stempel for a story, craft and bundling actions. Bundle to the left, bundle to the right, bundle down the middle until your warm enough for flight. Move around the library for a treasure hunt to find mittens, hats and surprises.
Self-publishing
Welcome to the world of publishing. Self- publishing, that is. You have been writing on and off for years. Dabbling with story lines or journaling or doodling pictures that seem to tell a tale. There are memories from your life just waiting to add life to the page.
Imagine the joy of putting your words on paper and then taking it one step further. MaryJo McKeon and Kathy Hill-Brown have joined forces to present “How to Self-Publish” with Indie publishing. Join them Friday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. to learn all you need to know to get your words into book form.
Juried photography contest
The Friends of the Berne Library are now taking photos for the 4th Annual Juried Photography contest in the following categories:
— Charms of the Season;
— All Creatures Great and Small;
— Shadows and Reflections; and
— Our History/Heritage
Entry forms are available for 8 x 10 pics matted on 11 x 14 mats. The mats are available at the library. For ages 8 to 18 enter for free. The adult division is $5 per entry.
Library resolutions
Keep those resolutions going. Write that story, take that photo, walk the moon walk path. Have an idea for a program? Contact the library at 518-872-1246, e-mail or stop in anytime during regular hours. Remember, there are 4 new hours this year. Mondays are 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
— Photos from Kathy Stempel
Kids at the Berne Library enjoy getting introduced to a puppet during a presentation from The Puppet People.
Happy New Year to all!
The library could not run without the generosity of donors and volunteers.
Thanks go out to the Friends of the Berne Library and President Donna Gwin for their fundraising efforts, and to our weekly volunteers, Marilyn Hellwig and Sharon Teirnan for their many hours of work with story time and book inventory.
Thank you to all eight of the selfless hardworking trustees on the library board.
We are grateful to the BKW Class of 1978, Carrie LaFontaine, and Jeff Van Etten for their big-hearted donation.
Also, we want to extend our appreciation to the town of Berne and town of Knox board members for help in maintaining the operation of the library.
A big thank-you to Ann for the upkeep of our beautiful garden.
To the whole community, we, the staff of the Berne Public Library, would like to thank you for your support.
Trustees to meet
The trustees will start the New Year with their open meeting on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m.
Play Fortnite
All tweens and teens: Play Fortnite with your friends at the library on Friday, Jan. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be prizes for the winner and refreshments for all.
New year, new resolutions, new books, new hours. As 2019 launches, the Berne Public Library will be cutting the ribbon on four extra hours for your library browsing pleasure.
Beginning Jan. 5, Saturday hours are extended front and back from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which changes the old 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. slot. Mondays are next with two additional hours added. Starting Jan. 7, Monday hours will be from 2 until 8 p.m.
To facilitate New Year’s Eve celebrations, the library doors will be locked on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Jan. 2, library business as usual resumes and the library opens at noon.
36ers
The 36er expedition wraps up its 4 month journey on New Year’s Eve. This was an Upper Hudson Library activity involving each of the 36 libraries in its system. Berne’s Library received over 400 visitors from the expedition with at least 6 of them completing their 36th library visit right here in Berne.
STEM
Skipping ahead to next year, there is a unique offering for kids, ages 6 to 12, to participate in a ‘Mad Scientist’ S.T.E.M program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) . On Jan. 2, at 1 o.m. stations will be set up in the community room for scientific exploration. Magnets, liquids and electricity will be in the building so let the experimenting begin.
Friends’ meet
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. the mad scientists will be back at their home laboratories to allow full clearance to the Friends of The Berne Library to take over the community room. Join the group’s monthly meeting as they prepare for January’s “Juried Photography Exhibit”. Photo acceptance will begin on Jan. 12 through 31. Questions may be directed to bernelibraryfriends@yahoo.com or call the library 518-872-1246.
Book Club
Berne Sunday Book Club has their first huddle of 2019 at 7 p.m. on Jan. 6. Examining lives from the book “Winter Street” by Elin Hilderbrand is the plan. Catch the storyline and see where it takes you.
With the additional 4 hours added to the 2019 schedule, guess what that means? Go ahead guess. That’s right, new Berne Public Library magnets with the updated schedule are in the works. As soon as they are in, you will be notified every which way possible to follow the trail in for your new 2019 magnet. Happy New Year everyone.
The last full week of 2018 is here and school is on vacation for a wee bit. A short week at the Berne Public Library hatches as the “open flag” remains tucked away on Dec. 24 and 25. Please note closings on your calendar for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2019 as well. All other hours remain the same.
Moon Walk
As part of your weekend plan, join Kathy Stempel 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 22 for week 5’s half-hour walk or video to add steps to the Library Moon Walk. Then check the library inventory of books, games, and movies for winding down or to inspire action toward the makings of a new recipe, a play project or the bubblings of a brand new adventure.
Puppet Show
Along the vein of new comes a bigger than life puppet show at 1 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 27. Puppet People will present “the Pirate of Book Island” for all ages to enjoy. Audience participation, humor and buried treasure comes alive. Help the Puppet People wend their way through the story to solve the mystery set before them. The Puppet People bring you this 40 minute get-away experience coupled with fun for the whole family.
Photography Exhibit
Time to ring in the 2019 Juried Photography Exhibit sponsored by the Friends of the Berne Library. As January 2019 rolls in you can ready your photo entries for submission starting Jan. 12 through 31. Entry forms will be available at the front desk. Just one photograph per category, with up to 4 total. Themes for 2019 are: Charms of the Season, All creatures Great and Small, Shadows and Reflections, Our History/Heritage
Art Wall
The community room “Art Wall” exhibit for December will wrap up as the new year is ushered in. In keeping with the curious nature of humans - Which photo draws you in? Do you have a favorite? What house has that picture captured? Photographer Michelle Johnston shares 15 scenes that transport you to a quiet feeling of relaxation. Come by and voice your favorite, if you can. Happy Holidays everyone.
Festive happenings are all a chitter at the Berne Public Library. Decorations are being placed, a book tree with lights sits near the music CDs, and various holiday movies are flying off the shelves — “Merry Madagascar,” “Santa Paws 2,” “The 12 Dogs of Christmas.” Plus a slew of reindeer, sled, and gingerbread-making books.
Story time
Racing forward to Dec.18, music simmers in the background as “Holiday Sounds, Smells and Surprises” get under way for this week’s 10:30 a.m. story time. Who’s that grinning by the doorway wearing red and having a jolly fine belly laugh? Kids 5 and under, with your caregivers, set your sights for a story, snacks and jingle bells all the way.
Hat donations
A step back and full skeins ahead to the Knit Wits ‘Warm Head Project’. They’re all about keeping the heat in for toddlers, teens and one size fits allers. Throw your hats into the circle and help the ‘crazy about yarn’ group reach their goal. Join the Knit Wit gathering on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. for a yakkity yak, a clickety clack and a you can also bring some hats. Or, and this is just a thought, drop your hat donations at the library.
Educational Alzheimer’s program
Wake up, raise your hands and drop in to learn some basics in the world of Alzheimer’s. On Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m., an educational program, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia”, will be given by the Alzheimer’s Association. Remember to save the date, write it down and set the alarm to take a seat at this free presentation.
Art Wall
Following on the heels of November’s “Buildings, Businesses & Happenings” display is the newest Art Wall addition to the community room. Photographer Michelle Johnston shares a stunning array of photos dubbed aptly “The Mountain”. Scenic views, shots of farm fields and houses in various stages of winter, spring, summer and fall. Soothing and calming, the pictures invite you in to experience quiet moments caught and shared.
Walking to the Moon
Meet Kathy at 8:30 a.m. for a half hour walk or exercise video on Dec. 22 This is week 4 of 6 to add more steps to the moon walk challenge. Visit librarymoonwalk.sals.edu and add your own time, steps or miles to this easy does it walking challenge.
Holiday closings
A wee reminder that the library will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 as well as Dec. 31 and Jan 1, 2019. All other hours remain the same. Check the library website www.bernepubliclibrar.org to keep up to date on library closures, regular program meetings and other special presentations in the works.
A swaggle of activities is in the works in Berne for the upcoming Library Week. Ongoing, since September, is the 36er Expedition, which has been extended to the end of December. This challenge has been a source of fun for families, duos, and singles — planning the journey, visiting the 36 libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System, and garnering stamps and prizes along the way. We have a few maps at the Berne Library if you’d like to grab one and give it a go.
Moon Walk
The Berne Public Library’s Moon Walk challenge is up and walking. Meet at the library each Saturday at 8:30 a.m. from now through January 5, 2019 and join library director Kathy Stempel for a half hour stroll or exercise to a video.
Log onto librarymoonwalk.sals.edu to add steps, time or miles to the 238,900 miles needed to reach the moon. Three library systems are adding their stats to the site for goal completion by April 30, 2019. Form a team, strap on your walking shoes and help get us to the moon.
Storytime
Snowy storytime is coming to you on Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. with a possibility of fluffy snowflakes circling the room. Have you ever seen a dancing snowman, made a fort of piled snowballs or plopped backwards in the snow to swish a snow angel? Kids 5 and under plus caregivers dust off your snowshoes and drop in for a story, craft and snowy movement.
Holiday centerpiece
A special holiday sign-up program is set for Dec. 12. Please register for this holiday centerpiece making class led by a master gardener from Cooperative Extension. The cost is $15 and is limited to 12 participants. Call the library at 518-872-1246 or swing by to add your name to the list. Centerpiece making commences at 7 p.m. sharp.
Trustees meet
Trustees meet Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Adding four more hours to the library schedule is one of the topics. What hours sound good to you? Library Board of Trustee meetings are open to the public.
New exhibit
A new art exhibit is in the building until the end of December. Details to follow next week.
Steampunking
Steampunking. What is it? Victorian/Sci-Fi fashion and accessories? Think ‘Lemony Snicket’ and ‘Wild Wild West’ movies or “The Golden Compass” book written by Philip Pullman and made into a movie in 1995. Then there’s K.W. Jeter’s book “Morlock Night”. Jeter coined the phrase steampunk in 1987.
Whatever it is, how ever long it’s been part of culture news, Steampunking is appearing Dec. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. as part of tween/teen night. Fashion your own altered tin creation using assorted keys, beads and magnets. Snacks and drinks are part of the plan.
— Photo from Kathy Stempel
A dozen ways to portray a scarecrow: Women display the artwork they created at a paint-and-sip tea hosted by the Berne Public Library.
It’s time to turn your Berne Public Library calendar page to December. The final lap for 2018 includes a Library Moon Walk event, Steampunking with tweens and teens, Citizen Preparedness, basics on Alzheimer’s and dementia, and Puppet People.
Plus the usual suspects of book club, trustee, and knit-wit huddles. Story-time magic continues each week with a listen, some movement, and a take-away craft. Roll out the carpet for this week’s rundown.
Moon Walk
The moon walk at a glance reveals a library collaborative of three library systems logging in miles, steps, or time in an effort to “walk to the moon.” Upper Hudson, Southern Adirondack, and Mohawk Valley comprise nearly 100 separate libraries.
Library Director Kathy Stempel is forming a team starting Dec. 1 at 8:30 a.m. to walk or snowshoe half an hour for the next six Saturdays. Collectively adding members’ walk/shoe time to the totals will surely make the Library Moon Walk goal by April 30, 2019. Call 518-872-1246 and ask for Kathy or go to www.bernepubliclibrary.org for more information.
Along with participants logging in their zip code and walk tallies at www.librarymoonwalk.sals.edu, there will be health programs offered at various libraries throughout the months ahead. Berne’s Public Library “Understanding Azheimer’s and Dementia” is on the calendar for December 18 at 5 p.m.
“Little Fires Everywhere”
Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. brings the Sunday Night Book Club in for another rousing discussion. “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng is this month’s book of interest. Questions of who and why are wrapped around the igniting of several fires in the Richardson home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Hang on as suspicion follows the trail of many of the books characters.
Train for emergency
“Citizen Preparedness Corps Training” presented by a trained American Red Cross member settles in this Monday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Berne Public Library’s community room. What can you do to ready yourself for a manmade or natural disaster? Where are at with knowledge in basic first aid?
This free training program comes to you through a partnership between New York State and the American Red Cross. Such topics as evacuation plans, emergency supply kits, and pet safety are on the slate. All attendees receive certificates of completion along with tools and knowledge usable in emergency situations.
Story time rings in this week on Dec, 4, 10:30 a.m.