— Photo from Kathy Stempel
Elephant and Piggie created a bit of a sensation at the Berne Public Library as they kicked off the Library Expedition. Patrons got maps listing the 36 libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System, listened to a couple stories, and enjoyed snacks
Welcome to September. School is up and running. Knit Wits return with once a month gatherings. Book clubs are getting their lists in order and storytime is about to launch. All happenings at the Berne Public Library are easing up to full speed after summer fun in the sweltering sun. Teen/Tween nights have taken a hiatus for a revamping session.
Library Expedition
An ongoing activity from now through November 30 is the “Library Expedition” introduced August 28 at the Berne Library. Attendees received a map pamphlet listing the 36 libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System, listened to a couple stories and enjoyed snacks. When bigger than lifesize characters Piggie and Elephant came on the scene, the room filled with smiles.
Over the next 3 months, map recipients are invited to visit as many libraries that energy and time allow. Prizes are part of the adventure as each library confirms your presence with a map stamp. Visit 5, 15, 25 or 36 to garner prizes along the way.
Berne’s challenge stands as the first team/person returning with 10 official stamps in hopes of lassoing an Amazon gift card. Interested in giving it a go? Maps are at the front desk for distribution. Or call 518-872-1246 with any questions regarding the 2018 Upper Hudson Library Expedition.
While stopping in to pick up a map, take a peek at the newest art exhibit adorning the south wall of the community room. Erin Bremer takes the stage with her up close and personal camera shots. A theme of mothers and their children frame the viewing gallery for the September show.
Trustees meet
Library trustees meet Thursday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. A quick peek at the Berne Public Library’s webpage includes calendar events such as the trustee meetings. Go to www.bernepubliclibrary.org for a tour.
Reading celebration
Adult summer readers in the challenge program are kindly invited to the feast finale. Bring in your favorite zucchini recipe plus a specialty of your own design to share at the pot luck supper. That’s Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in the community room. New books of interest you’ve stumbled upon? Bring those too.
Storytime
How did the duck react to the penquin’s joke? She quacked up. Storytime this Tuesday, Sept. 11 starts 10:30 a.m. with a little duck talk. Kathy Stempel springs duck jokes, duck crafts and duck books for the 5 and under group plus their caregivers. Bring in your waders for the duck splash waddle.
Save the date
There is going to be a live outdoor cooking program using cast iron Dutch ovens on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
292 words
You’ve heard of a sit-in. How about a read-in? Kick start your weekend with an enticing best-seller from the stacks. August melds into September with Labor Day celebrations buzzing through to Monday, Sept. 3. As is customary, the Berne Library will be closed on Labor Day. Normal hours resume 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Homework help
Hand in hand with Labor Day is the start of a new school year. Lending support to those looking to finish their summer reading packets, the library is offering a homework help session on Saturday, Sept. 1 from noon to 2 p.m. Welcome in the new learning modules by completing those summer requirements asap. Tick tock. Tick tock.
Thank You
The Friends of the Berne Library met a smashing success with the 2018 “Music in the Park” series. Despite the rain, each group rocked Wednesdays to an appreciative crowd. Thank you to the bands, volunteers and music lovers showing up to cheer the tunes into the glowing sunsets. The Friends meet for another strategizing session this Wednesday, September 5 at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars.
Adult read
Supporting the library shows up in volumes. Many adult readers signed on for the summer reading challenge by accepting, and perhaps reading a little outside their norm, to tackle the list. Book browsing was in full swing. The finale is inching closer page by page so get your completed challenge sheets in by Sept. 7 and win a prize.
Potluck
To cover the wrap-up, the community room is booked for a potluck gathering on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. Sharing food, book reviews, and more food as everyone zooms in on their next pick at the Berne Public Library.
You have a library card and know how to use it. Congratulations! Great to have you aboard.
Looking to get a card? Easy. Drop in with license in hand, fill out a simple form and voilá, it’s check-out time. Movies, magazines, books, music — there’s a medley of choices ready and waiting to go home with you for awhile.
Did you know the Berne Public Library is in the Upper Hudson Library System? A total of 36 libraries belong to this group, expanding available resources upwards in the millions. Celebrating libraries is a favorite event in libraryville so the folks at Upper Hudson are kicking off a Library Expedition. The big challenge: Visit all 36 libraries in the system and Become a 36er.
Berne’s Library Expedition version takes flight this Tuesday, August 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the community room. The Berne challenge: Take your team/family and troll around the neighborhoods to visit 10 different libraries in the system.
At the kickoff, receive a map, do a craft and juice up your knowledge of where all those other libraries reside. Meet Piggy and Elephant characters from such books as “I Really Like Slop!”, “Can I Play Too?” and “The Thank You Book” by Mo Willems. Excitement is building with thoughts of treasure hunts, exploring new territories and going places you may not have gone before.
Library exhibit
Have you enjoyed the art exhibit in the community room yet? Joanne Rupeka’s 10 piece show is hanging around for another couple weeks. Scenes jumping out and grappling for your attention stand ready for visitors to pick out their favorites. Take a peek during your next book browsing.
Review
OK, let’s review. You have a library card and know how to use it. You want to get a library card and start using it. You are going to visit some libraries, you have never met, during the Library Expedition.
Most importantly, you will have fun. How do you know? Because you’ll try.
Any questions? Call the Berne Library at 518-872-1246, visit front desk central, email director@bernepubliclibrary.org, click in on the library’s Facebook page. See you on the trail!
— Photo from Donna Gwin
“Bells and Motley” performed recently at the Berne Public Library, playing 19th-Century musical instruments and telling and singing about life on board a canal packet boat. Audience members sang along and some danced onstage with the performers. One of the children pictured is wearing a mask to look like a mule. The program was funded by the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program and the Berne Historical Society.
Yes indeed, the weeks are numbering down and it’s time to think about getting those school supplies piled up. The Friends of the Berne Library are sponsoring a donation bin, located in the library, to fill with pencils, markers, highlighters, notebooks, folders, and binders of all sizes.
You will also find a bin at the East Berne Post Office. Share what you can and help fill these bins to capacity for distribution to the scholars in the Hilltowns.
Rupeka’s art on display
While you are dropping off those school supplies, there’s a new art exhibit hanging out in the community room. Rich velvety colors bouncing out of their frames are the handiwork of JoAnne Rupeka.
A swaying birch nestled against a gently tiered waterfall. Rolling waves hitting a beach under the watchful lighthouse. Glows of light showing life signs in a cabin planted near meadow and forest. Ten paintings in all for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to capture the beauty on display through the end of the month.
Stay tuned
Events coming soon from the Berne Library near you include a Library Expedition challenge and The Incredible Heldercon. Stay tuned for further details. Teaser hint for the Expedition: Think treasure map, Mo Willems’s Piggy and Elephant characters, and new territories to be explored. Pencil in Aug. 28 for the challenge and Sept. 22 for Hellllllderrrrrcon! Save the dates for a rousing new spin dial.
Reading wrap-up
Challenges at the library abound for adults and youngers. Reading 500 minutes was a goal met by many youth in the summer reading program. Those hitting their mark by Aug. 11 receive a gift and a chance to read even more because it is just that much fun!
Adults working their reading, listening, writing, and observation muscles are asked to complete 5 of 11 challenges. There is still time to join the reading race with the Sept. 7 end date a few weeks away. Call the library at 518-872-1246 or stop by and step up to the reading plate.
Yes indeed, the weeks are numbering down and it’s time to think about getting those school supplies piled up. The Friends of the Berne Library are sponsoring a donation bin, located in the library, to fill with pencils, markers, highlighters, notebooks, folders and binders of all sizes.
You will also find a bin at the East Berne Post Office. Share what you can and help fill these bins to capacity for distribution to the scholars in the hilltowns.
Art exhibit
While you are dropping off those school supplies, there’s a new art exhibit hanging out in the community room. Rich velvety colors bouncing out of their frames are the handiwork of JoAnne Rupeka.
A swaying birch nestled against a gently tiered waterfall. Rolling waves hitting a beach under the watchful lighthouse. Glows of light showing life signs in a cabin planted near meadow and forest. Ten paintings in all for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to capture the beauty on display through the end of the month.
Upcoming event
Events coming soon from the Berne Library near you include a library expedition challenge and The Incredible Heldercon. Stay tuned for further details.
Teaser hint for the Expedition: think treasure map, Mo Willems’s Piggy and Elephant characters and new territories to be explored. Pencil in Aug. 28 for the challenge and Sept. 22 for Hellllllderrrrrcon! Save the dates for a rousing new spin dial.
Reading challenges
Challenges at the library abound for adults and youngers. Reading 500 minutes was a goal met by many youth in the summer reading program. Those hitting their mark by Aug. 11 receive a gift and a chance to read even more because it is just that much fun!
Adults working their reading, listening, writing and observation muscles are asked to complete five of 11 challenges. There is still time to join the reading race with the Sept. 7 end date a few weeks away. Call the library at 518-872-1246 or stop by and step up to the reading plate.
— Photo from Kathy Stempel
Kids practice being rock stars, using the guitars they made at Tuesday’s Berne Library story time.
— Photo from Kathy Stempel
A boy becomes a mule during the Bells and Motley performance of “15 Miles on the Erie Canal” at the berne Public Library.
The Berne Public Library will become Congressman Paul D.Tonko’s Mobile Office on Friday, Aug. 3, between 3 and 6 p.m. Please stop by if you have questions about the federal government, ranging from veteran’s benefits to Social Security and Small Business loans.
Make it a crowd for Two’s Company
Music In the Park’s popular series is strumming along into week four. Stepping onto stage on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m., give this week’s music stars, “Two’s Company,” a big round of applause.
The group’s been at its music-making bit for some time, sharing mixes of classic country, rock, and popular oldies from back in the day. Plan a night at the Berne Town Park, grab refreshments from the Friends of the Berne Library’s goodie booth, snag a few raffle tickets, and listen to the band.
Story time will melt your heart
An outdoor summer snowman? Say what?
That’s right! It’s a fact.
During Berne’s Wee Rockers story-time session, Ann Hein reads a delightful tale about a summer snowman with a surprise of an ending. July melts away this Tuesday, the 31st, with story time leading the day at 10:30 a.m. somewhere at the library.
In addition to the snowman show, hone your hearing skills with a few animal songs. “Old MacDonald,” “Five Little Monkeys,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider” — what tunes will you bring to the table?
Rock Crew play fest
Six- to 12-year-olds, pack your guitar for the Rock Crew play fest. On Thursday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m., guitars have the spotlight. There’s the acoustic, electric bass, and classic guitar to name a few.
Then you have guitar picks, straps and extra strings. From bluegrass to heavy metal, flamenco to jazz, there will be a guitar stealing the show.
Libraries Rock
Summer reading challenges continue on with both adults and the younger crowd. Choosing book titles, writing reviews, and tracking reading minutes is all part of the plan
Jump in any time to join the quest of finding just the right read. Questions? Call the library at 518-872-1246 for answers.
As Kathy Stempel, Berne’s library manager, says: “Libraries Rock.”
Roll up your sleeves and get ready for the third installment of “Dare to Repair” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21, in the Berne Public Library’s community room. Hem that dress, patch those pants, and sew a few buttons in place.
Shrink the mending pile to manageable pieces with help from the library repair stitchers. How about a follow-up fashion show for all those items you dared to repair? Anything’s possible.
Library events
Wee Rockers story time magic unfolds Tuesday, July 24 at 10:30 a.m. On board will be a few shape shifting maracas shimmying into major league tom-toms. Cylindrical make and demo drums appear for jazzling the 5 and under players. Each child will be decorating to their own unique beat.
Rock Crew for kids six to 12-year-olds will get ready to Talk to the Animals at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 26. What does a giraffe say when the lights go out? Think of an answer to share at the Rock Crew’s meet and woof.
Museum passes
Several museum passes are available for library card holders. Check out the USS Slater, MiSci, Massachusetts Clark Art Institute, and the Albany Institute of History and Art. Oodles of stuff to learn, see and experience so give it a go, yes?
Concert
“Music in the Park” rallies on with the Hilltown Ramblers on Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. This year marks the group’s 25th year of rambling their bluegrass, traditional and familiar original tunes into the mix. Join the crowd at the Berne Town Park’s open air pavilion and give the Hilltown Ramblers a high five of congrats.
Two more weeks of free tunes are set for Wednesdays in August. Two’s Company gather on Aug. 1 with the Bluestones wrapping up the five-week program Aug. 8. Refreshments of hot dogs, chili and sweets are another feature during each performance a la Friends of the Berne Library. Music, food and a common thread of appreciation seeds the night.
Wednesday’s “Music In The Park” sizzles along on July 18 at 6:30 p.m. with “Woodchuck Wood” belting out the beat at the Berne Town Park for week two of five consecutive weeks. Last week, “Just a Bunch of Guys (and some Girls)” electrified the night with their musical energy and talents drifting over the crowd. Support the musicians, support the library, enjoy the music. Refreshments made available by Friends of the Berne library volunteer squad. The music is free.
Please stop by and peruse the new art display in the Berne Public Library community room. Friends of the Berne Library member, Ann Hein, put together a “Music In the Park” montage. Framed pictures of the bands, mapped schedule and musical banner all hanging out for your viewing pleasure. Hear the music jumping from the scene: “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La Da life goes on, brah.”
Story time
Wee Rockers story time “Shakes it, Baby” is on July 17 at 10:30 a.m. Kathy Stempel, shares a colorful read plus a craft to keep 5 and under participants moving and learning during the ‘Libraries Rock!’ celebration.
Those age 6 to 12 “Rock Crew” members get their ‘Rock and Roll’ on starting at
2 p.m. this Thursday, July 19. Will they be rocking in a chair and then rolling about? Best to flip over to the library to see what’s in store.
Fix-it
“Dare to Repair” continues enticing do-it-yourselfers in as items too good to toss are pieced back together. On Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m., items of interest swirl around the mending pile. Bring in those clothes needing a mend, a hem, a button or a patch as clothes take the stage for this week's edition of “Dare to Repair”. Please register for this free program by calling 518-872-1246, e-mailing director@bernepubliclibrary.org or signing in at the circulation desk.
Reminder
Reminder to adult readers wishing to join the summer reading challenge which continues through Sept. 7. Grab a registration packet, complete with book suggestions, and give it a go. Read, watch a video, listen to music, share a book review. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s a booming free for all.
Listen to the song spurt — “Ob-La-Di” and name that tune! “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da life goes on, brah.” Hear it in your head and slap that buzzer.
Sunday, July, 8 at 7 p.m., music enlivens the community room for Berne Public Library’s adult summer reading splash off. All are invited in to fine tune your listening skills and “Name That Tune!”
Story time
Story time rolls in for Wee Rockers aged 5 and under, plus caregivers, at 10:30 a.m. this Tuesday, July 10. Special rocks hand-picked just for attendees are being gathered for painting so everyone takes home a uniquely designed rock treasure. Hear a story quarried from the stacks followed by ready, set, paint!
On July 12 at 2 p.m. the Rock Crew, of 6-to 12-year-olds has special guests in from the Emma Treadwell Nature center. It’s a rock program of the metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary persuasions. Rock gardening anyone?
Board meets
What other grand and mysterious meetings are in the works? That trusty Berne Library Board of Trustees are at it again for their monthly huddle the second Thursday of the month — on July 12 at 6:30 p.m. The public is totally invited to share in for a listen.
Teen/Tween Night
July 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. is another edition of Teen/Tween Night at the library. World Beat is the theme and music videos are the scheme.
Kids from 11 to 18 years old are welcome to watch music videos and then try their hand at making their own music-styled video — dancing, singing and moving to the beat.
“Music in the Park”
Drum roll please! BudduhBudduhBudduhBudduhBoomp.
The Berne Public Library’s 2018 season of “Music in the Park” is here. The starting lineup features “Just A Bunch of Guys” electrifying the night with their musical energy and talents.
Sparking guitars, fiddles, banjo, and harmonica sizzle together as their music drifts over the crowd. Slide on over to the Berne Town Park on Wednesday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. for some rockin’ and rollin’. Support the musicians, support the library, enjoy the music.
The refreshment stand is made available through the Friends of the Berne Library volunteer squad.
Picture the scene. It’s time to dance at the wedding and inhibitions are thrown to the wind. The 3-year-old dressed in a mini tux is burning up the square with perfect rhythm only a youngster can pull off. Music and dancing are bubbling up in July and August’s summer happenings at the Berne Public Library.
Story time
Starting with “Wee Rockers” story time this Tuesday, July 3 at 10 a.m., it will be an arm swinging, foot moving, body chingling cha cha. “Dance with Meeeee” adds plenty of aerobic energy filling the air after hats off to a fave dance story. Kids 5 and under bring your caregivers and get this party tapping to the beat.
Thursday, July 5 at 2 p.m. the “Rock Crew” story time of 6 to 12-year olds join in to explore dance moves near and far. “Put your right foot in, take your right foot out, do the hokey pokey and shake it all about.” Along with the new floss dance kids do with such ease, a two-way learning experience will electric slide the day.
Adult challenge
“Name That Tune” adult challenge is on the schedule for Sunday, July 8 at 7 p.m. It’s an evening in sync with 2018’s adult summer reading fiesta swirling with music overtones. Hip hop on board to complete 5 of 11 choices in the challenge. Read, watch a musical, listen to a CD from the stacks, attend an adult program. Sign up at the front desk or call 518-872-1246 to get your name on the “Name That Tune” guest list.
Holiday closing
Be aware of fireworks in the air this week. As celebrations rock on, the Berne Library takes a day off on Wednesday, July 4. Mark your library planner accordingly.
Stay tuned. “Music In the Park” is on the horizon starting July 11 with “Just a Bunch of Guys.”