A library is defined by Merriam-Webster as a place where books are kept for use but not for sale. If taking this historical view of a library, people might be confused by our movie and music collections. They might wonder why we have programs such as Makerspace, Lego League, or Knit Wits. The answer is found in the mission statement of the library. “Meeting the needs of the community for life-long learning and entertainment.”
Board games
As we spring ahead into Daylight Savings Time on March 9, there will be more light in the evenings. Adults are encouraged to spend this Sunday evening playing board games at the Berne Public Library. Develop strategical thinking while having fun. Game Night begins at 7 p.m.
Story time
Reading and the development of literacy skills is still the mainstay of the library. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to join Kathy for story time on Tuesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. Explore the letter X with x-rays. Stories, activities, and a craft are all a part of this weekly program.
Annual report
Ever wonder where the library money comes from, what it is spent on, or how much material circulates each year? The library is required to submit this information to the New York State Department of Education and report to the community. The annual report for 2013 will be presented on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. Find out what was accomplished on a shoestring budget. The monthly meeting of the library board of trustees will follow the presentation.
Tech week
Teen Tech Week is March 9 -15. This year’s theme is “DIY @ your library.” The purpose is to showcase all of the great non-print resources and services that are available to teens. We have books, but libraries are also places where teens can explore, create, and share. The teen advisory group takes over the library on Friday, March 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. All teens are encouraged to attend this hands-on technology event.
Author Anne Herbert said, “Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” Make use of this community resource that has books and much more.
Celebrate, Read Across America with the National Education Association on March 3. This annual event is planned around the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a beloved author of children’s books. Stop at the Berne Public Library to pick up a good book that you can sink your teeth into.
Book talk
Reading together as a family is a lot of fun, but discussing the ideas afterward can be awkward. The library has a solution. Kathy and Avery Stempel have been trained by the NYS Council for the Humanities to facilitate these types of discussions. Parents of children ages 9 to eleven are encouraged to register for Together — Book Talk for Parents and Kids. This program begins on Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m., and includes six sessions with refreshments and childcare.
Book club
The Book Club for adults will be held on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. The group will be discussing The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. Your input is welcomed even if you have not read the book.
Story time
There is still plenty of white, winter weather in March. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to explore the letter W during story time on Tuesday, March 4. Join Kathy at 11 a.m. for stories, activities, and a craft.
Friends meet
The Friends of the Berne Library will meet Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., to discuss fund-raising ideas for the library. Their book sale and soup luncheon are being held at the senior center on March 29 and 30. Donated books will be accepted on Saturday, March 22, between 9 a.m. and noon. If you have books that cannot be delivered on that day, contact Judy at the library at 872-1246 to make other arrangements.
Movie night
Do you like to read the book before seeing the movie? The novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is a popular science fiction book for young adults. Movie Night at the Library is Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. This month’s movie is rated PG-13 for some violence, sci-fi action and thematic material. There is no admission fee and refreshments will be served.
As Dr. Seuss wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Make one of those places your local public library.
The 2014 Olympic events in Sochi, Russia conclude this Sunday and already people are preparing for South Korea in 2018. The International Olympic Committee is responsible for selecting the host city and updating and approving the sports program. Twelve new events were included this year.
The five rings on the Olympic flag represent the continents of our world community. What symbols represent our local community? This question was posed to four teens who participated in a photo art workshop facilitated by artist Laura Provo-Parker.
Please support these budding artists by attending their art reception on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 2 p.m., in the community room of the library. View their interpretation of our community as seen through the lens of a camera.
The Olympic torch is lit in Greece and then carried by torchbearers to the Olympic venue.
Story time
Greece is also famous for its volcanoes, especially Santorini. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to investigate volcanoes and the letter v during storytime. Join Kathy on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m., for stories, activities, and a craft. Be prepared for vinegar causing a volcanic eruption.
Write a history
You may never participate in an Olympic event, but you have interesting stories to tell. If you would like to write the history of your life in a format that is not boring, try a memoir-writing workshop. Freelance writer MaryJo McKeon will work with participants over a series of six Tuesdays from March 4 to April 8. Register with the library staff by calling 872-1246 or e-mailing . before Feb. 28. We may be able to juggle dates to accommodate your schedule.
Together program
If your child is between ages 9 and 11 and you are interested in having meaningful discussions, join our Together program. This is a book talk for parents and kids facilitated by Kathy and Avery Stempel. The group will meet every other Saturday at 1 p.m. for six sessions from March 1 to May 3. Babysitting and refreshments will be provided. Register with Kathy by e-mailing . It will be a great way to explore universal themes.
Jewelry making
Instead of a gold medal worn around the neck, consider a pretty pendant. Make your own jewelry during a beading workshop for adults on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Liz LaPorte will supply the instructions, form, wire, and beads needed to make a tree of life pendant. This program was so popular with the teens that it is being repeated for the adults.
Book sale
The Friends of the Berne Library are planning a book sale for their next fund-raiser. Now is the time to make an Olympian effort to clear out books you no longer want. Donations are being accepted on Saturday, March 22, at the Hilltown Senior Center between 9 a.m. and noon. If this isn’t convenient, please make other arrangements by contacting the library. In order to replenish your bookshelves, come to the sale on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. Join us for a homemade soup luncheon during the sale.
Pierre de Coubertin was the founder of the IOC and is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games. He felt that the most important thing in the Olympic Games was not winning but taking part. That attitude can be applied to many parts of life, including the library. The fun is taking part in your community.
On Friday, Feb. 14, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., join in the Bethlehem Public Library’s community room. It will be your space to hang out, be yourself and talk with your friends. Games, crafts and snacks are available. This activity is for kids in grade six to 12.
Origami Club
On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3:30 p.m., come to the library and learn basic techniques; get help with a special project. For kids in kindergarten through grade 12.
Building challenge
On Monday, Feb. 17, at 2:30 p.m., the challenge for you or your team is to use newspaper and tape to build a chair strong enough to hold a stack of encyclopedias. Call 439-9314 to sign up. Grade 1-5. This is a library STEM program.
Sleepover
On Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., leave your stuffed friend overnight at the library for a sleepover; find out later what a good time they all had. Call 439-9314 to sign up. All ages are welcome.
Thumbs up
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m., celebrate your handy opposable thumbs with stories and a creative project. For kids in kindergarten through grade four.
Dinosaur stomp
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m., dance like the dinosaurs, listen to stories, and do a dinosaur craft. For kids ages three to eight with their family.
Pajama rama
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., join us for bedtime stories and fun for children up to age six and their families.
Listening party
On Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m., the library’s Listening Party will enjoy Eliane Elias. Listen to the best in jazz; learn about jazz history; share observations and stories.
February is Library Lovers Month. Libraries help us to better understand each other. By providing programs, collections, and meeting spaces, the Berne Public Library allows people to share and learn from their differences. Understanding leads to respect and respect leads to love.
Legos
Children in grades two through eight are invited to share the library’s Legos on Saturday, Feb. 15. This week we are building transportation vehicles to display in the library. Like most library programs, Lego League is free and open to the public.
Knit Wits
The Knit Wits meet on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. The group is working on a service project for the Knots of Love organization. Join others while you knit or crochet caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses. You may also work on your own project.
Story time
Libraries strengthen families. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to story time on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Join Kathy at 11 a.m. to go under and upside down with the letter U. Stories, activities, and a craft are all a part of this program, which help families learn, grow, and play together.
Digital literacy
Libraries support digital literacy. For the school winter break, we have scheduled a Makerspace program for ages 10 to 18. Learn coding for video games on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m.
Photography
Libraries build communities. Local teens worked with art teacher Laura Provo-Parker to express their sense of community through photography. An art reception will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m., in the community room of the library. Visit with the young artists, view their art projects, and support art in our community.
With so much to offer, it is no wonder that people love libraries.
The Helderberg Hilltowns are beautiful places to live all year round. The major drawback to country living is driving up and down the hill to go shopping and attend events. In the winter, transportation can often be challenging.
It is possible to attend movies without traveling off the hill. Friday, Feb. 7, is Family Movie Night at the Berne Public Library. Join us at 6:30 p.m., for an animated film, rated PG; that includes foodimals and funny weather. Admission is free and refreshments are available.
Game night
In the strategy game Ticket to Ride, players collect cards of various train cars and build railway routes. This is just one of the board games played at Game Night for Adults. The next program is Sunday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., and all adults are welcome.
Story time
Preschool children and their caregivers will investigate types of transportation on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Story time with Kathy begins at 11 a.m. Trains, turtles, and other “t” words will be the focus of this early literacy program. Enjoy stories, activities, and a craft.
E-readers
Suppose you have nothing to read at home and you don’t want to embark on a trip to the library. Or perhaps you do not want to carry heavy books when you sally forth. An e-reader would be convenient. Don’t purchase e-books and e-audios when they are available at no cost from the library. The program Ipads, Kindles, and Nooks, Oh My! is designed to teach you this process. This event takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring your digital device and know your passwords. Jo-Ann from UHLS will show you how to make the most of this service from the library.
Library meeting
Certainly moving the library to its new location was the highlight of 2013. It is great having a comfortable space within a short driving distance. Learn the worth of your library tax money by attending the annual meeting. The 2013 annual report will be presented on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m.
The monthly meeting of the library board of trustees will follow. Both of these meetings are open to the public.
Teen group
The teen advisory group meets on Friday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Travel to a place of adventure and spark a reaction as you work on the video for the summer reading program.
Legos
The library has the wheels and Legos for building vehicles. Children in grades 2 to 8 are invited to Lego League on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. See what you can build in an hour.
Books can transport you to places at no cost. Come visit your library.
Libraries are often wrongly prejudged as quiet and boring places with old books. A visit to the Berne Public Library will shatter this preconceived notion. Take your children to the library on Saturday, Feb. 1; to show them how exciting libraries are with new books, movies, computers, digital collections, magazines, and programs. Make a craft between noon and 2 p.m., to earn a chance on a gift basket. Tickets will also be given to children who take out an item with their own library card between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Don’t miss this special day.
Library card
A library card gives you access to many databases including Grolier Online. If you look up snakes in The New Book of Popular Science, you will find that the prevailing notion of snakes is also incorrect. “Most people think snakes are slimy, ugly, dangerous creatures. But snakes are not slimy. Few are dangerous. Most are not ugly. In fact, many are strikingly handsome, with stripes, bands, and blotches of brilliant colors.” Snakes are valuable allies since they prey on mice, insects, and slugs.
Book club
Recovering from tragic events can be as challenging as fighting snakes. The book club for adults meets on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., to discuss The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. New members are welcome to join this conversation about hope in the midst of a messy life.
Story time
Scaly snakes will be the focus of story time on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. Preschool children and their caregivers will explore the letter S with Kathy.
Stories, activities, and painting a beautiful, wooden snake are all part of this program.
Friends meet
Solutions proposed by the Friends of the Library are not like snake oil; they are truly helpful. Currently the group is working on raising money to purchase air conditioning for the new library. Supporters of the library are invited to attend the monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The next fund-raiser is a book sale on March 29.
Movie night
If a snake were made into a foodimal, what would it be? Join the shrimpanzees and the cheespiders during Family Movie Night at the Library on Friday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. The film is animated and rated PG. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Workshop
There are still openings for the e-book workshop on Tuesday, February 11. The program Ipads, Kindles, and Nooks, Oh My will be held at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to download free e-books and e-audios from the library on to your digital device. For example, you can download the e-book The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters or the e-audio How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill by James Patterson. Registration is requested by calling the library at 872-1246 or e-mailing .
According to SUNY ESF, there are only three poisonous snakes in New York State. These are the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga, and the copperhead. Because snakes are ecothermic, there are fewer species in the colder regions. That’s one good reason to like the winter. Visit the library to learn more about snakes.
To help escape from the cold weather, warm up with a bowl of hot soup. January is National Soup Month and you can celebrate by using the Berne Public Library’s cookbook collection to find the perfect soup recipe. Soup is an ideal meal for the winter months. According to the Mayo Clinic, chicken soup also works to relieve cold symptoms.
Thank you
Thanks to the following volunteers who came out on a blustery Monday for a work bee at the library: Jim and Marion Burghart, Bob Gwin, Terry Hatton, MaryJo McKeon, Sharon Nevins, Laura Simpson, Alan Zuk, and Millie Zuk. The building touch-ups make the library even more inviting.
Story time
Story time is Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to join Kathy in an exploration of the letter R. Rascal raccoons and red-hot rocks will be a part of this early literacy program.
Child’s library day
Libraries strengthen families by offering a warm, comfortable, and welcoming space. The available resources allow families to learn, grow, and play together. Take Your Child to the Library Day is Saturday, Feb. 1. Save the date for a visit to show your children that libraries are a great place to be. Crafts and a potential gift basket are in the plans for this special day.
E-books
Remember that libraries are also a source of free e-books and e-audios. To find out how to download digital content from the library on to your device, attend the program Ipads, Kindles, and Nooks, Oh My on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 pm. Registration is requested by calling the library at 872-1246 or e-mailing .
The French playwright Moliere said, “I live on good soup, not on fine words.” Many think life is best when it includes both.
“Do you want to be Queen for a Day?” This question was the introduction to a popular television show in the 1950s and 1960s. Women competed for prizes by telling their personal stories to the public. The woman whose story was voted the most heart-wrenching was crowned Queen for a Day. The show’s idea of ordinary Americans letting the public hear about their personal lives was the beginning of reality TV.
Lego League
Lego League meets on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the Berne Public Library. This open monthly program is for children in grades two through eight. Let’s see who can make the best royal crown out of the library’s Legos.
Knit Wits
Knit Wits is a program designed for those who would like to knit or crochet with their peers. The group meets on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to bring their own projects to work on. Share ideas, problems, solutions, and conversation in the Queen’s English.
Story time
Q is the focus of story time on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. Pre-chool children and their caregivers are invited to investigate queens and quarters with Kathy. This early literacy program includes stories, activities, and a craft.
TAG meets
The teens are trying to spark a reaction in the library by making a video for the summer reading program. TAG meets again this month on Friday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m., to edit their videos using movie maker. Come and learn this process or help us teach others. This is the time to be a real drama queen.
Bookcases
If you need bookcases for all your kingly possessions, there is still time to purchase pine shelving from the old library. Stop by the Berne town hall during open hours to make a claim. We hope to have them all sold by Jan. 25.
Children’s library day
Your children could view the library as a castle filled with make-believe stories. Saturday, Feb. 1, is Take Your Child to the Library Day. Bring them in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., to enjoy the enchantment. Prizes are involved.
Book club
The Sunday Book Club is currently reading The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. The book talk will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. The novel may be requested from the library so you can read it before the meeting and be the queen bee of the discussion.
E-readers
Were you treated royally with a gift of a tablet or e-reader recently? We would like to show you how to obtain newly released e-books, e-audios, and digital videos without buying them. Ipads, Kindles, and Nooks, Oh My, downing loading training is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is requested for this free program designed to teach you how to download e-content with a library card.
You can feel like royalty at the library without telling family secrets. The staff is ready to wait on you and supply you with books, audios, movies, and magazines at no cost. Best of all, you can escape into one of our reading chairs with the peace and quiet fit for a queen or king.
A Rube Goldberg machine performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction. Mousetrap, a board game from 1963, is an example. Teens will spark a reaction at their next teen advisory group meeting on Friday, Jan, 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Berne Public Library. Design and create a video incorporating the ideas of a Rube Goldberg contraption during this fun program.
Board games
Adults will be playing board games on Sunday, Jan. 12. Game night at the library begins at 7 p.m., and usually involves Settlers of Catan, A Ticket to Ride, or Scrabble. Any interested adult may join this group.
Holiday tradition
The result of a hammer coming down on peppermint candy is broken pieces. Did anyone receive a peppermint pig as a gift during the holiday season? This sweet hard candy has been a yuletide tradition in Saratoga Springs for many years. The pink pig comes in a pouch with a little hammer. After the holiday dinner, the pig is passed around with each person breaking off a piece by giving the pouch a firm tap. A tale of the past year’s good fortune is told with hopes of prosperity for the coming year.
Story time
The letter P will be the focus of story time on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to meet with Kathy at 11 a.m. for stories, activities, and a craft involving pigs and the color pink.
Lego League
Could a Rube Goldberg device be made out of Legos? Try it at the next Lego League program on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. This program is designed for grades two through eight.
You have the good fortune to live within a library system that networks among twenty-nine libraries in Albany and Rensselaer counties. It is a simple task to request a book from any of these libraries and pick it up at your home library. This well-oiled machine is not complex and there is no charge to use it. Perfect.