Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

— Photo from Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen

Mediterranean cuisine, often touted for promoting healthy longevity, will be featured for Guilderland Public Library’s next virtual Cookbook Club on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. Registered participants will receive recipes and an ingredient and equipment list prior to the Zoom class, conducted by Karen Roberts Mort from Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

The Guilderland Public Library had the honor of being named one of the top-reading libraries in the United States in 2020, thanks to your participation! Our prize was $1,000 of books for all to enjoy.

Can we build on that success to reach even greater heights in 2021? We think so!

This is the perfect time of year to curl up with a warm blanket, hot beverage, and reading material: books, eBooks, magazines, newspapers, children’s literature, manga, etc. — it all counts!

Everyone is encouraged to sign up as an individual or family and log all of your January reading at: guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org. For even easier logging, download the Beanstack Tracker App. Feel free to use the hashtag #WinterRead2021 and tag us in social media posts. Thank you — happy reading!

Book recommendations

Speaking of the Winter Reading Challenge — looking for inspiration for your next great read?  We’ve compiled two lists of stellar selections for your consideration — one for adults / young adults at https://bit.ly/GPL2020AdultsBook, and one for children at https://bit.ly/GPL2020KidsBooks.

Check out these “Best of 2020” lists, then check them out from us!

Tech and résumé help

Perhaps you could use a little help maximizing your Apple gadget, or crafting your resume using the Learning Express database tool found on our website - and you prefer to do it from the comfort of home. You’re in luck! Our volunteer computer coach, Robin, can provide customized assistance on using an Apple Watch, iPhone, MacBook, iPad or Apple TV, or help you mine the riches of Learning Express – your choice!

Schedule your individualized hour-long appointment Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m., and Thursday mornings starting at 10:00 a.m. on the Events tab of our website, indicating the topic of interest in the Notes field. An email address and the ability to meet online is required in order to participate.

Talking Book and

Braille Library

The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free library service for residents in Upstate New York who have difficulty reading standard print due to blindness, low vision, a diagnosed reading disability, or a physical disability.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m., GPL welcomes Senior Librarian Jane Bentley, who will provide an overview of TBBL services, discuss eligibility, and explain how patrons can access books and magazines.  To sign up, go to the Events tab of our website.  Registrants will receive an email invitation to this virtual Zoom program in advance.

Dress Up Your Pet Day

Calling all pet lovers:  join us for Dress Up Your Pet Day on Jan. 14! Adorn your pet in a fetching costume and snap a picture, then send it to: . We’ll create an online photo album for all to enjoy. Please submit pictures by Jan. 14.  

Construction update

Outside, the steel framing is complete on our children’s addition, and the roof is on! Next, it will be heated and the concrete slab will be poured.

Inside, the former children’s area and fiction section is ready for renovation, and interior demolition plus sprinkler room and public bathroom renovations continue. To view the monthly report and photo album tracking progress on this project, go to:  https://bit.ly/GPLConstructionPhotos

Due to construction, social distancing constraints, and rising COVID-19 cases, public browsing is not available at this time. Updates are posted on www.guilderlandlibrary.org, Facebook and Instagram.  To subscribe to our weekly eNews and monthly newsletters, go to https://bit.ly/GPLeNews

Expanded curbside hours

Pick up your requested materials in our Normanskill Room during the winter months on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and — new — Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Checkout procedures remain the same — see our website for details.  Patron pick-up is available through the Normanskill Room outer door (to the right of the Little Free Library), not the main entrance.  Please follow signs posted, and call Circulation at 518-285-0671 if you have any questions.

Return shed hours in the main parking lot are as follows: Monday through Friday from  9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Healthy cooking

Learn some healthy cooking techniques using healthier oils, tasty vegetables, and hearty whole grains for a heart healthy diet. This lesson will involve a live cooking demonstration. Registered participants will receive recipes, ingredient list and equipment needed prior to class so they can join in the fun. Spots are limited so sign up soon!

This will be held virtually using Zoom. Registrants will receive a Zoom invitation via email two days before the program.