Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, January 12, 2022
— Photo from Luanne Nicholoson
The Guilderland Public Library is continuing its popular holiday card project. People of all ages are encouraged to create or repurpose Valentine cards and drop them off in the designated box in the library's lobby through Feb. 6 for Community Caregivers to distribute to clients.
Although Guilderland Public Library will not be a site for the American Association of Retired Persons Foundation’s Tax-Aide services in 2022, these services are available at other locations in the greater Albany area, February through mid-April.
Please do not call the library; instead, call the phone numbers listed below starting Tuesday, Jan. 18:
— Crossings of Colonie: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Feb. 9. Contact: Town of Colonie Senior Resources at 518-459-3977;
— Cohoes Senior Center: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Feb. 8. Contact: 518-235-2420; and
— Valatie Village Office: Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Feb.1. Contact: 518-758-9342 for the coordinator.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax preparation help to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Tax help is provided in safe environments based on a number of factors, including where you are located, COVID-19 spread and volunteer availability.
Winter
Reading Challenge
The Fifth Annual Winter Reading Challenge for all ages sponsored by Lerner Publishing is underway! Our goal is to read 3,000 books during January and win prizes for all to enjoy. This year’s theme is Read for a Better World, encouraging readers to explore diversity, empathy, and positive action through literature.
Join in the fun by logging all of your reading this month on Beanstack, individually or as a family. Simply sign up or login at: https://guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365.
Holiday closing
The library is closed Monday, Jan. 17, in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Our digital resources, online catalog, and parking lot Wi-Fi are available 24/7.
Blood drive
The American Red Cross is reporting the worst blood shortage in over a decade. We’re hosting a blood drive at GPL on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 1 to 6 p.m. Appointments to donate blood, platelets, or plasma may be made at https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html. Walk-ins are always welcome too.
All January donors will automatically be entered to win two fabulous prizes: an all-inclusive trip to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, or a cutting-edge home theater package.
Marble maze
activity kit
Kids in grades 3 to 5: Try countless configurations as you construct your very own marble maze, plus complete related creative problem-solving activities. Register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your kit from Tuesday, Jan. 18, through Sunday, Jan. 23.
Memoirs
in the Morning
“Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” by Suleika Jaouad is the subject of our next online meetup on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m. Call 518-456-2400, ext. 3 or email for assistance placing a hold, then sign up on the Events tab of our website.
Can’t make our virtual discussion? Look for the “Memoirs in the Morning” Goodreads Group to participate with us anytime.
Résumé help
Computer coach Robin has added more time slots to help you get the most out of your Apple device, or assist with the Learning Express tool on our website to help you craft a winning résumé. Sign up on the Events tab of our website for your 1:1 virtual hour-long appointment on Mondays, Jan. 24 or 31, at the additional 5:30 p.m. time slot.
Live virtual
story time
Meet us via Zoom for a lively interactive story time on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., ideal for children ages infant to 5. We’ll read books, sing songs, and enjoy a lively time together! We also have ideas on props you can create at home to make the experience more interactive. Please register on the Events tab of our website for the link.
Browsing hours
Masks are required for patrons ages 2 and up. GPL policies based on current COVID conditions are outlined in our Pandemic Operations Plan, accessible on our website. Current hours are: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.