Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, March 29, 2023
— Photo from Luanne Nicholson
Café Con Mel, a popular Cohoes coffee shop operated by Joy Mercado Anderson, left, and Melanie Diaz, is in the process of moving to Guilderland Public Library, with an opening date to be determined later this spring. The café’s offerings will include Puerto Rican and Filipino specialties.
Peruse our oversized books around an oversized coffee table! Join us in the Tawasentha Room the weekend of April 1 and 2 for cozy weekend vibes, and to learn about the April “Reads & Roasts Beanstack Book Challenge.” We’re planning a series of coffee-themed events throughout the month, where you can earn badges to win prizes. More details will be shared at this relaxed drop-in event.
One of the Reads & Roasts events planned for all ages: “Cereal & Cartoons & Coffee,” on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. Once upon a time, we had to wait a whole week to get our cartoon fix on Saturday mornings — and when we got it, we tended to binge! In that spirit, the GPL presents a nostalgic tribute to the morning cartoons of yore, complete with choices of delicious sugary cereals, and of course — coffee! Please register on the Events Calendar ofguilderlandlibrary.org.
Family Literacy
WMHT Family Literacy Educator Barbara Lukas returns to GPL with another fun family program Saturday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m., featuring activities based on the book “The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash.” Each child will receive a free copy of the book to add to their personal bookshelf. Please register on the Events Calendar online.
Junior TACO
Kids in sixth through eighth grades are encouraged to attend our next Junior Teen Advisory Community Outreach (TACO) Meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. Earn volunteer credit by providing input on books, programs, and more to help make GPL your favorite hangout spot! Please register in advance online.
Hunter education
Just in time for spring turkey season, this course teaches firearms safety, responsibility, and wildlife conservation. All students must pre-register, plus bring completed homework, to this instructor-led course on Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please see our Events Calendar for full details, and to register.
Easter closure
Please note: the Library will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 9. Digital resources, parking lot WiFi, car charging stations, the Little Free Library, and book donation bins in the side parking lot are always available.
Drop-In
STEAM play
Elementary-aged kids (and their families) can drop-in anytime on Monday, April 10, 2to 3 p.m. for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) fun: Code-a-Pillars, marble runs, and other cool building toys!
Night Owls
Book Club
Let’s dig into some of the most talked-about fiction and nonfiction titles! For our next meetup on Monday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m., we’re reading “Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman,” by Robert K. Massie. Copies are available at the Information desk. Please register for the hybrid book discussion (choice of online or in-person).
Great Guilderland
and Altamont Spell-Off!
Do you have to S-P-E-L-L it out for us?! Y-E-S! We're holding a Spell-Off for Guilderland and Altamont Free Library patrons on Tuesday, April 11 at 6 to 8 p.m. to test your spelling prowess. Teams of two, please register on the Events Calendar. Going solo? We'll pair you with another contestant, if possible. Participants can be ages 10+, but at least one person on your team should be ages 18+. Your goal is to qualify for the final Spell-Off on Sunday, April 30 at 2:30 p.m. at William K. Sanford Library in Colonie.
Boater Safety
This two-day, eight-hour course, on Wednesday, April 12 and 13 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., covers the basic principles of safe and responsible boating. Students successfully completing this course will earn a safe-boating certificate. Under Brianna's Law, all motor boat operators will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2025. Beat the rush – get certified now! Go to our Events calendar for complete details, and to register.
Board candidates
For our annual election on Tuesday, May 16, we have two open positions on our
eleven-member Board of Trustees, with an application deadline of Monday, April 17. GPL Board members serve a five-year term, requiring a significant time investment. Please request an information packet at the Circulation desk, or email Library Director Tim Wiles at
for more information.
General info
Contact us at 518-456-2400 or . To set up a passport appointment, press option 2.
Overdue fines were eliminated; patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost items.
Masks are encouraged.