Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, April 9, 2020

While our building is closed, we’re still busy serving you remotely to the best of our ability. In fact, we are consistently adding new offerings. We encourage you to stay connected and check back often to discover what’s new:

— Log onto guilderlandlibrary.org, and refer to the “Healthy at Home” page to view all of our downloaded resources in one convenient place — e-books; e-magazines; audiobooks; The New York Times; The Great Courses, Qello concerts, IndieFlix films and Acorn TV shows through RBDigital; databases such as ancestry.com and Consumer Reports; get a library card, and much more;

— Like our Facebook page for updates and resources, fun and informative “Fireside Chat” videos to help you get started with our digital resources, “Neighbor Notes” community happenings, poems celebrating National Poetry Month, mini-Cookbook Clubs, and more;

— Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for additional content and updates;

— Request to join our new GPL Kids and Families Facebook group, featuring Virtual Story Times with your favorite Youth Services librarians, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., plus helpful content for parents. Submit your suggestions to rename our male cow situated in the lobby too;

— Call us at 518-285-0035 – staffed weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., or leave us a message for a callback;

— Email us at ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org;

— Sign up for e-news at the top of our home page; or

— Access wifi 24/7 from our parking lot.

Board meets virtually on April 9

The Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting virtually on Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. Please see our Facebook page for the livestream. Public comments are welcome and may be emailed to pio@guilpl.org.

Write at home

Has our current stay-at-home situation inspired your wordsmith tendencies? We’re launching a writing contest to get those creative juices flowing for both kids and adults.

The age group categories are: grades 4 to 5; grades 6 to 8; grades 9 to 12; and adult. All forms of poetry (free verse, haiku, sonnet, song lyrics, concrete poetry, acrostic, etc.) and prose (short story, journalism, research article, play, screenplay, etc.) are eligible.  

Submissions must meet the following criteria:

— Must be an original work;

— All characters must be original or be in the public domain;

— Work must be previously unpublished;

— School assignments are acceptable;

— Only one entry per category will be accepted;

— All entries must be typed and double-spaced (where appropriate);

— All entries must be in a word doc, google doc, or pdf format;

— We cannot accept image-based works like picture books or graphic novels;

— Poetry: two pages or 500 words maximum;

— Prose: five pages or 1250 words maximum;

— Participants must reside within the Guilderland School District or possess a Guilderland Public Library Card.

All entries are due Friday, May 1, by noon, emailed as an attachment or shared as a google doc to . Make sure to include your name, address, age group, and writing category only in the submission email. Do not include your name or other identifying information on the actual submission. Failure to comply with these rules can result in elimination from the contest.

All works will be shared on the GPL website (with permission of the author), with special recognition for one winner per age group and category. Winners may also choose one item to be shipped from the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza with a maximum value of $25. Please email any questions to:  . Good luck!

Beanstack Spring into Reading Challenge

We did so well with our Winter Reading Challenge — we were named one of 29 top-reading libraries in the country, thanks to your participation! — that we are continuing with Beanstack’s Spring into Reading Challenge.

Now is the perfect time to log reading and activities from the comfort of home. Participants can earn badges by logging the minutes read, or the number of books read.  Find out more and sign up at https://guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365.

Fines waived

No fines are being assessed while we’re closed, dating back to March 1. Since our building is closed, our books drops must be closed also. Patrons are asked to hold onto all materials borrowed until we reopen. Any holds will be extended through May 1 (or later if necessary), and expired library cards are automatically being renewed.Donations may be deposited in the green bin in our auxiliary parking lot.  No textbooks, worn paperbacks or outdated materials — thank you. Stay well, hope to see you soon!