Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, April 10, 2014

Famed journalist and author Robert MacNeil and cofounder of PBS’ MacNeil/Lehrer Report and longtime anchor and executive editor of PBS News Hour, will speak at the Guilderland Public Library on Friday, May 9, as part of the Carol J. Hamblin Notable Author Speaker Series and the time to get your tickets is now.

Prior to MacNeil’s Author Talk, to which tickets are free on a first-come, first-served basis there will be a wine and cheese reception where you can meet MacNeil and chat with him. Tickets to this reception are $25 per person, and feature preferred seating at the Author Talk.  Free tickets to the Author Talk, as well as tickets to the reception, are available now at the library’s information desk, and by calling 456-2400, ext. 112.

He will speak about his most recent novel, Portrait of Julia. This work is the sequel to his 1992 book, Burden of Desire, set at the time of the Halifax Explosion in 1917 in which a cargo ship loaded with wartime explosives and munitions exploded devastating the Richmond District of the city.  MacNeil is a Nova Scotia native and is well versed in the province’s history. 

In addition to his television work and novels, Mr. MacNeil is the author of several nonfiction works. The People Machine studied the relationship between television and politics. He has written three memoirs, The Right Place at the Right Time, Wordstruck, and Looking For My Country, Finding Myself in America. He co-authored The Story of English, companion volume to the BBC-PBS television series which he hosted, and its sequel, Do You Speak American? a three-hour PBS series on American English.

MacNeil has won a host of professional awards, including two Peabodys, a Dupont-Columbia Award, the University of Missouri Medal and the Overseas Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In January 1998, he was made an Officer in the Order of Canada.

 

The Guilderland Library Foundation, host of the event, is grateful to Bouchey & Clarke Benefits, Inc for generously sponsoring his appearance at the library.

Concert

On Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m., make it a point to be at GPL to enjoy one of the most entertaining concerts the library has ever hosted: a musical happening featuring The Graham Tichy Trio.

Mixing 1940s Swing, 1950s Roots Rock, 1960s British Invasion, and a variety of American Roots Music, Tichy and his group imbue these vintage songs with a contemporary styling sure to please and get the toes tapping. 

The concert starts at 2 p.m., but it’s going to be a popular event; being early is a good idea. It’s an open event, and seating is limited.

CPR at the library

If you’ve been meaning to learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), then come to GPL on Thursday, April 17, at 6 pm. The trained emergency responders of Guilderland’s Western Turnpike Rescue Squad will be here to lead a program on the basics of CPR. You will learn how to perform CPR for adults, children, or infants, and how to help an adult, child, or infant who is choking.

This course is intended for members of the general community who want to learn CPR but do not need an official CPR course completion card. Space is limited to 25 registrants. To register, call 456-2400, ext. 2, or register at bit.ly/Learn-CPR-at-GPL.

Art show

The Guilderland Central School District’s Elementary Art Shows just kicked off at the library. Stop by GPL anytime during normal business hours through April 27 to see the amazing work of these young artists. This art show is a festival of creativity, color, and imagination, and is not to be missed.

Book sale

 The library’s Better Book Sale on Saturday, April 12, is going to be, well, huge.  Book donors have been very generous over the past month, and the volunteers have had their hands full getting it all ready for you to browse.  There’s a great mix of fiction, some nonfiction, and a host of like-new DVDs, all at bargain prices.  Sale runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Enjoy.

Library info

The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue. Visit the library’s website at www.guilpl.org. Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library, and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib). It all starts at guilpl.org.