Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, May 7, 2020

Professional Organizer Jes Marcy is offering a customized virtual “Clutter Bootcamp” through the Guilderland Public Library starting Monday, May 18. To sign up, go to guilderlandlibrary.org and click on Events.

When can the library reopen? We do not yet know the answer to that question.

We are in the midst of extensive planning with the other 28 Upper Hudson Library System locations to prepare for a coordinated, phased reopening of our facilities. There are many aspects to consider, as the health and safety of staff and patrons remains our primary concern. We will continue to relay information as we move closer toward our eventual reopening.

While we are apart, we’re striving to devise creative ways to connect with you, our beloved community, from our home bases. We hope you’ll explore these virtual programs and digital resources, designed to keep you and your family engaged and entertained.

Free Ancestry.com and genealogy help

Our resident professional genealogist, Lisa Dougherty, is available for free 
family history consultations every Wednesday during May. Get one-on-one help starting the process or making progress by visiting the Upstate NY Genealogy by Lisa Dougherty Facebook page. 

For further information, Lisa’s website is: www.upstatenygenealogy.com. Right now, you can also access ancestry.com for free at https://www.uhls.org/databases.asp.

GPL Trivia Tuesdays

GPL Trivia returns — to your living room! Adults and teens are invited to put their heads together for three themed Trivia Tuesday nights in May at 7 p.m. The themes are:  Harry Potter Trivia – May 12; ’80s and ’90s Trivia – May 19; and Disney/Star Wars Trivia – May 26.

Participants can play individually, as an in-house team, or with a virtual team to vie for bragging rights as a GPL Trivia Champion. Team captains should be 16 or older and will be responsible for communicating with the hosts on GoToMeeting. Anyone needing login information, including team captains, should register on the Events tab on our website.

Writing contest

The deadline is fast approaching for our “Write at Home” writing contest. Students in fourth grade through adults are encouraged to submit their best work to us by Friday, May 15, at noon.

Winners receive a $30 prize of their choice from The Book House, and all works submitted will be posted on our website with the author’s permission. All forms of poetry and prose are eligible.  Participants must reside within the Guilderland School District or possess a Guilderland Public Library Card. See https://guilderlandlibrary.org/wfh for full details.  

Clutter Bootcamp

Here’s a terrific starting point for conquering clutter. Professional organizer Jes Marcy will coach participants through five self-paced half-hour video tutorials beginning Monday, May 18, culminating in a live Q&A session via GoToMeeting on Monday, June 1 at 
6 p.m.

Jes Marcy has presented several programs throughout the Capital Region on organizing and learning to live with less, focusing on a simple, judgment-free approach that is both refreshing and practical. Visit the Events Calendar on guilderlandlibrary.org to register and provide an email address. Registration is limited to 15 people.

Cookbook Club: At-Home Edition


Our popular Cookbook Club goes virtual! Using GoToMeeting, we’re holding bimonthly sessions for a small group of patrons.

The theme for Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. is “Substitutions: This for That.” We'll share ideas about suitable substitutes for ingredients you might not have on hand for a specific recipe.

To register, visit the Events calendar on our website and provide an email with your registration.  Meeting coordinators will email you an invitation the day before the event.

Trustees meet


On Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m., the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a virtual business meeting, streamed live on the GPL Facebook page. Public commentary before and during the meeting may be directed to: pio@guilderlandpubliclibrary.org.

Staying connected

Make sure to check back often to find out what’s new:

— Log onto guilderlandlibrary.org, and refer to the “Healthy at Home” page to view all of our online 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; library cards; Hoopla (750,000+ audiobooks, movies, music, comics, eBooks, TV shows and more); videos to help you get started with our digital resources; and much more;

— Join our new GPL Kids and Families Facebook group, featuring Virtual Storytimes, fun and educational content, and creative activities;

— Sign up for eNews at the top of our home page; and

— Access wifi 24/7 from our parking lot.