Guilderland Library Notes for Friday, May 9, 2014
There will be a public briefing and comment session on the Guilderland Public Library’s budget on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p. m., in the library’s Tawasentha Room. The public is encouraged to attend. Specific budget allocations are available on the library’s website at www.guilpl.org/budget-2014-2015.
The Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees has put forth a 2014-15 budget of $3,541,967. This represents an increase of $49,832, or 1.42 percent over the 2013-14 budget. The proposed budget maintains the service levels the community has come to expect from its public library, assures a continued supply of quality materials for public use, maximizes use of current resources, dedicates funds for building maintenance, and is below the mandated tax cap.
Robert MacNeil speaks
A few Author’s reception tickets remain for the 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 9, private event honoring famed journalist and author Robert MacNeil – cofounder of PBS’ MacNeil/Lehrer Report and longtime anchor and executive editor of PBS NewsHour; this reception precedes Mr. MacNeil’s 7:30 p.m. free author talk at the library.
You can purchase tickets to the 6:30 p.m. reception at the door. Tickets are $25 per person, and feature preferred seating at the Author Talk. All tickets to the free Author Talk have been given out. For tickets or more information, call 456-2400, ext. 112.
MacNeil 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.
The Guilderland Library Foundation, host of the event, is grateful to Bouchey & Clarke Benefits, Inc., (www.bouchey.com) for generously sponsoring Mr. MacNeil’s appearance at the library.
Outdoor concert
Come to the library on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m., to hear the award-winning chorus, Saratoga Soundtrack, as they delight one and all with their amazing a capella harmonies.
Weather permitting, this concert will be held outside in the library’s Community Literary Garden. These outdoor concerts are named in honor of Jean Marie Cole, the library’s retired, long-time head of circulation. If it rains, the concert will move to the Helderberg Room.
Saratoga Soundtrack is a chartered chorus of Sweet Adelines International, an organization dedicated to promoting the art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
Come join the fun. No need to bring chairs; we have plenty. See you there.
Planting flowers
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Barbara Lukas of WMHT is coming to the library on Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m., to lead a program about plants and planting for children ages 4 to 8 and their parent or adult caregiver. Attendees will look at books and watch a movie. Then they will go out to the library patio and plant two special gifts for mom – a flower and a tomato plant.
You can give them to Mom on Mother’s Day and together watch them grow all summer. Please call 456-2400, ext. 4 to register; all children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Library info
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave. in Guilderland. 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).