Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, August 25, 2021
“Still Life” by Louise Penny, the first entry in the award-winning Armand Gamache series of murder mysteries, is the subject of the next Night Owls Online book discussion on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Please request a copy for curbside pick-up via phone, email, website, or the Upper Hudson Library System’s new Capira app, then register on the Events tab of guilderlandlibrary.org for the link to participate.
Author Dr. Gretchen Sorin and filmmaker Ric Burns will lead a lively discussion about their acclaimed documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America,” on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
This film, based on Dr. Sorin’s book, explores how car travel held particular significance for Black families during the civil rights era, creating a protective parallel world akin to a modern underground railroad. The 1936 “green book” travel guide of safe havens figures prominently in the narrative, as well as Sorin’s own family history, in chronicling how the automobile fundamentally reshaped African American life.
To receive the Zoom link on the day of the program, please register at: https://bit.ly/Sorinlibraryprogram. To check out the book, audiobook, DVD, or sound recording, search the Upper Hudson Library system’s catalog through https://guilderlandlibrary.org.
This program is presented in collaboration with the Upper Hudson Library System, International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, The Cooperstown Graduate Program, and Steeplechase Films.
Animal Tales
We’re wrapping up summer reading with multiple award-winning Master Storyteller Diane Edgecomb, who will recount her favorite “Animal Tales”. From folktales about adventurous monkeys to a true tale of a neighborhood squirrel that drives everyone nuts—we’ll have tons of participatory fun with these engaging online stories about four-legged capers. This presentation will be viewable on our GPL Kids and Families Facebook page through Sunday, Aug. 29.
Welcome-to-school bags
It’s a brand new world as kids embark on their school journey entering kindergarten — or graduate to middle school! In both cases, we’ve got bags containing a free book and some fun age-appropriate swag to help kick off their school year.
Please register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your goodie bag during curbside hours by Saturday, Sept. 11.
Holiday
GPL’s curbside operations — both checkouts and returns — will be closed Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6 for Labor Day weekend. We will resume curbside services on Tues. Sept. 7.
Reopening plans
We’re very close to completion, on budget and 11 months ahead of schedule with our extensive construction project, which is expected to conclude in September, barring additional supply chain material delays. More details may be found at: https://bit.ly/GPLbuildingproject. GPL is not currently open to public browsing, and masks are required upon entering our curbside room.
We are excited about the opportunity to welcome patrons back into the freshly renovated and expanded library, but ever-mindful of rising pandemic levels. Therefore, we are delaying a larger-scale grand reopening celebration in favor of a phased reopening.
We plan to reopen for public browsing on Monday, Sept. 27, resuming regular hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. 9 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Photocopying will be available, and all fines are still waived (since March, 2020).
On Monday, Oct. 4, meeting rooms and study rooms will become available. Updated public computers, stalled by global microchip shortages, are expected to be accessible in mid-October. Programs will remain outdoors or virtual for the next few months. These stated plans are subject to change as pandemic circumstances dictate.
New StoryWalk
Our second StoryWalk has been installed at Keenholts Park, providing a relaxing way for families to take a stroll and enjoy a story at the same time. Use the entrance by the Guilderland Baseball Dutchmen Field and park in the first lot, then follow the grassy path to find posts with successive pages of the story “Rain,” written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Our sincere thanks to the town of Guilderland and Upper Hudson Library System for their collaboration on this project.
We also have a storywalk at Tawasentha Park on the Blue Trail near the bridge. Two more storywalks are planned for DiCaprio Park and Nott Road Park.
Dial A Story
All ages are encouraged to unplug from technology and relax with a brief story using our Dial A Story line. Simply call 518-456-2400 and press 5, then choose 1 for an adult story; 2 for a children’s story; and 3 for an international story. Check back often, as stories are updated on a regular basis.
Contact us
Call 518-456-2400 or email ; and check www.guilderlandlibrary.org, Facebook and Instagram for further information. Also, consider subscribing to weekly updates at: http://bit.ly/GPLeNews, and to our YouTube channel for engaging storytimes and more.