Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, September 15, 2022

— Photo from Luanne Nicholson

With school back in session, pedestrian safety was highlighted recently by Assemblymember Pat Fahy, at lectern, at a press conference on new sidewalks on Western Avenue connecting the 20 Mall to the library, plus a paved crosswalk to Guilderland Elementary School. Listening from left are Guilderland councilwomen Rosemary Centi and Amanda Beedle, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Supervisor Peter Barber, Councilwoman Christine Napierski, Guilderland Elementary School Principal Allan Lockwood, Superintendent Marie Wiles, and library director Timothy Wiles. The new sidewalks are part of a comprehensive plan to create an equal access continuous walkway connecting the city of Albany via Route 20 to Carman Road and the town of Rotterdam, spanning 9.25 miles.

The theme for Banned Books Week, Sept. 18 to 24, is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” This annual campaign, created by the American Library Association 40 years ago, celebrates the freedom to read, spotlighting current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

It serves to unite the entire literary community in shared support of seeking and expressing a broad spectrum of ideas, while drawing national attention to the dangers of censorship.

In 2021, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked challenges to library, school, and university materials and services, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. Banned Books Week is both a reminder of the unifying power of stories and the divisiveness of censorship. It’s a call to action for readers across the country to push back against censorship attempts in their communities.

We encourage you to stop in to GPL to view our Banned Books Week display; learn more about this topic, including surprising classics that have been frequently banned, such as “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Catcher in the Rye”; and celebrate your freedom to read whatever interests you.

Please also consider attending the New York Civil Liberties Union and Upper Hudson Library System “Banned Books Read Out” on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., in-person at Albany Public Library on 161 Washington Avenue, or via Zoom. For more info: https://albanypubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/9370407.

Celebrate

Hispanic Arts!

We’re offering this special program to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15). Educational Coordinator Joyce Raimondo will highlight Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, Mexican painter Jose Clemente Orozco, and others on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

We’ll discover how Hispanic artists inspired Jackson Pollock, then we’ll enjoy a virtual tour of the barn studio where Pollock made his famous drip paintings, and Lee Krasner created her abstract art. Please register on the Events tab of guilderlandlibrary.org.

Memoirs in

the Morning

For our next virtual meetup Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m., we’re reading the New York Times Bestseller “Beautiful Country: A Memoir,” by Qian Julie Wang. This moving story follows an undocumented child living in poverty as her parents transition from professors in China to sweatshop laborers in Chinatown. Please obtain a print or digital copy from us, then register for this book discussion on our website. Also, look for the “Memoirs in the Morning” online discussion group on goodreads.com.

Poetry with

Susan Comninos

Guilderland poet and frequent library presenter Susan Comninos will conduct an in-person poetry reading and book sale/signing of her just-published book, “Out of Nowhere: Poems” on Saturday,  Oct. 1 at 2 p.m., along with a discussion of poetic techniques.

She will also lead a poetry workshop on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., incorporating elements of your own community's folklore into identity-based poems (“origin stories”), plus how poets play the role of “inheritor” of their family or community’s legacy. Please register for either or both programs on the Events tab of our website.

Faith Ringgold

On Monday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., we’ll take an in-depth look at the formidable artist, Faith Ringgold, whose life and works continue to astonish art lovers around the world. Best known for her vibrant story quilts, she also creates politically charged paintings, prints, sculptures, and is the beloved author/illustrator of nearly 20 children's books. Please  register on the Events tab of guilderlandlibrary.org for this online program.

Doubleheader:

Two Baseball Authors

America’s pastime takes center stage on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. with two notable baseball authors. Erik Sherman returns to GPL to read from "Two Sides of Glory: the 1986 Boston Red Sox In Their Own Words." Also appearing is Eric Gray, who will read from "Backyards to Ballparks: More Personal Baseball Stories from the Stands and Beyond." Both authors will sell and sign copies of their books. No registration needed.

Halloween

volunteers needed

Join the spook-tacular fun! We’re looking for groups or individuals to sign up now for our Halloween Trunk or Treat on Monday, Oct. 31, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a great way to promote your local business or organization while enjoying a fun night out. Get creative – decorate your vehicle and hand out candy or allergy-free treats (provided) to trick-or-treaters, who will vote for their favorite trunk. The top vote-getter will receive a prize. Please email Natalie Hurteau with interest: .

General info

Overdue fines have been eliminated at GPL; patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost items. Masks are optional. Curbside pickup is available. The Guilderland Farmer’s Market is held in our upper parking lot Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 2. Contact us at 518-456-2400 or ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org.