Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, September 16, 2021
— Photo by Luanne Nicholson
Rows of shelves stand ready to be filled at the Guilderland Public Library, as construction wraps up and staff prepares to reopen to the public on Monday, Sept. 27.
Our major construction project is wrapping up! The numbers are in:
— 10.5 months ahead of schedule;
— Approximately $250,000 under budget;
— 20 percent larger; and
— 20 percent lower energy costs.
There may be some final touches still yet to be completed here and there, but we’re excited about the opportunity to welcome patrons back into the freshly renovated and expanded building, first christened in 1992.
We plan to reopen for public browsing on Monday, Sept. 27, resuming regular hours: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Photocopying will be available, and all fines are still waived (since March 2020). Meeting and study room use is currently on hold in accordance with COVID case numbers. Updated public computers, stalled by global microchip shortages, are expected to be accessible in mid-October. Programs will remain outdoors (with masks required) or virtual until further notice.
GPL is not currently open to public browsing, and masks are required upon entering our curbside room. Curbside operations will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 26, at least for now. We are assessing the feasibility of continuing curbside concurrently with being open to the public, and welcome your feedback.
We are ever-mindful of rising pandemic levels. Therefore, we are delaying a larger-scale grand reopening celebration in favor of a phased reopening.
These stated plans are subject to change as COVID circumstances dictate. Our pandemic operations plan is accessible on the first slide of the homepage of guilderlandlibrary.org, or by going to https://guilderlandlibrary.org/get-to-know-us/people/board-of-trustees/.
Don’t Get Ticked!
Learn from an expert about the different ticks in our area, and how to protect yourself and others from being bitten in this virtual program entitled Don’t Get Ticked! Protecting Against Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases.
You’ll be glad you armed yourself with this important information on Monday, Sept. 20, at 9:30 a.m. before heading out for a scenic fall hike. This program is presented by Joellen Lampman, Community Integrated Pest Management Extension Support Specialist, New York IPM Program at Cornell University, in collaboration with Albany Guardian Society. Please register on the Events tab of our website; AGS will email registrants a link in advance.
Trustees meet
A regular business meeting of the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. It will be streamed live and archived on our YouTube channel. Public commentary may be submitted at any time to: .
Blood drive
Senator Michelle Hinchey is sponsoring a blood drive at the library on Friday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 6 p.m., in partnership with the American Red Cross. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code GuilderlandLibrary.
In order to make a general blood donation (not power red), donors must be in good health and feeling well; at least 16 years old; weigh at least 110 pounds; and, if a repeat donor, donated 56 or more days ago
All donors will receive a limited-edition college football T-shirt, while supplies last.
Computer coach
These one-on-one sessions with Coach Robin have been quite popular! As of this writing, we have one appointment left this month on Monday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m. Get customized online help fully using your Apple watch, iPhone, MacBook, iPad, or Apple TV; or crafting a winning résumé using the Learning Express tool on our website. Please register on the Events tab of our website.
Narcan training
Online training for administering naloxone (sold under the brand name Narcan) will be offered on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m., presented by Opioid Response Trainers with the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Participants will learn to recognize, respond to, and reverse a suspected opioid overdose using intranasal naloxone, plus how to obtain naloxone for their use as rescuers. Please register on the Events tab of our website, or call 518-473-3460. For questions, please contact Mandee Nann at OASAS: mandee.nann@oasas.ny.gov.