Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Looking for fiendishly fun (and free) Halloween-themed activities?  Look no further than your friendly local library:

— Friday, Oct. 25: Escape room strategizing meets spooky shenanigans as teams of teens and adults work feverishly to Escape the House on the Hill. Up for a mind-bending and slightly scary challenge? Please register for either the 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. session; space is limited;

— Tuesday, Oct. 29: All ages are welcome to experience our Halloween Craft Graveyard from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This casual and creative gathering features snacks and Halloween music to enhance the seasonal mood. Make one of our projects, or something totally unique! Please register online, by phone, or in person;

— Wednesday, Oct. 30: Kids in grades 5 to 12 are invited to a tween and teen Halloween Party at 6 p.m. just for them! Come dressed in costume and partake in creepy snacks and terrifying activities for a scary good time. Please register online, by phone, or in person; and

— Thursday, Oct. 31: Children ages 19 months and up and their caregivers are invited to a Not-So-Spooky Costume Party and Story Time at 10:30 a.m., complete with lively songs, stories, and dancing. We’ll conclude our party with a costume parade through the library. Then at 6 p.m., Stanley Kubrick’s classic fright-fest, “The Shining,” will fill our giant screen, complete with free popcorn.  Where’s Johnny? Here! Rated R.  

Drug Take-Back Day   

GPL is partnering once again with the Guilderland Police Department for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's nationwide Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday Oct. 26, 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. 

This is a unified opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused medications for proper disposal. Unwanted controlled, non-controlled, and non-prescription substances may be turned in to police officers stationed in the library's auxiliary parking lot. 

Please be sure to remove any identifying information from prescription labels.

We cannot accept sharps and syringes, nor can we accept any medications prior to Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.  This initiative is completely confidential; officials will not ask questions nor request identification. For further details, please see: https://takebackday.dea.gov.  

Cookbook Club

We’re in for a special treat at popular cookbook author and vegan expert Nava Atlas returns Saturday Oct. 26 at noon to talk about her brand-new book, 5-Ingredient Vegan: 175 Simple, Plant-Based Recipes for Delicious, Healthy Meals in Minutes!

Ms. Atlas offers simple plant-based recipes incorporating fresh produce, high-quality canned and frozen foods, whole grains, and prepared sauces. Participants may visit GPL in advance, choose a recipe at the Reference Desk to make, and bring it to the event.

We’ll share our samples and learn how to make a recipe.  Ms. Atlas will also have copies of her books to sell and sign.  Please register online, by phone or in person.  

Saturday STEAM

On Saturday Oct. 26 at 2 p.m., children in grades 3 to 5 can explore how and why things move in this hands-on STEAM program.

We’ll make cars and alien hover crafts powered by balloons and wind, all while learning about the importance of force.  Please register online, by phone or in person.  

Bus trip to NYC 

We’re teaming up once again with the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce for a festive excursion to midtown Manhattan on Saturday Dec. 7. We’ll depart from Farnsworth Middle School promptly at 7 a.m., make one stop along the way, and arrive near Bryant Park at approximately 10 a.m.

Experience the dazzling sights and sounds of the city and fill the day with holiday shopping, world-class theater, exceptional dining – whatever you like!  We’ll leave at precisely 7 p.m. for the return trip home and be back at approximately 10 p.m. Cost is $50 per person, and we expect to sell out. Please see:  www.guilderlandlibrary.org/nyc to reserv your spot.  

Census recruitment

In just a couple months, the process of tallying our nationwide population — the 2020 Census — will officially commence. Census results help determine representation in Congress; appropriating funding for schools, hospitals, roads; and much more. This tremendous undertaking requires considerable human resources nationwide.

In short, help is needed! Know anyone currently looking for flexible short-term employment? Census Bureau representatives are here every Saturday seeking U.S. citizens 18 or older interested in earning extra income while helping to ensure that everyone in their community is counted. Please visit https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html for more information.