While libraries throughout New York State await further guidance from Governor Andrew Cuomo on which of the four phases we fall under for our eventual reopening, we are diligently finalizing plans for this gradual transition, in conjunction with the 28 other Upper Hudson Library System locations.

We appreciate your patience as we work through several key considerations in full compliance with executive orders, ever mindful that the health and safety of our staff and patrons remains our highest priority.

Budget and board vote

Voting on our annual budget and board of trustees candidates will be conducted solely by mail-in absentee ballot this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guilderland Central School District will automatically mail absentee ballots with a prepaid return envelope to all qualified voters.

Completed ballots must be received to the school district by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. Please see guilderlandschools.org for further details, including information on voter registration.

The Guilderland Public Library has five candidates for three open board of trustees positions — three incumbents and two first-time candidates. They are, in ballot order: Marcia Alazraki, Herb Hennings, Mark Keeling, Philip Metzger, and Richard Rubin.

More information on these candidates, and our proposed budget, may be found by clicking on the last two links at the bottom of this web page:  https://guilderlandlibrary.org/get-to-know-us/people/board-of-trustees/.

Trivia Tuesdays

The third and final installment of our popular Trivia Tuesday night for teens and adults is Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. If you can’t decide which you prefer, mouse ears or lightsabers, we’ve got you covered with a tantalizing mix of Disney / Star Wars questions to get you pondering galaxies far, far away — while musing that it’s a small world, after all.  Participants can play individually, as an in-house team, or with a virtual team. 

Team captains should be 16 or older and will be responsible for communicating with the hosts on GoToMeeting. Anyone needing login information, including team captains, please register on the Events tab on our website.

Food drive

The Teachers’ Association at Lynnwood Elementary School will hold a food drive in our parking lot on Thursday, May 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. All non-perishables collected will be donated to the Regional Food Bank. Thank you for supporting our community!

Trustees meet

On Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m., the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a virtual business meeting, streamed live on the GPL Facebook page and archived there for future viewing.  Questions and commentary may be directed to: .

Summer Reading Club

Imagine Your Story is our 2020 Summer Reading theme. Though it will look a little a bit different this year, Summer Reading Club is a great way to stay connected — so we encourage all ages to get involved and keep reading!

As in the past, children, teens, and adults can log their reading activities in Beanstack and earn chances to win prizes. Mark your calendar to sign up beginning Monday, June 1, at:  https://guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365. 

Read it Forward returns this summer, just for teens!  Libraries in the Upper Hudson and Mohawk Valley Library Systems will offer two books for teens to enjoy and then “Read it Forward” to a friend:  “Croak,” by Gina Damico, and “Nimona,” by Noelle Stevenson.

These titles may be downloaded as an eBook or audiobook from Libby or Hoopla. Copies will also be available once libraries reopen on a first-come, first-served basis, with no due dates and no late fees.

Keep in touch

While our doors remain closed, the Guilderland Public Library remains your trusted source for online education and entertainment! While we strategize our eventual reopening, we’re constantly adding virtual programs and content for your enjoyment. We encourage you to:

— Check guilderlandlibrary.org frequently — especially the Healthy at Home page;

— Read our newsletter, linked on our home page;

— Like our Facebook page;

— Join the GPL Kids and Families Facebook group;

— Follow us on Instagram;

— Subscribe to eNews on top of our home page; and

— Contact us at 518-285-0050 or ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org.

When can the library reopen? We do not yet know the answer to that question.

We are in the midst of extensive planning with the other 28 Upper Hudson Library System locations to prepare for a coordinated, phased reopening of our facilities. There are many aspects to consider, as the health and safety of staff and patrons remains our primary concern. We will continue to relay information as we move closer toward our eventual reopening.

While we are apart, we’re striving to devise creative ways to connect with you, our beloved community, from our home bases. We hope you’ll explore these virtual programs and digital resources, designed to keep you and your family engaged and entertained.

Free Ancestry.com and genealogy help

Our resident professional genealogist, Lisa Dougherty, is available for free 
family history consultations every Wednesday during May. Get one-on-one help starting the process or making progress by visiting the Upstate NY Genealogy by Lisa Dougherty Facebook page. 

For further information, Lisa’s website is: www.upstatenygenealogy.com. Right now, you can also access ancestry.com for free at https://www.uhls.org/databases.asp.

GPL Trivia Tuesdays

GPL Trivia returns — to your living room! Adults and teens are invited to put their heads together for three themed Trivia Tuesday nights in May at 7 p.m. The themes are:  Harry Potter Trivia – May 12; ’80s and ’90s Trivia – May 19; and Disney/Star Wars Trivia – May 26.

Participants can play individually, as an in-house team, or with a virtual team to vie for bragging rights as a GPL Trivia Champion. Team captains should be 16 or older and will be responsible for communicating with the hosts on GoToMeeting. Anyone needing login information, including team captains, should register on the Events tab on our website.

Writing contest

The deadline is fast approaching for our “Write at Home” writing contest. Students in fourth grade through adults are encouraged to submit their best work to us by Friday, May 15, at noon.

Winners receive a $30 prize of their choice from The Book House, and all works submitted will be posted on our website with the author’s permission. All forms of poetry and prose are eligible.  Participants must reside within the Guilderland School District or possess a Guilderland Public Library Card. See https://guilderlandlibrary.org/wfh for full details.  

Clutter Bootcamp

Here’s a terrific starting point for conquering clutter. Professional organizer Jes Marcy will coach participants through five self-paced half-hour video tutorials beginning Monday, May 18, culminating in a live Q&A session via GoToMeeting on Monday, June 1 at 
6 p.m.

Jes Marcy has presented several programs throughout the Capital Region on organizing and learning to live with less, focusing on a simple, judgment-free approach that is both refreshing and practical. Visit the Events Calendar on guilderlandlibrary.org to register and provide an email address. Registration is limited to 15 people.

Cookbook Club: At-Home Edition


Our popular Cookbook Club goes virtual! Using GoToMeeting, we’re holding bimonthly sessions for a small group of patrons.

The theme for Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. is “Substitutions: This for That.” We'll share ideas about suitable substitutes for ingredients you might not have on hand for a specific recipe.

To register, visit the Events calendar on our website and provide an email with your registration.  Meeting coordinators will email you an invitation the day before the event.

Trustees meet


On Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m., the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a virtual business meeting, streamed live on the GPL Facebook page. Public commentary before and during the meeting may be directed to: pio@guilderlandpubliclibrary.org.

Staying connected

Make sure to check back often to find out what’s new:

— Log onto guilderlandlibrary.org, and refer to the “Healthy at Home” page to view all of our online resources in one convenient place: e-books; e-magazines; audiobooks; The New York Times; The Great Courses, Qello concerts, IndieFlix films and Acorn TV shows through RBDigital; databases such as ancestry.com and Consumer Reports; library cards; Hoopla (750,000+ audiobooks, movies, music, comics, eBooks, TV shows and more); videos to help you get started with our digital resources; and much more;

— Join our new GPL Kids and Families Facebook group, featuring Virtual Storytimes, fun and educational content, and creative activities;

— Sign up for eNews at the top of our home page; and

— Access wifi 24/7 from our parking lot.

We remain steadfast in our dedication to serve you remotely to the best of our ability while our building remains closed. We’re constantly adding online content for your edification and enjoyment. Here’s what’s new:

— Hoopla, a new digital platform offering over 750,000 audiobooks, movies, music, comics, e-books, TV shows, and more, has been acquired by Upper Hudson Library System for all 29 member libraries (including us!) to utilize.

This means that, in addition to Overdrive / Libby and RB Digital, you now have a fresh new collection of online materials to choose from. Normally, patrons may borrow five titles per month, but Hoopla is offering extra “Bonus Borrows.” Simply go to hoopladigital.com to start accessing these materials instantly;

— Wilder Reads Book Club, added to our Healthy at Home web page (see link on our main page). This Goodreads book group is moderated by GPL Librarians Dustin and Josalyn Wilder, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo who launched their He Read / She Read adult book club recently and have now brought it online. 

Everyone ages 18 and older is encouraged to join at guilderlandlibrary.org under “read, view and listen,” or by going to goodreads.com and searching for “Wilder Reads Book Club”; and

— Staff Bookshelf Picks: Looking for book recommendations beyond the popular and familiar?  These selections culled from our own home bookshelves are available in Overdrive as an e-book, audiobook, or both. Visit our “Healthy at Home” page at guilderlandlibrary.org each week for new suggestions, and go to uhls.overdrive.org to download one of these titles to your device.

Blood drive on May 5

Blood and power red donations are greatly needed right now, perhaps more than ever. The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the library on Tuesday, May 5, from 1 to 6 p.m. Please note:

— Donors must pre-register in advance on redcross.org; no walk-ins;

— Additional protocols will be followed by the Red Cross to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including: temperature screening for donors, staff, and volunteers; systematic disinfecting; social distancing; and using fresh gloves for each donor; and

— The library remains closed to the general public; only donors, staff, and volunteers will be permitted entrance.

To schedule your donation appointment, go to rcblood.org/appt, enter the library zip code (12084) and search for Guilderland Public Library, May 5.

Staying connected

We encourage you to keep in touch and check back often to find out what’s new:

— Log onto guilderlandlibrary.org, and refer to the “Healthy at Home” page to view all of our online resources in one convenient place — e-books; e-magazines; audiobooks; The New York Times; The Great Courses, Qello concerts, IndieFlix films, and Acorn TV shows through RBDigital; databases such as ancestry.com and Consumer Reports; library cards; Hoopla; videos to help you get started with our digital resources; and much more;

— Like our Facebook page for updates and resources, “Neighbor Notes” community happenings, National Poetry Month videos, mini-Cookbook Clubs, and more;

— Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for additional content and updates;

— Join our new GPL Kids and Families Facebook group, featuring Virtual Storytimes, fun and educational content, and creative things to do;

— Call us at 518-285-0050;

— Email us at ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org;

— Sign up for eNews at the top of our home page; or

— Access wifi 24/7 from our parking lot.

Write at Home Contest

Grades 4 through adult: Submit your best poem and/or prose to us by Friday, May 15, at noon — you might just win a prize! All forms of poetry and prose are eligible. Requirements include:

— Poetry: two pages or 500 words maximum;

— Prose: five pages or 1250 words maximum; and

— Participants must reside within the Guilderland School District or possess a Guilderland Public Library card.

Submissions must be an original previously unpublished work, and all characters must be original or be in the public domain. School assignments are acceptable. Only one entry per category. All entries must be typed and double-spaced (where appropriate), and in word doc, google doc, or pdf format. We cannot accept image-based works like picture books or graphic novels.

Email questions and entries as an attachment or share as a google doc to: with your name, address, age group, and writing category in email; do not include any identifying information on the actual submission.

All submissions will be posted on the GPL website (with permission), including special recognition for one winner per age group and category. Winners may choose one item from The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza with a maximum value of $30.

While our building is closed, we’re still busy serving you remotely to the best of our ability. In fact, we are consistently adding new offerings. We encourage you to stay connected and check back often to discover what’s new:

— Log onto guilderlandlibrary.org, and refer to the “Healthy at Home” page to view all of our downloaded resources in one convenient place — e-books; e-magazines; audiobooks; The New York Times; The Great Courses, Qello concerts, IndieFlix films and Acorn TV shows through RBDigital; databases such as ancestry.com and Consumer Reports; get a library card, and much more;

— Like our Facebook page for updates and resources, fun and informative “Fireside Chat” videos to help you get started with our digital resources, “Neighbor Notes” community happenings, poems celebrating National Poetry Month, mini-Cookbook Clubs, and more;

— Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for additional content and updates;

— Request to join our new GPL Kids and Families Facebook group, featuring Virtual Story Times with your favorite Youth Services librarians, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., plus helpful content for parents. Submit your suggestions to rename our male cow situated in the lobby too;

— Call us at 518-285-0035 – staffed weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., or leave us a message for a callback;

— Email us at ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org;

— Sign up for e-news at the top of our home page; or

— Access wifi 24/7 from our parking lot.

Board meets virtually on April 9

The Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting virtually on Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. Please see our Facebook page for the livestream. Public comments are welcome and may be emailed to pio@guilpl.org.

Write at home

Has our current stay-at-home situation inspired your wordsmith tendencies? We’re launching a writing contest to get those creative juices flowing for both kids and adults.

The age group categories are: grades 4 to 5; grades 6 to 8; grades 9 to 12; and adult. All forms of poetry (free verse, haiku, sonnet, song lyrics, concrete poetry, acrostic, etc.) and prose (short story, journalism, research article, play, screenplay, etc.) are eligible.  

Submissions must meet the following criteria:

— Must be an original work;

— All characters must be original or be in the public domain;

— Work must be previously unpublished;

— School assignments are acceptable;

— Only one entry per category will be accepted;

— All entries must be typed and double-spaced (where appropriate);

— All entries must be in a word doc, google doc, or pdf format;

— We cannot accept image-based works like picture books or graphic novels;

— Poetry: two pages or 500 words maximum;

— Prose: five pages or 1250 words maximum;

— Participants must reside within the Guilderland School District or possess a Guilderland Public Library Card.

All entries are due Friday, May 1, by noon, emailed as an attachment or shared as a google doc to . Make sure to include your name, address, age group, and writing category only in the submission email. Do not include your name or other identifying information on the actual submission. Failure to comply with these rules can result in elimination from the contest.

All works will be shared on the GPL website (with permission of the author), with special recognition for one winner per age group and category. Winners may also choose one item to be shipped from the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza with a maximum value of $25. Please email any questions to:  . Good luck!

Beanstack Spring into Reading Challenge

We did so well with our Winter Reading Challenge — we were named one of 29 top-reading libraries in the country, thanks to your participation! — that we are continuing with Beanstack’s Spring into Reading Challenge.

Now is the perfect time to log reading and activities from the comfort of home. Participants can earn badges by logging the minutes read, or the number of books read.  Find out more and sign up at https://guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365.

Fines waived

No fines are being assessed while we’re closed, dating back to March 1. Since our building is closed, our books drops must be closed also. Patrons are asked to hold onto all materials borrowed until we reopen. Any holds will be extended through May 1 (or later if necessary), and expired library cards are automatically being renewed.Donations may be deposited in the green bin in our auxiliary parking lot.  No textbooks, worn paperbacks or outdated materials — thank you. Stay well, hope to see you soon!