— Photo by Patrick Renzi Photography
Celebrating 25 Years at 2228 Western: Greeters, from left, Guilderland Library Foundation directors Lisa Brainard, Jane Bonavita, Erin Lancraft, and Susan Nevins were in the spirit for the Oct. 26 “Get Jazzed up for GPL” where each of the 150 guests received a small glass of prosecco.
On Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., Peter Voelker of Helderberg Meadworks will share the secrets of making all-natural mead. This versatile drink can be enjoyed plain, or even in cocktails.
You’ll learn the basics so you can make mead at home. There will be tastings, so those age 21 and over can pick up their free tickets to this event by calling (518) 456-2400, ext. 3.
Guitar serenade
Renowned guitarist Maria Zemantauski will perform a free concert at the library on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.
Zemantauski is one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco-style guitarists, and one of even fewer female flamenco composers. She has performed in Spain, Italy, and across the continental United States to great acclaim.
No registration is required, but you should come early for a good spot!
Teens: Write your own story
November is National Writing Month, and we’re kicking it off on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. with a writing workshop featuring award-winning author Janine De Tillio.
Over the course of three sessions, we will focus on writing compelling characters and building plot to create exciting stories. All level of writers are welcome. Bring a notebook and pen or pencil. Call 518-456-2400, ext. 4 to register.
Families can STEAM at the library
Our popular Family STEAM nights are back.
On Monday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m., we will host the Sienna Physics Club. Grades two and up can register for this monthly program where GPL teams up with local colleges to bring you science fun! Call 518-456-2400, ext. 4 to register.
GPL pops up at Crossgates
Are you a mall walker? If so, join us at Crossgates Mall on Friday, Nov. 3, between 8:30 and 10 a.m. for a mall ramble.
Be sure to visit the library’s table to learn about all the cool, new items you can borrow from GPL.
Discover the art of Japanese tea
Short and Stout Tea takes us to Japan on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. We’ll discuss the history of tea, health benefits, and much more. Call 518-456-2400, ext. 3 to register.
Dungeons and Dragons
If you've always wanted to learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons, now is the time.
We'll be running a six-session “Funhouse” style campaign that begins on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m. Make your own character and learn how to play. Bring dice if you’ve got them, or borrow ours.
Please register by calling (518) 456-2400, ext. 3, or online at guilderlandlibrary.org. Note: When you register for this session, you are automatically registered for all six sessions: Nov. 4, 18, 25 and Dec. 2, 9, and 16.
Celebrating 25 Years at 2228 Western
Each of the 150 or so guests who attended the Guilderland Library Foundation’s “Jazzy GPL” celebration at the library the evening of Oct. 26 received a small glass of prosecco to mark the library’s quarter-century at its 2228 Western Avenue home.
The evening’s theme was “Get Jazzed up for GPL,” and these greeters were certainly in the spirit as were many of the guests. Pictured, from left, Foundation Directors Lisa Brainard, Jane Bonavita, Erin Lancraft, and Susan Nevins. Picture courtesy of Patrick Renzi Photography, used with permission.
Get Jazzed Up for GPL! The Guilderland Library Foundation is hosting a fun-filled event that celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the founding of our cherished library and the 25th year of our library building.
The celebration will be held the evening of Thursday, Oct. 26 at the library. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. and it will be a very special, Gatsby-themed cocktail reception. You’re encouraged to sport your Roaring ‘20s attire and enjoy the jazz atmosphere provided by the Skip Parsons Marmalade Quartet.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come to the library, meet your neighbors, friends, and local community officials, and support the fundraising efforts of the Library Foundation.
This promises to be a grand celebration, and I do hope you’ll join us! To purchase your tickets, please go to bit.ly/JazzyGPL. Your support is vital to keeping our library the center of our community.
Labor Day weekend
The library will be closed Saturday, Sept. 2; through Monday, Sept. 4, for the Labor Day weekend. If you want to renew material, reserve your next read, or get information about upcoming classes at the Library, please visit our website at www.guilderlandlibrary.org. It’s always open!
Dr. David Oshinsky, author of “Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America’s Most Storied Hospital”, will speak at the Guilderland Public Library as part of the library’s Carol J. Hamblin Notable Author Speakers Series, the evening of Thursday, June 22.
Dr. Oshinsky’s Talk will be at 7 p.m. There will be an author’s reception at 6:15 p.m.; reservations for the reception can be made at www.guilpl.org/oshinsky.
Bellevue Hospital, on New York City’s East Side, occupies a colorful and terrifying place in the public imagination: a den of mangled crime victims, vicious psychopaths, assorted derelicts, lunatics, and exotic-disease sufferers. In its two and a half centuries of service, there was hardly an epidemic, social catastrophe or groundbreaking scientific advance that did not touch Bellevue.
David Oshinsky, whose last book, “Polio: An American Story”, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, chronicles the history of America’s oldest hospital and in so doing also charts the rise of New York to the nation’s preeminent city, the path of American medicine from butchery and quackery to a professional and scientific endeavor, and the growth of a civic institution.
Copies of both Bellevue and Polio are available for sale now at the Library; they will also be for sale at the talk. Dr. Oshinsky will be available for autographs.
What In the World Is Facebook?
GPL is excited to host a Facebook 101 program for seniors and other newbies; it’s being held on Friday, June 16 at 2 p.m. The Albany Guardian Society, in collaboration with MicroKnowledge Inc., will teach a 90-minute class that shows you what Facebook's all about. Please bring your device and your login information, including passwords, to this class.
Senator George A. Amedore, Jr., will host a special class for senior citizens, “Avoiding Common Scams.” This class will be held at GPL on Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m.
Anticipated speakers will include representatives from the Better Business Bureau and AT&T. They will offer practical, proven guidance on how to recognize a scam, what to do if you are victim of a scam.
This is a free class, open to all, but of particular interest to our community’s senior citizens. Refreshments will be served.
Documentary film
Join Amanda Bailly, a young filmmaker from Guilderland, as she presents her documentary film "8 Borders, 8 Days," a story of family survival at GPL on Tuesday, June 13, at 7 p.m.
This compelling film tells the story of a fierce single mother of two from Syria who decides risking their lives in a raft is safer than staying behind on land. This film is an immersive experience of their eight-day journey to safety.
The evening will be moderated by Paul Grondahl of the New York State Writers Institute and the Times Union. A Q & A with the director will follow. We will also be joined by special guest Sana Mustafa, whose own story of escaping Syria has been featured in the “New York Times”.
What In the World Is Facebook?
GPL is excited to host a Facebook 101 program for seniors and other newbies; it’s being held on Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m. The Albany Guardian Society, in collaboration with MicroKnowledge Inc., will teach a 90-minute class to show you what Facebook's all about. Please bring your device and your login information, including passwords, to this class.
Art at the library
The Guilderland Seniors are holding their Annual Art Exhibit in the Library’s Helderberg Room through June. Be sure to come in to see this extraordinary show.
Better book sale
It’s not too early to get your beach reading, so come to GPL’s Better Books Sale on Saturday, June 10. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Good hunting!
Board meeting
GPL’s Trustees will hold their monthly business meeting on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
Got drugs? Get rid of them, no questions asked!
On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can get rid of all your unused or expired medications at a National Drug Take-Back Day drop-off point in the Guilderland Library’s parking lot … no questions asked.
The library and the Guilderland Police Department have teamed up for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's nationwide Drug Take-Back Day, a one-day collaborative effort between the DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies that focuses on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from your home.
Previous Drug Take-Back Days at GPL have brought in record amounts of unwanted, expired and unused medications, showing how necessary this program is. Please don’t let this opportunity to rid your home of these hazards pass you by.
All surrendered pharmaceuticals/controlled substances are destroyed by law enforcement officers. Not only does this program provide an opportunity for community agencies to collaborate and establish a safe collection site, it also brings national attention to the issue of pharmaceuticals and controlled substance abuse.
What can be disposed:
— Controlled, non-controlled, and all over-the-counter substances;
— Medication in its original container or removed from its container can be disposed of directly into the disposal boxes. (If an original container is submitted, be sure to remove any identifying information from the prescription label.);
What cannot be disposed:
— No sharps and syringes;
Drug Take-Back Day officials will not ask questions of nor request identification from anyone. It’s your best opportunity to rid yourself of hazardous medications that can bring harm to you and others in your household.
For parents with minor children, having the right financial plan and estate-planning documents is critical to ensure a secure future for your family, so you should attend “Investing and Estate Planning 101: Securing your Family's Financial Future” at the Guilderland Public Library on Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m.
Conor Bryant, CFP and Keri Vanderwarker, Esq. will teach you how to best plan for wealth accumulation, insurance needs, and college. You’ll also learn about the estate planning documents parents need to protect the financial interests of their spouse and children. Please register for this important class by calling 456-2400, ext. 2.
Audubon
“Audubon: John James Audubon and the Birds of America,” a film screening at GPL on Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m., is the story of a rare man and the wild creatures he loved.
Audubon’s obsessions cost him and his family dearly, but his work influenced every generation of nature lover that came after him, from Henry David Thoreau to Teddy Roosevelt, and has helped to preserve a small portion of the wild lands he explored and documented.
Gardening
Pinterest! It can be all about … gardening. And that’s what our Pinterest Wins class on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. is all about. And since it’s Spring – and feels like it, too – there’s no better time.
Martie Teumim, veteran master gardener volunteer from Albany County, will present “Awakening the Garden in Spring,” covering everything from amending your soil to choosing and siting seeds and plants. Tips on handling the effects of climate change in your garden will also be covered. Please register by calling 456-2400, ext. 2.
Drug Take-Back Day
Save the date to ditch the drugs. On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., GPL and the Guilderland Police Department are teaming up for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's nationwide Drug Take-Back Day, a one-day collaborative effort between the DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies that’s focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets.
The collection point will be in the library’s parking lot. ust drop the stuff off; no questions asked.
Musical Mystery Story Time
Local singer-songwriter and educator Tor Loney returns to lead toddlers and preschoolers through an exciting music and movement class at GPL on Monday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m. You’ll listen to stories, dance, sing along while Tor plays his guitar, try out different instruments, and more.
— Photo by Danny Schmidt
Andrew Calhoun, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Woodstock Folk Festival, will sing Robert Burns’s songs at the Guilderland Public Library on Sunday, April 9.
Celebrate the life, songs, and poems of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. On Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m., the Guilderland Public Library is hosting Andrew Calhoun who will sing Robert Burns’s songs to the long-neglected original melodies to which the poet composed his lyrics.
Andrew will also read selections from his new book, “Warlock Rhymer, English translations of Robert Burns’ Scots poems,” published by Artemis Books, and relate the tale of Burns’s brief and blazing life.
Optimizing your presence online
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn? Do you want to collaborate online through Google? Find out how easy it is to best use these and other online tools when you come to GPL tonight Thursday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. for Optimizing Your Online Presence.
Internet expert and William K. Sanford Library Director Evelyn Neale will give you practical tips on building and improving your professional online presence by using the appropriate online platforms. Please register by calling 456-2400, ext. 2.
Build your network on LinkedIn
If you’re not on LinkedIn, why not? Come to GPL on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. and Sarah McFadden from Cornell Cooperative Extension will show you how to connect with professionals in your field, or build an online resume with LinkedIn. Please register for this program by calling 456-2400, ext 2.
Musical Mystery Story Time
Local singer-songwriter and librarian Tor Loney returns to GPL on Monday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. to lead toddlers and preschoolers through an exciting music and movement storytime.
Yoga-inspired Story time
Early literacy skills encourage success in school! Join us at GPL on Tuesday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. for stories, songs, and yoga-inspired movement!
Preschool Yoga-Inspired StoryTime is for children ages 3 to 5 with a caregiver. Younger siblings are always welcome. Please dress for movement and bring either a yoga mat or a towel.
Tea talks
If you love tea, then you need to come to the library on Tuesday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. to learn all about teas and tisanes, especially those that you can grow in your garden.
Origami fun
Learn about origami and then create your own masterpiece, perhaps a paper crane, when you come to GPL on Thursday, April 13, at 4 p.m. GPL will supply the paper and fun, you supply the creativity. Open to children grades three to six; parents/caregivers are welcome to join. Please let us know you’re coming by calling 456-2400, ext. 4.
Better books sale
There are bargains galore on books, CDs, DVDs and more at the Guilderland Public Library's next Better Books Sale on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Good hunting.
There is a very special concert coming up at the Guilderland Public Library: On Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m., the Guilderland High School’s Chamber Choir and Chamber Strings groups perform a Sunday concert, featuring selections from the Great American Songbook and so much more.
The Chamber Choir is a highly select group of mixed voices drawn from the Concert Choir. This talented ensemble makes frequent appearances within the community at various functions. Past events include tree lighting ceremonies at Stuyvesant Plaza and town hall, radio appearances on WGY and WFLY, and a fully staged opera.
The Chamber Strings are among the best musicians from the Concert and Symphony Orchestras. They show a superior level of dedication and talent, and play selections that are demanding yet have wide audience appeal. The Chamber Strings often play throughout the community, and act as “ambassadors” for the string program and the music program as a whole.
FSN open house science fair
Over the past several months, Family Science Nights have brought local college science and engineering departments to GPL to share “great science!” with students in grades three through six.
It all comes to a head on Monday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m., at the Open House Science Fair when these grade-school scientists show us what they’ve learned.
Optimizing your presence online
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn? Do you want to collaborate online through Google? Find out how easy it is to best use these and other online tools when you come to GPL on Thursday, April 6, at 6:30.m. for Optimizing Your Online Presence.
Internet expert (and William K. Sanford library director) Evelyn Neale will give you practical tips on building and improving your professional online presence by using the appropriate online platforms.
Please register by calling 456-2400, ext. 2, or by using the Events & Registration Calendar at www.guilpl.org. Go to April 6, and click on the program link.
The upside of downloading
The great thing about downloading free library books or magazines to your iPhone or Kindle is that all these books or magazines go anywhere you take your device. Find out how easy it is to download by coming to GPL on Wednesday, April 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., for Overdrive Office Hours.
Devices we can help you with include Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and laptops.
Sign up today for a one-on-one session with a librarian expert. Please bring your library card and your device to the appointment. Register in-person, or call the library at 518-456-2400, ext. 2.
About GPL
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org to get information on upcoming programs, and to register online via the homepage’s “Events & Registration Calendar.” Check out the “unofficial” library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).
Are you puzzled by confusing health information, or concerned that you're unqualified to ask questions of your doctor, or that you're wasting your doctor’s time? If so, come to the Guilderland Public Library on Saturday, March 25, at 11 a.m., for a hands-on workshop — suitable for everyone — where you will learn to be an effective advocate for yourself and your loved ones.
Your doctor wants you to be well-informed and an active partner in your care. Please join us to learn strategies for talking with your doctor and learning how to use information resources to improve health communication. Please note: this is not a discussion on the future of the Affordable Care Act; it is, however, a great presentation for helping you work with your medical professionals to get the best healthcare outcomes.
“Navigating the Healthcare Maze” is presented by Albany Medical College's Division of Community Outreach and Medical Education, and the Schaffer Library of Health Sciences; it is co-sponsored by Community Caregivers and the Guilderland Public Library.
Please register for this hands-on health workshop by calling 456-2400, ext. 2. Light refreshments will be served.
Celebrate the best in children’s lit
Enjoy an afternoon with adult fans of children’s literature at GPL on Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m., with a Caldecott Newbery Tea.
Professionals (authors, illustrators and librarians) in the field share their insights into the 2017 Newbery and Caldecott winners and honor books.
Please register for this literary event by calling 456-2400, ext. 4. Light refreshments will be served.
Learn the art of Mediterranean cooking
In what promises to be one of the most delightfully aromatic events at GPL this year, come to “Mediterranean Cooking” on Monday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m., and learn some healthy cooking techniques using more olive oil, tasty vegetables and hearty whole grains for a heart-healthy diet.
Presented by Karen Roberts Mort — Nutrition Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension: Albany County — the class includes food preparation and samples! Seats are limited, so sign up now by calling (518) 456-2400, ext. 2.
“Paper, Paper, Paper! Get Organized!”
If every horizontal surface is covered, bills are lost or not paid, and you can’t find things when you need them, then “Paper, Paper, Paper! Get Organized with Jordana Turcotte” at GPL on Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. is for you!
Professional organizer Jordana Turcotte will discuss what to keep, what to throw out, and how to set up an effective to system to manage it all. This program is offered through CDPHP.
Please register for this class by calling 456-2400 ext. 2. And mark it on your calendar right now.
Spa Edition!
On Thursday, March 30, at 7 p.m. GPL’s “Pinterest Wins!” event turns its attention to … the spa!
Join us as we experiment in making homemade spa day essentials! Using ingredients easy to find in your own home, we'll make scrubs, soaps, and bath bombs. Please register by calling 456-2400, ext. 2.
About GPL
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org to get information on upcoming programs, and to register online via the homepage’s “Events & Registration Calendar.” Check out the “unofficial” library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).
— Photo courtesy of albanyjazz.com
Cliff Brucker and the sextet Full Circle will perform a free concert at the Guilderland Public Library on Saturday, March 18, at 3 p.m.
If you want to have a voice in how the Guilderland Public Library serves your community, here’s your chance: Consider running for one of the two seats on the board of trustees that will be up for election on May 16.
Incumbents and new candidates may run for a permanent board seat by following the steps outlined below. The May 16 election for library trustees is concurrent with votes on the library budget, school district budget, and election of members of the school board.
To start the process of running for the library board, stop by the library and pick up an information packet. When you pick up the packet, you must provide your name, address, and phone number; this information is required by the school district. Completed nomination packets must be filed with the clerk of the Guilderland Central School District on or before Monday, April 17, 2017.
Your packet includes a memo from the director, the library bylaws, and a document titled “On Being a Board Member,” which outlines the responsibilities and opportunities the position entails. There is also a two-page biographical information sheet, which must be filled out and returned. This information is used in the Library’s publicity pertaining to the election. Everyone picking up a packet is encouraged to read all the information completely.
If you have questions on this, please call library director Tim Wiles at 456-2400, ext. 113, or the school district clerk at 456-6200.
Cliff Brucker performs
Cliff Brucker, jazz drummer and pianist, and his exceptional sextet Full Circle, will perform classic jazz standards and original compositions at the Guilderland Public Library on Saturday, March 18, at 3 p.m. This event is part of the library’s ongoing Concert Series.
Full Circle includes Leo Russo, tenor and alto sax; Larry Ham, piano; Dylan Canterbury, trumpet and flugelhorn; Mike Novakowski, guitar; Otto Gardner, bass. Individually, the six musicians have performed with both local and legendary jazz artists; together, they recently recorded the eponymous album, "Full Circle," showcasing the uplifting swing and phrasing of saxophonist Leo Russo — "an exceptional and satisfying recording," notes one jazz reviewer.
Family research and the DAR
Interested in genealogy? Then come to the Library on Saturday, March 18, at 10:30, to learn how to use the historical and genealogical resources and services that The Daughters (and Sons) of the Revolution organizations offer.
These groups have a wealth of information available for family history searchers. Presenter Trudy Hutchinson will also provide information on how you can become a member if you wish.
About GPL
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org to get information on upcoming programs, and to register online via the homepage’s “Events & Registration Calendar.” Check out the “unofficial” library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).