The Schoharie Free Library is open to visitors Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Properly-worn masks and social distancing are requested, regardless of patrons’ vaccination status. Library items may now be returned inside the library. See the Reopening Plan page of the library’s website for updated information. 

 Library Recognition Award

We’re proud to announce that the Schoharie Free Library earned the Mohawk Valley Library System’s 2021 Library Recognition Award. Presented at the annual meeting of the MVLS, this award was bestowed in recognition of the Adult Digital Literacy series of “Tech Savvy” programs coordinated by Schoharie Library’s Program Director Jennie Mosher. These programs focus on teaching adults valuable technology skills ranging from using Zoom and Excel to Online Marketing and Choosing a New Laptop or Smartphone. Additional programs in this series will be offered in the future.; and 

 In-person and online programs

We are pleased to again be able to offer some of our recurring programs in-person at the library, though some will still be conducted online via Zoom. We’ll soon be announcing an exciting line-up of events as part of our annual Summer Reading Program, but here’s what we’ve got scheduled for the upcoming week: 

—  Miss Heather’s interactive online story time will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 28;  

 — Our Writing Club will have its next meeting online at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 31; 

 — At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, we’ll host presenters Rachel Marcey and Sue Wendelgass for a special online program, “LGBTQ+ Explained: A Basic Introduction.” Attendees will learn more about the wide spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identification, choice of pronouns, and more 

 — The UFO (Unfinished Object) club will meet again online on Thursday, June 3 for crafting and conversations.  

For more information or to sign up for any of the library’s upcoming programs, contact , see our Facebook events page, or visit the library’s Events & Programs page at schoharie.mvls.info/program-info/

The Schoharie Free Library is open to visitors on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Properly-worn masks and social distancing are requested, regardless of patrons’ vaccination status. Library items may now be returned inside the library. 

 Funding Proposition

A library funding proposition will be on the ballot during the Schoharie Central School District budget vote this month. Voting will take place in-person in the gym of the Schoharie Junior-Senior High School from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18. If you're eligible to vote in the SCSD, please mark your calendars and remember to vote.  

 Online Programs

All our programs are currently meeting online via Zoom. Here’s what we have scheduled for the coming week: 

—  Join Miss Heather at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 14 for an interactive storytime focused on stories about unusual pets;  

— Our Writing Club will have its next meeting online at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 17;

— At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, Google Trainer Petia Abdur-Razzaaq will present the online workshop “Reach Customers Online with Google.” Petia will discuss best practices for improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, creating a free Google My Business listing, and advertising your business on Google. This workshop is supported by funds from the New York State Library’s Adult Literacy Library Services Program; 

— The inaugural meeting of a new, recurring program called “Media Mingle” will be begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19. Media Mingle will be like a book club, but for things other than books. At each meeting, we’ll welcome folks who want to chat about movies, tv series, podcasts, music, video games–whatever kind of non-book media you’re interested in. Participants will be given a chance to talk about something they’ve watched or listened to lately; you can offer a review, get and give recommendations, join in the conversation, or just listen along. Library Director Don LaPlant will serve as host and keep the conversation flowing; and

— On Thursday, May 20 at 10 a.m., you’re invited to join our UFO (Unfinished Object) Club online for conversation and crafting. 

For more information or to sign up for any of the library’s upcoming programs, contact , see our Facebook events page, or visit the library’s Events & Programs page at schoharie.mvls.info/program-info.

The Schoharie Free Library has recently expanded its Saturday hours from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; we’re now open to visitors a total of 35 hours a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 .pm.  

Items no

longer quarantined

On May 1, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mohawk Valley Library System, the Schoharie Free Library will no longer be quarantining returned library items before checking them in and returning them to the shelves. For patrons, this means two important things:

— Beginning May 1, you will be allowed to return items inside the library though the outdoor book return box will remain open for your convenience; and

— While the quarantine was in effect, patrons were given additional “fine-free days:” beyond the due date to accommodate the quarantine period. Starting May 1, this grace period will be discontinued. Late fees will begin to accrue the day after an item is due, just like before the pandemic. 

Our other COVID safety measures (including mask-wearing and social distancing) will remain in place for the time being, but this is an important and exciting step in our cautious, gradual return to “normal” operations. 

The library continues to seek volunteers to help with specific projects. Volunteers aged 12 and above are invited to visit our online sign-up form at bit.ly/LibraryVolunteerList to answer a few questions about their interests. Possible volunteer opportunities include helping with clerical duties, reshelving books, collaborating on seasonal decorations and displays, working on the building and grounds, and assisting with programs. 

 Programs online

All our regularly scheduled programs are currently meeting online via Zoom. Here’s what we have scheduled for the coming week: 

— At 10 a.m. on Friday, April 30, Miss Heather’s Online Storytime will have a sing-along theme featuring children’s books with songs, and lots of encouragement for kids to sing, dance, and interact; 

— Our very active Writing Club will meet online on Friday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 3;  

— We’ll have a special online presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5. Local bluebird expert and retired SUNY Cobleskill professor Kevin Berner will host a program focused on changes in bluebird populations over time and how people can help to increase their population. Professor Berner will discuss his bluebird research and give suggestions on what you can do to increase the chance of attracting bluebirds to your nest boxes and help them nest successfully; and 

— The UFO (Unfinished Object) Club will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 6 for conversation and work on craft projects.  

For more information or to sign up for any of the library’s upcoming programs, contact or visit our Facebook events page.

The Schoharie Free Library has recently expanded its Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’re now open to visitors a total of 35 hours a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Puzzles

 library’s recent Puzzle Swap was a great success. Our generous patrons donated far more puzzles than they took in exchange, so we have plenty of puzzles still looking for a good home. In other words, our puzzle swap has now become a puzzle give-away! Stop by to pick up a puzzle or two for free—even if you didn’t contribute one to the pile. Librarians love sharing.  

Online Programs

All our regularly scheduled programs are currently meeting online via Zoom. Find a complete calendar of events for the month of April at schoharie.mvls.info/calendar. Here’s what we have scheduled for the coming week: 

— On Thursday, April 15 our UFO (Unfinished Object) Club will meet for crafts and conversation at 10 a.m.; 

— Miss Heather’s next Interactive Online Storytime is scheduled for 10 a..m on Friday, April 16. This week’s session will have a Scavenger Hunt theme with books including “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”; 

— Our Writing Club will next meet online on Monday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and our Knitcetera group will convene the next morning, Tuesday, April 20, at 10 a.m.; and

— In collaboration with a number of libraries across the Mohawk Valley, Schoharie Free Library will host a special online performance by Reggie Harris, an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and storyteller, on Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. The performance will include spirituals, freedom songs, and a discussion of the connection between music and the Civil Rights Movement, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. The performance is free and you can register at http://bit.ly/ReggieHarrisApril21. 

For more information or to sign up for any of the library’s upcoming programs, contact or visit our Facebook events page.