Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, November 20, 2019
The real-life struggles of the Mohican Van Guilders — and the larger picture of race and class — will be explored in Robert Jarvenpa’s discussion of his work, “Declared Defective: Native Americans, Eugenics, and the Myth of Nam Hollow” at the Guilderland Public Library on Monday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m.
Few musical instruments convey an instant feeling of happiness quite like the ukulele. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at this engaging portable instrument, here’s your chance!
Uke players of all skill levels are welcome to join us at the Guilderland Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Whether you only know a few chords or you play regularly, drop in at our jam sessions and have fun strumming along. Bring your own ukulele, or check one out from us!
Trustees meet
All are welcome to attend our board of trustees’ regular business meeting, Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. These meetings are also live-streamed and archived on our Facebook page.
Board Game Cafe’
What are the hottest board games of 2019? Chances are, we’ve got them in our collection; but if we don’t, local board game café Bard and Baker probably does. Teens and adults are invited to join us on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. as we settle in for tempting treats, hot cocoa, and entertaining board games.
The friendly folks from Bard and Baker will serve up snacks and share a selection of their sensational games — both classic favorites and popular newer releases. This is a great opportunity to test-drive a game before adding it to your holiday wish list. Please register online, by phone or in person.
Local Native American history uncovered
How was an obscure rural enclave in upstate New York exploited by the early 20th-Century eugenics movement?
Find out on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. as anthropologist Robert Jarvenpa discusses his book “Declared Defective: Native Americans, Eugenics, and the Myth of Nam Hollow,” a compelling examination of a marginalized mixed-race community through the lens of Washington County local history.
Holiday hours
Please note: The library will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.
Small Business Saturday
After the Black Friday frenzy subsides, what’s next? Small Business Saturday! Show your love for local merchants as the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce presents a Vendor Fair here at the library on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A cornucopia of grassroots merchants will feature their crafts, products and services. Looking for something unique for that special someone on your list? You might just find it here! Add this popular event to your post-Thanksgiving weekend plans.
Family STEAM Night
Our popular STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) series continues on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. with interactive learning led by the Tang Museum (space is limited). Children in grades 2 to 6 plus their families are welcome to join in the educational fun! Please register online, by phone or in person.
Branching Out the Family Tree
Many ancestors, particularly immigrants, often didn’t have the paper trail that genealogists most often rely on to gather family history. How to proceed?
In this program on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. — “Small Footprint, Big Apple: Researching Ancestors of Meager Means and Even Less Fame in 19th Century NYC” — Certified Genealogist Judith A. Herbert will illuminate additional sources for tracing your ambiguous ancestors, wherever they lived.
Ms. Herbert specializes in records research from the Colonial period to the early twentieth century, teaches genealogy classes, and is a guest lecturer throughout the Northeast.
Bus trip to NYC
“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style ...” We’re eagerly anticipating our nearly-full bus trip to New York City on Saturday, Dec. 7!
We’ll depart Farnsworth Middle School promptly at 7 a.m. and arrive near Bryant Park at approximately 10 a.m. for a day on your own in gift-wrapped Manhattan, then leave promptly at 7 p.m. for the return trip home, and be back around 10 p.m.
Cost is $50 per person. Please see: www.guilderlandlibrary.org/nyc to reserve online. For payment by cash or check, call Carol VanValkenburgh at the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce: 518.456.6611.
Star Wars Cantina
We’re gearing up for the December release of “The Rise of Skywalker” with a Star Wars celebration you won’t want to miss! Gather your fellow Jedi, Rebels, Imperials, and Mandalorians for a night of all-ages intergalactic revelry on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Costumes are strongly encouraged, and the best costume/cosplay will receive an award at the end of the night. Stop by anytime for Star Wars food, Cantina music, trivia questions, prizes, and other fun surprises.