Guilderland Library Notes for Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Is there more to the story of Thanksgiving than the traditional narrative? The answer is a resounding yes, as told from the Native American perspective. This lively, informative in-person presentation on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. will highlight actual events from Plymouth in 1621; the relationship between the English settlers and the Wampanoag; and how this story evolved into the holiday we know today.

Presenter Perry Ground is a Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. He has been a storyteller and educator for over 25 years and enjoys teaching people of all ages about the history and culture of native peoples. This program is recommended for students in fourth grade through adults. Please register on the Events tab of guilderlandlibrary.org.

Early voting

Polls are open through Sunday, Nov. 6, for early voting in the general election in our Helderberg Room:

— Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

— Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m.; and

— Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Election Day polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For further details, please visit: https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/board-of-elections

Family literacy

One of our favorite early literacy advocates, WMHT’s Barbara Lukas, returns for an evening of family fun on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. Each participant will get a free copy of the book “Barn Dance” by John Archambault and Bill Martin, Jr. We’ll also complete hands-on literacy activities and an owl headband craft. Please register on the Events tab of our website.

VolunTeen

Service Project

During the holiday season especially, we’re all encouraged to give back. On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m., grades 6-12 can earn a community service hour by making cards for the Guilderland Food Pantry to give out in their Thanksgiving meal baskets. Please sign up in advance online to participate.

Tech help

National Honor Society students from Guilderland High School are offering tech help to our patrons on Thursday, Nov. 10, 4 to 6 p.m. Drop in for help with smartphone applications, downloading books to devices, email set-up, and internet searches on computers and personal devices. Since no appointment is needed, please limit your session if others are waiting for assistance.

Family STEAM Night

Inquisitive exploration is encouraged at our Family STEAM Night (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) for grades 3 and up! On Thursdsay, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., we’re welcoming the Physics Club from Siena College. Please register online to join the fun.

Library closed

Guilderland Public Library will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Online materials, parking lot WiFi, the Little Free Library, book donation bins and car charging stations are always available.

Night Owls

Book Club

For our monthly meetup on Monday,Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m., we're reading "The Sentence,” by Louise Erdrich. You can pick up a copy of the book at the library's Information Desk, then register online to join the discussion.

Storytime options

Fall storytimes are offered three times during the week. Tuesdays are for toddlers (ages 18 to 36 months); Wednesdays are for families (ages birth to 5); and Thursdays are for preschoolers (3 to 5 years).  All storytimes begin at 10:30 a.m. No registration is required.  Caregivers must remain with child(ren). Please choose only one storytime per week.

General info

Masks are strongly encouraged.

Overdue fines have been eliminated at GPL; patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost items. Curbside pickup is available. Contact us at 518-456-2400 or ask.librarian@guilderlandlibrary.org.

Passports can now be initiated at the library; please call Circulation at ext. 2 to set up an appointment.