Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, February 8, 2023
— Photo by Maura Powers-Smith
The new self-checkout machine in the Children’s Library at the Guilderland Public Library makes it easy for kids to check out multiple items at their height level, encouraging their reading and independence. This addition was funded by the Guilderland Library Foundation.
In honor of Black History Month, art educator Janet Cohen Mandel is leading a special two-part virtual program, entitled “Art by African Americans: From the Great Migration to Black Lives Matter.” Between the two world wars, millions of African Americans set out on an odyssey known as the Great Migration. During the course of this journey, they created a new identity that would alter the landscape of modern art.
Part One, on Friday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m., will explore the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights Movement. Part Two, on Monday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m., will continue the saga from the age of Black Power protests of the ’60s through the present day.
Join us as we celebrate the rich contributions these pioneers made to American culture, and which continue to astonish art lovers today. Please register on guilderlandlibrary.org to receive the Zoom link.
AARP Tax-Aide
AARP Tax-Aide preparation by trained and IRS-certified volunteers is offered at GPL this season. Call 2-1-1 (the United Way’s call center) to inquire about available tax appointments — please do not call the library. Phone lines may be busy; please be patient. Tax preparation appointments are scheduled on Mondays (except Presidents Day on Feb. 20) and Saturdays through April 15. You must have an appointment; no walk-ins.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax preparation help to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Please see https://bit.ly/GPLTaxAide for more information and resources.
Teen Tech
Help Desk
Drop in anytime on Thursday, Feb. 9 or 16, 4 to 6 p.m., for tech help from Guilderland Central School District National Honor Society students. The teens can help with smartphone applications, downloading books to devices, email set-up, internet searches, and more. Teen Tech Help Desk occurs every Thursday, except during school breaks.
Family
STEAM Night
Our monthly Family STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) Nights for grades 3-5 are gaining steam! Come explore fun topics with our local schools and colleges. Next, we welcome Union College’s Geology Club on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. with a hand-on program that rocks! Please register on guilderlandlibrary.org.
Night Owls
Book Club
For February, we're reading "Beautiful Country" by Qian Julie Wang. In Chinese, the word for America, Mei Guo, translates to “beautiful country.” Yet when young Qian arrives in New York City in 1994, she is overwhelmed by crushing fear and scarcity. In China, Qian’s parents were professors; in America, her family is deemed “illegal,” and it will require all the determination and small joys they can muster to survive.
Copies of this book are available at the library's Information desk. We’ll meet to discuss this book on Monday, Feb .13 at 7:30 p.m., online or in person at the library – your choice. Please register on our website.
Wild Women of
Rensselaer County
A slew of colorful characters across the river enticed headlines, pushed boundaries and kept yesteryear hopping! Join Kathy Sheehan of the Rensselaer Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. as she brings to life both famous and infamous women of local history. Learn about suffragettes, educators, clairvoyants, the veiled murderess, the unsolved murder of Hazel Drew, and the famous brothel owner Mame Fay. Sign up for this compelling presentation on the Events calendar of our website.
Teen
Advisory Group
Teens: what would you like to see at the library? We’re listening! Earn volunteer credit by participating in our new Advisory Groups! Give us your input on programs, books, and the Foundry Teen Space. We'll have after-dinner treats, too! Junior Teen Advisory Group for grades 6-8 is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Please register on the Events Calendar at guilderlandlibrary.org, indicating any food allergies.
Library closure
The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20 in honor of Presidents Day; no AARP Tax-Aide appointments will take place on that day.
General info
Contact us at 518-456-2400 or . To set up a passport appointment, press option 2.
Overdue fines were eliminated; patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost items.
Masks are encouraged.