Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Over the past week, we’ve had a bunch of young adults come in to return books or just to visit one last time before they leave for college. For a lot of these folks, they spent their young years as Storytimers in the Key Bank basement.

Many of them patiently watched and sometimes helped in the long 2005 to 2012 renovation and transformation of the train station, wondering when the library would finally be able to move in. I can only imagine how excited they must have been as 8- or 9- or 10-year-olds when the ribbon was cut and the doors were thrown open and they could finally use their brand new, beautiful train station library.

It’s been such a pleasure seeing them grow up over the past eight years that I’ve worked here, and seeing them leave has been really bittersweet for all of us.

To all of our friends who are leaving Altamont this week for their next big adventure, we wish you the best of luck! We know you’ll do amazing things! (And a few dumb college-y things too, but mostly amazing.) Please come back and visit us when you’re home. You’ll always be welcome back at Altamont Free Library, no matter what stupid color you dye your hair!

Labor Day

The library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of Labor Day. I hope everyone has a chance to lay down their spatulas and spreadsheets and stethoscopes and enjoy a day or two off in celebration of a job well done.

First Monday

Book Club

Last week, I said that the First Monday Book Group would be meeting on Monday, Sept. 5. Sept. 5 is the first Monday of September but, as noted above, it’s also Labor Day, and the library will be closed.

So, please join us for the next meeting of the First Monday Book Club on Monday, Sept. 12, at noon.  If you would like to join us for our next meeting, please call us at 518-861-7239 or email us at and we’ll make sure that you get all the details. At that meeting, we’ll be discussing “Bewilderment” by Richard Powers. There will be plenty to discuss, so call today to reserve your copy and join us!

Ukulele Group

Do you uke? If you do, even if you’re not very good yet, please join our monthly outdoor ukulele meetup. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. in Orsini Park, and we’d love for you to join us. Bring a song or two to share with the group if you like.

This is a fun, inviting way of growing as a player, picking up hints and tips, learning new tunes, and meeting fellow ukesters. We hope to see you in the park!