Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, September 16, 2020

We’ve been doing Grab & Go Service for a while now, and it’s going really well! Nevertheless, we just want to remind everyone of the rules for Grab & Go.

Our goal is to control the traffic flow in and out of the library’s vestibule as much as possible in order to limit contact between patrons. Adhering to the following rules will make an easier and safer library experience for your library staff and fellow patrons

— 1. To pick items that you have requested, you must make an appointment by calling the library at 518-861-7239. We have appointments from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday at 10 minute intervals;

— 2. Please be here at or as close as possible to your appointment time. Your books and movies will be in a brown bag with your last name on it to your left when you walk in. The items are already checked out, so you can just grab the bag and go;

— 3. If there is someone else inside the vestibule when you arrive, please keep your distance and wait until the vestibule is empty. One person or family is allowed in the vestibule at a time;

— 4. When you are in the library vestibule, you must wear a mask covering your mouth and nose;

— 5. The public is not allowed in the library at this time. If you need assistance, please knock on the door to get our attention. If the inner doors are closed, please do not open the inner doors and come in;

— 6. You do not need an appointment to return books but, again, if there is someone already inside, please wait until the vestibule is empty before coming in. If the library is closed, returns can be placed in the outdoor drop-box next to the front door; and

— 7. We are not taking donations at this time.

A reminder, too, that, in order to ensure that library materials are totally disinfected before the staff handle them, we are holding items for four days after they are returned and before they get checked in. After the quarantine period, we back-date the check-in to the date the items were actually returned, so there will not be any overdue fine charged for the quarantine period.

If you see items on your account at least a week after you returned them, please give us a call and we will sort it out.

Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation!

Take charge of

your immune health

There are so many things we can’t control these days, but one thing that we can have some control over is our immune system, and it has never been more important to have a healthy immune system. Please join us for a virtual discussion with Altamont-based Certified Holistic Health Coach Kelly Pickering on Monday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. to learn more about how you can take charge of your immune health.

According to Kelly, “In a time when it’s easy to feel helpless, I assure you you’re not! Learn about healthy immune function, what weakens it, and ways to support and enhance your body’s innate abilities through simple, easy to implement daily choices.”

Kelly, in addition to being a certified Holistic Health Coach, is also a Sanoviv-trained Nutrition Advisor, and a certified Healthy Gut Advisor, so she knows what she’s talking about! Please register in advance by calling us at 518-861-7239 or emailing us at . 

Census ending soon

Here’s the good news: All census collection activities will cease nationwide on Sept. 30, so you only have to hear about this from Mayor Gaughan and I for a few more weeks!

The bad news is that in just four weeks, we have a lot of ground to make up to ensure that every single member of our community is counted! By now, more than 75 percent of all households in the village of Altamont have responded to the census, which is great! That’s better than the national average, the state average, and the Albany County average, so well done! But, we need every single person counted, if we’re going to get our fair share of money and representation.  

If you haven’t responded yet, you can still do it online at www.my2020census.gov, or by phone at 1-844-330-2020. Take 15 minutes (or less) and fill out your census today. Even if you haven't received a mailing from the Census Department yet (or it got misplaced), you can still go ahead and respond to the census online by going to https://my2020census.gov.

Simply click on the button that says “If you do not have a Census ID click here,” and you will be led through a series of questions about your home address, and then get into the Census questionnaire. Census workers are also visiting the homes of people who have not yet responded, so please be on the lookout for them! 

If you have any questions or need help in filling out your questionnaire, send us an email at or call us at 518-861-7239 and we'll do whatever we can to help.