Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, September 29, 2021
I love the Guilderland Public Library. I love its wealth of resources and its exciting and innovative programs. I love its “try anything” approach to serving its community. I especially love its world-class staff, which includes some of the best librarians I have ever worked with.
This week, the Guilderland Public Library is reopening to the public for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. When it does, visitors will be able to experience the years-in-the-making renovations that the GPL has undergone.
I had the chance to get a sneak preview of the renovated library last week, and let me tell you: Even though there are still a few more things to finish before the renovation is totally finished, you are in for a treat! GPL is now bigger than ever, with more meeting spaces, a larger children’s and young adult area, and a beautifully reimagined main reading room.
It has incredible murals, a delightful fish tank, and more room to show off its phenomenal collections. I am so excited for you to be able to go take a look yourself!
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, Oct. 5, 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!
Oral-history interviews
Altamont has such a rich and interesting history, but it rarely gets written down. The best way to collect the history of a place is through recorded interviews with people who live there.
If you or a loved one have long memories and stories to tell about Altamont, please join us on Sunday, Oct. 10, to record a one-on-one oral history interview, which will be recorded and transcribed so that we always have it.
You can either bring a loved one to be the interviewer or, if you’d rather, I can conduct the interview myself. Either way, we’ll take care of the recording and have some sample questions ready to help you get the conversation started, so you can just relax and let your memories unfurl.
To sign up for a one-hour block of recording time, give us a call at 518-861-7239 or email me at .
Founders Day
It’s almost time for Founders Day! What? You’ve never heard of Altamont Founders Day? That’s probably because this is only the second time it’s being celebrated.
This October, we’re commemorating the 1890 founding of the village of Altamont with a weekend of great events that will celebrate the history of our beautiful and unique community.
As discussed above, we’ll be collecting oral histories on Sunday, Oct. 10. Also that day, the village will play host to folks from all over the region as we show off our Museum in the Streets with guided tours of the historic core of the village. If you’ve never done the Museum walking tour, this would be a perfect opportunity!
Later, we will celebrate the opening of a new exhibit on the history of car racing at the Altamont fairgrounds, put together by Village Archivist Dan Barker at the Village Archives and Museum in Village Hall. Please join us as we celebrate the history of our beautiful and unique community!