The lions that guard the main branch of the New York Public Library were named Patience and Fortitude by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the Great Depression. Joe Burke, director of the Altamont Free Library, says those are qualities we need now.
Outside the entrance of the main branch of the New York Public Library on 42nd Street, there are two statues of lions, one on either side of the stairs leading to the library. For many years after the construction of the building, the lions did not have names.
During the long years of the Great Depression in the 1930s, New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia finally gave those two lions the names they’ve had ever since. He named them after the two main virtues that New Yorkers would have to demonstrate in order to get through the tough times. He named one lion Patience and the other Fortitude.
Patience and fortitude are what we’re going to need once again in order to make it through the challenges of our own time. Patience will help us remember to be kind to ourselves and to others as we all work our way through this pandemic. Fortitude will help us do the hard work and make the difficult choices that will keep our community safe and healthy.
The Altamont Free Library remains closed indefinitely. I can’t tell you how much the staff and I miss being able to see you and serve you every day, but we are buoyed by our knowledge that being closed is the best way we can keep our community healthy right now. We don’t know when we’ll be able to safely resume regular hours, but as soon as we are able to, we will.
In the meantime, there are dozens of resources, including ebooks, audiobooks, databases, language classes, genealogy tools, and much more that you can access from the comfort and safety of your own home. For a comprehensive list of all the tools that you can access right now, check out our website at AltamontFreeLibrary.org. You can also like us on Facebook for video story times, updates, and links to helpful resources.
With patience, fortitude, kindness, and generosity, we’ll get through this. If any community can do it, Altamont can.
Out of concern for the health and safety of our users, our staff, and our community, the Altamont Free Library is closed until further notice.
We hope to return to our regular schedule soon, but in the meantime:
— Due dates on all library materials have been extended until April 1, 2020 so please hold on to any library materials you have for the time being;
— While we are closed, we will monitor our voicemail at 518-861-7239 and our email at if you have questions or concerns;
— Check our website, AltamontFreeLibrary.org, and our Facebook page for news, information, and links to helpful resources;
— Consider using your library card to access thousands of downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through Overdrive and the Libby smartphone app. You can also use your library card to stream hundreds of movies, and access many other digital resources and databases;
— But most important, stay safe, stay healthy, and if at all possible, stay home.
Remember: Taking common-sense steps that you would take in a normal flu season are your best protection. So wash your hands frequently, keep those hands away from your face, and keep your distance from others if possible.
It’s also vitally important that you get your news about COVID-19 from reliable sources of health information, like the Centers for Disease Control or the New York State Health Department.
We all need to do our part to keep Altamont healthy and safe. Thank you for doing yours!
We appreciate your support and patience during this trying time. We hope to see you all very soon.
All over the country right now, libraries, schools, churches, and other public-service institutions are grappling with fears about the spread of COVID-19, which is sometimes caused by the coronavirus. We at Altamont Free Library are doing our best to make sure that our patrons and staff are as well protected as we can make them against the spread of disease, whether it be colds, flu, or anything else.
In response to people’s concerns, we have been ramping up the cleaning and disinfecting of hard surfaces throughout the library, especially things like computer keyboards and mice, as well as toys and games that sometimes make their way into children’s mouths.
In addition, we have removed stuffed animals and puppets from the children’s area, since those are more difficult to reliably disinfect. We are also developing plans for how to continue to provide essential services to our community should the circumstances change.
At this time, there is no cause for undue alarm and taking common-sense steps that you would take in a normal flu season are your best protection. So wash your hands frequently; keep those hands away from your face; and if you feel ill and are able to do so, please stay home.
It’s also vitally important that you get your news about COVID-19 from reliable sources of health information, like the Centers for Disease Control or the New York State Health Department. We all need to do our part to keep Altamont healthy and safe. Thank you for doing yours!
Census
Between March 12 and April 1, households throughout the United States will begin receiving mailings from the United States Census Department, giving instructions on how to respond to this year’s once-in-a-decade U.S. Census.
It is very important that you respond to that mailing. Why is it important? Because the census is our country’s way of figuring out who lives where, and how best to divide up their pool of money and representation. The more people who respond to the Census, the more money and representation we get. It’s that simple.
So, when you get your mailing from the Census Department, read it closely. If you feel comfortable responding to the Census through the Census website, go ahead. But if you feel as though you have questions and would like some assistance, or if you don’t have a computer and would like to use one of ours, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 to set up a time to come in and get some help with it.
The entire questionnaire shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to complete, depending on how many people live in your household, and your participation will make a big difference for your community. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Breitenbach butterflies
Two weeks ago we put out the call in this column for your new collections to display in our display case, and boy did you deliver! We’re currently displaying some of our friend Thom Breitenbach’s butterfly collection that he has kept since his childhood. (And as impressive as our display is, it’s not even the whole collection!)
Do yourself a favor and add some color to these dreary days by checking them out! Thom’s butterflies come from all over the world and will be on display for the next several weeks. Thanks, Thom, for brightening up the library!
Spring crafting
Spring is just around the corner and we’re cleaning out our craft supply closet! Drop in on Thursday, March 19 from 5pm to 6:30 pm to see what you can make from the supplies we provide. You just supply the creativity. All ages are welcome.
Story time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two StoryTimes each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
— Photo by Joe Burke
Thom Breitenbach’s Butterflies of the World collection is on display in the Altamont Free Library for the next several weeks.
Last week, we put out the call in this column for your new collections to display in our display case, and boy did you deliver! We’re currently displaying some of our friend Thom Breitenbach’s butterfly collection that he has kept since his childhood. (And as impressive as our display is, it’s not even the whole collection!)
Do yourself a favor and add some color to these dreary days by checking them out! Thom’s butterflies come from all over the world and will be on display for the next several weeks. Thanks, Thom, for brightening up the library!
Census
The beginning of March means that we’re just one month away from April 1, Census Day! In the next several weeks, households throughout the United States will begin receiving mailings from the U.S.. Census Department, giving them instructions on how to respond to this year’s once-in-a-decade U.S. Census.
As you may have experienced while doing your taxes recently, when the federal government gives instructions, they’re not always very easy to read or understand. But, like those tax instructions, it’s very important that you give it a try.
Why is it important? Because the Census is our country’s way of figuring out who lives where, and how best to divide up their pool of money and representation. The more people who respond to the Census, the more money and representation we get. It’s that simple.
So, when you get your mailing from the Census Department, read it closely. If you feel comfortable responding to the Census through the Census website, go ahead. But if you feel as though you have questions and would like some assistance, or if you don’t have a computer and would like to use one of ours, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 to set up a time to come in and get some help with it. The entire questionnaire shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to complete, depending on how many people live in your household, and your participation will make a big difference for your community. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Story Time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two Story Times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
In the next several weeks, households throughout the United States will begin receiving mailings from the United States Census Department, giving them instructions on how to respond to this year’s once-in-a-decade U.S. Census.
As you may have experienced while doing your taxes recently, when the federal government gives instructions, they’re not always very easy to read or understand. But, like those tax instructions, it’s very important that you give it a try.
Why is it important? Because the census is our country’s way of figuring out who lives where, and how best to divide up its pool of money and representation. The more people who respond to the census, the more money and representation we get. It’s that simple.
So, when you get your mailing from the Census Department, read it closely. If you feel comfortable responding to the census through the census website, go ahead. But if you feel as though you have questions and would like some assistance, or if you don’t have a computer and would like to use one of ours, please give us a call at 518-861-7239 to set up a time to come in and get some help with it.
The entire questionnaire shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to complete, depending on how many people live in your household, and your participation will make a big difference for your community. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Young Readers’ Book Club
The Young Readers Book Club for readers ages 9 to 12 has been going strong for a few months, and it just better. This month we’re reading “Holes” by Louis Sachar, a modern classic about a group of accused juvenile delinquents bonding at an outdoor work camp.
Pick one up today and join us on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30pm for a great discussion! We have a signup sheet at the desk, and you can always send us an email at so that we know you’re coming.
Story time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two story times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
Displays wanted
Do you have a hobby or a collection you’d like to share with the community? Are you an artist? Altamont Free Library is always on the lookout for cool things to show in our display case, and for artists to feature on the walls of our community room.
If you’d like the community to see some of your work or your collections, please get in touch with us at 518-861-7239 or by email at . Thank you.
Do you have a hobby or a collection you’d like to share with the community? Are you an artist? Altamont Free Library is always on the lookout for cool things to show in our display case, and for artists to feature on the walls of our community room.
If you’d like the community to see some of your work or your collections, please get in touch with us at 518-861-7239 or by email at . Thank you!
Mystery Book Club
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us next Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. as we try to crack the case of “By Its Cover” by Donna Leon. Donna Leon’s mysteries are set in beautiful Venice, Italy and feature the unsinkable Police Commissario Guido Brunetti, who solves complex mysteries, but always makes it home for lunch.
Haiti Potluck
It’s almost time again for another of our ever popular Eat Around the World Potluck dinners! Come broaden your culinary horizons and share a meal with a bunch of friendly people. This month we’re taking a trip to the northwest Caribbean nation of Haiti!
Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, to join in the festivities and bring a dish to share. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe from that part of the world, come on in and grab a cookbook!
Young Readers Book Club
The Young Readers Book Club for readers ages 9 to 12 has been going strong for a few months, and it just gets better. This month we’re reading “Holes” by Louis Sachar, a modern classic about a group of accused juvenile delinquents bonding at an outdoor work camp.
Pick up a copy today and join us on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. for a great discussion! We have a signup sheet at the desk, and you can always send us an email at so that we know you’re coming.
Story time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two story times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super-fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
— Photo by Mike Seinberg
The 13th annual I Love My Library Gala for the Altamont Free Library was celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 8. From left are Congressman Paul Tonko, Gala Honoree Linda Cure, Gala Chairwoman Amanda Beedle, Gala Honoree Kristin Casey, and Library Director Joseph Burke.
This past weekend, we held the 13th Annual I Love My Library Gala. It was a wonderful event and we have many people to thank for its success.
First of all, our Gala Committee — Amanda Beedle, Michelle Stevens, Yvette Terplak, Meghan Connolly, and Tracy Mayer — pulled everything together and made sure that everything ran more smoothly than it ever has before.
We were also assisted by a fantastic group of young volunteers, as well as by the dozens of friends who donated auction items, and deserts.
We also couldn’t have pulled it off without the crucial assistance of Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo; Diana Greene of Bella Fleur/Remedies; Troy Miller of CM Fox Real Estate and the Bunker; Greg Weir; Sally Dague; Pat Spohr; the village of Altamont staff, department of public works, and police; and our fabulous caterers, Elegant Touch Catering.
We are deeply indebted to our very deserving honorees for the evening, Kristin Casey and Linda Cure, who have done so much to improve the Altamont community over their decades of service. Finally, a tremendous thank you to the incredible Altamont library community, whose support we can always count on. Thank you all!
Mystery Book Club
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us next Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. as we try to crack the case of “By Its Cover” by Donna Leon. Donna Leon’s mysteries are set in beautiful Venice, Italy and feature the unsinkable Police Commissario Guido Brunetti, who solves complex mysteries, but always makes it home for lunch.
Haiti Potluck
It’s almost time again for another of our ever-popular Eat Around the World Potluck Dinners! Come broaden your culinary horizons and share a meal with a bunch of friendly people.
This month, we’re taking a trip to the northwest Caribbean nation of Haiti! Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, to join in the festivities and bring a dish to share. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe from that part of the world, come on in and grab a cookbook!
Young Readers Book Club
The Young Readers Book Club for readers ages 9 to 12 has been going strong for a few months, and it just better. This month we’re reading Holes by Louis Sachar, a modern classic about a group of accused juvenile delinquents bonding at an outdoor work camp.
Pick one up today and join us on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. for a great discussion! We have a signup sheet at the desk, and you can always send us an email at so that we know you’re coming.
Story Time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two story times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories; silly songs; playful movement; and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
The 13th annual I Love My Library Gala is this weekend and tickets are sold out! If you have not yet sent in a RSVP card, we’re so sorry.
For our attendees, if you’d like a preview of some of the many awesome items we’ll have up for auction, drop by the library and take a look at the small sample in our display case. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support. You’ll enjoy a fantastic dinner and homemade desserts, exciting live and silent auctions, and the delightful company of your fellow library supporters.
This year, we will be honoring the many contributions made to our community by Kristin Casey and Linda Cure, two longtime friends, board members, and volunteers whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all.
Story Time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments?
For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two Story times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Storytime is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
Valentine’s Day Card Crafting
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and instead of the usual store-bought card, you can make a card by hand at the library!
Drop in on either Monday or Tuesday, Feb. 10 or 11, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to make a totally wild animal collage card to let your loved ones know that you love them bear-y much. We’ll have all the supplies you’ll need. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.
Mystery Book Club
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us on Thursday, September 19th at 7pm as we try to crack the case of “By Its Cover” by Donna Leon. Donna Leon’s mysteries are set in beautiful Venice, Italy and feature the unsinkable Police Commissario Guido Brunetti, who solves complex mysteries, but always makes it home for lunch.
We’ve known about this for awhile, but now that it’s on the internet, it’s official! We’re a Star!
A 2019 Library Journal Star Library, that is.
Every year, the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services ranks thousands of libraries across the country on per-capita circulation, program attendance, and other factors. Library Journal then groups all of those libraries by the size of their budgets.
The top scorers in each tier are Star Libraries. In 2019, we were compared against 1,044 libraries nationwide with budgets between $100,000 and $200,000. Of those, we had the 29th highest score! Woo-hoo!
We are, in fact, the only library in the Upper Hudson Library System to have been named a Star Library since 2010!
This is a huge honor for us, and none of it would be possible without the support of all of you borrowers and storytimers, wi-fi users and movie browsers, staff, volunteers and trustees. You are all stars, every single one of you. Thank you all!
Gala sold out!
The social event of the winter is just over a week away, and tickets are sold out! The always-anticipated annual I Love My Library!
If you have not yet sent in an RSVP card, we’re so sorry. For our attendees, if you’d like a preview of some of the many awesome items we’ll have up for auction, drop by the library and take a look at the small sample in our display case.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support. You’ll enjoy a fantastic dinner and homemade desserts, exciting live and silent auctions, and the delightful company of your fellow library supporters.
This year, we will be honoring the many contributions made to our community by Kristin Casey and Linda Cure, two longtime friends, board members, and volunteers whose dedicated service to our library and our village are a shining example for us all.
Ukulele Meetup
Do you play ukulele? Are you interested in learning more or meeting other ukesters and learning a few new tunes?
Join us for our monthly ukulele meet up on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.! The first hour will be for new players to learn hints and tips from more seasoned players, and the second hour will be an old-fashioned song swap!
Don’t worry if you don’t have a uke yet. There are always extras to pass around.
“Pride and Prejudice”
Did you resolve to read more books in 2020? To meet new people? To spend more time at the library?
Boy, have we got the group for you! Join our First Monday Book Club for our first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 6, at noon. We’ll be discussing an old classic: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
This beloved novel revolves around the heroine Elizabett Bennett’s need to find a suitable husband to support her wealthy but soon-to-be-impoverished family, and the difference between acting like a good person and actually being one. Please join us for what I’m sure will be a fantastic discussion.
Story Time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two story times each week on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super-fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday Story Times with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
Hannaford Community Bags
Help the Altamont Free Library (and the Earth) out next time you go grocery shopping! The library will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold in January at the Hannaford store located at 5239 Western Turnpike in Guilderland. You still have a few weeks to participate. Thanks, Hannaford!
Help Altamont Free Library (and the Earth) out next time you go grocery shopping! The library will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold in January at the Hannaford store located at 5239 Western Turnpike in Guilderland. You still have a few weeks to participate. Thanks Hannaford!
Story time!
Did you know that one of the best ways of getting our youngest friends to become strong readers is by exposing them to a wide variety of readers and reading environments? For that reason, and also just because it’s just fun, we have two story times each week, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Story time is a super fun program that combines some of our favorite things: awesome stories, silly songs, playful movement, and most importantly, bubbles! Tuesday Story Times with Miss Ann are targeted at preschoolers, while our Wednesday StoryTimes with Miss Erika are for toddlers (but we don’t mind older or younger friends on either day). Please join us for mornings of stories, songs, and bubbles.
Juice & Jammies
Speaking of story time, we also have a special evening story time that we call Juice & Jammies coming up on Friday, Jan. 24. Put on your pj’s and join Miss Erika for a low-key pre-bedtime story, and snack. This will be the perfect thing to get your kiddos ready to drift off to dreamland.
Vision boarding
Why not start your year off on a visionary note? Please join us on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. to create your very own vision board, with guidance from Altamont treasure Ginger Hannah.
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations, and the process by which you create it — with drawings, cut out magazine pictures, and words — is a deep dive exploration of what truly matters to you and what you want your future to look like.
Please call the library at 518-861-7239 or email to register in advance. I hope we see you in our future!
Gala
The social event of the winter is only a few weeks away! The always anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. If you haven’t attended in the past and are interested in receiving an invitation, please get in touch with us.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support. You’ll enjoy a fantastic dinner and homemade desserts, exciting live and silent auctions, and the delightful company of your fellow library supporters.
This year, we will be honoring the many contributions made to our community by Kristin Casey and Linda Cure, two longtime friends, board members, and volunteers whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!
Chile Potluck
It’s almost time again for another of our ever popular Eat Around the World Potluck Dinners! Come broaden your culinary horizons and share a meal with a bunch of friendly people. This month, we’re taking a trip to the northwest South American nation of Chile!
Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, to join in the festivities and bring a dish to share. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe from that part of the world, come on in and grab a cookbook!