This past Wednesday, library lovers from all over New York State gathered at the capitol in Albany for the New York Library Association’s annual Library Advocacy Day. Librarians have a reputation for being a quiet bunch, but you would not believe how loud we can get when it comes to letting our elected representatives hear from us!
Hundreds of library professionals and patrons from Buffalo to Montauk traveled to Albany to make sure that every community in our big, diverse state has a well-funded, safe, accessible library with materials and technology for library users of every age and interest.
We are lucky in the Capital District to have elected representatives who get it. We’d like to make a special shout out to our favorites:
— Senator George Amedore, who has been able to secure tens of thousands of dollars for Altamont Free Library over his time in office, which has allowed us to upgrade our facilities and computers and to build the Spohr Family Patio that we opened in 2017; and
— Assemblymember Pat Fahy, who has been a fierce advocate for us and a constant presence at our library, most recently when she completed a one-day tour of all of the many libraries in her district as part of the Upper Hudson Library System Library Expedition.
Thanks to both of them for taking time out of your busy schedules for us.
If you are a library lover and have a few minutes to spare, please consider calling or writing to your New York State Assemblymember and Senator to let them know what your library means to you. We only have a few weeks to be heard while the state budget is being prepared to make sure that libraries aren’t left behind.
After all, even though we only gather at the capitol once a year, every day is Library Advocacy Day!
Pi(e) Day
One of the most delicious days of the year is coming up, and we need your help to celebrate. Thursday, March 14 is Pi Day (Get it? 3.14!) and we’ll be celebrating all of our favorite pies with a pie taste test!
If you’d like to enter a pie to the taste test, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. You can make any kind of pie you like! We’re not fussy. There will be a prize for the pie maker who gets the most votes.
If you’re not a pie maker yourself, you’ve got a role to play too: We’ll need lots of pie-tasters to eat and vote!
Trivia Night!
On Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m., make a team, study up, and BYOB to our mind-twisting trivia contest! Entrance is $5 and the winners take half the door. Contestants must be 21 and up, please.
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 on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. for a discussion of the “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny. I know we have a ton of Louise Penny fans here, so this would be a great time to join the club!
Story Time
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.
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.
On Monday, March 3, the First Monday Book Club will meet at noon to discuss “There There,” the acclaimed first novel by Tommy Orange. A New York Times story about the book was headlined “Yes, Tommy Orange’s New Novel is Really That Good,” and you can’t really get better than that.
It is the fascinating collection of interwoven stories about Native Americans living in present-day Oakland, and their struggles in coping with their heritage. It’s a quick enough read, and we still have a few copies on hold, so please join us for what will certainly be a fascinating conversation.
Moth Photo Exhibit
Pictures of moths? Ew, right? Not at all, actually!
Come visit a wonderful exhibit of photos by Knox-based naturalist Catherine Klatt of the hundreds of species of moths found on her property. The moths and the photos of them are fascinating, surprising, and in many cased beautiful. The photos will be up for a few weeks, so come have a look.
Story Time!
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.
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.
Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every “Bags 4 My Cause” reusable shopping bag sold at the 5239 Western Turnpike, Guilderland Hannaford, Altamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford!
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word.
— Photo from Joe Burke
Ellen and Dick Howie smile as they accept accolades on Feb. 9 at the 12th annual I Love My Library Gala. The Howies were one of two couples honored for their years of service.
— Photo from Joe Burke
Lois Ginsburg, flowers in hand, addresses the crowd at the Altamont Free Library’s annual fundraiser while her husband, Dr. Ronald Ginsburg, looks on. The event was held at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall.
Pictures of moths? Ew, right? Not at all, actually!
Come visit a wonderful exhibit of photos by Knox-based naturalist Catherine Klatt of the hundreds of species of moths found on her property. The moths and the photos of them are fascinating, surprising, and in many cased beautiful. The photos will be up for a few weeks, so come have a look.
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 on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. for a discussion of the classic “Death on the Nile” by Agatha Christie. Next month, we’ll be diving into “The Beautiful Mystery” by Louise Penny. There will be plenty of copies available and plenty of time to read it, so please join us.
Story time
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.
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 Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every “Bags 4 My Cause” reusable shopping bag sold at the 5239 Western Turnpike, Guilderland Hannaford, Altamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford!
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
— Photo by Dan Frinta
Gala goers: Congressman Paul Tonko and Altamont Mayor Kerry Dineen are on the scene for the Altamont Free Library's 12th Annual I Love My Library Gala.
This past weekend, we held the 12th 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, Christine Carpenter, Linda Cure, Sally Dague, Pat Spohr, Michelle Stevens, and Vicki Vattimo. I’d like to make special mention of Robin Love and especially Megan Connolly, who coordinated our silent auction, and Ronnie Lindberg who helped with checkout.
Major credit goes to Yvette Terplak, who 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, desserts, and appetizers.
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; Black Sheep Antiques; and our fabulous caterers, Elegant Touch Catering.
We are deeply indebted to our very deserving honorees for the evening, Ron and Lois Ginsburg and Dick and Ellen Howie, who have done so much to improve the Altamont community over their decades of service. Finally, a tremendous thank you to those in the incredible Altamont library community, whose support we can always count on. Thank you all!
Story time
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.
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.
Juice & Jammies
Speaking of story time, we also have a special evening StoryTime that we call Juice & Jammies coming up on Friday, February. 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.
Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every “Bags 4 My Cause” reusable shopping bag sold at the 5239 Western Turnpike, Guilderland Hannaford, Altamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford!
Joan Johnson Exhibit
One of the wonderful things we get to do here from time to time is to show off the homegrown talent we have here in Altamont. For the next few weeks, we’ll have the pleasure of hosting a special exhibit of one of our many talented friends, Altamont-based artist Joan Johnson.
Watercolors from Maine, a collection of six paintings by Joan, will be on display in our community room until the end of March. Come take a look! Thanks for brightening up the library, Joan!
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
With the crazy weather we’ve been having lately, it’s not always easy to make it out to the library. Sometime we even have to be closed for the safety of our staff and patrons, but you know what’s never closed? The Internet.
The Upper Hudson Library System has a huge online library of digital books and digital audiobooks all available for free, available 24/7 from anywhere with a wifi connection. All you need is your library card!
If you’ve never tried it, I can’t highly enough recommend the Libby by Overdrive smartphone app. Libby is a great way to borrow free downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks for both kids and adults.
Search for an author, title, subject, or keyword, and Libby will search through thousands of digital titles for you and, when you’ve found what you’re looking for, just click “borrow.” The item will download right to your smartphone, tablet, or eReader and will delete itself from your device when the due date comes, so they’re never overdue.
Libby works on both Apple and Android devices and can be used anywhere. So build a fire, wrap yourself in a blanket, and dig in to your next reading adventure without leaving the house!
Story time
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.
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.
Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every "Bags 4 My Cause" reusable shopping bag sold at the 5239 Western Turnpike, Guilderland Hannaford, the Altamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford !
Joan Johnson exhibit
One of the wonderful things we get to do here from time to time is to show off the homegrown talent we have here in Altamont. For the next few weeks, we’ll have the pleasure of hosting a special exhibit of one of our many talented friends, Altamont-based artist Joan Johnson.
Watercolors from Maine, a collection of six paintings by Joan, will be on display in our community room until the end of March. Come take a look! Thanks for brightening up the library, Joan!
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
The always-anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is just over a week away, on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. There are still a very few seats available, and, if you’d like to join us, please get in touch with us.
If you’re planning on attending and want to help out further, please consider donating an appetizer or a dessert for us all to enjoy, or sign up to help us set up or clean up afterwards. 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 Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!
Story time
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.
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 Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every “Bags 4 My Cause” reusable shopping bag sold at the Guilderland Hannaford, at 5239 Western Turnpike, theAltamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford !
Joan Johnson Exhibit
One of the wonderful things we get to do here from time to time is to show off the homegrown talent we have here in Altamont. For the next few weeks, we’ll have the pleasure of hosting a special exhibit of one of our many talented friends, Altamont-based artist Joan Johnson.
Watercolors from Maine, a collection of six paintings by Joan, will be on display in our community room until the end of March. Come take a look! Thanks for brightening up the library, Joan!
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
One of the wonderful things we get to do here from time to time is to show off the homegrown talent we have here in Altamont. For the next few weeks, we’ll have the pleasure of hosting a special exhibit of one of our many talented friends, Altamont-based artist Joan Johnson.
Watercolors from Maine, a collection of six paintings by Joan, will be on display in our community room until the end of March. Come take a look! Thanks for brightening up the library, Joan!
StoryTime
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. Tuesday Storytimes with Miss Ann are targeted at pre-schoolers, 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 StoryTime, we also have a special evening StoryTime that we call Juice & Jammies coming up on Friday, Jan. 25. 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.
Library Gala
The always anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets will be available at the library in the coming weeks. 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 Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!
Tech Help
Now that the holidays are behind us, many of us are left trying to figure out how the heck to use the new techno-goodies we’ve received. For everyone who takes to new technologies like a fish to water, there are five of us who are utterly befuddled by new devices. But fear not, that’s what the library is here for. Whether it’s a new phone, laptop, tablet or eReader that won’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can (probably) help! Call the library at 518-861-7239 to book an appointment to sit down with a librarian for up to a half-hour and sort out your gizmo issues. And hey, if we can’t help you, it just means that you’re not alone in your confusion.
Hannaford Bags 4 My Cause
Here’s a great way to support your library, while at the same time doing a good turn for the environment: Throughout the month of February, for every "Bags 4 My Cause" reusable shopping bag sold at the 5239 Western Turnpike, Guilderland Hannaford, Altamont Free Library will receive a portion of the proceeds. Thanks, Hannaford !
Fine Freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines. In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared. We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
Did you know that there are 238,900 miles between the Earth and the Moon? Seems like a long way, especially if you were walking, doesn’t it? At the end of such a long walk you’d probably be pretty tired, but you’d also be pretty healthy.
Over the next few months, libraries throughout upstate New York will be focusing on health and wellness programs, and as part of that effort we hope that you, along with 10 counties worth of friends, will help us walk all the way to the moon!
We’re calling it the Library Moon Walk. All you have to do to participate is to keep track of how many steps, or miles you walk or minutes of exercise you do and log them on the Moon Walk website at https://librarymoonwalk.sals.edu. We’re already about one-fifth of the way there, so join the effort and blast off into better health!
MLK Day Craft
On Thursday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and again on Friday, Jan. 18, from 4 to 5 p.m., come celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us make peace flags that will hang here at the library. Drop in for 10 minutes and make one or hang out for an hour and make 10!
Library gala
The always anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets will be available at the library in the coming weeks.
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 Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!
Tech help
Now that the holidays are behind us, many of us are left trying to figure out how the heck to use the new techno-goodies we’ve received. For everyone who takes to new technologies like a fish to water, there are five of us who are utterly befuddled by new devices.
But fear not, that’s what the library is here for. Whether it’s a new phone, laptop, tablet or eReader that won’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can (probably) help!
Call the library at 518-861-7239 to book an appointment to sit down with a librarian for up to a half-hour and sort out your gizmo issues. And hey, if we can’t help you, it just means that you’re not alone in your confusion.
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared. We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
Annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Altamont Free Library Board of Trustees will take place at 6:30 on Monday, Jan. 21. It will be immediately followed by our regular monthly board meeting. All members of the community are invited to observe.
As we enter the new year, it’s a time for new beginnings and sad goodbyes. At our library, we have been blessed with a long history of having members of our board of trustees who have been more than willing to roll up their sleeves and help out with just about any big task we’ve had to undertake.
When board members leave us, as two will be doing after our annual meeting next week, they’re often exhausted, dirty-handed, and satisfied with a big job well done. I’d like to offer my grateful thanks to Michelle Stevens and Bob Haggerty, both of whom have pitched in for book sales, bake sales, window-washing parties, light-bulb changing campaigns, accounting adventures, meetings, meetings, and meetings.
Bob and Michelle have honored the library with their time, energy, and hard work, and they have honored themselves with how well they have done their jobs. From all of us who love our library, thank you both!
It is always a great consolation to us that board members never really retire; they just stop showing up for meetings. We trust that they both will stay active in the life of the library, and we hope that they do. The light bulbs aren’t going to change themselves, after all.
Tech help
Now that the holidays are behind us, many of us are left trying to figure out how the heck to use the new techno-goodies we’ve received. For everyone who takes to new technologies like a fish to water, there are five of us who are utterly befuddled by new devices.
But fear not, that’s what the library is here for. Whether it’s a new phone, laptop, tablet or eReader that won’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can (probably) help! Call the library at 518-861-7239 to book an appointment to sit down with a librarian for up to a half-hour and sort out your gizmo issues. And hey, if we can’t help you, it just means that you’re not alone in your confusion.
Fine Freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books! No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines.
In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them. Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels, and after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared. We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
“Dumplin’” Viewing Party
Teens, put on your cowboy boots and your best pageant-wear and join us on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. as we watch the Netflix Original movie “Dumplin’,” based on Julie Murphy’s best-selling young-adult novel.
We’ll be giving away a signed copy of Julie’s fantastic follow-up, “Puddin’.” If you don’t mind spoilers, come grab a copy and read ahead. 13 and up, please!
MLK Day Craft
On Thursday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.and again on Friday, Jan. 18, from 4 to 5 p.m., come celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us make peace flags that will hang here at the library. Drop in for 10 minutes and make one or hang out for an hour and make ten!
Library gala
The always anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets will be available at the library in the coming weeks.
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 Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all. Please join us!
Annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Altamont Free Library Board of Trustees will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21. It will be immediately followed by our regular monthly board meeting. All members of the community are invited to observe.
Now that the holidays are behind us, many of us are left trying to figure out how the heck to use the new techno-goodies we’ve received. For everyone who takes to new technologies like a fish to water, there are five of us who are utterly befuddled by new devices.
But fear not; that’s what the library is here for. Whether it’s a new phone, laptop, tablet or eReader that won’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can (probably) help! Call the library at 518-861-7239 to book an appointment to sit down with a librarian for up to a half-hour and sort out your gizmo issues.
And hey, if we can’t help you, it just means that you’re not alone in your confusion.
Fine freedom
Have you heard? For all of 2019, we’ll be trying something new: No overdue fines on any children’s books!
No matter whether you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else, children’s books checked out here (even if we have to get them from another library) will not accrue overdue fines. In addition, if you have existing overdue fines on an AFL youth card, we’ll clear them.
Patrons with overdue children’s books will still be notified through their normal channels and, after 28 days, the book will be considered lost and the borrower responsible for the cost of the item, but if it comes back after that, the fine will be cleared.
We hope that many of our friends take advantage of this experiment, so spread the word!
“Dumplin’” viewing party
Teens, put on your cowboy boots and your best pageant-wear and join us on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. as we watch the Netflix Original movie, “Dumplin’,” based on Julie Murphy’s best-selling young-adult novel.
We’ll be giving away a signed copy of Julie’s fantastic follow-up, “Puddin’.” If you don’t mind spoilers, come grab a copy and read ahead. This event is for kids aged 13 and up, please!
Library gala
The always-anticipated annual I Love My Library! Gala is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Community Room at Altamont Village Hall. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets will be available at the library in the coming weeks.
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 Ellen and Dick Howie and Lois and Ron Ginsburg, two couples whose dedicated service to our library and our Village are a shining example for us all. Please join us.