Eleven days and full steam ahead. That’s right; school’s out all next week so it’s time to engage vacation mode. At the library, there are lots of opportunities to enrich the days ahead. Besides all the books, magazines, and videos, there are museum passes you can borrow with your library card. Available passes include:
— MiSci Museum: admission for two adults and all children in the same household;
— The Clark Art Institute: one adult admission;
— USS Slater: two adults and two children; and
— Albany Institute of History and Art: two adults and two children.
There is also a new set of items that may be borrowed if you are in the mood for some baking. Molded cake pans are in the building and awaiting your cake-creation mastery.
Knit Wits
Looking for new yarns to explore? How about giving the Knit Wits a try? On the third Sunday of the month, this group knits, chats and works on targeted donation goals. Bring your projects over at 7 p.m. on April 21. If you have any snags you need help with, this group is there for you.
Story Time
Earth Day, a long celebrated tradition since 1970, is the featured story time subject for April 23 at 10:30 a.m. The half hour meetup will look at recycling, spring cleaning and appreciating planet Earth. Get a kids eye view of simple actions the 5 and under group can learn to unlitter their world. Stories, bend and pick movement and a craft round out the time.
STEM Program
You’ve heard of deoxyribonucleic acid, right? It’s that ‘stuff’ that carries your genetic make-up. You may be more familiar with its acronym - DNA. As part of a STEM program on April 24 at 1 p.m. enter the multi-layered world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Why are your eyes blue? One sibling has red hair while two others have brown? It all boils down to the intricacies of DNA.
Program suspended
Scrabble Night has been temporarily suspended due to the lack of attendance.
The year was 1957. Monies spent on books were trending down, purchasing TVs and radios on the rise. The American Library Association was concerned. It was clear reading as a leisure activity was floundering.
The ALA made an awareness plan, enlisted help, and successfully launched the first National Library Week in 1958 from March 16 to 22. Now, 61 years later, celebrating National Library Week continues on.
Starting April 7, through the 13th, the Berne Public Library joins the festivities. Each day, high fives are extended to those making libraries a place to learn, socialize, and stretch the imagination.
Sunday appreciation goes out to VOLUNTEERS,
Helping selflessly oe’r these many years.
Monday thanks the PATRONS
For check-outs, check-ins, and program attendings.
Tuesday gratitudes shower LIBRARY WORKERS
Who, rumor has it, like Snicker bars from folks like you.
Wednesday wonders secure yearly “FUNDERS”
Thanks to towns and county, state grants and donors.
Thursday whoops it up to acknowledge TRUSTEES
With monthly huddles, sighting future needs.
Friday celebrates FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY,
Fundraising each year with their own unique flair.
Saturday wraps up the week’s CELEBRATING
When The Friends “BOWLS FOR BOOKS” event shouts hip-hip-hooray!
— By SLK
“The Innocent Man”
The first Sunday of the month anchor, the Berne Sunday Book Club, spotlights “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham at 7 p.m. on April 7. Grisham’s 2006 nonfiction work explores small-town justice in Ada, Oklahoma where murder, convictions, and less-than-definitive evidence rules the day. New members are always welcome to join the conversation.
Story time
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., story time opens the doors for its weekly adventure. April 9 gives a rousing applause for libraries. Scavenger hunting the stacks, books in Berne’s library about things in libraries — lions, bats, dogs, cats.
Bring your favorite stuffed animal to join in some excellent fun and make a craft when the searching is done.
Trustees meet
A fast break to April 11 is a meeting of the trusty trustees at 6:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
Mystery Night
Forging on into Friday, April 12, starting at 6:30 p.m., is a Library Mystery Night for teens and tweens. Be ready for a slew of surprises as the night wriggles along. Bring your cape, goggles, and wizardry gear.
Bowls for Books
Gliding into the weekend for the finale of National Library Week, the tasty Bowls for Books gathering does an excellent job filling your bowls from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturday, April 13. Tickets are available at the circulation desk.
Any questions? Call 518-872-1246. Thank you for being part of the celebration.
Mark your calendars. It’s the annual “Books, Media and Jewelry Sale” brought to you by the Friends of the Berne Library. Doors fly open Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tables are filled to capacity at the Berne Senior Center at 1360 Helderberg Trail. Bring your crates, bins, and baskets for packing up your book lovin’, medi-a-paloozin’, jewelry sparklin’ treasure-hunt finds.
After basking in the glory of the deals found at the book sale, give the bowl project a try. Sign-up sheets are ready for April’s ‘Carve and Glaze’ pottery workshops led by Colleen Skiff.
Bowl-carving sessions are Monday, April 1, from 5 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. After Colleen fires your carved bowls, unleash your creativity for the glazing workshops on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. Sign up or call the library at 518-872-1246 to add your name to the pottery pile.
After fashioning the bowls to your inspired design, a hankering to fill those bowls may ensue. Hold on to that feeling. On April 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the “Bowls for Books” event will ladle all manner of soups to tantalize your taste buds. Tickets for this savory Friends of the Berne Library fundraiser will be available at the front desk.
Story time
“Why did the monster throw the clock out the window?” “He needed a can of corn.” You get it, right? Hmmm, guess you had to be there. ‘Jokes and Fun’ Story Time’ hauls out the laughs and giggles at 10:30 a.m. on April 2 to begin this months servings of stories, movement and crafts for the 5 and under story time attendees. Bring your favorite joke to share with your friends and see who gets the biggest laugh.
Exercise and eat better
Remember those resolutions three months ago? Eat better, get organized, exercise, sign up for clown school, go to the library and read more. Bend, stretch and reach for the stars. It’s time to reboot. Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. the Berne Library throws out its first April offering to help you recharge.
Low impact exercise with Cindy is lighting the way. Comfortable clothing, a mat, (limited number of mats available), and a mindset to treat yourself to a dose of ‘movement improvement’ is all you need. This is a ‘do what you can’ kind of class. Reserve your spot today by calling 518-872-1246. Your body will thank you. This program is brought to you by The Library Moonwalk and the National Library of Medicine grant.
Friends meet
Join the Friends of the Berne Library meeting at 7 p.m. on April 3 and help the library grow with your support. The April 13 ‘Bowls for Books’ event is a hot topic for the evening. New member sign up envelopes can be found at the circulation desk.
Word of the Month Club
Now at the Berne Library is the recently formed ‘Word of the Month Club’. This month’s word is excellent. Members challenge themselves to use the word in thought, chat and ‘chalk’ — chalk being the written word on white boards, in memos, txts, notes, journals and the like. Other challenges include finding the word in books, magazines, newspapers. Give it a go and have an excellent week.
Hold on to your calendars, it’s Health Fair, book-drop, and Scrabble weekend. “Spring It On Story Time” and “Container Gardening” shines during the week, so with careful planning you can be part of it all and still get home for movie night.
Friends’ Sale
On March 23, the Berne Senior Center doors open from 9 a.m. till noon to accept donations for the annual Friends of the Berne Library Book, Media & Jewelry Sale. Every year, the hall is brimming with books of all categories, shapes, and sizes — from Art to Zen. Gather, pack, drop off, then come back the following weekend for the browse and buy part. The library thanks you for your support.
Community Health Fair
Also on March 23 is the ‘Spring into Health’ Community Health Fair hosted by the Berne, Middleburgh and Rensselaerville Libraries from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. A first of its kind collaborative merging ideas from nutrition, movement and relaxation realms. The curtain goes up on the collaborative focusing on you and your health. Insight Meditation, Raven Crest Botanicals, Smoking Cessation-Bassett Health, Alzheimer’s Association, The Body Fixx, Thrive, New Harmony Wellness Center names just a few of the participants. In addition, you’ll experience demos, workshops and can throw your hat in the free raffles ring.
Scrabble Night
Following the activity from Saturday, mark down March 24 for Scrabble Night at the Berne Library. Pop in at 7 p.m. to play some word magic. Who will find the right spot to throw squills on the board attaching s to zit and garnering 140 points? This could be your lucky draw.
Storytime
Springboard the spring flower patch with a spring roll glued to your springform pan as the spring breeze takes you to the hot springs for spring break. Yeah - say that 11 times with a spring in your step. ‘Spring It On Storytime’ is coming to you live this Tuesday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. Early literacy for the 5 and under crowd through stories, movement and a craft. Jump up and shout “Spring It On!”
Container Gardening
How are your garden plans moving along? On Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. a ‘Container Gardening’ program springs some good tips for a successful season of fresh veggies. Sign up at the front desk, call in to reserve a spot or just be here and learn a thing or two about containing yourself in the garden.
Gallery
One final shout out to view the art gallery pictures in the community room. This is the final week to check out the prize winning scenes chosen by the judges in the Friends of the Berne Library Photo contest. Then come by in April for a brand new show.
— Photo from Kathy Stempel
Kids play Fortnight at a Tween-Teen Night at the Berne Library.
Celebrate all that is March at the Berne Public Library with the gateway to warmer days on the horizon. A blaze of activity is on the agenda for the final ride through March 2019.
Container gardening; Knit Wits; a Community Health Fair; Moon Walking, Story Time; the Friends of the Berne Public Library’s annual book, media, and jewelry sale; and Scrabble. Get out your library events calendar and sharpen your pencil. It’s time to save some dates.
Moon Walk
On March 16 at 8:15 a.m. the Library Moon Walk team continues adding minutes, miles or steps at librarymoonwalk.sals.edu when they meet for their half hour inside or out walk. All are welcome to traipse along and catch the ‘movement improvement’ wave each Saturday, or solo, as we step forward to complete those miles to the moon by April 30.
Knit Wits
Cast on, bind off, purl, drop a stitch, repeat. Who knows what that means? The Knit Wits, that’s who, and they have the yarn to prove it. Meeting Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m., the Knit Wits will be donning their green for the monthly doings.
FYI: The Knit Wits recently donated 124 premie baby hats to the Bellevue Women's Center for the second year in a row. Their next project involves making hats for geriatric and cancer patients. Join them and moss stitch your way to a new project.
Storytime
Ouch Mommy, Daddy - I’ve got a boo boo. It’s Boo Boo storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Sometimes a topsy turvey spill can be soothed with a kiss. Other ouchies need cleaning, a super hero band aid, a hug plus a kiss. Pop in with the 5 and under crowd to share response team stories, movement and a healing craft. What’s your reaction when that first wailing cry reaches your ears?
Donations and sale
March 23 is double booked. (Booked-hint, hint). Drop off your book and media donations from 9 a.m. to noon at the Berne Senior Center. Your generous offerings will be met with glee as the swelling book pile continues to grow for the Friends book sale fundraiser zooming into sight. Write it down. Book drop off March 23. Book, Media and Jewelry sale March 30 and 31.
Community Health Fair
Also on March 23 is the ‘Spring into Health’ Community Health Fair hosted by the Berne, Middleburgh and Rensselaerville Libraries from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. A first of its kind collaborative merging ideas from nutrition, movement and relaxation realms. Other event offerings include raffles, door prizes, demos and workshops. The fair takes place at Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Road, in Rensselaerville. The local contact is Berne Library at 518-872-1246.
Container gardening
Sign up sheets are now available for the ‘Container Gardening’ program on March 28. Other sign-up sheets include pottery workshops to be held April 1; Carving April 6 and Glazing. That should give you enough to think about for this week.
Have you ever thought about the February/March phenomenon? The days are perfectly matched each year except Leap Year. In those non-leap years, if February 25 is on a Monday then you can count on March 25 being on a Monday — etc., etc. Totally true story.
Another sure thing is the thousands of items available from the Berne Public Library, and beyond with your library card at check out. Featured this month is “The Summer Girl” by local author K. Hill Brown. Pick it up along with a range of new books located just inside the swinging oak doors.
Storytime
An added clock setting event is the nearly weekly storytime programs. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Kathy Stempel pulls out all the stops for a full half hour of stories, movement and a craft for the 5 and under troupe with their caregivers in tow. This Tuesday has ‘Lucky Shamrocks’ filling the room. Along with celebrating the color green, St. Patty’s Day and that elusive pot of gold, tiptoe about looking for that mischievous leprechaun hiding in the stacks.
Book Sale
Get out your March library events calendar. A buzz is in the air. It’s the buzz of books, jewelry, movies and more being lassoed in by those fundraising Friends of the Berne Library. Just a few words to get you thinking about the huge annual Book sale, and more, being held the last weekend in March. That’s March 30 and 31 at the Senior Community Center with drop-off donations being accepted March 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Health Fair
And how about this flag raising announcement: ‘Spring into Health’ Community Health Fair, sponsored by the Berne, Middleburgh and Rensselaerville libraries collaborating to bring you a day focused on you and your health. Vendors, raffles, demos and workshops will be the spin of the day on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Conkling Hall in Rensselaerville. More details to be announced next week.
Trustees meet
Trustees are swarming to the meeting room this Thursday for their monthly round up. Action start time is 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
Eight contestants competed in the 2019 Junior Chef Challenge at the Berne Public Library. From left, in front, are Judge Clayton, Judge Palow, Judge Batcher, and Jonathan Andrade; in back host are library director Kathy Stempel, Max Needham, Hailey Lacko, Diana Colavito, Avery Gibson, Jose Andrade, Judge Waldenmeir, Baylee Bacon, and winner Niko Delguidice.
Niko Delguidice proudly displays his trophy for being the winning Junior Chef at the Berne Library competition.
Time to kick it into high gear and think about getting those seed-starter containers cleaned, labeled, and ready for planting. Make a list of what you want to grow this year.
Starting broccoli, peppers, and watermelon from seed packets sound like a good trio. Gardening books are ready and waiting for your eyes to explore and for you to be inspired for planning the best garden ever.
Photo exhibit
On Saturday, March 2, while picking up a few gardening reads, turn the weekend into a social event complete with food, drinks and prizes at the Friends of the Berne Library Photo Exhibit function. Make your way over to the Berne Public Library for the ‘Photo Reception’ kickoff at 10 a.m.
Meet some of the folks behind the pictures and learn the results of People’s Choice in the junior and adult divisions. Thanks to all participants for splashing the gallery wall full of colors, critters and scenes from all seasons.
Moon Team
In the early hours before the Photo Reception, folks are invited to join the ‘Berne Library Moon Team’ at 8:15 a.m. for a half hour walk/exercise video. Total minutes/steps or miles are added each session to the Library Moon Walk challenge.
Only two months left to reach the moon by April 30. Check it out at librarymoonwalk.sals.edu and get up to date mileage stats of where we are in space. Join the movement solo or with the Saturday morning group. Add your steps and be counted..
Book discussion
On Sunday, March 3 its back to the Berne Sunday Book club’s usual meeting time of 7 p.m. to discuss “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah. Settle into Alaska and feel the emotional pulse of a family setting their own rules for survival from terrors well hidden. A struggle for freedom yet a pull to protect. Join the conversation.
Story time
Windy weather story time gets underway Tuesday March 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the community room. March brings the promise of spring with wind pushing from all directions. Fly a kite, imagine Dorothy and Toto flying into the windy tornado, feel the soothing breeze of a summer day on the horizon. All kinds of wind and weather to explore for the 5 and under story time audience as they listen, move and craft some windy weather play.
New hours
A wee reminder to those who missed the announcement: New library hour magnets are ready for pick-up at the front desk. The sleek blue magnet gives you a quick reference for the Berne Public Library hours, web address and phone number.
The final week of “Fine-Free February” is here. Any Berne library items of the long-lost-and-finally-found nature or of the past-due-date persuasion may be returned before 8 p.m. on Feb. 28 to be checked in with fines waived. Take advantage of this fine opportunity before time runs out.
Also in February’s final week is voting on your favorite picture in the Friends of the Berne Library Photography exhibit. With 62 photos in the gallery to pick from, it will be interesting to see the results.
Choose a scene most pleasing to your eye — one from the adult division and one from the juniors. All categories and people’s choice winners will be announced at the reception on March 2 at 10 a.m. in the community room.
Story time
“Mother Goose story time” is pulling out the nursery rhyme train. Charge up your devices for a little sleuthing. She’s a poet with hundreds of rhymes. There’s a grave site in Boston from 1690 with her name on it. Can you recite 10 Mother Goose treasures? Who is Mother Goose? Is she real or an imaginary spiel? Let’s play ‘What’s the next line?’:
“Hickory dickory dock...
“Mary, Mary, quite contrary...
“Little Miss Muffet…
“Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake…
“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…”
Now that everyone’s warmed up, remember to bring the 5 and under rhyming squad to “Mother Goose” storytime on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. for stories, movement and a goosey craft.
French Cuisine
The rescheduled “French Cuisine” is Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Bring your French dish to pass around.
Scrabble night
Pick your letters to limber up for Sunday, Feb. 24 Scrabble night. Another meeting of the word dabblers is coming to you live, not online, at 7 p.m. sharp. While you have your devices out for Mother Goose research, plug in xu, ew and za - just three of the 107 two letter words found in the Official Scrabble Players dictionary that may be just what the next tile round needs.
Moon Walkers
Berne’s Library Moon Walkers continue their trek each Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. for a half hour walk or movement video. Those of you stepping solo, remember to log in your minutes, steps or miles at librarymoonwalk.sals.edu and help us reach the moon by April 30. Current stats have the crowd at 62,679 miles completed and 174,221 to go. Get out there and join the moon walkers beat.
It’s fine to have a fine on a Berne Public Library item in February because it’s “Fine Free February.” Say that 10 times with a marble in your pocket, then wend your way over to the library with those long lost or overdue items and let the fine-waiving begin. One fine deal for you until February fades away into March.
Knit Wits
Word has it the Knit Wits Sunday gathering for February meets on the Feb/ 17 at 7 p.m. Bringing new and ongoing projects to the table to share and offer solutions for tricky patterns. Welcome all veteran and newbie needleworkers.
Fun for Kids
‘Barrel-of-Fun Productions’ blasts off with the presentation of Rattlesnake Red on Tuesday, at 11 a.m. on Feb. 19, in place of the weekly story time theme. Please note the start time for this special ‘school’s out’ activity for all to enjoy. Think about it- a barrel and some fun adds up to laughter and relaxin’.
After recovering from the ‘Barrel-of-Fun’, the annual Junior Chef challenge gets underway on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Add your name to the sign-up sheet at the library. Pull out your cooking skills and give the judges a taste of your signature masterpiece from the ingredient pile you’ll be working with. This program is for ages 8 to 12.
Robotic Arm
Moving along to Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. is ‘Robotic Arm’ Thursday. Humans aged 8 and up are welcome to gather in the community room for hands on robot interaction. Learn intricacies of the library’s new robotic arm and share any experiences in robot wizardry you may be familiar with. This is a STEAM huddle — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Moon Walk
The library Moon Walk continues strong. This Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. join the walk/exercise group for a half hour jog of movement and keep adding to the already 62,650 miles walked. Log in at librarymoonwalk.sals.edu to see the progress. Just 176, 260 miles to go by the April 30 finish line.
Art exhibit
The community room art exhibit is splayed around the room in all its various colors and themes. Visit the display and vote for your faves in the junior and adult divisions before the end of the month. Reception to be held March 2 at 10 a.m.
Scrabble
Quick reminder to all scrabble enthusiasts. Sunday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. is the next tile shuffle play scape. Rev up your scrabble dictionaries and join in.
News flash — the brand new Berne Public Library magnets are in. The magnets sport a classy blue color and list updated hours of operation; you’ll want to snag yours asap to have a handy reference for library hours, website address (www.bernepubliclibrary.org) and phone number 518-872-1246.
Story time
Will you be adding to the projected 19 Billion dollars expected to be spent on Valentine’s Day this year? Part of the outlay includes over 55 million pounds of chocolate, close to 150 million valentine cards and, much to the delight of florists, 115 million roses. Now that’s alot of roses!
Valentine story time launches its ‘heart’ day contribution this Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. with valentines for that special someone. Gather the 5 and under team to hear a story, do some valentine moves and make a craft of the red persuasion.
French cuisine
Bonjour mon ami. Vous etes cordialement invite. Hello friends. You are cordially invited to the “French Cuisine With a Story” program at 6 p.m. this Tuesday, February 12. Adults who delight in cooking, have a taste for learning and an appreciation of sharing, are all welcome to join the experience.
What is your specialty in French Cuisine? Maybe a pot-au-feu, the national dish of France? Baked camembert with pears? Anything from your best quiche, a rich bisque, to a variety of dessert specialties. Most are familiar with chocolate mousse, crepes, or a souffle that could either be a main dish or a sweet finish.
Whatever you prepare, it is sure to please. Along with your dish, bring a tidbit or two related to your inner chef’s creation. Bon appetit!
Board meets
Recovering from the bliss of the shared meal experience, next up on the calendar is the monthly Trustee huddle. On Valentine’s Day, the 14th, at 6:30 p.m. the board gathers in the community room for discussions and decisions of library greatness. For those curious to hear the doings, all meetings are open to the public.
Art display
While at the board meeting or visiting the library in general, check out the new art display hanging about the community room. You will meet all the entries received for the 4th Juried Photography Exhibit sponsored by the Friends of the Berne Library. Encounter a patchwork of photos from around the area and beyond. Take the opportunity to vote on your favorite scene while the display holds fast thru the month of February.