Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, January 19, 2022

— Photo by Luanne Nicholson

Donations to the Guilderland Food Pantry may be dropped off at the Guilderland Public Library in the red bin under the “welcome” sign.

Our popular card project continues! Make someone’s day by making valentines that Community Caregivers will distribute to their clients.

Your colorful greetings are greatly appreciated by local residents who may be homebound. People of all ages are encouraged to get creative — make it a family project!

Original or repurposed cards should be no larger than 5 by 7 inches, and no envelope is needed. Drop them off in the designated box in our lobby until Feb. 6, allowing ample time to distribute. Thank you for participating!

Winter

Reading Challenge

“The community that reads together, leads together!” Can you help us reach our goal of reading 3,000 books during January?  All ages are encouraged to participate in the annual Winter Reading Challenge, “Read for a Better World,” sponsored by Lerner Publishing. 

Join in the fun by logging all of your reading this month on Beanstack, individually or as a family.  Let’s win some great prizes for everyone to enjoy! Sign up or login at: https://guilderlandlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365.

Tax-aid update

Although Guilderland Public Library will not be a site for the American Association of Retired Persons Foundation’s Tax-Aide services in 2022, these services are available at other locations in the greater Albany area, February through mid-April.

Please do not call the library; instead, call the phone numbers listed below starting Tuesday, Jan. 18:

— Crossings of Colonie: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Feb. 9. Contact: Town of Colonie Senior Resources at 518-459-3977;

— Cohoes Senior Center: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Feb. 8. Contact: 518-235-2420; and

— Valatie Village Office: Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Feb.1. Contact: 518-758-9342 for the coordinator.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax preparation help to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Tax help is provided in safe environments based on a number of factors, including where you are located, COVID-19 spread and volunteer availability.

Trustees meet

The Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees will conduct its regular monthly meeting virtually on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m., streamed live on our YouTube channel and accessible there and on our website. Public commentary may be submitted at any time to: .

New podcast episode

“How Did You Find It?,” GPL’s monthly podcast, explores books, libraries, information, entertainment, and more. Our latest episode debuts Friday, Jan. 21, on all major platforms. We welcome ideas and suggestions at: podcast@guilderlandlibrary.org.

Activity kits

This month’s baby activity kit features a peek-a-boo theme, geared for children ages six to 24 months. For kids in grades six to 12, we’re featuring a biography-themed kit, containing interesting facts, research tips, and pointers on using the library for school assignments. Register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your kit from Tuesday, Jan. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 30.

Night Owls Online

For our next online meetup Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., we’re reading “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed,” by Lori Gottlieb. This bestseller is a candid, poignant and often humorous exploration of the human condition from both the professional and patient perspective.

Obtain a copy at our information desk or request curbside pickup by calling 456-2400 ext. 3 or emailing ; then register on the Events tab of our website.

Live virtual

story time

Let’s meet via Zoom for a lively interactive storytime on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., ideal for children ages infant-age 5. We’ll read books, sing songs and enjoy a lively time together!

We also have ideas on props you can create at home to make the experience more interactive.  Please register on the Events tab of our website to join in the fun!

Browsing hours

Masks are required for patrons ages 2 and up. GPL policies based on current COVID conditions are outlined in our Pandemic Operations Plan, accessible on our website. Current hours are: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.