Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, May 12, 2021

— Photo from Luanne Nicholson

Staff at Guilderland Public Library paused for a “shelfie” during the arduous task of moving the collection to its permanent home as the library’s construction project nears its final months. From left are Bryana Wachowicz, Mitzi Hall, Amy McCarthy, Kristina Ronald, Holly Andreou, and Diane Bruins.

The Guilderland Public Library’s building project is on budget, and more than halfway done. According to the latest estimate, construction may be completed by the end of August 2021, a full 11 months ahead of schedule. More details, including monthly progress reports, may be found at:  https://bit.ly/GPLbuildingproject.

2021 vote

Guilderland Public Library’s annual budget and board candidate vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18,  from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all Guilderland Central School District elementary schools.  

GPL’s 2021-2022 Proposed Budget may be viewed at:  http://bit.ly/GPL2122ProposedBudget.  The total budget of $4,097,100 reflects a slight increase of 1.48 percent in the tax levy and an additional budgeted amount of $16,922. Six candidates are seeking to fill four vacancies on the library’s Board of Trustees. They will appear on the ballot in this order: Vanessa Threatte, Michael Hawrylchak, Antonio Rivera, Herb Hennings, Philip Metzger, Jr., Norina Melita.  

Complete information is posted in the library’s May newsletter, which may be obtained via email by subscribing to https://bit.ly/GPLeNews; emailing ; calling 518.456.2400 ext. 112; or clicking on “GPL News” at www.guilderlandlibrary.org the “May 2021” link.  Printed copies of the newsletter are available in the Normanskill Room during curbside hours (enter via the side entrance).

Book donations

We cannot accept book donations at this time.  Discover Books, our previous provider, removed the blue bins from our side parking. We will resume book donations as soon as we can secure another vendor.

In the interim, the Friends of the Schenectady County Public Library accept donated books Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon on the loading dock at the Central Library.  Better World Books bins collect donations at Bethlehem Public Library and Albany Public Library’s Delaware and Pine Hills branches.  Colonie Town Library accepts one box of donations on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.  Please call these locations in advance to confirm.

Vaccine card protector

We’re providing protective 4 x 6 plastic sleeves to protect your vaccine card, by request.  Please sign up on the Events tab of our website, indicating in the notes field whether you would like one or two sleeves, or call 518-456-2400 ext. 3, then pick up your card protector(s) during our curbside hours throughout May.  

Tech and résumé help

Optimize your usage of an Apple Watch, iPhone, MacBook, or Apple TV; or get customized assistance with our website’s Learning Express tool to craft your résumé. Register for a one-on-one appointment Mondays at 6:30 p.m. or Thursdays at 10 a.m. throughout May on the Events tab of our website.

Curbside kits

Our next Grab & Go Storytime Kit for preschoolers will be available for curbside pick up starting Monday, May 17.  No registration is required for this weather-themed kit intended for ages 2-5.  Two curbside kits that do require advance registration – STREAM kits for grades K-5, and Summer Camp Throwback T(w)een kits for grades 6-12 – will be ready for pick up on Friday, May 21.

Plant and paint

Families: Let’s meet at the Large Pavilion at Tawasentha Park on Saturday. May 22 at 2:30 p.m. to paint flower pots and plant seeds in them!  This program is geared toward grades 2 and up, but all are welcome to join in in the fun.  Please register on the Events tab of our website, or call us at 518-456-2400 ext. 3 to sign up.

Summer reading kickoff

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 29 as we finalize plans for our “Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program kickoff at Farnsworth Middle School.  More SRP details may be found at:  https://guilderlandlibrary.org/srp.

Summer golf Tourney

The Guilderland Library Foundation is hosting a golf tournament fundraiser at Western Turnpike Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 13. For more information on participation and sponsorship opportunities, please see: http://bit.ly/GLFGolf2021.

Hours

Call us at 518-456-2400. Pick up requested materials Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday  1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday  10 a.m to 2 p.m. and Sunday  2 to 4 p.m. through the Normanskill Room side door. Return items anytime (except holidays) to the parking lot sheds. GPL is not currently open to public browsing.