Westerlo Library Notes for Friday, March 18, 2016
The Westerlo Public Library book discussion group will meet on Thursday, March 17, at 7 p.m., at the library. For the month of March, we will choose our own adventure with a Western theme. Our inspiration is Russell Martin’s lushly illustrated book, “Cowboy: The Enduring Myth of the Wild West.” Like the book, we will explore American Western culture from John Wayne’s depiction of the “wild west” to John Travolta’s contemporary portrait in Urban Cowboy. Please join us. New members are welcome.
Makerspace workshop
On Friday, March 18, at 6 PM, the library will host a public workshop exploring the Maker Movement, sustainable farming and local economic development in the Hilltowns. Led by April Roggio, a local independent researcher, these community dialogs hope to answer the following question: Would the development of a makerspace in the Hilltowns help nurture small farmers?
Funded with a grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE), Sustainable Hilltowns is interested, broadly, in pursuing activities that encourage sustainable economic development, food security and prosperity in our region.
Additional workshops are scheduled at the Berne and Rensselaerville public libraries. For more information, contact April Roggio at , call her at 239-2738, or at the Sustainable Hilltowns Facebook page.
Display case
For the month of March the library is displaying a collection of Kodak Brownie Cameras. With the slogan "you press the button, we do the rest," George Eastman put the first simple camera into the hands of a world of consumers in 1888. In so doing, he made a cumbersome and complicated process easy to use and accessible to nearly everyone.
In 1900, the Kodak Brownie camera brought photography within financial reach of consumers. The camera sold for $1 and film was 15 cents a roll. The Brownie is one of the most iconic cameras in history. Tens of millions were made so they are easy to find and buy even today, and most do not have high value as collectables.
Story time
On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon, Miss Lee presents stories, songs, and movement activities designed for infants to children up to 5 years old. In addition to developing pre-reading skills, singing, moving to music, and playing instruments, the activities all help foster a sense of rhythm and timing that are essential elements in developing the part of a child’s brain that shapes math skills.
Story times are also a great opportunity to meet other parents of small children in Westerlo.
After school at the library
Join Miss Lee on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for homework help, games, crafts, puzzles, music, and a lot more. Programs will also include storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, and visits from special guests. Lee is also available on Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. for homework help.
Technology walk-in Wednesday
Do you have a new Kindle or Nook but don’t know how to download books? Need to brush up on your computer skills or obtain basic skills? See Amy on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for free, personalized, one-on-one instruction.
Library info
All library programming is free, unless otherwise noted, and open to the public. For more information, contact the library during business hours at 797-3415, visit westerlolibrary.org, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westerlolibrary.