Events at the Albany Public Library: January 1-7, 2007

Monday, January 1
All locations closed for New Year's Day (0)
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Tuesday, January 2
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, January 3
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
3 Apples Book Award Kick-Off Party (Pine Hills Branch)
Numismatists (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, January 4
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Intro. to Computers - Part I (Main Library)
Friday, January 5
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Intro. to Word (Pine Hills Branch)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, January 6
Bookmobile - Kipp Tech Valley Charter School (Bookmobile)
Saturday Stories (Main Library)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
Sunday, January 7
Deep Ocean Adventure (Main Library)

Events at the Albany Public Library, December 25-31, 2006

Monday, December 25
All locations closed for Christmas Day... (0)
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Tuesday, December 26
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Book Review: STATE OF DENIAL (Main Library)
Art-on-Cart Activities (Main Library)
Wednesday, December 27
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Art-on-Cart Activities (Main Library)
Thursday, December 28
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Vacation Storytime (Main Library)
Friday, December 29
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Intro. to Computers (Pine Hills Branch)
Mad Libs Meet Poetry (Main Library)
Rap Poems for Teens (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, December 30
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Totally Snowed In - an 80's Movie Weekend (Main Library)
Totally Snowed In - an 80's Movie Weekend (Main Library)
Sunday, December 31
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Totally Snowed In - an 80's Movie Weekend (Main Library)

Events at the Albany Public Library, December 18-24, 2005

Monday, December 18
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
APL's Affirmative Action Committee. (Main Library)
APL's Affirmative Action Committee. (Main Library)
Library Board Meeting (Main Library)
Tuesday, December 19
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review:A PEOPLE'S HISTORY (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, December 20
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Drop in Craft (0)
Book Tasting (Main Library)
Citizen's Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Citizen's Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Thursday, December 21
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Japanese Language and Culture Club (Main Library)
Friday, December 22
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Intro. to Internet (Pine Hills Branch)
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, December 23
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Sunday, December 24
All locations closed for Christmas Eve. (0)Monday, December 18
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
APL's Affirmative Action Committee. (Main Library)
APL's Affirmative Action Committee. (Main Library)
Library Board Meeting (Main Library)
Tuesday, December 19
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review:A PEOPLE'S HISTORY (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, December 20
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Drop in Craft (0)
Book Tasting (Main Library)
Citizen's Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Citizen's Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Thursday, December 21
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Japanese Language and Culture Club (Main Library)
Friday, December 22
Bookmobile - Off the Road for Routine Maintenance (Bookmobile)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Intro. to Internet (Pine Hills Branch)
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, December 23
Drop in Craft (Howe Branch)
Sunday, December 24
All locations closed for Christmas Eve. (0)

CLOSED Thursday

All locations of the Albany Public Library will be closed Thursday, December 14 for Staff Development Day.

Events at the Albany Public Library: December 11-17, 2006

Monday, December 11
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Harriman Campus (Bookmobile)
Library Board Called Meeting (Main Library)
Tuesday, December 12
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review: March (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Albany Community Charter School (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - Sheridan Prep Elementary School (Bookmobile)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, December 13
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Advanced E-mail (Main Library)
Canceled Citizens Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Literacy Volunteers of America (0)
Literacy Volunteers of America (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, December 14
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (0)
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (Howe Branch)
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (Delaware Branch)
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (New Scotland Branch)
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (North Albany Branch)
All locations closed for Staff Development Day (Pine Hills Branch)
Friday, December 15
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Swinburne Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Introduction to Library Catalogs (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, December 16
Skateboarding Video Discussion Group (New Scotland Branch)

Events at the Albany Public Library: December 4-10, 2006

Monday, December 4
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
Tuesday, December 5
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Invasion of Okinawa Lecture (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, December 6
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Advanced Internet (Main Library)
Numismatists (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, December 7
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Japanese Language and Culture Club (Main Library)
Book Discussion Group (Main Library)
Intro. to Online Genealogy (Main Library)
Friday, December 8
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Intro. to Word--Part 2 (Pine Hills Branch)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, December 9
Kids Take Action for the Enviroment (Main Library)

Events at the Albany Public Library: November 27-December 3, 2006

Monday, November 27
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Harriman Campus (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Friends of Albany Public Library Board (Main Library)
Tuesday, November 28
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review: In Search of Memory (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Albany Community Charter School (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Sheridan Prep Elementary School (Bookmobile)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, November 29
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (Bookmobile)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Open Computer Lab (0)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Book Club (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, November 30
Medicare Counseling (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)

Friday, December 1
Bookmobile - Swinburne Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
Saturday, December 2
Bookmobile - Kipp Tech Valley Charter School (Bookmobile)
Sunday, December 3
Sunday Cinema (Main Library)

Events at the Albany Public Library: November 20-26, 2006

Monday, November 20
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Albany Public Library Board of Trustees (Main Library)
Tuesday, November 21
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review: The Shia Revival (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Oakley Hall III (Main Library)
Wednesday, November 22
Bookmobile - Thanksgiving Break (Bookmobile)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Intro. to Computers - Part I (North Albany Branch)
Intro. to Word (North Albany Branch)
Thursday, November 23
All locations closed for Thanksgiving Day (0)
Bookmobile - Thanksgiving Break (Bookmobile)
Friday, November 24
Bookmobile - Thanksgiving Break (Bookmobile)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Saturday, November 25
Saturday Afternoon Cartoons (Main Library)
Sunday, November 26
Sunday Cinema (Main Library)

Will Web Resources be the Death of the Library?

Will Web Resources be the Death of the Library?, by By Polina Aksamentova
News Originally published Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Pipe Dream, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Hint: the answer is NO.

Library trustees OK plan

In case you missed it in the Times Union last week:
Albany neighborhood branch improvements advance while work on main library is delayed.
By BRIAN NEARING, Staff writer.
First published: Friday, November 10, 2006

"The Loss of Nameless Things"- A Film About Oakley Hall III

A FILM ABOUT
Oakley Hall III
Directed by: Bill Rose
"The Loss of Nameless Things"
All Rights Reserved. 2006

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2006
7:00 PM
ALBANY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MAIN AUDITORIUM
161 WASHINGTON AVE, ALBANY

OAKLEY HALL III WILL READ FROM HIS BOOK "ALF AND ME"
FOLLOWED BY FILM SHOWING

MODERATOR: PROFESSOR
PIERRE JORIS, UALBANY
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Oakley will be available for audience discussion after the screening of
The Loss of Nameless Things.

In "THE LOSS OF NAMELESS THINGS", Oakley Hall’s family and the actors who followed him into the upstate New York wilderness to build the Lexington Conservatory Theatre (LCT) share their recollections of Hall, his genius and the terrible accident that befell him 30 years ago. Under mysterious circumstances, Oakley Hall either fell or was pushed off of a bridge, sustaining severe traumatic brain injury. After wandering the country like a modern day Odysseus, Oakley settles back home in California and begins the painful process of rehabilitating and rebuilding himself with the love and support of family and friends. The film also shows the triumphant return of Oakley into the theater world, with the premiere of his play, GRINDER’S STAND and his creative rebirth as a writer. “Alf and Me” is his memoir and also a biography of the French playwright, Alfred Jarry. Oakley’s current projects include stage adaptations of the gothic horror story “Melmoth the Wanderer”, and “The Moonstone” considered the precursor of modern mystery and suspense novels.

This event sponsored by the generosity of the Albany Center Galleries, the New York State Writer’s Institute, and the Friends of the Albany Public Library.

Bus Meeting

A message from the group

Citizens for Bus Transportation
Wednesday November 15, 2006
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue
436-1944
Description: Guest Speaker Erin Mitchell, AARP's Associate State Director for Community Outreach.
Also Channel 13's Lydia Kulbida or a representative will attend to evaluate the potential for a news story about the group's call for relocation of the CDTA bus stop and shelter near the entrance to Colonie Mall.

Events at the Albany Public Library: November 13-19, 2006

Monday, November 13
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Tuesday, November 14
Bookmobile - Readers' Advisory Conference (Main Library)
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Lessons of the November Elections (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, November 15
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (Bookmobile)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Introduction to the Internet (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Teen advisory group (Pine Hills Branch)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Citizen’s Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Thursday, November 16
Writers Group (Main Library)
Albany Quilters (Howe Branch)
Intro. to Word (Pine Hills Branch)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Thanksgiving Drop-in Craft (Howe Branch)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Intro. to eBay (Main Library)
Friday, November 17
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - State St./LOB (Bookmobile)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
Thanksgiving Drop-in Craft (Howe Branch)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Saturday, November 18
Saturday Afternoon Cartoons (Main Library)
Thanksgiving Drop-in Craft (Howe Branch)

FREE NY TIMES Select

The New York Times had put most of their opinion columns and online archives behind a subscription wall and called it Times Select. It suddenly cost fifty smackers to access their columnists. Not this week.
http://select.nytimes.com/pages/timesselect/index.html
November 6-12, 2006

By The Book: Genre and Gender - A Readers' Advisory Conference

Just got this notice -

November 13-14, 2006 http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/readers/raconf/
>> Special student conference rate $25!

Albany Public Library is proud to announce its third annual continuing education opportunity, By the Book: Genre and Gender - A Readers'Advisory Conference. Library professionals, library school students, and support staff are invited to attend featured programs that include readers' advisory techniques and advice for reaching out to romance fans as well as Gen-X readers and beyond.
A recognized leader in innovative library service, Albany Public Library is pleased to host this annual conference on readers' advisory services and bring you two notable practitioners of the art of readers' advisory:
Kaite Mediatore Stover, a readers' services librarian for Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and David Wright, a readers' services librarian for Seattle Public Library. Both have provided training and workshops to librarians and paraprofessional staff around the country, as well as contributed regularly to professional publications.
On Monday evening, November 13th, guests are invited to attend an exclusive Book Tasting program, APL's newest, most popular readers'
advisory program for adults. Enjoy an eclectic mix of food and fiction as we sample treats from a local restaurant while we chat about David Kamp's The United States of Arugula: How We Became a Gourmet Nation.
Our Tuesday morning sessions will offer attendees insight into the appeal of the romance genre as well as connecting with Gen X and Y readers in their late teens to mid-thirties. In the afternoon, Kaite Mediatore Stover and David Wright will present a special He Reads, She Reads program based on their Booklist column of the same name.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in two breakout sessions that afternoon, choosing from: Bombs, Bullets, and Beyond: What Men Read; After Booktalking: an alternative programming roundtable; See Jane Read: An Overview of Chick Lit; and tours of APL's award-winning Cybermobile.
Our flexible and affordable registration options will allow librarians, library school students, and paraprofessional staff of all levels to take away valuable real-world advice from By the Book: Genre and Gender.
Conference registration fee: $65 (student rate $25)
Registration includes Book Tasting on 11/13, breakfast and lunch on 11/14.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006.
For more information and registration forms, click: here
Questions? Contact Amy Maurer McLaughlin at mclaughlina@uhls.lib.ny.us or 518-427-4349.

Events at the Albany Public Library: November 6-12

Monday, November 6
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Facilities Planning Committee (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Film: Religious Freedom (Main Library)
Tuesday, November 7
Film: From Albany to Saigon (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Drum Talk (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, November 8
Medicare Information (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Intro. to Computers (North Albany Branch)
Medicare Counseling (Main Library)
Intro. to Online Research & Databases (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Called Library Board Meeting (Main Library)
Thursday, November 9
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Kids "Cook Off" (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Intro. to Internet (Main Library)
Friday, November 10
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Swinburne Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, November 11
Albany Tennis Club (Pine Hills Branch)
007 Film Festival (Main Library)
Skateboarding Video Discussion Group (New Scotland Branch)
Saturday Afternoon Cartoons (Main Library)
007 Film Festival (Main Library)
Sunday, November 12
007 Film Festival (Main Library)

Eleanor Billmyer: Great at 88

The October meeting of the Friends was preceded by a birthday celebration for long-time Friends board member Eleanor Billmyer. Then she was interviewed by the local newspaper; you can read the story here.

Happy birthday and thanks, Eleanor!

VOTE!

Albany County Offices To Be Filled
(City of Albany residents)

Federal
United States Senator
Representative In Congress (21st District)

State
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Comptroller
Attorney General
Justice Of The Supreme Court; 3rd Judicial District (2)
State Senator (46th Distrtict)
Member Of Assembly (104th or 106th District)

County
None

City of Albany
City Court Judge
Board of Education (2)

For more information, go here and here.

Bias

I'll express my bias to admit that, even before he wrote his book about Mayor Corning, Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma, and he read an excerpt describing the Springbok rugby team coming to Albany in such vivid detail, Paul Grondahl had been my favorite Times Union writer.

Meet the Author series continues at the Main Library tomorrow beginning at 12:15 pm. Paul Grondahl will discuss his new book, Now is the Time, a history of Parsons Family & Child Center (formerly the Albany Orphan Asylum).
***
NOTE that both the Friends board and the Trustees are meeting TODAY, at 5pm and 5:30 pm, respectively.

Events at the Albany Public Library:October 30-November 5

Monday, October 30
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Test Preparation Online (Main Library)
Friends of Albany Public Library Board (Main Library)
Callled APL Trustee Board Meeting (Main Library)
Scrabble Club (New Scotland Branch)
Tuesday, October 31
Boo-Mobile - School Halloween Visits (Bookmobile)
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Meet the Author: Paul Grondahl (Main Library)
Halloween Party! (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)

Wednesday, November 1
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (Bookmobile)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Numismatists (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, November 2
Bookmobile - New York Library Association Annual Conference (Bookmobile)
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Tutoring (Main Library)
Book Discussion Group (Main Library)
Friday, November 3
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - State St./LOB (Bookmobile)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Saturday, November 4
Bookmobile - Kipp Tech Valley Charter School (Bookmobile)
Author Peter Krass (Main Library)
Saturday Afternoon Cartoons (Main Library)
Sunday, November 5
Sunday Cinema (Main Library)

Albany Institute of History and Art's 33rd Annual Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair

I want to plug this because not only is the Institute a neighbor on Washington Avenue to the main branch of the library, but the event deals with books and librarians.

The event is a fundraising event for the AIHA Library. General admission to the exhibitions of the Albany Institute is $7.00. Most of the related book fair activities are free, except where noted. General admission to Sunday’s events at The Armory is $5.00. However, there is some special pricing:
Students get in free when they present their school identification cards.
Librarians, archivists, curators, teachers, and professors get in at half-price when they present a business card or institutional identification card.

Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Avenue
2:00 - 3:00: Lecture and Booksigning. Nancy Todd, author of New York’s Historic Armories: An Illustrated History. Free.
3:00 - 4:00: Behind the Scenes Tour. Learn how the Albany Institute preserves and organizes its library materials and see examples from its unique collection. Free.
3:30 - 5:00: Appraisal Fair. Bring your paper-based treasures (e.g., rare books, photographs, maps, posters, postcards, manuscripts, prints, family letters, ephemera, broadsides, autographs, etc.). $5 per item or $10 for 3 items.

Sunday, November 12, 2006 at the The Armory, 195 Washington Avenue
Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair
10:00—4:00: More than 50 booths selling rare books, ephemera, photographs, posters, prints, and other paper-based collectibles. Special events include Meet the Author, Dealer Presentations, and exhibitions.
Meet the Author
Informally chat with some of the region’s popular authors about their research and publications.
11:00 – 11:45: Charles Semowich, coauthor of Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy: The Art of Dorothy Lathrop
12:00 – 12:45: Paul Grondahl, author of I Rose Like a Rocket, Mayor Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma, and other titles
1:00 – 1:45: Tom Lewis, author of The Hudson: A History
2:00 – 2:45: Nancy Todd, author of New York’s Historic Armories: An Illustrated History
And more!

Dealer Presentations
Drop by these booths for quick talks and demonstrations about special collecting areas.
11:30 - 11:45: Ephemera, Ephemera Society
11:45 - 12:00: Children’s Book Series, Lee Temares
12:30 - 12:45: Postal History, aGatherin’
1:30 - 1:45: Ephemera, Margaret O’Connell
1:45 - 2:00: Fishing Books, Austin’s Antiquarian Books
And more!

Please contact Rebecca Rich-Wulfmeyer for more information. She is the Chief Librarian and Archivist at the Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210
t 518-463-4478 f 518-463-5506
www.albanyinstitute.org

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves

Or is it eats shoots and leaves? Lynne Truss' "Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation" was a big hit both in Britain and then in the U.S. I bouight it for my wife, who is a teacher. From the very last paragraph in the book: "So we ignore the rules of punctuation at our political peril as well as to our moral detriment." Come to the library tomorrow at noontime for a review of this enchanting book.

Events at the Albany Public Library:October 23-29

Monday, October 23
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Preparing for Civil Service Tests (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (0)
Called Meeting Library Trustees (Main Library)
Scrabble Club (New Scotland Branch)
Tuesday, October 24
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - Sheridan Prep Elementary School (0)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, October 25
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Learn to Crochet (New Scotland Branch)
Halloween Stories and Crafts (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Club (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, October 26
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Friday, October 27
Bookmobile - Swinburn Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Introduction to Word II (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, October 28
Bookmobile - Metropolitan New Testatment Mission Baptist Church (0)
Bookmobile - Eagle Point Elementary School All Hallows Eve Celebration (0)

Paul Grondahl at APL

On Tuesday October 31 at 12:15 pm at APL’s Main Location at 161 Washington Avenue, the Friends of APL will present Paul Grondahl, an award-winning Times Union reporter and author of the biography of Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd, Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma. He will discuss his latest book: Now Is The Time: A History of Parsons Child and Family Center, 1829-2004. His talk will examine the 175-year history of the institution formerly known as the Albany Orphan Asylum and Albany Home For Children. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the talk.

Get a Job

"Get a Job" was a #1 hit by the Silhouettes, and a #21 hit for the Mills Brothers that same year. Apropos of that, APL is holding three workshops in October that will help Civil Service job hunters at the Main Library. No registration is necessary.
Today, Monday, October 16 at 12:15 p.m., come to How to Apply for City Jobs and Civil Service Exams. Join representatives from the City of Albany’s Equal Employment
Opportunity Office for an overview and question and answer session.
On Monday, October 23 12:15 pm, the public can attend Preparing for Civil Service Tests. Get some general advice from the City of Albany’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office.
On Monday, October 30 12:15 pm is Test Preparation Online. Come to an open lab at the Main Library to explore the Testing & Education Reference Center. This subscription database provides test preparation books for downloading and online practice for many civil service, licensing, and education tests. In addition, it offers information on vocational schools, colleges, graduate opportunities, distance learning programs, and more. Access is also available free from home with a library card. Do you need to take an education or employment related test? The test preparation book collection at the Main Library can help you get ready. The collection provides study guides for GED, SAT, or college level education tests, and civil service or employment licensing exams. These items may be checked out.
For more information call the Reference Department at 427-4303.

Events at the Albany Public Library:October 16-22

Monday, October 16
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Albany Quilters (Howe Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
How to Apply for City Jobs (Main Library)
Library Board of Trustees (Main Library)
Scrabble Club (New Scotland Branch)
Tuesday, October 17
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Meet the Author: Frank Robinson (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (0)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, October 18
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (0)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Intro. to Word--Part 2 (Main Library)
Learn to Crochet (New Scotland Branch)
Citizen’s Library Advisory Committee (Main Library)
Book Tasting (Main Library)
Thursday, October 19
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Writers Group (Main Library)
Intro. to Publisher (Howe Branch)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Flash 4 Event @ 3rd Ave. and Clinton (0)
Intro. to Internet (Main Library)
Friday, October 20
Introduction to Word I (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - State St./LOB (Bookmobile)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, October 21
A Community of Writers (Main Library)

Frank S. Robinson

Local author Frank S. Robinson, NO relation, I believe, to the baseball Hall of Fame outfielder and former Washington Nationals manager, will be discussing, reading from, and signing copies of his book, LIFE, LIBERTY, and HAPPINESS - AN OPTIMIST MANIFESTO, at:
Borders Books
Crossgates Mall
Guilderland, NY
SATURDAY, OCT. 14, 2 PM

Albany Public Library
161 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY
TUESDAY, OCT. 17, 12 noon
For information about the book, and ordering details, go here.

Frank writes, "People who have read this book have LOVED it!"

Tuesday Noon Program: Book Review

One of the events the Friends sponsor regularly is the Tuesday noon book review. Tomorrow's review will feature The Best American Poetry of 2006, which will be reviewed by Dan Wilcox, poet, activist and a member of "3 Guys From Albany", a poetry performance group. Come to the rear of the main library at 12:15 pm.
Description: Book:

This Week at the APL: October 9-15

Monday, October 9
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Philosophies of Life – Stories for Young People (Main Library)
Scrabble Club (New Scotland Branch)
Freedom Files Film: Voting Rights (Main Library)
Tuesday, October 10
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - Sheridan Prep Elementary School (0)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, October 11
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Intro. to Word--Part 1 (Main Library)
Learn to Crochet (New Scotland Branch)
Teen advisory group (Pine Hills Branch)
Community Gardens (Pine Hills Branch)
Author Charles Mann (Main Library)
Thursday, October 12
Hispanic Heritage Month Drop-In Craft (Howe Branch)
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Albany Quilters (Howe Branch)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Intro. to Computers - Part II (Main Library)
Friday, October 13
Hispanic Heritage Month Drop-In Craft (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Swinburn Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Introduction to the Internet (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, October 14
Hispanic Heritage Month Drop-In Craft (Howe Branch)
Albany Tennis Club (Pine Hills Branch)

Library Science Jeopardy

I'm a librarian, I've won on JEOPARDY!, but I did REALLY badly on this. Still, give it a try here.

Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources

OCLC, "a worldwide library co-operative", has put out a book entitled "Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources", which "summarizes findings of an international study on information-seeking habits and preferences."

The Perceptions report provides the findings and responses from the online survey in an effort to learn more about:

Library use
Awareness and use of library electronic resources
The Internet search engine, the library and the librarian
Free vs. for-fee information
The "Library" brand

For instance, half of American library users don't know if/that their library has a webpage.

Go here, if the links below don't work, or if you want to access the whole report:

Download individual sections of the report:
Introduction (PDF; 706kb)
Part 1: Libraries and Information Sources--Use, Familiarity and Favorability (PDF; 1.5mb)
Part 2: Using the Library--In Person and Online (PDF; 1.2mb)
Part 3: The Library Brand (PDF; 891kb)
Part 4: Respondents' Advice to Libraries (PDF; 284kb)
Part 5: Libraries--A "Universal" Brand? (PDF; 248kb)
Conclusion (PDF; 126kb)
Appendix A: Supporting Data Tables (PDF; 1.1mb)
Appendix B: Sample Verbatim Comments (PDF; 473kb)
About OCLC (PDF; 98kb)

Tell OCLC what you think about the report and the issues it examines.

Most reliable search tool could be your librarian

Web search engines may hustle up quick results, but librarians dig up online information you can trust, say experts.

By Elinor Mills
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: September 29, 2006, 4:00 AM PDT

Your child wants to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. You might consider consulting a librarian instead of Google, AOL or Microsoft search engines.

Using the keywords "Martin Luther King," the first result on Google and AOL--whose search is powered by Google--and the second result on Microsoft Windows Live search is a Web site created by a white supremacists group that purports to provide "a true historical examination" of the civil rights leader.

Granted, there are sponsored links above the result on all three sites and a "snapshot" of links to related content on AOL above the link on that Web site. But given that many people rely on the information they get in the top few results, someone could come away with a skewed perception of the man.

That's where librarians come in. While the Web is good for offering quick results from a broad range of sources, which may or may not be trustworthy, librarians can help people get access to more authoritative information and go deeper with their research.

Tuesday Noon Program

Tomorrow at noon, there will be an Albany Roundtable Talk at the Main Library, beginning at 12:15 pm. The Albany Roundtable Speaker: Paul Bray, Lawyer and columnist in urban and environmental planning, founder and president of the Albany Roundtable . He has appeared regularly in the Times Union and has wonderful insights about city life.

This Week at the APL: October 2-8, 2006

For more details, go here.

Monday, October 2
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Scrabble Club (New Scotland Branch)
Tuesday, October 3
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Albany Roundtable Talk (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (0)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Wednesday, October 4
Bookmobile - Ohav Shalom Nursery School (0)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Pre-School Storytime (Howe Branch)
Toddler Storytime (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Learn to Crochet (New Scotland Branch)
Numismatists (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, October 5
Dance Dance Revolution! (New Scotland Branch)
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Book Discussion Group (Main Library)
Intro. to Computers - Part I (Main Library)
Friday, October 6
Introduction to Library Catalogs (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - State St./LOB (Bookmobile)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Library Called Board Meeting (0)
Sunday, October 8
Sunday Cinema (Main Library)

Building up

There was a letter to the editor in Monday's Times Union,titled "An all-new main building isn't needed for Albany's library system". In it, DEAN W. HARTLEY, Ph.D. of
Albany writes:

I mentioned that plans should be scrapped for an "all-new" main library in favor of the priority of new and rehabbed branches. There is also the possibility of a compromise, with the remaining funds: could not a second parking level be added to the existing back lot, and a floor or two floors added on top?

On completion, it could be joined to the existing library floors. That would not interfere with existing services as it was under construction, as the razing and wholly-new construction of a new main library would have.

I hope that Dr. Hartley came to the meeting on Thursday, for he would discover that there will be disruptions in the main library to do needed repairs, albeit for a shorter time frame, and that the cost to do those repairs would be about $5 million less than the plans to build new. Not chump change to be sure, but the repair option will not create as much savings as one might desire.

One of the folks at the meeting asked if another floor might be added on. This was not feasible for reasons having to do with load-bearing; books are heavy!

Still, no decision has been made by the library trustees on the plan, though one is expected soon.

You Cannot Vote If You Are Not Registered!

New York's registration deadline to vote in the general election is that the form must be postmarked no later than Oct. 13, 2006. Please remind people you know, and especially people who may have moved in the last year, who must re-register, lest they become disenfranchised..

Need to know where to vote? Go to this site. Note though that the address info is a bit...non-intuitive:

Leave out punctuation ("St James" not St. James")
Use abbreviations. Don't spell out Road, Avenue and so on. For example "Main Street"
would just be "Main St"
Don't spell out numbered streets. Use "1st Ave" or "1 Ave" instead of "First Ave"
Do use the single initial letter "N," "S," "E," or "W" instead of North, South, East or West.

Don't Forget

The Building Libraries for the Future Reception tonight at 6 pm at the main branch and an observance of Banned Books Week on Saturday at 2:00 pm, both in the auditorium of the main library, 161 Washington Avenue.

In Anticipation of the Libraries for the Future Reception

Check out the design plans here, read the facilities committee recommendation here, then come to the reception on Thursday.

SONGS FROM THE PIANO BENCH

Last Wednesday of each Month, Noon - 2 pm, at the New York State Museum

These singing sessions are based on the New York State Library's sheet music collection, approximately 35,000 songs, dating from the 1790s to 2000s. The subjects and styles range from 18th and 19th century sacred and secular music, Shaker hymns, and 1930s pop, to contemporary works.
All singers, would-be-singers, and listeners are welcome. No experience is necessary to participate and song sheets are provided. Great fun, a way to chase the blues away and make friends!

Contact information 518-474-2274

Building Libraries for the Future - Reception

The Friends of the Albany Public Library invite members of The Friends and contributors to the Albany Public Library to a reception and presentation of the exciting plan for the future of Albany’s libraries on Thursday, September 28, 2007, 6:00pm, Main Library, 161 Washington Avenue. Come share tasty hors d’oeuvres and view the drawings for six new and renovated libraries. R.S.V.P.’s not necessary, but appreciated to Elissa Kane at 427-4346, or kanee@uhls.lib.ny.us.

APL Observes Banned Books Week

On Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 pm, in the auditorium of the main library, there will be an observance of Banned Books Week, which runs from September 23 through 30.
Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states, "We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources."

Albany Public Library and its partner, the New York Civil Liberties Union – Capital Region Chapter are presenting this special program to bring attention to attempts in our society to restrict the flow of information to legitimate users. Local actors and community leaders will read excerpts from books that have been banned or challenged in America.

Many local poets will be reading from their own works. NYCLU members will also discuss current challenges to intellectual freedom and free speech, including the USA PATRIOT Act.
** In addition, the Ramblin Jug Stompers, consisting of luminaries from the local music scene, will be performing censored or challenged songs from the past.*
* Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Association of American Publishers. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

For more information on Banned Books week visit the ALA website.

For more information on the New York Civil Liberties Union visit here.

For more information on the PATRIOT Act visit the American Civil Liberties Union.

We Are the Friends of the Albany Public Library!

The Friends of the Albany Public Library support the mission of a most valued resource, our public library in Albany, NY.