A Letter of Thanks

Secret Lives of Toys at UAlbany

The University Libraries’ M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives is hosting an exhibit talk “The Secret Lives of Toys and Their Friends: Selections from the Miriam Snow Mathes Historical Children’s Literature Collection” on Wednesday March 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM. Kali M.D. Roy, graduate student assistant and exhibit curator, will discuss her ideas and inspiration for this exhibit that is drawn from the Mathes Historical Children’s Literature Collection) and features a small sampling of historical children’s literature about adventures based on the lives of living toys or objects, and stories from a toy's point of view.

The over fifty items in the physical exhibit are from approximately the 1850-1950 period and highlights the potential scholarly uses of the Mathes Collection. Located in the University’s Department of Special Collections & Archives, the Miriam Snow Mathes Historical Children's Literature Collection includes over 10,000 children's books and periodicals published in the 19th century and up to 1960. The collection is strong in the literature of the first half of the 20th century, but there is also extensive coverage of the 19th century, the latter half in particular. There is an especially strong concentration on neglected and forgotten works published in the United States, 1875–1950. The central purpose of the Mathes Collection is to provide the texts of works that are generally no longer available in children's library collections today–and to make them available for historical, literary and cultural study and consultation by scholars, students, teachers, librarians and the interested public. The Mathes Collection is named for Miriam Snow Mathes, Class of '26, who had a continuing interest in the Historical Children's Literature Collection. Ms. Mathes, who was a lifelong student, librarian, and teacher of children's literature, established an endowment fund in 1993 to provide continuing support for the collection.

The exhibit is available through May 2007 during normal hours for the Department of Special Collections & Archives, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday – Friday


When: Wednesday March 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives, Science Library, Room 350 Web site
Cost: Free

RSVP appreciated. Contact Brian Keough, (518) 437-3931 or bkeough@albany.edu

Events at the Albany Public Library: February 26-March 4, 2007

Monday, February 26
Do You Remember the Montgomery Bus Boycott? (New Scotland Branch)
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Friends of APL Board (Main Library)
Tuesday, February 27
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Called Meeting, Library Board (Main Library)
Wednesday, February 28
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Open Computer Lab (North Albany Branch)
Career Trends: A workshop (Main Library)

Thursday, March 1
Writers Group (Main Library)
Intro. to Computers - Part I (Main Library)
Friday, March 2
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Saturday, March 3
Bookmobile - Kipp Tech Valley Charter School (Bookmobile)

Library vote reflects investment in future

First published in the Times union: Tuesday, February 13, 2007
On behalf of the entire staff and board of trustees of Albany Public Library, I want to thank the city's voters for overwhelmingly approving our branch improvement plan.

The 2-1 ratio of victory sends a strong message that the people of Albany value learning and the important role that libraries play in our quality of life.
Sincere thanks go to the many elected officials, neighborhood leaders and average citizens who provided valuable guidance and support for this initiative.
As we prepare final designs over the next year, we will be seeking input from the public on how to make these new facilities as welcoming and useful as possible. I invite everyone in the city to participate in helping us create an excellent library system that will be a source of pride for us all.
This is a historic turning point for Albany's libraries. I'm confident we will be able to look back on this decision as a wise investment that will improve the lives of Albany residents for generations to come.
JEFF CANNELL
Director
Albany Public Library
cannellj@uhls.lib.ny.us

Events at the Albany Public Library: February 19-25, 2007

Monday, February 19
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Harriman Campus (Bookmobile)
Tuesday, February 20
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review: Tomas Paine (Main Library)
Philosophies of Life (Main Library)
Philosophies of Life (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, February 21
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Black History Month DVD (Main Library)
Intro. to Excel (Main Library)
Book Tasting (Main Library)
Thursday, February 22
Bookmobile - Center for Disability Services (Bookmobile)
Winter Recess Story Time (Pine Hills Branch)
Winter Recess Story Time (Pine Hills Branch)
Dance Dance Revolution (Main Library)
Dance Dance Revolution (Main Library)
Spelling Bee (Main Library)
Intro. to E-mail (Main Library)
Friday, February 23
Bookmobile - Ida Yarborough (Bookmobile)
Introduction to Library Catalogs (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - South Mall Towers (Bookmobile)
Games (Main Library)
Games (Main Library)
Winter Recess Story Time (Pine Hills Branch)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, February 24
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
Film: Lost Boys of Sudan (Main Library)
Sunday, February 25
Sunday Cinema (Main Library)

Events at the Albany Public Library: February 12-18, 2007

Monday, February 12
Bookmobile - Westview Senior Center (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Swinburne Park Neighborhood (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Daughters of Sarah (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Elementary Community School (Bookmobile)
Tuesday, February 13
Seniors Connect (Main Library)
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review (Main Library)
Bookmobile - Harriet Gibbons High School (Bookmobile)
Craft: Valentine's Day Cards (Delaware Branch)
Bookmobile - Arbor Hill Community Center, Inc. (Bookmobile)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Library Board of Trustees (Main Library)
Wednesday, February 14
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Introduction to Google Searching (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Albany Community Charter School (Bookmobile)
Intro. to PowerPoint (Main Library)
Thursday, February 15
Writers Group (Main Library)
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Albany Symphony Preview (Main Library)
Book Discussion Group (Main Library)
Film: Akeelah and the Bee (Main Library)
Intro. to Internet (Main Library)
Friday, February 16
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
After School Craft (New Scotland Branch)
Connecting with America (Pine Hills Branch)
Saturday, February 17
Anime Club (Main Library)
Anime Club (Main Library)
Sunday, February 18
Legends and Legacies (Main Library)
Legends and Legacies (Main Library)

Thank You, Albany

THANK YOU.

Reasons to vote for library bond issue

First published in the Times Union: Sunday, February 4, 2007

We two seniors will be voting in favor of the library bond issue on Tuesday. The new branch libraries will be fully accessible to all people, disabled or not. They will enhance neighborhoods.

Many of us who live in Albany will be able to save gasoline by walking or busing to our libraries, "the university for the rest of us." Young and old will have the latest books and information science available for instruction and use. Interest groups will have nice meeting rooms.

In this vote, as a community, we will be able to pass on what we always accepted as ours, but which was in fact paid for by preceding generations.

VERA AND RICHARD PROPP

Albany

Libraries are invaluable for Literacy Volunteers

First published in the Times Union: Sunday, February 4, 2007

No doubt contrary to the writer's intention, committeeman Albert Paolucci's comment in these pages, "Libraries we don't need," prompted a flood of letters in support of the library bond that will be proposed to voters on Tuesday. Literacy Volunteers would like to add to the chorus of voices advocating improvements to Albany's public library system.
We wonder if Mr. Paolucci knows that Literacy Volunteers -- Mohawk/Hudson, which has been providing free instruction to Albany adults in reading, writing, and speaking English for more than 40 years, relies almost exclusively on our public libraries for space and resources. Most of our volunteer tutors meet with their students in the safe and welcoming atmosphere of a neighborhood library.
There are private rooms in which to hold lessons, books and other educational materials easily accessible, and friendly and knowledgeable librarians to offer professional advice.
Our tutor training workshops and inservices are held in the libraries, and the Pine Hills Branch houses a special literacy resource center for the use of tutors. Many of our adult students apply for their first library card at the encouragement of their tutors, beginning a lifelong practice of reading that many of us take for granted.
Literacy Volunteers could not fulfill its mission of "changing lives and building community by strengthening literacy skills" in the commercial atmosphere of Borders or Barnes & Nobles or the research ambience of the New York State Library. We urge residents to vote yes to support their local libraries.
ROBERT N. STEVENS
Executive Director
Literacy Volunteers
Mohawk/Hudson, Inc.
Albany

Yes, and yes again

Albany voters should approve referenda on public schools and libraries

EDITORIAL First published in the Times Union: Sunday, February 4, 2007
Voters in Albany will have an opportunity to answer two multimillion dollar questions Tuesday. One is whether to approve $19 million for improvements at three public schools. The other is whether to approve $29.1 million to renovate or rebuild neighborhood library branches. The answer in both cases should be yes.
Good schools and good libraries are essential to any community's quality of life. Indeed, most suburban communities attract new families precisely because they can boast of their public school and library resources. If Albany skimps on them, the city will become less attractive to newcomers, as well as current residents, and it will continue to lose population.
Although the school and library projects will be on the same ballot Tuesday, they are separate from one another. The school district has no involvement with the library, which has its own budget and board of trustees. Thus, voters could choose to approve one referendum and not the other. But that would be a foolish choice. Schools and libraries are centers of learning, and both are deserving of support.
Although the school referendum totals $19 million, it's highly unlikely that there will be any cost to taxpayers. That's because the $19 million includes two forms of state aid that will cover the cost. The money would go toward improvements at Arbor Hill Elementary School, where, among other things, the school's exterior would be made watertight, and new acoustical improvements would be made; at Giffin Elementary School, where improvements would include new heating and air conditioning; and the Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology, where there would be new heating and air conditioning systems, a new auditorium ceiling and other improvements.
Unlike the school referendum, approval of the library borrowing will come at a cost to taxpayers. But it's a modest one -- just $47 a year for a home currently assessed at $100,000. And that $47 will go a long way to improve the city aging library branches. For example, the 90-year-old Howe branch, with its leaky roof, would be repaired. There would be a new Arbor Hill/West Hill branch and an expanded Pine Hills branch. The New Scotland Avenue branch is closing because of renovations at School 19, and needs to be replaced. The Delaware Avenue branch, squeezed into a strip mall, needs new and expanded quarters. Moreover, none of the branches has room for more books or computers.
All this will change for the better, and soon, if voters make the right choice Tuesday and say yes.

Events at the Albany Public Library: February 5-11, 2007

Monday, February 5
Bookmobile - Atria Shaker (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Atria Crossgates (Bookmobile)
Bookmobile - Harriman Campus (Bookmobile)
Tuesday, February 6
Toddler Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Book Review: Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid (Main Library)
Read to me Storytime (Pine Hills Branch)
Delaware Dogs Program (Delaware Branch)
Wednesday, February 7
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (Main Library)
Pre-School Storytime (Delaware Branch)
Pre-School Storytime (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Crestwood Plaza (Bookmobile)
Intro. to Computers - Part I (North Albany Branch)
Bookmobile - Green St. (Bookmobile)
Numismatists (Pine Hills Branch)
Thursday, February 8
Lapsit Storytime (Main Library)
Friday, February 9
Bookmobile - Ida Yarborough (Bookmobile)
Intro. to Computers (Delaware Branch)
Intro. to Word--Part 2 (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, February 10
Albany Tennis Club (Pine Hills Branch)
Bookmobile - Kipp Tech Valley Charter School (Bookmobile)
Copyright Panel Discussion. (Main Library)
Read to Tess the Dog (Main Library)
Sunday, February 11
Legends and Legacies Black History event (Main Library)

Give students the best by supporting the library plan

First published in the Times Union: Thursday, February 1, 2007

As president of the Pine Hills Elementary PTA, I know that our school community is grateful to the voters and taxpayers of Albany for our beautiful new building.

Indeed, that was the theme of our grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 11. We also appreciate the hard work of all those involved in the creation of our building and those who helped to facilitate our moves "there and back again."

Coming so recently from the oldest building in the district (the former School 16) and swing space in the former Albany High School (and Phillip Schuyler Elementary School), we are in a unique position to understand just what a difference a well-designed building makes to our children and our school community.

Similarly, all of Albany's neighborhoods deserve and need good community libraries. Libraries help nurture learning and provide entry to the wider world of knowledge and information, especially in communities where the technology gap is widest. As a former bookstore manager and a librarian, I know that no bookstore can or would duplicate those services, even if one were located nearby.

We have an opportunity on Tuesday to support both our schools and our libraries, and to show all of Albany's children that we value their education and want to give them access to opportunities for a brighter future. Better yet, we can do this at very little additional cost to taxpayers -- none for the schools and a minimal amount for the libraries.

Thank you Albany for the new Pine Hills Elementary School building. Now let's give the children in Arbor Hill, the Lincoln Park area and the South End equally wonderful schools and libraries.

CAROLYN KEEFE

Albany