2015 FAST Tech conference, Wed., Sept. 23

You people are blocking the library

Romanian city offers free rides to people reading on the bus

Those who can’t resist reading a good book on public transport have been rewarded by a city in Romania, which offered a free bus ride to anyone who read a book during their journey.

The initiative, which ran for a week in June, was proposed by Victor Miron, a book-lover and resident of Cluj-Napoca in north-western Romania.

Miron said that he wanted to “encourage more people to read on public transportation”.

He proposed his idea to the city’s mayor, Emil Boc, who then posted it to his followers on Facebook.

The idea received such an overwhelmingly warm response that a year later it was put into action.

More from The Independent

ROAD CLOSURES AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR LARK FEST

Parking Restrictions:

September 17, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. until September 20, 2015 at 10:00 p.m.
Lancaster Street, both sides from Lark Street west 10 spaces on each side

September 19, 2015 from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Lark Street, both sides from Washington Avenue to Madison Avenue
and much more

Road Closures:

September 19, 2015 from 4AM-10PM
Lark Street between Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue
Hudson Avenue between Lark Street and Willett Street
Lancaster Street between Lark Street and Willett Street
State Street between Willett Street and Lark Street
and more

Residents of Center Square and Hudson Park can utilize the interior roadways of Washington Park for parking starting 5:00 p.m. on Friday September 18, 2015. All vehicles must be removed from the interior park roadways by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday September 20, 2015.

Also, residents may report NON-EMERGENCY incidents specific to and during the Lark Festival by calling 300-5070. After event hours, please call 438-4000.

As always, EMERGENCIES should be reported by calling 911.

For more information, go to Nixle

Librarians on Bikes Are Delivering Books and WiFi to Kids in “Book Deserts”

“Food deserts" refer to low-income areas where convenience stores are often the only viable food source and fresh produce is a rarity. But nutritious foods aren't the only thing kids need to thrive and grow.

Many of these undernourished kids also live in so-called "book deserts"—areas without easy access to libraries and reading material to nurture their imaginations and development (just think of the 12-year-old boy in Utah who asked his mailman for junk mail to read because he couldn't get to a library).

To combat these problems, creative-thinking librarians and literacy supporters are using inventive solutions to expand access to books and promote a love of reading.

More from GOOD

The homeless man who turned his life around by offering book reviews instead of begging

As a child growing up in KwaZulu Natal he had always loved books. But after moving to Johannesburg to find work, he started taking drugs.

“I left my job and couldn’t afford rent anymore – I lost everything. While living on the streets I noticed how many beggars there were getting money for nothing on street corners. I thought I could be different and actually give people something worthwhile – like a book or book review – in exchange for money.”

So he started selling books on the streets – but only after he had read them and could offer passers by a detailed review.

More from One.org

How the New York Public Library digitizes its vast map collection

While much of the city's mapping community is focused on creating something new, a great deal of energy also goes into recovering maps that are quite old.

The New York Public Library, the spiritual heart of the city's mapmaking community, is gradually putting online its vast collection of 435,000 maps. Using a software program called "Building Inspector," more than 1,000 users are manually inputting information or checking contained on old maps that computers can't easily handle, such as street addresses. It's arduous work—only 33,000 of the library's maps have been digitized—but so far the volunteer army has completed 1.2 million tasks and helps the library to bring old maps online much faster than it could otherwise.

More from Crain's New York

Second Annual Programs Squared Symposium

Do you find yourself coming up short on good programming ideas?

Looking for creative program opportunities for your library, school or social group?

Want to meet some performers and presenters who can fill your programming void?

Answers to these question can be found at the

Second Annual Library Programs²Symposium

October 16, 2015 / 12:00 - 2:00 pm / University at Albany, Campus Center Ballroom

We are bringing new and innovative types of programming information to libraries, schools and other institutions across the Capital District region and beyond. This event features exhibits of programs from educational, entertainment, social, and cultural programming specialists. These informative displays will highlight presentations and demonstrations that will focus on education, entertainment, and cultural awareness, creating new programming opportunities to bring back to your institution. And it’s FREE.

This year's Programs² Symposium includes over 50 presenters who offer a variety of programs, workshops, classes and demonstrations. We will also have fabulous door prizes and light refreshments.

Please go to our website for additional information: http://libraryprogramssquared.wordpress.com/

Who is this “We”, anyway?

We are the University at Albany IST666 class for Summer 2015. We are all graduate students in the Information Science program at the University at Albany and will one day be planning our own educational programming at institutions similar to yours.

An RSVP would be nice (not necessary) either to cgermain@albany.edu (our instructor) or via the RSVP link at  http://libraryprogramssquared.wordpress.com/ .

See you on October 16th!

Delaware Trolley Tree Sculpture Dedication – Sept. 22

The Albany Public Library and Delaware neighborhood are formally dedicating the Delaware Trolley Tree Sculpture on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 4:30 pm at the Delaware Branch.

Please join us for the dedication ceremony, during which you will hear from people and organizations instrumental in creating the sculpture, including the library, Delaware Avenue Merchants Group, city of Albany, artist, and more. The ceremony will take place outside on the back patio of the Delaware Branch library, at 331 Delaware Avenue, and is expected to last about 30 minutes.

The Delaware Trolley Tree Sculpture was created by local artist Matt Hart as a memorial to Virginia Bowers, Albany native, former city historian, and Delaware neighborhood booster. The sculpture is crafted from trolley tracks that used to run along Delaware Avenue. The sculpture is a celebration of Albany’s history and the vibrant Delaware neighborhood.

We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 22 for the Delaware Trolley Tree Sculpture dedication.

Makerspace: ALBANY MADE CREATIVE LAB IS OPEN

We're proud to announce that the Albany Made Creative Lab is now open for business!

You can visit the makerspace on the first floor of the Washington Ave. Branch for open labs on:

• Mondays from 4 pm to 7:30 pm
• Thursdays from 2 pm to 5:30 pm

During open labs, you'll be able to see demonstrations and learn how to use:

• 3D printer and scanner
• screen printing press
• sewing machine
• silhouette craft cutter
• crocheting and knitting tools
• audio and video editing equipment
• color laser printer
• bike repair station

We are planning on adding more open labs, along with classes and group use of the makerspace, soon. For more information, please call 427-4349 or email albanymade@albanypubliclibrary.org.

Albany Public Library NEW PROGRAM GUIDE AVAILABLE; Issue Details September and October Library Events

The September/October program guide is now available. You can pick up a copy at an APL branch, or view the guide online.

This issue profiles dozens of library programs, including:

• Albany History Race on Sept. 26
• Albany Homicide Tales and Murder Ballad Program on Oct. 6
• Silent Film Spectacular on Wednesdays from Oct. 7 through Nov. 18
• Youth FX Filmmaking for teens at three branches starting in October
• Halloween activities for kids at all locations

Please pick up a program guide and join us for the fun!

Back to School Shopping Reminder (in multiple languages)! Clothing and Footwear Sold for Less Than $110 is Always Exempt from New York State’s 4% Sales Tax

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded parents and college students that qualifying clothing and footwear purchases are exempt from New York sales tax year-round. While many states offer “sales tax holidays” leading up to the school year, New York has a constant exemption from the State’s 4% sales tax on items of clothing and footwear sold for less than $110.

Course textbooks purchased by college students are also exempt from New York State and local sales and use taxes. This exemption is also available throughout the year.

Read the full release in English or in these languages:

• Español (Spanish)
• 中文版 (Chinese)
• Русская версия (Russian)
• Italiano (Italian)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)

Albany Public Library CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

All Branches Closed Sept. 5-7

    

All APL branches will be closed Saturday, Sept. 5, through Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday. We'll re-open with regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

New Hours at All APL Branches

In case you haven't heard the news yet: All APL branches are changing hours starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. 

We are adjusting opening and closing times at our branches in an effort to bring you more morning hours, more evening hours, and more options of locations to visit when your favorite branch is closed. 

We hope the new schedules work for you, and welcome your feedback!