Learn About All that Albany Public Library Accomplished in 2015

The Albany Public Library is proud to present the 2015 community report to you. The report details accomplishments and highlights some of the programs and services that are available at the library.

As Executive Director Scott Jarzombek wrote, "We are excited to show you the good work we did last year, thanks to your investment in our city. We pride ourselves on being an open organization, and welcome the opportunity to share this information with you."

You can read the 2015 community report HERE.

Albany Public Library wants to know how it's doing

Here's your chance to share with the folks at the Albany Public Library what you think about APL!

If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and let them know your thoughts on the programs and services being offered. Your answers will help shape the library's future.

The survey will only run for a few more days, and it takes less than five minutes to complete, so please respond to the survey today.

Thank you.

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!

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!

Albany Public Library at at City Hall's "Back to School Night"

From WNYT, Channel 13:
Parents can sign their children up with groups like the YMCA, Albany Public Library, the Boys and Girls Club and lots more.

From the Albany Times Union:
Participating groups included the Albany Police Athletic League, the Capital District YMCA, the Albany Public Library, the Boys and Girls Club, the City of Albany's Department of Recreation, and Liberty Partnerships Rising Stars Program.

The Ultimate Wish: film about Nagasaki and Fukushima, August 10 at APL

NOTE NEW LOCATION!

The Ultimate Wish (2012)
Director, Robert Richter

Presents moving, unforgettable living witnesses who survived two of the world's most momentous radiation crises: Nagasaki in 1945 and Fukushima in 2011. This film raises profound questions about war, American foreign policy, technological failure, the courage to survive and the importance of taking positive actions to prevent future nuclear disasters.

Date: Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 – 8:45 pm
Place: Albany Public Library, Pine Hills Branch, 517 Western Ave, Albany, NY
Sponsored by Upper Hudson Peace Action Information: elaineklein@hotmail.com

Film is free and open to the public.

Read APL children's librarian Christina Stenson-Carey's blog

A community of readers

“I sha’n't be gone long.—You come too.”
from “The Pasture” by Robert Frost

When I was a new children’s librarian I had the opportunity to listen to Sharon Creech, the Newbery Medal winning author, speak at a staff meeting. She used the above quote from Robert Frost to invite her audience on a short journey through all her wonderful books. Similarly, I would like to invite you along with me on this blogging journey.

As a librarian, the very best part of my job is talking with readers about books.

More from the Times Union.

She is the children's librarian at the branch nearest my home.

Local librarian Lauren Cardinal devoted to the neighborhood

Since Lauren Cardinal was 4-years-old she made weekly visits from her South Allen Street home to return a tote filled with books to the Pine Hills library. Reading was a passion of Cardinal’s, but it wasn’t until her late 20s that she made books her career.

Lauren Cardinal working at the reference desk/Hanna Teal
Lauren Cardinal works at the reference desk in the Pine Hills Library/Hanna Teal
Cardinal is a full-time librarian at the Pine Hills branch of the Albany Public library where her responsibilities include ordering newly released books and coordinating programs for the library. The reference desk is her favorite task because she gets to meet the library’s patrons.

“You get a core group of people that come in just to see you. Whether it’s to ask for your opinion on a book, ask for your help, or just ask how you are doing,” said Cardinal. “It makes the job so much more meaningful.”

More from the Pine Hills blog.

Upper Hudson Library System is moving to a new library catalog

The Upper Hudson Library System, the library network that covers Albany and Rensselaer Counties, is moving to a new library catalog called Sierra on Tuesday, March 31.

"You may continue to place item requests up to March 29, but ALL requests will be suspended until the new system is activated on March 31. At that time all requests will be made active in the new catalog.

"March 30: You may still check out library material, but there will be limited catalog functions available.

Albany library bringing 3D printing to the masses

From WNYT:

Books aren't the only things you'll find at the Albany Public Library these days.

In the Albany Made Creative Lab, Albany Public Library users will soon have access to a sewing machine, craft laser cutter, audio and video recording, editing and mixing equipment, a textile screen press, tools and the main attraction -- a 3D printer.

Visit the Albany Public Library for Free Income Tax Assistance

APL should be your first stop for income tax assistance and resources this tax season. Several of our branches are providing free federal income tax preparation services for people with an annual  household income limit of $53,000. 

Volunteers from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the AARP Tax-Aide program provide the services. For more information, please call the Washington Ave. Branch Reference Department at 427-4303.

Here is the schedule of free income tax assistance programs available at APL:

WINTER BREAK FUN FOR KIDS & TEENS at Albany Public Library

Beat the winter break blues with some fun and educational activities at Albany Public Library!  

We've got even more activities listed on our online calendar. Come visit us during the break! 

Feb. 16 (Mon) 

+ Ice Skating Party at 12-3 pm -- Swinburne Skating Rink

+ Teen Spa Day at 2-4 pm -- Delaware Branch

+ Marshmallow Catapults at 3-4 pm -- Washington Ave. Branch

Feb. 17 (Tues)

+ Claymation Creations at 1-3 pm -- Delaware Branch

+ Junior Claymation Creations at 10:30 am-12 pm -- Delaware Branch

+ Fly with Empire State Aerosciences Museum at 3:30-5 pm -- Howe Branch

Feb. 18 (Wed)

+ Appy Hour with PBS Kids at 10:30-11 am -- Delaware Branch

+ Elephant Toothpaste at 3-4 pm -- Washington Ave. Branch

Feb. 19 (Thurs)

+ Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament at 2-3:30 pm -- Pine Hills Branch

+ Bear Snores On at 2:30-4 pm -- Delaware Branch

+ Chinese New Year -- 3-4 pm - Washington Ave. Branch AND 4-5 pm - Howe Branch

Feb. 20 (Fri)

+ Fly with Empire State Aerosciences Museum at 2-3 pm -- Bach Branch

Feb. 21 (Sat)

+ Walk Like a Chicken at 10:30-11:30 am -- Washington Ave. Branch

+ Discovering the Past with Our American Girl Dolls at 1:30-3:30 pm -- Delaware Branch

+ Draw Pirate Maps at 2-3 pm -- Bach Branch

Come celebrate the new APL Youth Services Room on Tuesday, Feb. 3

The Albany Public Library has been making some great changes at the Washington Ave. Branch. The staff invites you to celebrate the grand opening of the beautiful new Youth Services Room on Tuesday, February 3, at 10 am. The staff will show you the new youth space on the second floor, which features:

· A fresh, colorful, modern look with improved lighting and furnishings
· Separate areas, along with computers and iPads, for children and teens
· Comfortable spots to sit and read, work on homework, and use technology
· Plenty of room for programs, including story times, arts and crafts, and STEM activities
· A daycare quality play kitchen and LEGO table
· Puzzles, games, building sets, and toys to enjoy in the room
· An expanded picture book collection with titles arranged by themes
· An “express checkout station” right in the room for young patrons and their families to check out materials

You will also hear from APL director Scott Jarzombek and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan about the importance of cultivating a love of reading and learning in our city’s youth, which is nurtured every day at the public library.

Please bring your little ones to the event, as there will be a special story time and craft activities for the young visitors.

Come on Feb. 3 for the opening celebration of the Washington Ave. Branch Youth Services Room. Please spread the good word about APL and this special event!

Albany: Learn to download free library books on your e-reader

Librarians from Albany High School and the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library are teaming up to teach people how to download free library e-books and audio books on their e-readers.

You can learn how at one of two sessions, the first of which will be held Wednesday from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Pine Hills Branch, located at 517 Western Ave.

City School District of Albany students will be able to download books from the district's online library. Others with Albany Public Library cards will be able to download books from the public library's collection.

Please bring your device with you. For more information, call the Pine Hills Branch at 482-7911 ext. 223 or the Albany High library at 475-6320.

Another session will be held Feb. 11 at the Pine Hills Branch.

Librarians say fines are incentive, but results are positive where payments have disappeared

A wave of libraries across the nation stopped charging late fees in the 1990s, but the trend never found a foothold in the Capital Region. Two tiny libraries — Poestenkill is the other one — are the only public libraries in the area without fines.

Several local librarians dream of dropping fines, but have not.

Here's the truth about late fines: They raise money for libraries, and they motivate procrastinators to return their books.

Those dimes and quarters add up.

Late fines generated $720,000 for Capital Region libraries in 2013, according to figures libraries provided to the Times Union.

More from the Times Union.

NYCLU Banned Books Week Event at Albany Public Library

On Tuesday, September 23rd, 6PM, the New York State Civil Liberties Union, Capital Region Chapter will sponsor a local ReadOut! at the Albany Public Library Main Branch!

A ReadOut is an event where local actors, writers, poets, and prominent community leaders read brief excerpts from books that have been banned or challenged in America. Historically, people have read from children books, classics, and modern works of literature.

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Check out the frequently challenged books section to explore the issues and controversies around book challenges and book banning. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.

One of this year's readers will be APL Executive Director Scott Jarzombek.

If you have any questions regarding the event, feel free to contact Joanna Palladino at Joanna.Palladino@gmail.com or John Cirrin at millais@nycap.rr.com

Albany Public Library is looking for Albany school yearbooks

The Main Library at Albany Public Library is now accepting donations of yearbooks from the current and former schools in the city of Albany. Yearbooks should be in good condition, but can have signatures and messages written in them. Yearbook donations can be dropped off during normal library hours at the first floor circulation desk, the basement reception desk, or the reference desk of the Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue.

APL's collection of Albany yearbooks is housed within the Pruyn Collection of Albany History, which is located in the Albany History Room on the second floor of the Main Library.

A recently donated 1932 Albany High School yearbook has been digitized by APL and can be viewed for free through New York Heritage Digital Collections, an online portal designed for researchers and history buffs. You can view APL's digital collection, including the 1932 yearbook, at nyheritage.org.

For more information about donating, or viewing, Albany yearbooks, please call the Reference Department at 427-4303 or email localhistory@albanypubliclibrary.org.

NewsChannel 13 did a brief story about APL's yearbook project, which you can view online.