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!

Restored, not replaced

In the agreement reached by the Albany Public Library, Historic Albany Foundation, and Mansion Neighborhood Associatio, renovation plans for the John A. Howe branch Library in Albany's South End will include the restoration of many of the original windows in this historic 1920's-era branch library.

"We're really delighted to have reached an accord on this issue", says Tim Burke, Interim Library Director

APL to Restore Historic Howe Windows

Albany Public Library seeks public input on Renovation Designs

Library customers and neighbors are welcome to public meetings on three library renovation projects. The schedule for these meetings is below. Each community design meeting will concentrate specifically on the renovation at that particular library. Questions and input on other aspects of the Branch Improvement Plan are always welcome. For more information please contact Tim Burke at 427-4379, or visit
www.albanypubliclibrary.org.

Monday, May 14th, 6:30pm Pine Hills Branch Library, 517 Western Avenue
Wednesday, May 16th, 6:30pm Delaware Branch Library, 485 Delaware Avenue
Thursday, May 17th, 6:30pm Howe Branch Library, Schuyler and Broad Streets

The Library's $29.1 million Branch Improvement Plan won voter approval in February precisely because it reflected the input of so many library users, neighbors, community organizations, employees, experts and the library staff. Now it's time for community members and staff to provide more detailed input into the specific designs for the renovations of Howe, Pine Hills and Delaware. The architects of Collins + Scoville are just beginning the 6-9 month process of developing the final designs for each branch library. The final design documents are tentatively scheduled to be ready for bid by early 2008 with construction to begin in the spring of 2008.