Thursday September 21, 2023 
SML Awarded Grant for Community Survey
STEPHENTOWN – This year the Stephentown Memorial Library embarked on a community research & conversation project made possible through an American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities Grant. SML conducted a town-wide survey to learn how residents feel about living in Stephentown.
The survey was conducted during the summer and received 224 responses. Written reports were prepared for partnering organizations and three virtual conversations were held over Zoom to present the research to town government, organizations, and community members. The conversations included a presentation of the data as well as discussion of ideas surfaced and healthy debate on the perspectives represented in the results.
“We were thrilled to learn through this research that satisfaction with the quality of life in Stephentown is very high overall” explains SML Trustee and project lead Sarah Thompson, “however, we also learned that many town residents experienced feelings of isolation during the pandemic.” Since the research showed that attending in-person and/or virtual town events had a very positive impact on satisfaction with the quality of life in Stephentown and helped offset these feelings of isolation, one recommendation coming out of the conversations with town residents and town organizations was to not only host more events in town, but to communicate more effectively to make sure residents are aware of them.
“SML is extremely grateful to the ALA for awarding our small rural library this significant grant,” says Board President Jennifer Peabody. “It allowed us to engage with library patrons and the broader community in some creative new ways. We believe that the conversations that have occurred around the research will continue to evolve and spur actions to enhance the quality of life in Stephentown, and the Library looks forward to being a part of the positive change.”
East Greenbush Community Library
EAST GREENBUSH – 12/16, 6p: Cooking: Virtual Hands-On Cooking with Felisha Chandler of CCE (register). Felisha makes cooking easy. Join us via Zoom to make some tasty, fun and healthy recipes. You will need a computer, laptop, or tablet to see and participate in this class. Families welcome!
12/22, 7p: Wednesday Night Book Chat on our Facebook page (no registration required)
For a complete program listing for adults, teens and kids or to register, go to https://events.eglibrary.org or call 518-477-7476.
Friends Mini Book Sale in the library is available year-round and is filled with books for all ages! Shelves are restocked often. Adult/Teen book sale case is in the main library next to the public computers and kid’s books are near the Children’s room entrance.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun. 1-5. Closed all day on 12/24, 12/25 & 12/26. Closing at 5pm on 12/31; Our digital library is always open: https://eglibrary.org/digital.
Events & Take-Home Kits at Castleton Public Library, 12/19-1/1
CASTLETON – CPL is located at 85 S. Main St., Castleton, NY. All events and kits are free. Questions? Call 518-732-0879.
Events & Take-Home Kits:
Cool Science Kit: Frozen Oobleck – Kit available for pick-up through 12/30 – Make frozen, slimy oobleck to play with and learn about solids, liquids, and non-Newtonian fluids!
Take & Make Craft Kit: Snowflakes – Kit available for pick-up through 12/30 – Celebrate winter by making a beaded snowflake ornament and a coffee filter snowflake craft!
Winter Break Fun Pack – Kit available for pick-up through 12/30 – Fun Packs include a science experiment sheet, coloring & puzzle sheets, candy, and a toy! Best for kids ages 7-12.
Make a Magazine Collage – Stop in anytime from 12/20-12/23 – Use pages from magazines to make your own unique art!
Walking Storytime – Thu., 12/23, 10:30am – Meet near playground at Schodack Island State Park – Join us for stories, rhymes, and movement while we follow a story along a walking path together. If weather is iffy that morning, call us at 518-732-0879 before heading to the park to make sure we’re still meeting.
Create a Chain Reaction – Stop in anytime from 12/27-12/30 – Set up a course of ramps, hammers, pendulums, and more, then watch the chain reaction!
Walking Storytime – Thu., 12/30, 10:30am – Meet near playground at Schodack Island State Park – Join us for stories, rhymes, and movement while we follow a story along a walking path together. We’ll explore a new book every week! If weather is iffy that morning, call us at 518-732-0879 before heading to the park to make sure we’re still meeting.
Introduction to American Sign Language – 6-session online course begins Mon., 1/3, 3:00pm – Learn American Sign Language (ASL) online using Zoom. Each class is 1 hour. Classes meet Mondays from 1/3-2/14 (no class on 1/17). Classes are cumulative; plan to attend all 6 sessions. For ages 15+. Seats are limited; email director@nullcastletonpubliclibrary.org to register.
North Greenbush Public Library Update
NORTH GREENBUSH – Keep the little ones busy this holiday season with one of the library’s themed take-home craft kits. Teens and adults will have a similar opportunity, with a kit to create a snow globe ornament. The kits will be available at the circulation desk while supplies last.
Our last virtual book club of the year will meet Monday, Dec 20, at 6:30 PM via Zoom to discuss Kristin Hannah‘s book “The Four Winds”, a story of courage and sacrifice set in Texas during the Great Depression. Email library@nullnorthgreenbushlibrary.org to request the meeting link.
Going forward, all late fines have been eliminated for items checked out at the North Greenbush Public Library. Fines for museum passes, wi-fi hot spots, replacement fees for lost items, and fines on items checked out at other libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System still apply. The complete fine-free policy can be found on our website: northgreenbushlibrary.org
The library will close for Christmas on Friday, December 24, and Saturday, December 25. We will reopen Monday, December 27 at 10 AM.
Library hours are Monday through Friday, 10 AM-7 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM-2 PM. Library patrons are required to wear masks; visits are limited to 30 minutes. Any questions? Call the library at 518-283-0303.
“Human” Music and Film Event
TROY – Join us at the on Saturday, Dec. 11, 3:00pm at the Troy Public Library for this live music and film event. “Human” is a film accompanied by music and poetry. The film is composed of a series of vignettes, each inspired by a unique aspect of being human. The length of the film is 45 mins, and afterward there will be optional space for any questions or discussion. Bobby Kendall is a musician/filmmaker living in Schenectady, NY with his wife and two daughters. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Skidmore College and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Purchase College, he has been pursuing music and film in the capital region for over a decade. In the Jazz idiom, he has been fortunate enough to share the stage with greats such as Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes, Ray Anderson, Mark Vinci, Ralph LaLama, Cyrille-Aimee, Matt Simons, Giacomo Smith, Glen Zaleski, and many more. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Schenectady County Community College as a bass instructor. Two of his previous films, accompanied by live, original scores are: “When An Alien Robot Crash-Lands In Troy, NY” (2015), and “Dreams” (2019).
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is necessary. For more information and to register, call the library at 274-7071 or online at www.thetroylibrary.org. The Troy Public Library is located at 100 Second Street, Troy, NY.
Calling All Harry Potter Fans!
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Town Library Friends are celebrating the magic of Harry Potter that began 20 years ago on the big screen and 24 years ago in print! Here are three ways to join the celebration: (1) Enter to win one of 20 different Harry Potter items on display now at the library. (2) Come to the Sand Lake Town Library on Saturday, December 18th from 10:00-noon for more Potter magic, including a dramatic reading of some memorable Harry Potter quotes and scenes, crafts and raffle drawings. (3) Share your photos and memories of the Harry Potter movies or books to #sltlfriends, email sltlfriends@nullgmail.com or write them on the poster boards in the library as we “remember all” the magic…Find our info at www.sandlaketownlibrary.org/friends/ or at the library.
Rensselaer Public Library
RENSSELAER – Gingerbread House Photo challenge. Submit pictures of your decorated gingerbread house to be shared online by the Rensselaer Public Library. All submitted photos will be entered into a prize drawing for a gift card. Please submit entries to Notices@nullRensselaerlibrary.org before December 18 and include contact information. Finished houses can also be displayed at the library, contact them for more information.
Computer help- call the Library at 462-1193 to get an appointment for one-on-one help with computers, tablets, smart phones or using the internet.