Everyone’s getting creative at the library!

Teenagers will be creating collages this Saturday in a free workshop presented by artist Sharyl Gates. 

Children, teens and families are signing up to perform in the library’s first-ever talent show, to take place July 28.

Poetry writing workshops take place throughout the year on the second Wednesday evening of the month.

Come join the fun and get creative!

The Tower

At the top of this blog is a picture of the Albany Library/Community Center. The picture shows how the building looked before water damage necessitated the enclosing of the tower in white plastic.

The current plan, according to City Planning Manager, Jeff Bond, is to fix the tower by replacing the vertical windows with decorative tile. The top of the tower will have new stucco and a new guaranteed roof. Architectural plans are being drawn up now, the City Council should approve the plans this summer, the work should begin in the fall – and hopefully – by next year, the plastic will be removed and the building will be restored.

And the tower will never leak again!!!!

Summer Fun at the Library

 

Summer programs got off to a great start this week. Dozens of children and teens have already signed up for the summer reading program and are on their way to winning cool prizes.

Our Tuesday night family programs kicked off with a concert by Asheba that got a roomful of kids dancing and singing. The fun continues next week with a visit from the East Bay Vivarium’s Traveling Reptile Show.

Summer’s here and the reading’s easy

As the school year winds down, the library is busily gearing up for summer. Starting June 15, summer reading games will begin for children, teens and adults. Come pick up a reading log and you’re on your way to winning a variety of fun prizes. Check out the children’s, teen and adult summer reading game blogs for more details.

On June 16, the Tuesday night family programs kick off with a sing-along party featuring Bay Area favorite Asheba playing tunes from his new CD. Storytellers, reptiles, magicians and more will be featured throughout the summer. And if you have a special talent you’d like to share with the community, sign up to be in the July 28 talent show! The dog days of summer bring the Paws to Read crew back, with real live dogs listening quietly as children read to them.

So whatever else you plan to do this summer, be sure to stop by the library and join the fun.

The Library and the State Budget

One of the ways that the State Legislature can solve part of their budget shortfall is to enact Proposition 1A (passed in 2004) that allows the State to borrow 8% of the local government property tax with the requirement that it be paid back within three years, with interest. For the Alameda County Library, the 8% would equal about $1.2 million which would be a “hit” on top of other previous reductions and significantly affect the Library’s ability to provide library materials and programs. A $1.2 million loss will reduce library staff and possibly reduce library hours.

Library supporters are being urged now to contact our local officials in Sacramento to share their concern about this in light of the high use of libraries during these difficult economic times.

Albany’s State representatives are: Assemblymember Nancy Skinner; phone: 916-319-319-2014; fax: 916-319-2114 and Senator Loni Hancock; phone:916-651-4010; fax:916-327-1997

Al Young Poetry Reading

The Albany Library’s First Thursday Poetry series continues on Thursday, June 4, with a reading by distinguished Bay Area poet Al Young.
Young, who was California’s Poet laureate from 2005-2008, recently released a poetry and jazz CD in collaboration with bassist Dan Robbins, entitled The Sea, The Sky, And You, And I. For his Albany appearance, Young will read new poems as well as selections from his earlier work. The reading will be followed by an Open Mic session.
Don’t miss this chance to hear a Bay Area treasure!
Thursday, June 4, 7-9 PM
Edith Stone Room
Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue
Contact: Richard Russo (RRusso@aclibrary.org)

Book Sale This Weekend

The Friends of the Albany Library are gearing for their big annual sale, where they’ll be offering adults’ and children’s books, magazines, vintage books, and audio/video at bargain prices. Come stock up on great reads Saturday, 10am-4pm or Sunday, 10am-4pm. For rock-bottom prices, come to the bag sale starting at 3pm on Sunday. Proceeds from the sale help fund library services such as senior events, children’s summer performances, and special purchases for the library.

Get Caught Reading

Olivia gets caught reading

May is Get Caught Reading Month and the 10th anniversary of the familiar literary campaign. Check out the organization’s Web site to order free celebrity posters or find out about the innovative ways people are promoting book reading all over the world.

Paws to Read

Volunteers from a local organization, Therapy Pets, are offering a program called “Paws to Read.” It should actually be called “Read to Paws” because it involves children reading to dogs. Apparently children who are less confident in their reading ability develop their skills and self-esteem reading to trained therapy dogs. One mother said that her daughter was ok with reading but afraid of dogs and thought this would introduce her to gentle dogs. Children’s librarian Suzi Sargent said “It’s just fun.”

The program is on Wednesday afternoons in May and will continue during the summer. Interested? Please call the Library’s Reference desk at 510-526-3720 ext. 5 or stop by and sign up. Readings slots are limited.

Celebrating Poetry

April is National Poetry Month, an opportunity to create, recite and celebrate poems. Some fun ways to do so are suggested on poets.org, from creating ephemeral verses (see a collection on Flickr) to carrying a poem in your pocket on April 30.

At the Albany Library, we celebrate poetry every month with First Thursday readings and open mike, and offer poetry-writing workshops once a month as well. In May, the featured poet will be Sarah Gilbert.