With the holidays in full swing now, you may have a long list of errands and obligations to take care of. Make sure to take time to relax and enjoy yourself between shopping runs.

The Albany Library is offering a variety of activities for all ages and interests. This Saturday, December 5, drop in anytime from 1pm to 4pm to play board games like Scrabble or Clue, or virtual Wii sports such as baseball and bowling.

Creative types may wish to join in a photography workshop on December 6 or an origami event on December 19. Writers, poets and those who enjoy their work are welcome to a poetry night featuring Emily Warn on December 8, a poetry writing workshop on December 9, or a discussion of the book The Life of Pi on December 16.

During the past few weeks, new, beautiful state-of-the-art  libraries opened in Castro Valley and Lafayette. Both were funded through a California State grant competitive process that included a sizable local match as well as community fundraising. Albany staff helped out at opening day for the Castro Valley Library. The day started with the Great Book Pass – 1800 residents lined up and passed books from the old library to the new. Everyone got a t-shirt (recycled cotton) with the slogan: ” 20 years to go 7/10ths of a mile.” Special features include the high LEED rating for the pro-environmental aspects of the building and the amazing art work commissioned by the Alameda County Art Commission.

Both libraries created a buzz. I was reminded of the time – almost 16 years ago, when the Albany Library opened – how there was a sense of a dream fulfilled – how many people work on this kind of a project – and how the importance of a library is conveyed to the children of a community. On the weekend following the opening, Castro Valley Manager, Carolyn Moskovitz, reflected on the achievement. She noted that everyone was using the library as had been envisioned – people were reading in comfortable chairs, job seekers were using the Internet, everyone was checking out library materials, teens were studying in the homework center and there was that other buzz – of a community library full of people.

As we approach the holiday season, many of us are thankful for what we have and want to give to those in need. The Albany Library/Community Center lobby now has three donation bins:

One Warm Coat

Alameda County Food Bank

Toys for Tots

Jess from the City’s Community Center staff has arranged for these to be in the lobby through December. So – when you come to the Library, please bring a can of food, or an unwrapped toy, or a warm coat. You can also bring book donations for the Friends to sell to benefit the Library (but please no book donations the week before the next sale on November 21 and 22).

Many thanks!

 “Shall we, or shall we not, change the name of our fair town”, is the question that was asked in Ocean View in late October 1909.  The citizens voted on October 30th of that year to change the name to Albany to avoid confusion with another California town which had earlier chosen the name of Ocean View.  The town trustees talked it over and Mayor Frank Roberts suggested the name of Albany after his birthplace of Albany New York. This proposition was accepted by the voters and the change was filed by Alameda County in the ensuing few weeks.

 The Albany Historical Society will be commemorating this event on October 25^th, 2009 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave. (YMCA childcare building).  Included in the celebration will be the presentation of a Historic Time Capsule and Four Historic Site plaques which will be given to the City of Albany by the Albany Historical Society.  These plaques will be placed near the sites of the original fire house, the first city hall, the first public building, and Miller’s Barn which housed the first school and first public meetings.

This information was supplied by the Albany Historical Society’s Peggy McQuaid.

The question for library users – what objects representing the Albany Library in 2009 should be included in the time capsule for opening 50 years from now?

Come view the time capsule in the Library’s exhibit case in the Albany history alcove.

Last week there was a column in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 96 Hours section called “11 Things: Your Kids Won’t Understand.” The author harkened back to the days before TVs had remote controls, when dating happened in person vs. through sites like Match.com, and when faxes were the latest thing in instant communication. Anyone north of 25 could relate to and get a chuckle out of most of the items on the list. But #10 on the list showed that the writer isn’t as clued in as she thinks: “10. Libraries. Finding books in a card catalog and going to the library for anything other than the free Internet.” Yes, card catalogs are extinct, and if the item had ended there it would have been on target. But in libraries like ours there’s a lot more going on than free Internet (and wifi).

The Albany Library is busier than ever. During school hours, adults come to do research, read a newspaper, or work online. After 3pm, kids use the library as a place to meet with friends and study after school, parents come with their children to enjoy sing-alongs and special family events, teenagers meet with tutors or stock up on graphic novels.  On the weekends, families come to check out books and DVDs or perhaps play games or make crafts when special programs are offered.

If you agree that libraries aren’t a distant memory but a vital part of community life, why not comment on the Chronicle article?

Everyone is again invited to participate in the fourth annual Albany Reads program. This year, the book chosen by a committee represented by the Albany Library, Albany Unified School District, Albany YMCA and the City of Albany, is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon.

Join other readers in a book discussion led by Rosalie Gonzales at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. On October 24 at 2 p.m.,  Mimi W. Lou, Clinical Director of CHAI, Children’s Hospital Autism Intervention will speak on Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome: Fact and Fiction. On October 28 there will be a film showing of The Rain Man at 6:30 p.m. All the programs take place in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library.

Funding for this program is provided by the Friends of the Albany Library and the Albany Community Foundation.

Copies of the book are now available at the Albany Library.

Reference Librarian Richard Russo is retiring after 32 years of incredible service to the Albany community. Richard was recently honored with a Proclamation by the Mayor of Albany at a City Council meeting. Richard is still working on the reference desk through August 6. Stop in and say goodbye!

 
CITY OF ALBANY PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Richard Russo has served the people of Alameda County for thirty-five years and changed library service for the better with his vision; and

 WHEREAS, Richard has always upheld and defended intellectual freedom, education for all, and access to books and other materials, in response to community needs and interests; and

 WHEREAS, Richard joined the staff of the Pleasanton Branch of the Alameda County Library as a Young Adult Specialist in 1974 and transferred to the Albany Library in 1977 where he became an expert Reference Librarian, specializing in art, music, and poetry; and

 WHEREAS, Richard wrote a comprehensive library building program that ultimately brought about the construction of the current Albany Library, contributing to the procurement of a highly competitive grant that was judged among the top three in the State, resulting in the award of $2.3 million to the City of Albany to establish the new library; and

 WHEREAS, Richard wrote a successful grant to digitize the Albany Library Historical Photograph Collection, and has been the steward of this valuable resource for the past fifteen years, adding to the collection and making available photographs for publication including the University of California, as well as contributing to the Albany Historical Society’s Images of America: Albany; and

 WHEREAS, Richard has made an indelible mark upon many generations of Albany residents by offering well thought-out service, enthusiasm, sensitivity and the benefit of his knowledge; and

 WHEREAS, Richard enhanced the quality of library service throughout Alameda County and beyond by sharing his special gifts; and

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the I, Marge Atkinson publicly commend Richard Russo on his years of service to the Albany Community and wish him well on his retirement and all future endeavors.

                                                             ________________________________________

                                                             Marge Atkinson, Mayor

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!

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 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.