April Stories
TV 17 Colonie Adds New Show
The Big Read and The Age of Innocence
May Stories
Holiday Closings
TV 17 Colonie Adds Senior Citizen Show
Town of Colonie Conservation Day
New Topographic Maps Added
Battle of the Bands
Teen Room Expansion

Other News

2007 Annual Report (.pdf format)  
You will need a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader on
your computer. This is a free program you can download from
http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.
The Adobe reader allows you to view and print (.pdf) files.
 
Direct Phone Numbers Now Available

Art Exhibit Web Page

Library Theatre of Colonie presents "All the World's a Stage"
ccc ccccc (Click here for Photos)
BookLetters Online
Using Our New Catalog

Cell Phone Use

AARP Safe Driving Class Schedule
Local Preschool and Day Care Information
Community Contacts Directory
Keeping Minors Safe
Book Donations Welcome 

Last Updated: April 17, 2008


APRIL STORIES

TV 17 Colonie Adds New Show
During March a new show, Colonie Connect with Paula Mahan, was added to the station's schedule. Plans are to feature Town employees from many departments to talk about programs, issues, and events affecting the Town. The first two shows focused on the Veterans Memorial project for the Crossings and the Police Explorers Program. Residents are also invited to eMail questions or topics to the Supervisor for inclusion.
Since going live on October 13, 2006, the library has produced over 280 separate shows on education, business, finance, the arts, the courts, public safety, veterans, health, and of course, authors and books. A children's story time is also broadcast every day at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. In addition, Assemblyman Bob Reilly's program is a daily feature.
In between the programs there is a bulletin board running with upcoming shows and Town events. And, residents can check two weeks of schedule by going to the library web site at www.colonie.org/library and clicking on the Cablevision link.
The Town of Colonie Government Channel TV 17 is available to cable subscribers living within the boundaries of the Town of Colonie.


The Big Read and The Age of Innocence
In February we discussed The House of Mirth and on March 27th we take up Ethan Frome. Then on April 23rd the main event, Wharton's Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Age of Innocence. To provide background we'll have a special noon book review by Brenda Twiggs on April 10th, and cable broadcasts. Two more book discussions will follow: The Reef on May 29th, and The Custom of the Country on June 26th. In addition there will be several special programs:
* April 1: Big Read Kick-off Event: Victorian Tea at the Women's Club of Albany, featuring Robert Donavan, a Wharton authority. At 3:00 PM.

* April 18: Selected Shorts: The Age of Innocence. Guilderland Public Library, 7:00 PM. Call 456-2400 ext. 7.

* April 19: Aqua Ducks Trolley and Walking Tour of Troy Age of Innocence Movie Sites, 10:00AM to Noon. Lead by Tom Carroll from the Troy Gateway, the tour may include Ironweed and Time Machine sites. Leaves library parking lot at 9:45 AM.

* April 20: The opera Faust plays a role in The Age of Innocence and as a special treat, Robert Jaquay's "Opera Over Easy" will feature it on the 20th starting at 12:00 Noon.
Reservations are required (810-0314).

* April 26: Tour to The Mount, Ventfort Hall Mansion, and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox MA. Cost is $60 & bus leaves our lot at 8:30 AM. For more information call Eileen Williams at Guilderland Public Library at 456-2400 x32.

WMHT is planning a one hour special on Wharton and the Albany Institute for History & Art will be doing related programming.

For further information see the UHLS Big Read web site at: www.albanypubliclibrary.org/bigread


MAY STORIES

Holiday Closings

Mother's Day
Sunday, May 11: CLOSED

Memorial Day
Saturday, May 24; Sunday, May 25, and Monday, May 26: CLOSED


TV 17 Colonie Adds Senior Citizen Show
A new show, hosted by Senior Services Director, Christine Cary, will begin airing during April. Christine's show will fill an important void in our programming, with shows to cover all aspects of senior issues and services. The first show will talk about the upcoming health fair that will be held May 8, from 1-4pm at the Crossings. It will be open to all Town residents and include health screenings and refreshments. (For more info call 459-5051). The program schedule for the current and following week can be viewed on the library website at: http://www.colonie.org/library/Channel17


Town of Colonie Conservation Day
The Town of Colonie Conservation Advisory Council holds its annual Conservation Day on Saturday, May 3, on the library's grounds. Trees, compost and literature will be distributed from 9:00 AM-Noon.


New Topographic Maps Added
Recently the Library acquired 260 U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps covering different parts of New York State. We have good coverage of most of the Adirondack Park, Catskill Park and the Finger Lakes region. The maps are 7 ½ minute quadrangles at a 1:24,000 scale , which means that 1 inch on the map equals 24,000 inches on the ground or about 2000 feet. Each map is about 29 by 22 inches.
Topo maps are used for recreational purposes by hikers and campers, by people who hunt, fish, mountain bike and rock climb. They are also used by geologists, engineers, environmental managers, and commercial and residential planners. Topographic maps use color, lines, symbols and contours to show the shape, elevation and features of the land. The elevation features usually are shown by brown contour lines against a green background.
Our maps are filed horizontally in grey metal cases against the glass wall of the Reference Office at the back of the Library. The maps are filed in an alphabetic sequence by title of the map, which usually corresponds to the name of a major feature within each quadrangle such as a town or a mountain. An index is kept in the first topographic map drawer. All our maps are for use in the Library only.



Battle of the Bands
High school students interested in participating in our third annual Battle of the Bands are invited to register for the event by calling Maureen DeLaughter at 458-9274. Last year 10 bands participated and over 180 high school students attended the event. The Battle will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 14th. Band members must be registered to participate.

Teen Room Expansion
You may have noticed some changes at the front of our library. We are expanding the Teen Room to provide more space for materials and programming. The expansion, made possible by an outreach mini-grant, will also include a new Job Center for teens.
Our AV materials are now located at the back of the library. Watch for more information about the Teen Room expansion in our June newsletter.


OTHER NEWS

Direct Phone Numbers Now Available
During regular business hours, in addition to the library's General Information phone number (458-9274), the following numbers will connect you directly to many of the library's departments:

Programs: 810-0312
(for adult Stedman Room program scheduling)

Information Desk: 810-0314
(for adult reference questions and adult program reservations)

Youth Services Desk: 810-0315

(for youth program information and youth reference questions)

Renewals/Overdues/Circulation Information: 810-0319


Art Exhibit Web Page
In case you haven't yet discovered it, we have a web page devoted to our monthly art exhibits called the "Artist's Corner". There is a link on the library's main page or you can view it directly at: www.colonie.org/library/artcorner.htm
The information changes monthly with each exhibit and includes preview photos of selected artwork, reception dates and biographical data about the artists.


Library Theatre of Colonie presents
"All the World's a Stage"

(Photo Gallery)


BookLetters Online

The William K. Sanford Town Library is pleased to offer our library patrons BookLetters Online, a new service which allows you to subscribe to any of 20 custom newsletters on the following topics: Art & Architecture, Audio, Biography, Books You May Have Missed, Business, Computers, Cooking, Current Events, History, Home and Garden, Medicine and Health, Performing Arts and Library Theatre of Colonie, Poetry, Programs at the Library, Sports, Staff Picks, Tech Valley, Teen Scene, Travel, Youth Services.
Our librarians will e-mail you information about recently ordered books, relevant Web links and upcoming programs on the topics that interest you most. You will receive a page which includes a list of recently ordered items, including images of the book jacket, summaries and reviews of the books, and a link directly to the items in our catalog, should you wish to request a copy. To subscribe to this new service, please visit our Web page at http://www.colonie.org/library for directions, or send an e-mail to: wkslibry@uhls.lib.ny.us
You'll also find the following new additions to our Web Page:
Author Directory
A nice service for anyone running a book club, or for those simply interested in learning more about an author. You'll find interviews with and work summaries for hundreds of the best read authors.
Best Sellers Links
Fiction and nonfiction hardcover as well as trade paperback and mass market bestsellers are listed for your information.
Book Awards Links -Adult and Children
Fiction ALA Notable Books
Nonfiction ALA Notable Books
ALA Black Caucus Selections
Audie Awards
James Beard KitchenAid Book Awards
Christy Awards
Hugo
Edgar
Nebula
National Book Awards for Fiction
National Book Awards for Nonfiction
National Book Awards for Poetry
Oprah Book Club Selections
PEN/Faulkner Awards
Printz Awards
Pulitzer Award for Biography
Pulitzer Award for Fiction
Pulitzer Award for History
Pulitzer Award for Nonfiction
Pulitzer Award for Poetry
Popular Religion Selections - Hardcover
Popular Religion Selections - Paperback


Using Our New Catalog
Regular visitors to our library will certainly have noticed many changes in recent months. By the time you read this, our main stacks will be back in order and most items will be accessible once again. Another big, but not so obvious change is our recently updated library catalog.

In 1996 our paper card catalog which allowed searching only by author, title, or subject was replaced with an electronic catalog called the Online Public Access System, or OPAC. The OPAC allowed users to search not only our collection, but the holdings of all libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System, and enabled more complex methods of searching, such as by keyword. It also was the introduction of the Virtual Library. For the first time, you were able to search our holdings, place reserves and renew books from the comfort of your own home, even when the library was not open.

As amazing as those features may have seemed in 1996, the OPAC quickly became outdated and after exploring various options, we have selected, and are now ready to introduce you to, our new Internet Public Access Catalog (IPAC).

IPAC FEATURES
If you have ever visited an online bookstore, such as Amazon.com, or Borders.com, you have already experienced an environment similar to the IPAC. Both have what is called a graphical user interface, meaning images, as well as text, are displayed, and that, for the most part, information is manipulated via the computer mouse, rather than the keyboard.

One nice feature our new catalog shares with these online bookstores is the ability to view book covers. Contrary to the old saying, you often can judge a book by its cover. If you are browsing through craft books for instance, you can usually tell from the cover if the projects inside will interest you. If you've ever tried to find a book that you've read before, and know the author, but can't remember the title, viewing the covers may spark your memory. Another nice feature of the new catalog is the inclusion of professional reviews for some items. Although not every item has a review, newer books will include review entries by Publishers' Weekly, and Library Journal.

Many readers enjoy roving the library stacks, opening a book, reading a few pages to get the feel of the item before deciding whether or not to borrow it. Perhaps the most exciting feature of the new catalog is the ability to browse virtually, to read excerpts and even full chapters from selected items online, either at the library, or from the comfort of home. For instance a search for Katherine Graham's Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Personal History, reveals the first chapter of the book in its entirety.

The catalog also allows you, without returning to the search page, to find other titles by the same author or to find other items on the same topic.

SEARCHING THE IPAC
You may access the IPAC from our library's Web page at:

http://www.colonie.org/library/index.html

or directly by going to:

http://uhls.org/uhls/catalog.cfm

As mentioned above, your library card allows you access, not just to our library, but to the holdings of all libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System. You are able to search, reserve, and even renew items including books, videos, DVDs, CDs, and books-on- tape.

To Search The Web Catalog:
When you visit the Web Catalog, a drop-down box allows you to choose the member library whose holdings you wish to search. Select either an individual library, or all libraries and click BEGIN. You will then be taken to the Search page. Here you are able to search using keyword, title, author, or subject. If you feel a more detailed search would be helpful, click on the SEARCH tab at the top of the page and you then have the option of a BASIC or ADVANCED search, both of which allow more options than the original search page.

For example, if you wanted a list of all National Geographic videos in the collection and you wanted to sort them by publication date, the ADVANCED search allows you to do this quickly.

This system, like the last, allows you to reserve items. After you complete your search, and would like to place a request, choose the REQUEST ITEM box. You will then be prompted for your Borrower ID number (your library card number - use all digits - and $ sign if it is present on your card - but do not use letters,) and a PIN number (the last 4 digits of your home phone number). You will then get a request confirmation at which point you may choose the library to which you'd like the item sent.

To Check Your Account
Information about items you have checked out, due dates of those items, how much money you may owe in fines, as well as a list of items you may have placed on reserve are all available by choosing MY ACCOUNT. If you wish to renew items, you are offered that option as well. When you choose the MY ACCOUNT tab at the top of the screen, you will be prompted for you Borrower ID number and PIN number (see above). To renew, put a check in the box on the left of items that are renewable and then click on RENEW ITEMS at the bottom of the page. Please note that some items may NOT be renewable. If you have questions, please call the Circulation department at 458-9274.

Everything new requires a bit of adjustment and we realize you may have questions about the new IPAC. If so, or if you have any problems accessing the holdings or your account online, please do not hesitate to call the Information Desk at 458-927 or e-mail us at wkslibry@uhls.lib.ny.us


Cell Phone Use

Cell phones have greatly improved our ability to communicate with others. However, in order to avoid interfering with other library patrons' use of the library, it is prohibited to carry on a conversation via cell phone in public use areas of the library. Patrons receiving calls may continue their conversation in the lobby area of the library.


Local Preschool and Day Care Information

Parents looking for information about local preschool or daycare programs may want to check out our Preschool Possibilities listing. The catalog is available in print form, either as a reference item for use in the library, or for check out. Copies of the catalog may be checked out for three weeks. The catalog is also available at our libraries Web site. The URL is http://www.colonie.org/library/preschool.html Listings were recently updated and include day care centers, home day care providers, and preschools in the area. Contact information, details about meals, ages, and programs offered are provided. There is also a Parent's Guide To Choosing Daycare, a checklist for parents looking for day care for their children. Topics considered on the checklist are: First Impressions, Caregivers/ Teachers, Health and Safety, Activities And Equipment, Overall Program. The information in Preschool Possibilities is based on information collected from the providers themselves. Caregivers are responsible for confirming the accuracy of the information.


Community Contacts Directory

The library's Community Contacts Directory contains names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and web page addresses for many organizations which are typically not found in the telephone book. The listings concentrate on groups located in the Town of Colonie, although organizations throughout the Capital Region are included.

The directory (based on the 2000 print edition) with all current updates is posted on the
library's web page with all e-mail and web sites linked. The address is http://www.colonie.org/library/ccdir.html
or follow the link from our Virtual Information Desk under "Capital District Information."
The web edition will always be kept current with updated or new information. Let us know if you wish to be added or if there are changes to your posted information.


Copies of the 2000 edition
are available at the Circulation Desk for $3.00 per copy.


Keeping Minors Safe

In the past we have addressed the issue of unattended minors left at the library after the library has closed. Our policy states that if a minor is left outside the building after closing, a library staff member will make sure the minor has called for a ride. The staff member will wait with the minor for a maximum of 15 minutes, then, if the minor has not been picked up, staff is required to notify the police.

In keeping with our concern for the safety of minors, our library board of trustees has instituted a policy for those minors left unattended at the library during the day. For the protection of preschool children, a parent, guardian, or authorized caregiver (for example, nanny, au pair, child care professional) must stay with any preschool child anywhere on library property. An older sibling or peer is not considered an authorized caregiver.

We are also concerned about the safety of those minors who have started school, but are under 18. Should we need to contact a parent or guardian or authorized caregiver for any reason, and if they are not on site or cannot be reached, we will notify the police. The same holds true with any preschool child left unattended on library property. As always, should you have any questions about this policy or any other policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Book Donations Welcome

The library will gladly accept book donations to stock our on-going "Book Nook" sale tables. Listed below are a few guidelines to help you help us.

ITEMS NEEDED: Books published in the last ten years
Recent best sellers
Clean copies of "classic" titles
Current magazines
Audiovisual materials (videos, CD's, tapes)
Children's books

ITEMS NOT NEEDED (and not saleable):
Books in poor condition (yellowed or torn pages, broken bindings, musty)
Textbooks
Reader's Digest condensed books
Encyclopedias and other dated information

PLEASE:
Bring donations to the library's back door.
Place donations in boxes or bags.
Limit donations to one or two boxes at a time.
Schedule large donations in advance.

If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, we provide signed dated acknowledgment letters for the items but cannot assess their value.