Archived Programs and Events2019
September 7th and 8th Discover the Hilltowns Farms and Artisan Tour- This is a self-guided driving tour of the Hilltowns where the Library will be a stop on Saturday from 10-2pm. To obtain more information and download a copy of the map visit http://www.hilltowns.org/discover-the-hilltowns-tour.html
August 27 – 6:30pm – Author Talk with Kirsten DeLeo Present Through The End: A Caring Companion’s Guide to Caring for the Dying Join author and former resident of R’ville Kirsten DeLeo for a special evening to celebrate her new book! Inspired by decades of experience caring for dying people and teaching, Kirsten will share stories and practical tools to help us be present even when we feel utterly helpless and respond to the dying person's needs and concerns.
This book goes on Sale August 27th stop in and pickup a signed copy! 
August 24 – 12pm Author Talk with John Gordon Liberty’s Flight as a fictional tale based on historical events provides the reader with period authenticity as well as fast paced action. Historical events and personages include Culloden, Lord Glenbucket, Big John Chattan, the wild geese, colonial America, slavery, Ben Franklin, The Albany Plan, the Grand Council of the Iroquois Confederacy, Sir William Johnson and others.
August 10 – 12pm – Author Talk with Suzannah Lessard THE ABSENT HAND REIMAGINING OUR AMERICAN LANDSCAPE is an exploration of the meaning of place in our new era: the digital era, the era of climate change, the era of global finance combined with intense nationalism. This is a literary book yet also deeply reported, is personal and yet focused on what we share. The intention is to reimagine our environment as a pathway to political reinvention. Rensselaerville, where much of this book was written, has a starring role.
July 30 – 6:30pm --
Research the Path to Discovery with Dr. Joseph Heyman How did we get here – flying around the world, landing on Mars, man on the moon, driving cars at 65 MPH, watching TV, living healthy, searching the web? It all came from research, perhaps the most exciting life-work one can have! In this discussion, we explore the past; how research is the path to discovering new and exciting futures. Dr. Heyman will share stories from his 37 years at NASA. There are some OTU’s (Out of This Universe) from his career that you may find amazing. He will share stories about solar wind, hiring an astronaut, the Space Shuttle, the Viking Lander on Mars, aircraft, wind tunnels and heart-lung machines. 
July 27 – Noon – Author Talk with Darryl McGrath I’LL BE HOME: The Writings of Jim McGrath Jim McGrath was chief editorial writer for the Albany Times Union. His editorials and commentaries charted many of the most critical issues in New York and the country: the death penalty, civil liberties, historic presidential campaigns, the economy, terrorism and more. The book is both a tribute to a memorable newspaperman and an insider’s perspective on politics and life through the lens of an editorial writer, a position that Jim described as “a great seat at a really weird show.”
Author Reading - Bill Logan's Sprout Lands
Saturday, June 22⋅12:00 – 1:00pm Sprout Lands is Logan’s elegant answer to this timeless mystery, and a buoyant journey to discover the ways in which these lost ancient arts created and supported human cultures all over the world, from the English fens to Spain, California, Africa, and Japan. Amidst Logan’s quest to understand how we lost our way is a compelling and revelatory celebration of nature’s relationship with people, and how we once lived closely as partners with trees, and may one day do so again. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Bill will also provide a hike at the Huyck Preserve looking at tree architecture and how the woodland we are walking has been influenced by human presence. William Bryant Logan is a practicing arborist and the author of three acclaimed books on nature, Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, Oak: The Frame of Civilization, and Air: The Restless Shaper of the World. 
Video Viewing and Discussion
Brought to Light with Barbara Reina Sunday, May 5 3pm Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147 The Rensselaerville Historical Society, Rensselaerville Library and Conkling Hall are sponsoring the viewing of the documentary BROUGHT TO LIGHT. Filmmaker Barbara Reina, the content writer, photographer and videographer of Brought To Light will provide background on the documentary and answer questions. The documentary is about unearthing the history of an African-American Cemetery. It is a story of rediscovery, respect and change in Kinderhook, NY where a few villager’s efforts to clean up some stone markers in an overgrown field leads to the rediscovery of a forgotten, “slaves cemetery” in which hundreds of African-Americans were buried in the 1800s. The Documentary is a portal to the past on the lives of Kinderhook’s lesser-known non-white population. Copies of the DVD will be available for purchase. 
2018
How exciting to have Mr. Dickens visit the Library.
December 8 at 4pm Pre-performance appearance by Mr. Dickens. Come meet Mr. Dickens and hear him read 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' by Clement C. Moore. Free and suitable for all ages. Note: special opening of the Library at 4pm for this program. October 19 – 7-10pm – Drawdown Live Stream – Paul Hawken and the Drawdown Team will provide an interactive overview and update of Drawdown a NY Times bestseller. This is a live stream broadcast from Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY. Live stream will start at 7:30 and seating will be limited.
Raffle Tickets
Local Golf Course Green Fees and Carts for 4 at Sunny Hill and Thunderhart $1.00 per ticket or $5.00 for 6 tickets Drawing Saturday, September 1 at 5pm You do not need to be present to win. Tickets available from Trustees or at the Library. Congratulations to Julia Marshall and Jon Kosich. 
August 7 – 7:00pm – Working at NASA: Dr. Kathleen Fontaine. Dr. Fontaine will discuss what it is really like to work at NASA and what it is like to be a woman working in the sciences. She worked for NASA for over 25 years and is now an Adjunct Professor at RPI.
Author Reading
With Helen Benedict Friday, July 27, 2018 @ 7:00 pm After a hurricane devastates a small town in upstate NY, the lives of three women and their young children are irrevocably changed. Rin, an Iraq War veteran, tries to protect her blind daughter and the three wolves under her care. Naema, a widowed doctor who fled Iraq with her wounded son, faces life-threatening injuries. Beth, who is raising a troubled son, waits out her marine husband’s deployment in Afghanistan, equally afraid of him coming home and of him never returning at all. As they struggle to maintain their humanity and find hope, their war-torn lives collide in a way that will affect their entire community. Featured: Woodstock Book Talk podcast http://woodstockbooktalk.com/episode-182-april-1-2018 Lit Hub article about Catskill Literature https://lithub.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-catskills-lit/ Wolf Season was also reviewed by Chronogram. 
August 1 – 3:30pm – Family Program: Pig Out on Reading with Daisy and Farmer Minor. The famous pot belly pig Daisy will be visiting the Library to share her favorite books. Make sure to bring a camera for a photo.
August 10 – 7:00pm – Close Encounter with Mars: David Bardnard, is the Vice President of Helderberg Earth & Sky Observatory. David will provide a program on Mars.
13 – 7pm – Living a Life of Balance: Ayurveda 101 with Emileigh Tanner. Ayurveda is a time-honored health and healing system providing tools to balance one’s mind. Come learn more about this ancient medical system.
Author Reading
With Jonathan Donald Friday, July 6, 2018 @ 7:00 pm Sour Mash, The Long Time Ago Adventures of an American A novel about a mid19th century rustic American traveling across America, Europe, North Africa, and then across the Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Traveler in an Ancient Land. A fictionalized biography about the 19th century Egyptian explorer Giovanni Belzoni based on his journal. Belzoni was among the earliest explorers of ancient Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. He described the monuments at Luxor and Karnak, the Ramesseum mortuary temple and then went on to discover temples at Esna, Edfu, Philoe and Abu Simbel. Jonathan Donald has written and produced over 200 programs for television. Including dramas about the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1698 and a mysterious early 20th century murder and on the lighter side an old Fashioned Christmas. He has produced documentaries about American history, the Vietnam War, American Cowboy Culture, 19th Century Railroads, Australian Archaeology, Land Conservation, Japanese Culture, the regional cultures of Brazil, African Politics, Wildlife Adventures including specials on the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s Man-Eating Crocodiles. He produced these programs for CBS, ABC, PBS, Discovery, National Geographic and Reader’s Digest Entertainment. He has won an Emmy, an Emmy nomination, two Cine Eagles and other awards. Need Help with Long Term Care?
Tuesday, April 24 at 3pm The Independent Advocacy Network will provide a presentation on Medicaid and how they can help. Please Register. Talking With Your Doctor
Wednesday, April 11 at 3pm This workshop provided by Albany Medical College’s Division of Community Outreach and the Schaffer Library will share tips on how to be an advocate, find health information you can trust and what things to bring to an appointment. Please Register. 2017
Eat Smart for Brain Health
April 18, 2017 6:00 pm Cornell Cooperative Extension staff will share information on dietary and other health suggestions that are now thought to decrease your risk of Alzheimer's Disease. Please Register for this program. 
Alzheimer's Disease Education
April 6, 2017 6pm The basics of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease education program. Please register for this program. DO YOU NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?
HCDI Health Insurance Services In partnership with St. Peter’s Health Partners provides FREE help completing: Health Insurance Applications for: Medicaid Child Health Plus Essential Plans Qualified Health Plans Call (518) 486-8240 Westerlo Public Library Wednesday February 8th 9am – 2pm Rensselaerville Public Library Wednesday February 8th 4pm – 8pm 
Painting Party
Sunday, January 15 at 2pm. Instruction provided by Roaming Paintress Meghan Evans. Seating is limited, we still have seats available. $30 to reserve your 11x14 canvas. This is a Library fundraiser and snacks and beverages will be available. And the results from our class. Thank you to Meghan and everyone who participated. 
2016Alzheimer's Disease Education
This program was canceled and is being rescheduled for April 2017. The basics of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease education program on Tuesday, December 6th at 6pm. Please register for this program. 
Game Day - So you think you’ve got game?
Families read, learn, play during International Games Day @ your library. On Saturday, November 19th, from 9-1pm the game is on at Rensselaerville Library for International Games Day @ your library. Home Buyer Workshop
with local resident Joanne Steele on November 16th at 7pm. Gain a better understanding of home buying basics including financing, loan applications, credit basics, and the benefits and costs of owning a home. Please register for this program. HalloweenCostume Swap Shop - Now until the 19th drop off gently used and clean Halloween costumes (accessories and decorations too) at the Library during regular hours. The Library will open a free costume swap shop from 6-9pm the 19th-21st where volunteers will be on hand to help you select the perfect costume.
Haunted Library - Volunteers will be decorating the Haunted Library on Sunday, October 30th, contact the Library if you would like to help. Teens be sure to stop into the Library on Wednesday nights and help make some Halloween decorations. The Haunted Library will be open on Halloween from 6:30-8:30pm for trick-or-treaters. Parade and Pizza - The Parade will start at 6pm at the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department to Conkling Hall where we will find pizza and beverages. 
Paranormal Investigation
@the Library Thursday, October 27 at 6pm The dedicated explorers of the Northeast Paranormal Society will share their investigations and demonstrate their equipment. You might even see and hear evidence from local places. Special 4 Week Space Program
Last Program Tuesday night!
Four part presentation of the major ideas in modern cosmology and astronomy. Participants will come away with an understanding of the causes and effects of some of the more interesting physical phenomena in our universe. No math background is required. References will be provided for further study. August 2, 2016 Part I: The Big Bang, The Solar System, and the Exoplanets August 9, 2016 Part II: Where Do Stars Come From? Stellar Evolution from Nebula to Red Giant August 16, 2016 Part III: The Death of Stars: White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, Black Holes, Nova & Supernovae The mysterious Quasar August 23, 2016 Part IV: The Fate of the Universe, The Women of Astronomy, and The Poetry of the Cosmos Mike Lawrence received his doctorate in Physics Education from Rutgers University. He spent 15 years as the co-director of the Rutgers Astrophysics Institute, an NSF and NASA funded program. Mike’s research has been published in journals such as The Journal of Research in Science Teaching and Physics Education. He is the 2013 winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for K-12 math and science teachers; and the winner of the 2013 M.I.T. Inspirational Teacher award. Mike taught physics for 40 years at West Orange High School in NJ. He retired in 2014. 
Author Readings
Join Clifton Park author Keith W. Willis - Friday, August 12 at 6:30pm for an evening of dragons, damsels and deception as he reads from and discusses his award-winning debut fantasy novel TRAITOR KNIGHT (Champagne Books, 2016).
Books will be available for sale and signing. 
Local Author Darryl McGrath – Friday, August 5 at 7pm. Darryl will be reading from her new book Flight Path: A Field Journal of Hope, Heartbreak, and Miracles with New York’s Bird People. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. 
Local Author Stephen O’Connor – Friday, July 8 at 7pm. Stephen will be reading from his new book Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. Ball Pythons & Color MorphsWednesday, August 10, 2016 at 6pm
Local Resident Jim Chapman and his collection of Ball Pythons will visit the Library. Jim will discuss proper care and how he achieves the variety of colors. We might even get to see a few new babies.
Open Position at Rensselaerville Library - closing date has been extended to 3/25/16
Application Paperwork - Each position must complete this application and submit with required position documentation. Youth Services Coordinator Rensselaerville Library is looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and engaging Youth Services Coordinator to assist children, young adults and families in the use of library materials, equipment and resources, and to conduct programs. This new position reports to the Library Director, but exercises considerable independence in carrying out the duties of the position. Position Announcement Position Description The Library SurveyThe Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who completed a survey. Your input is appreciated.
Arbonne Healthy Living Fundraiser
Thursday, March 17th
7:00 pm Coloring is a great way to relax and give our creativity a boost. Coloring books designed especially for adults have more intricate designs and patterns. Coloring pages, colored pencils, markers and crayons will be available or bring your own. We will also discuss a little color theory to help you get started. 2015Remember the Library this Holiday Season!
If you buy your presents on-line this Holiday Season from Amazon, you can donate to the Library at no extra cost to you. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Rensselaerville Library whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know: same products, same prices, same service.
On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you will need to select the Rensselaerville Library as your charitable organization to receive donations. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation. Thanks for your help and Happy Holidays! 
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
3:00 pm Fun for all ages. Reptile Adventure, based in NY's Capital Region, is an educational organization that brings live animals to libraries. They are hands-on, allowing participants to touch and hold most of their animals. Adult Coloring Book Club
Thursday, December 17th
7:00 pm Coloring is a great way to relax and give our creativity a boost. Coloring books designed especially for adults have more intricate designs and patterns. Coloring pages, colored pencils, markers and crayons will be available or bring your own. We will also discuss a little color theory to help you get started. Essential Oils 101
Saturday, December 12
11am Learn more about essential oils with Karen Chenel and doTERRA. Essential oil use has spiked in popularity as many people have made the choice to use natural products. Essential oils have become common in household products, treating everything from: anxiety, allergies, digestive ailments, and chronic pain. Their multiple uses have added to their popularity, potentially benefiting users physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. All participants will make a headache blend to take with them. Program is free but please register so we can plan accordingly with supplies. Greenery Sale
Saturday, December 5th
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Each year the Library sponsors a Greenery Sale. Wreaths and trees are available for purchase along festive Main Street. Meanwhile, inside the Libray, local vendors can help you find the perfect gift for friends and family. The day also includes children's activities, a book sale, and a cookie sale. Vendors wanted! If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact the Library Director for more information or Fill out this FORM. Space is limited. The FOW website has moved
The Festival of Writers website has moved to the Library's website. FOW information can now be found under the Programs/ Events tab on the library's website.
In addition, for 2015, the Library will not be hosting the FOW as a weekend celebration. Instead, we will focus on smaller events throughout the year that will fall under our new launch of "Festival of Writers Presents". Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events. New Card CatalogThe Library has a new card catalog system. To learn how to get the most from the new system, follow the link below and select a topic you need assistance with for instructions and/ or a tutorial video.
Catalog Help Special thanks to the East Greenbush Library for creating these resources. International Game Day
November 21, 2015
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Try out new games or break out the old ones. Bring Family and Friends and let the games begin. Trophy Buck is a fast-moving game about deer hunting. The 12 custom dice represent deer. Push your luck to bag the most points, but stop rolling before too many "startles" end your turn! Will you bring home a trophy, or will you just be looking at tracks? 3 to 8 can players | Each game takes 10 to 20 minutes. Munchkin Treasure Hunt is a fun boardgame for up to six players, ages 6 and up – now everyone in the family can be a Munchkin! Explore the Dungeon! Be careful, though. Monsters live here, and they don't want you taking their stuff. Too bad! Chase away the monsters, grab that loot, and run! Get the most treasure and win! 2 to 6 players | 1 hour | 6+ Adult Coloring Book Club
Thursday, November 19th
7:00 pm Coloring is a great way to relax and give our creativity a boost. Coloring books designed especially for adults have more intricate designs and patterns. Coloring pages, colored pencils, markers and crayons will be available or bring your own. We will also discuss a little color theory to help you get started. Halloween in the Hamlet
Saturday, October 31
Haunted Library - The Library will be open regular hours but after we close at 1:00 pm things get just a little bit creepy. The Library will be open until 8:00 pm. Parade - 3:45 pm line up at the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department on Route 85 and follow the Fire Truck to Conkling Hall. Pizza at Conkling Hall - 5:00- 6:00 pm A special thank you to the RVFD Battalion for sponsoring the pizza and to Conkling Hall for the use of the space. Back to the Future
October is the 30th Anniversary of the arrival of Marty McFly and Doc Brown in Back to the Future II.
Come to the Library on Friday, October 23 at 6:30 pm for a special event. Lyme Disease Movie and Program
Friday, September 18th
6:30pm Representatives from the Capital Region Chapter of the Empire State Lyme Disease Association will share the movie Under Our Skin and discuss what resources are available for those interested in learning more about Lyme and treatment. The Chapter will have books for sale on Lyme Disease. 
Community Fire Safety Training & Preparedness
Sunday, September 13, 2015 Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department (State Route 85) 3:30 – 4:30 pm The RHDA, the Library, and RVFD, in response to community interest will offer another R'ville Citizen Fire Safety presentation. Our neighbors (adults and children) will be a part of a presentation covering household safety and recommendations as well as an opportunity to sign up for an individual in-house walk through.
This past winter we experienced a fire at a home on Main Street which sparked an interest by members of our Community to have Fire Safety Training and Preparedness along with a home walk through by the Fire Department. Please attend this meeting, presentation and signup session, it will provide you with information and insight into activities that can be implemented in your own homes for the safety of you and your family. During this meeting we will set times for those interested in a personal walk through of your home to offer onsite advice and recommendations. The actual walk through will be scheduled for late September and into October. Be sure to let us know if you will be closing your home in October. For more information contact the Rensselaerville Library at 797-3949 Author Reading- Marni Graff
Tuesday, September 15
7PM Marni Graff returns to Rensselaerville with the first title in her Trudy Genova series. You may be familiar with her Nora Tierney titles The Blue Virgin, The Green Remains and The Scarlet Wench. Graff debuts the first of The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries. DEATH UNSCRIPTED follows nurse Trudy Genova, who works as a medical consultant for a NY movie studio. Based on Graff's favorite nursing job when she lived in NY, Trudy Genova considers herself lucky to have such a great job without emergencies. That is, until the actor whose been annoying her lately suddenly dies in the middle of taping--but not before pointing his finger accusingly at Trudy. Lawn Party
Meet with friends and neighbors and help the Library further its mission! All proceeds to benefit the Library.
Saturday September 5, 2015 4:00 - 7:00pm Palmer House Café Courtyard $20 includes one drink PURCHASE Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Library, or at the door on the day of the event. Please bring an appetizer to share Festival of Writers Presents
Olivia Quillio displays a commendable lyrical guile - able to articulately transform her own experience into something not only universally applicable but enjoyably so. Quillio arms herself with her vulnerability, her emotional honesty deployed with graceful aplomb. With sophomore record Get Down and Pray, Quillio chronicles her year of emotional tumult and all the life lessons she's learned during and after, in her intimate yet accessible brand of heartbreak pop leveled up by her maturity.
~ All proceeds benefit the Rensselaerville Library ~ Songwriting WorkshopSunday, September 6th
10-noon Registration $20 PURCHASE Olivia will be in Rensselaerville on Sunday to lead a songwriting workshop. Advance registration is required. Contact [email protected] Festival of Writers PresentsAn Afternoon with Local Authors
Saturday, September 5th
At Stonecrop at the Carey Institute for Global Good 63 Huyck Rd. Rensselaerville, NY 12147 12:15pm to 3:30pm Tickets are $10 Schedule of Readings 12:30 – 1:00 – Rensselaerville Historical Society People Made it Happen Here 1:15 – 1:45 – John “Jack” Gordon The Land and the People 2:00 – 2:30 – Ralph Hull A Lifetime of Experiences and Memories 2:45 – 3:15 – Reinhold Scholz Matrose: The Story of Reinhold Scholz Authors will have books available for sale and signing ~ All proceeds benefit the Rensselaerville Library ~ 
Summer Reading Program
Registration for the Summer Reading Program began June 26th. Start your Summer Adventure at the Library. This Summer the Library has activities for everyone. While registration is not required it offers a great opportunity to set goals and challenge yourself. Check here to see what we have planned. LOG IN WEE READ KIDS READ TEENS READ ADULTS READ 
Festival of Writers Presents
Thanks Dan Johnson for a fantastic show!
Friday, July 17th Palmer House Café Courtyard Meet-the-artist cocktail hour at 6pm Showtime at 7pm Tickets $10 Vermont songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs original Americana music, with covers from bluegrass, old-time, country, and folk repertoire.
~ All proceeds benefit the Rensselaerville Library ~ Songwriting Workshop CanceledSaturday, July 18th
10-noon Registration $20 Dan will also be in Rensselaerville on Saturday to lead a songwriting workshop. Advance registration is required. Contact [email protected] A Summer Afternoon of Poetry
Sunday, July 12 3:30 pm Rensselaerville Library Garden (behind the Library) To include readings and refreshments (wine and local cheeses). Please bring a chair or blanket. Reading will be held inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate. A Reading by Authors of the Poetry Collection Gossamer Stone: Carol Cone, Bill Heinrich, Lynn McCloe, Will Meyer, Claire North and Mary Scriber; and by Poet Katrinka Moore, from her book Numa; Linda Sonia Miller, emcee Click here for more information about the authors and their work. A Summer Afternoon of Poetry
Sunday, July 12 3:30 pm Rensselaerville Library Garden (behind the Library) To include readings and refreshments (wine and local cheeses). Please bring a chair or blanket. Reading will be held inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate. A Reading by Authors of the Poetry Collection Gossamer Stone: Carol Cone, Bill Heinrich, Lynn McCloe, Will Meyer, Claire North and Mary Scriber; and by Poet Katrinka Moore, from her book Numa; Linda Sonia Miller, emcee Gossamer Stone Poets: “In an area encompassing parts of Bennington County, Vermont, and Washington County, New York, several poets have found themselves writing together for a couple of years now, and have put together this book.The poets do not represent a school of poetry; they are too dissimilar from each other for that unless you consider them a school of fish, traveling together through contemporary currents. Or think of them as a copse of trees, this book a bench on which to rest for a while.” – Jon Mathewson Katrinka Moore’s “Numa, an epic poem about a shape-shifting creature, draws on ancient myth but is inhabited bynontraditional characters. Numa is a hero who does not concern herselfwith the standard heroic pastimes. . . [She]represents a new idea, a wider conception oflife, us among all of it, otherkind”– Elizabeth Poreba, author of Vexed “...like nothing else you’ve read. Numa tells a fast-paced story, even as it proves a meditation on consciousness, on the primal nature of motherhood, and on how the body shapes identity.” – Maura Candela, MER About the Poets Carol Cone is a former administrator and teacher from The Dalton School in New York City. She lives in Dorset and has been a full-time Vermont resident since 1990. Her poems have been published in two anthologies, Birchsong: Poetry Centered in Vermont, and Remember This in January, as well as having poems selected for “Poem City” in Montpelier for the past three years. She has written four novels with the National Novel Writing Month challenge and belongs to several poetry writing groups. Bill Heinrich: One of Bill's earliest memories is pulling a chair up to his grandfather's book case and pulling out a volume of e.e. cummings. Since then, poetry has been a constant in his life. Bill received his BA from Pratt, which led him to a career as an advertising executive where he won awards for writing and design. When he discovered his calling was the restoration of historic buildings, he moved to a remote corner of New York on the Vermont border to pursue this. Bill's poetry was always a deeply personal endeavor until he joined a poetry writing group in 2013. His work in this book is the culmination of that confluence. Lynn McCloe has always led a life filled with horses and literature. While attending the Bread Loaf School of English, she began writing poetry and has continued her dedication to the craft through poetry writing and reading groups. A teacher and horse trainer, she currently lives in Manchester, Vermont. Will Meyer grew up along the Vermont /New York State border where he has returned to make his home again. He is a life-long, purposeful observer of all things alive, dead, and written. Will is a member of four poetry groups in greater NYC and SW Vermont. He can be reached at [email protected]. Claire North began writing poetry in grade school, and then took a turn for many years toward reading much more poetry than she wrote. This led to her amassing many shelves of poetry, and paying it homage by taking poetry workshops during every residency of her MFA, even though her genre was long fiction. She moderates a Poetry Reading Book Group and a Poetry Writing Group in Vermont, which have balanced and enhanced her poetry path through joyful collaboration. Claire holds an MFA from Goddard College and has been a Minister of Spiritual Science for 23 years. Mary Scriber is a poet and has degrees in Education and English with a concentration in Creative Writing. At Skidmore College she enrolled in an extensive poetry study with Carolyn Forche. Through Skidmore's University Without Walls program she participated in the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop classes. She has lived in upstate New York, Boston, London and Sedona, Arizona. She currently lives in Manchester, Vermont. Katrinka Moore’s previous books are Thief (BlazeVOX, 2009) and This is Not a Story (Finishing LinePress, 2003), which won the New Women’s Voices Prize. Her poems appear in the anthologies This Full Green Hour, The Best of the Texas Poetry Calendar, and Milkweed Editions’ Stories from Where We Live. Recent work is in online journals Otoliths, MungBeing, First Literary Review-East, and Dépositions, le blog. She lives in Manor Kill, NY, and New York City. 
Town-Wide Picnic - June 7
The Town of Rensselaerville will hold its third annual townwide picnic on Sunday, June 7 from 2:00pm to 4:30pm on the grounds of the Town Hall to celebrate the unity of its five hamlets: Cooksburg, Medusa, Preston Hollow, Potter Hollow and Rensselaerville. The Town Council created this event as a way to bring residents together to share a meal and build community spirit. Hot dogs and hamburgers donated by the fire departments and home-made salads and desserts will be on the menu along with music and information tables hosted by town businesses, organizations and churches. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office education out-reach bus will be onsite and there will be a demonstration of its K-9 program. The volunteer fire companies and the ambulance corps will have vehicles and representatives on hand. The American Legion will hold a ceremony at the “Ring of Honor” at 3:00pm to honor Town of Rensselaerville residents who are veterans and active members of the armed services. All current and former Town of Rensselaerville residents are invited. Those whose last name begins with A through M are asked to bring a salad to share; those whose last name begins with N through Z are asked to bring a dessert to share. Businesses and organizations that want to host an information table should contact Margaret Sedlmeir at 518-239-6282 or Kim Graff at 518-797-3949. 
Stewart's Holiday MatchThe Library is pleased to announce that we recently received a $600 donation from the Stewart's Holiday Match. These funds will be used during the Summer Reading Program. Watch our web site, Facebook or future emails to see what we will have for Summer Break. Thank you to everyone who supported the Stewart's Holiday Match.
Book Sale
Saturday, May 16th
9am - 3pm Each year the Library holds a Used Book Sale in May to coordinate with Rensselaerville's Annual Garage Sale Day. Hundreds of gently used books, both hard covers and paperbacks, fiction and non-fiction, will be for sale. All proceeds go to benefit the Library. Volunteers and donations wanted! Please check out our Book Sale page for more information. Savvy Social Security PlanningTuesday, May 12th
6:30-8:30 Please Register What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income You've been conditioned by popular opinion to believe that Social Security may not be there for you once you retire. The truth is it might be and although it may have a different look by the time you begin your benefits, the lifetime value to you and your family may be substantially larger than what you think. In fact, Social Security is a benefit that some take for granted and discount as inconsequential in the context of their overall wealth management plan. These attitudes can result in the underutilization and potential wasting of a benefit that can have real and dramatic impacts on the lives of the recipients and their heirs when proper benefit planning is done. Come learn the “ins and outs” with Rick Lane from Madison Wealth Managers to help maximize your Social Security benefits, as we discuss why you should begin thinking of Social Security as more than just a political hot potato and what the TRUE value of this misunderstood benefit can be. Provided by Madison Wealth Managers. Family Storytime
Family Storytime is a program for families with children ages birth to 6 years. Led by Linda Styer, it includes stories, activities, and crafts. There will also be pizza for all participants!
Upcoming Storytime programs: Friday May 15 at 5:30 pm Dance theme. Cocktail Party- May 23
Saturday, May 23rd
4pm -7pm Each year, the Rensselaerville Library hosts its annual Cocktail Party, a benefit to support the Library. Meet with friends and neighbors to celebrate the beginning of summer and help the Library further its mission. This year's event will be held on Saturday, May 23 at the Carey Center's beautiful Stonecrop. Tickets are $20 at the door and will include one drink (cash bar). Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. If you missed this year's Cocktail Party, but would still like to make a donation, click here. Thank you!
10th Annual National Poetry Month This year's Poetry Month is dedicated to the memory of poet Galway Kinnell. Pictured above is Kinnell and Barbara Dudley at Conkling Hall 2010.
Join us at the Library throughout the month of April to help us celebrate National Poetry Month. Events and activities include:
-Workshops -Community Poem Project -Speakers -Kids activities -Art -Open mike Please check out our Poetry Month web page for more information, dates, and times. Visual Poetry WorkshopSaturday, March 28th
10:30-12:30pm Combine words and images in a visual poetry workshop with Katrinka Moore. Space is limited to 15 participants. Please register by March 24th. China's Supercaves
Friday, March 27th at 7pm
Local caver Mike Warner will share his presentation on China's Supercaves. Mike traveled to China in 2013 with National Geographic as a photographic and logistics assistant to a British team using cutting edge technology as they laser mapped the caves. (Click to tour the cave's 3-D model created from the laser scan.) The team’s journey was documented in the July 2014 issue of National Geographic Magazine. (Click to read the National Geographic article.) File Your Income Tax Return for Free
The Library has partnered with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) to help you file both your state and federal taxes for free!
If your income was below $60,000 last year, you are qualified to take advantage of this terrific program. A DTF employee will be available at the Library on March 11 and March 18 to help you file your own tax return. Call or email the Library today to schedule an appointment for one of those days. A DTF employee will help you to file your taxes in the most secure and accurate way. The easy to follow interview-style program will help ensure you get all of the credits you deserve. Most importantly, if you e-file your return, you will receive your refund twice as fast as someone who filed a paper return! The Library also has NYS Tax Forms and Instructions available to pick up. The Library DOES NOT have Federal Forms available to pick up. You can visit the IRS web site to obtain the forms you need. www.irs.gov/Filing Spring Forward Raffle- Saturday, March 7
Help support the Library and have a chance to win one of the great prizes listed below!
Drawing: Saturday, March 7 (during the R'ville Stage Creations "Lets Go To The Movies" A Cabaret) Tickets: $1.00 each or $5.00 for six (6) tickets. Prizes: Gift Certificate for Hilltown Professional Organizing Gift Certificate for Yoga with Sarah Weiss Gift Certificate for Small Town Curl Hair Styling Gift Basket of gardening items Gift Basket of Tea Boyer Sparkling Wine Hanging Flower Basket Cakes for a special occasion You do not need to be present to win. All proceeds to benefit the Library. 
...to everyone who contributed to our annual appeal. You make it possible for us to continue to maintain the quality of services we offer to patrons of all ages. Take Your Child to the Library DaySaturday, February 7th
9:00am - 1:00pm Visit the Library to see our children's discovery area and check out the many resources available for children. 2014
gift to the Library this year.
Did you know that your contributions and participation in our fundraising events provide the revenue for over 60% of the Library’s annual operating budget? Gifts from individuals like you make up the backbone of the Library’s financial structure. Without your support, the Library cannot maintain the quality of services we offer to patrons of all ages. Read more...
Why the Public Library Beats Amazon- for Now(by Geoffrey Fowler as posted in the Wall Street Journal)
A growing stack of companies would like you to pay a monthly fee to read e-books, just like you subscribe to Netflix to binge on movies and TV shows. Don't bother. Go sign up for a public library card instead. Read more... Are Public Libraries Still Valuable?
Have public libraries become obsolete in this age of technology? Read more...
The Most Spectacular Libraries in the World
Check out pictures of the most spectacular libraries from around the world here...
Happy Holidays!
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.
Holiday HoursChristmas Eve: The Library will close at Noon.
Christmas Day: Closed New Year's Eve: The Library will close at Noon. New Year's Day: Closed Greenery Sale- Thank You!Thanks to everyone who made our Greenery Sale a success! We sold out of all our trees and have only a few wreaths and sprays left. Stop by the library if you haven't already to pick up last minute decorations.
Thanks again and hope to see you out again next year! Greenery Sale- Saturday December 6
Saturday, December 6th, 2014
9:am - 2:pm At the Library Each year the Library sponsors an Annual Greenery Sale. Wreaths, trees, sprays, and roping are available for purchase along festive Main Street. Meanwhile, inside the Libray, local vendors can help you find the perfect gift for friends and family. The day also includes children's activities, a book sale, and a cookie sale. Vendor's Wanted Vendors wanted as part of the Greenery Sale's vendor fair. Please contact the Library if you would like to be a vendor. The Cold Lands- Saturday November 29
Saturday, November 29th at 6pm
Conkling Hall Good Will Donation Come out for a viewing of "The Cold Lands", a movie filmed in and around Rensselaerville. Afterwards there will be a Q&A with the movie's creator Tom Gilroy. There will also be the opportunity to purchase the book & DVD for $35 and have it signed. Proceeds to benefit the Library. Family Storytime - Friday, November 21
Family Storytime is a program for families with children ages birth to 6 years. Led by Linda Styer, it includes stories, crafts, and more!
Schedule of upcoming Storytime programs: Friday, November 21, 5:30 pm Read books and make crafts with a theme of Cars and Trucks. There will be pizza! Museum PassesThe Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. The Library offers a 50% discount pass on family admissions (up to 4 adults OR 2 adults and children under 18, children under 5 are free) May 23 through October 13. You MUST show your Library Card with the pass. Since 1957, the Adirondack Museum has expanded the public's understanding of Adirondack history and the relationship between people and the Adirondack wilderness, fostering informed choices for the future. With Blue Mountain rising behind it and Blue Mountain Lake sparkling below, the Adirondack Museum's vast campus features displays in 22 modern exhibition galleries and historic buildings. There are lush grounds and sweeping views. You will explore topics ranging from boating to logging, and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for kids, too.
Reading and Discussion ProgramThe New York Council for the Humanities has awarded a grant to the Rensselaerville Presbyterian Church to host a reading and discussion program for the Rensselaerville community on the topic of “Working”. The program will not have a religious focus. Its purpose is to extend to the community an opportunity to read texts and excerpts from books together and gather to think about and discuss important issues connected with this topic such as: What is the relationship between our work and our individual identities? What happens to a community when the nature of work in that community changes?
Participation is limited to 10 people and the discussions will be facilitated. There will be four sessions from October to January: an initial session of two hours that will include some introductory material and three sessions of 90 minutes each. The grant requires that participants must commit to attend all four sessions. The sessions will be held in Conkling Hall in Rensselaerville. The dates, which may need to be adjusted according to participants’ schedules, are: Monday, October 13 (7:00-9:00pm) Tuesday, November 11 (7:00-8:30pm) Monday, December 1 (7:00-8:30pm) Monday, January 5, 2015 (7:00-8:30pm) The texts are on loan from the Council for the Humanities and will be loaned to participants. They are excerpts from Nickeled and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, Working by Studs Terkel, China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston, What Work Is by Phillip Levine, Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris and Portraits in Steel by Milton Rogovin and Michael Frisch. We hope to assemble a diverse group: young adults just starting their working lives, those actively working, retirees, the self-employed and those who work for employers. If you would like to join the group, please email Diana Hinchcliff at [email protected] by Monday, October 6 and also pass this invitation along to others whom you think would be interested. American Red Cross Preparedness PresentationThursday, October 23rd at 7pm
Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department- 4990 Delaware Turnpike The presentation will give a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters and how to respond to and recover from them. Please take the opportunity to learn what should be in your kit and make a plan by registering with the Library at 797-3949. Family Storytime - Friday, October 24
Family Storytime is a program for families with children ages birth to 6 years. Led by Linda Styer, it includes stories, crafts, and more!
Schedule of upcoming Storytime programs: Friday, October 24, 5:30 pm Read books and make crafts with a theme of Trains. There will be pizza! Friday, November 21, 5:30 pm Read books and make crafts with a theme of Cars and Trucks. There will be pizza! Murder Mystery Dinner- Saturday, October 25
"Lord Mansfield's Fox Hunt Banquet"
You are invited to Lord Mansfield's Fox Hunt Banquet at Mansfield Mansion (aka Conkling Hall). You will be joined by and mingle with Lord Mansfield's special guests in this evening of comedy, thievery, and debauchery. Even magic might occur as one of the guests meets an inevitable fate! You will be kept on the edge of your seat as you try to solve an exciting who-dunnit. Watch for clues. Interrogate the suspects. The action will be fast and the laughter contagious.
Saturday, October 25th 6:30 pm Conkling Hall Running time 2.5 to 3 hours. Seating is limited and advance purchase is required by October 17th. Prices: General admission- $40; table of 10- $450 Tickets include: hors d'oeuvres, salad, dinner, dessert, 1 glass of wine or beer and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be a cash bar available. For more information and tickets: 518-797-3949 What is Scleroderma? - Saturday, October 4Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 11:30am
Come learn more about this chronic, auto-immune disease that currently has no cure but is affecting more than 300,000 individuals in the US. This rheumatic and connective tissue disease has many forms that may affect the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs. Presented by Charlotte Berkner. Rensselaerville Cycling Festival- Thank You!
If you were able to make it to the Rensselaerville Cycling Festival this past weekend, you already know what a GREAT time we had. For those who missed it, the good news is that there will be another one next year!
The festival included bicycle rides, programs for adults and kids, vendors, gourmet barbeque buffet, live music, brewery tour, raffle and more. See some pictures here... and more pictures here...  Library Director Kim Graff accepting the award and trophy on behalf of the Library from the Cycling Festival's volunteer competition.
The Library would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all those who volunteered and voted for us in the festival's volunteer competition. The Library's "Team Orange" was voted the winner of the competition and awarded $525 from the festival!
Also, we'd like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our dedicated youth volunteers who raised $330 in lemonade sales that will be donated to the Library! And finally, we'd like to say THANK YOU to the festival organizers, volunteers, and participants who made it such a great success. A very memorable day indeed! See you next year... LET'S GO RIDE A BIKE! Rensselaerville Cycling Festival- Sunday, Sept. 28
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Click here for times, locations, and schedule of events. The festival will include bicycle rides, programs for adults and kids, vendors, gourmet barbeque buffet, brewery tours, raffle and more. The Library will be participating in the festival's volunteer competition. This gives the Library a chance to obtain a cash donation from the festival. We are designated as "Team Orange". Follow the Library's involvement on our facebook page... Click here for more information... LET'S GO RIDE A BIKE! Back to School- Library Card Sign-up Month
Back to school? We know every parent wants their child to succeed, and one of the simplest ways you can ensure your child’s academic success is by making a quick trip to the library.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Rensselaerville Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card. Drop by the Library today! Family Storytime - Saturday, September 27
Family Storytime is a program for families with children ages birth to 6 years. Led by Linda Styer, it includes stories, crafts, and more!
Schedule of upcoming Storytime programs: Saturday, September 27, 11:00am- 12:pm Read bicycling books and make decorations for your bike. Friday, October 24, 5:30 pm Read books and make crafts with a theme of Trains. There will be pizza! Friday, November 21, 5:30 pm Read books and make crafts with a theme of Cars and Trucks. There will be pizza! Discover the Hilltowns: Farms and Artisans TourSeptember 13 and 14, 2014
10am - 4pm or as listed A self-guided driving tour of farms, artisans, markets, historical museums in the Albany County Hilltowns of Berne, Knox, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo. Farm tours, demonstrations, sales of produce and products will be available. Admission is free. Contact Dawn Jordan at 518-872-1390 or visit their website for more information. Lawn PartySaturday, August 30th, 2014
4:00 - 7:00 pm Palmer House Café lawn (behind the restaurant) $20.00 at the "door" Please bring an appetizer or dessert We look forward to seeing you! Children and the InternetPlease take a moment to review this new booklet recently released by the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies, which aims to help parents and teachers steer kids safely through the online and mobile phone worlds.
Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online Annual Membership Meeting- September 15Monday, September 15, 2014
7:00 to 8:00pm The Board of Trustees of the Library invites you to the Library's Annual Memership Meeting. All members of the Library are welcome and encouraged to come. We will be discussing the 2014 Library budget, reviewing accomplishments from 2013, and voting on Library issues. A regular meeting of the Board will follow at 8:pm. Click here for more information about the Library's Board of Trustees. Discover the Hilltowns- Farm and Artisan TourBook SaleSaturday, September 13th from 10 - 1 pm
The Library will be participating in the Discover the Hilltowns – Farm and Artisans Tours on Saturday, September 13th from 10-1pm with a used book sale. If you have books to donate please bring them to the Library during operating hours by September 12th. Click for more details...
How to Get Your Summer Reading for LessThe Albany Times Union featured the Library's e-book collection in their column "Shoppertunist" by Shannon Fromma. Read more...
Fine AmnestyAugust 26 - September 2
Do you have overdue Rensselaerville Library books, audiobooks, movies, or magazines? Dig through your closets, book bags, and drawers, search the bookcases and family car, and recover those Library items. Please note that Fine Amnesty does not apply to damaged or lost items. Lawn Party- August 30thMeet with friends and neighbors to celebrate the end of summer and help benefit the Library. For more information, click here.
Saturday, August 30th, 2014
4:00 - 7:00 pm Palmer House Café Courtyard (behind the restaurant) $20.00 at the "door" Please bring an appetizer or dessert We look forward to seeing you! Book Sales in August- Wednesdays 4-7:pmAs part of Rensselaerville's Wednesday Market, the Library will have a book sale from 4-7pm at the Library. Stop in and see what new items have been added.
Click here for more information about the Library's Book Sales. Need a Note Card for a Special Someone?Local artist Bob Lynk has delivered his blank note cards. They are now available in the Library gift shop.
2014 Summer Reading Program
The 2014 Summer Reading Program ended on Saturday, August 2. The Library had 21 people ages preschool through adult participate. Thank you to all those that participated! To learn more, click here.
eBooks and Audiobooks in Spanish and ChineseNow you can download ebooks and audiobooks from Overdrive in Spanish and Chinese. You can also download movies. Begin downloading here.
Festival of Writers ProgramFriday, August 15 at 10 am: Author, artist, and environmental activist Olivia Bouler will be at the Eldridge Research Center for a presentation and question and answer session about her book Olivia’s Birds Saving the Gulf.
2014 Festival of Writers- August 15-17
The Library's Festival of Writers is a three day celebration of national and local writers, including author readings, storytelling, children's programs, workshops, artwork, music, and more located in and around Rensselearville. All proceeds benefit the Rensselaerville Library.
This year's festival is August 15-17, 2014. The schedule of events, biographies of Guest Authors and Local Authors and Musicians, and more are now available on the Festival's website. We have copies of the author's works to loan out; stop by the Library and pick them up today! You can also purchase tickets for an individual program or for the entire weekend. Are you interested in making a donation to the event or placing an advertisement in the program? Donate here. Is your business or organization having an event during the Festival weekend? We would like to help promote your event to Festival participants. Click here to provide us with the details. Bees
Don't miss Richard Ronconi and his Bees when they visit the Library as part of the Summer Reading Program on July 30 at 10:30am. Click here for more information about the Summer Reading Program.
Laughter YogaSaturdays in July at 11am in the Town Park. If the weather is questionable look for Nancy Dyer under the pavilion.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program (for all ages) kicked off Friday, June 20th. If you haven't done so already, there is still time to start your registration and set your summer reading goal.
The Summer Reading program will go through Saturday, August 2. Click here for more information. Healthy Heart PartySaturday, February 15 at 10:30am
Join Emileigh and Leah at the library for a heart-loving celebration. Valentine DrawingWednesday February 12 at 6pm
Do you have your tickets? Over 14 prizes! Movie passes Wine Champagne Flowers Jewelery & more! How the Huyck Preserve Came to BePresented by Emileigh Tanner
Friday, January 3, 2014 at 7pm 2013Local Cyclist Tyler WrenProfessional Cyclist Tyler Wren will discuss the history of cycling, his career, & the 2014 Rensselaerville Cycling Festival
Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 7pm Secret Language of ColorPresentation, Party and Book Signing to Benefit the Library. Joann and Arielle Eckstut will provide a presentation and Q&A followed by a book signing. The Carey Center will be providing wine and cheese.
December 21, 2013 from 3:pm- 5:pm Stonecrop House at the Carey Center Books are $30 (Please let the Library know if you plan to purchase so that we can order enough copies) Author ReadingConnie Bramer
How Connie Got Her Rack Back Let’s face it, when a white coat touting doctor and her posse deliver a breast cancer diagnosis, your life has a way of turning upside down and even a little sideways. And when you’re a 39 year old single, working mother of two,the roller coaster ride that ensues will either lead you to a straight jacket or a back brace. Connie Bramer gives laugh out loud humor to her adventure, along with poignant moments of self-discovery as she blogs her way to good health. Follow along with her adventure and bare witness to her crazy antics, the comments of love she received, and the unwaivering support of her friends and family that helped to get her through. Saturday, July 27th at 11:30am Sundays at the LibraryStarting July 7, 2013 through August 25th from Noon to 2:00pm, the Library will host a Sunday Open House series. Drop by to use our free Wi-Fi and enjoy coffe, home baked treats, and kid-friendly refreshments.
The highlight will be storytime at 1:00pm. Over eight Sundays, Library neighbor Bob Blum will read from the works of L. Frank Baum, including the entire beloved classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. All ages welcome! The Cold LandsWe would like to thank everyone who attended the sold out viewing of The Cold Lands. Special thanks to Tom, Silas and the Carey Center for a wonderful evening; the event was a huge success for the Library.
Tom would like to be able to keep all the attendees of the Carey Center screening up to date about future screenings, events, and releases of The Cold Lands. The film will have its theatrical run in 2014, but before that Tom is planning a special fall ‘talking tour’ where he presents The Cold Lands as well as the REM piece It Happened Today, and gives a small presentation about the collaborative process (highlighting his interaction with Rensselaerville). The tour will most likely cover both coasts and be one-night only events in art-houses as well as colleges, museums, highs schools, and community centers. To receive updates on the progress of the tour and other events with The Cold Lands, Tom invites you to vista their website and click SUBSCRIBE; If you have friends or family around the country who have a connection to Rensselaerville, let them know when the tour is in their area. In addition, the website will offer free downloads of storyboards, press, production stills and clips. After the tour, the plan is for The Cold Lands to have a proper theatrical run, which means locally it would probably be at the Spectrum in Albany. After that, there will be a regular and deluxe DVD, online streaming with additional materials like soundtrack, video featurettes, and a possible book. Saturday, May 18th at 7 pm. Carey Center for Global Good / Guggenheim Pavilion 63 Huyck Rd, Rensselaerville 6:30 pm cash beverages with complementary hors d’oeuvres Tickets: $20 Suggested Donation for Adults and $5 for children under 16. Tickets are available at the Library. Your donation includes a raffle ticket to win one of several special prizes, including a rare movie poster of The Cold Lands autographed by the actors and filmmakers. The Cold Lands is an unrated independent film that was filmed in and around Rensselaerville. It features scenes containing casual drug use, adult language, and two brief shots of non-sexual male nudity. Parental Discretion is Advised. All proceeds go to support the Library. Felting with Sharon CostelloSaturday, April 13th
9am-Noon: Wet Felted Flowers. Spring is on it’s way. Get into the spirit by making your own felted flowers. Join felt artist Sharon Costello for a 3 hour class that will teach you how to create beautiful flowers using ancient wet felting techniques. Wool fibers, soapy water and controlled agitation is all that is needed to transform fluffy sheep’s wool into a three-dimensional felt flower. All materials are provided. Great fun for ages 10 to 100! Registration Required 1-4pm: Felted Bunnies. Learn to sculpt animals with nothing more than a specially designed felting needle and loose carded wool fibers. Felt Artist Sharon Costello will lead a three hour workshop to introduce needle felting to the novice. No special skills are needed to a charming 6″ bunny and unlike wet felting no soap and water is required. All materials are provided…great fun for all ages 10 and up! Registration Required. Registration Required. National Poetry MonthSunday, April 7th
Cantata & Poetry and Prose Open Mic at Conkling Hall, 3pm. “Cantata for Two Voices and Horn” - a performance piece (30 mins) by Albany Poet Sharon Stenson that combines poetry, jazz music, and a selection of jazz narratives. This will be followed by: An Open Mic for Poetry and Prose – This year’s Open Mic will be emceed by Marilyn Oliva (neighbor and Festival of Writers planner) and will feature local writers including Bill Logan, Joanna Bull, Charlie Burgess, and Maryann Ronconi among others. All are invited to bring either an original prose piece (approx.5 mins.) or 2-3 original poems to read aloud, or just come and listen! Sunday, April 21st Favorite Poem Project at ConklingHall 3-5pm. “Rensselaerville’s 8th Annual Favorite Poem Project” – Dig through your books or memories and bring a poem to read aloud or just come to listen This event is part of a national endeavor, during which communities across the country come together when residents read and share “favorite poems.” Most bring poems selected from books or journals or memories. Some choose favorites from childhood or school, or read an original poem. Others select from classic or contemporary well-known and less-known poets. This year’s readers will include: Katherine Dieckmann, Joanna Bull, Charlie Burgess, Jan Bishop, and Maryann Ronconi, and (hopefully) many of you. Our popular emcee from previous events, actor/author/reverend Claire North from Manchester, Vt., will be returning. Refreshments will be served at both events. Free Will Donations. Family Storytime – Owls are Coming!Saturday, March 30th Family Storytime – 11am The theme is dirt.
Wednesday, April 3rd Special Family Storytime – 3pm (yes the Library will open early) Children, Parents and Caregivers Family Storytime in the new children’s area. Children we need your assistance naming the new owl puppet. Please stop at the circulation desk and offer your suggestion. The Owl’s name will be selected at this program and there will be a prize for the winning name. Live Owls with Kelly Martin will also join us. Technology giving you angst? Or do you need help with MicrosoftWord, setting up an email account, etc.?The Rensselaerville Library is offering New York’s digital literacy curriculum. New York has developed the program to create more e-citizens through a curriculum based on standards and skills so that we understand basic computer skills, use of the internet, online communication and the basics of using Microsoft Word.
Kim is a certified trainer and will be teaching these four two hour classes. Space is limited to 8/class so registration is a MUST. There will be a quiz upon completion of each class and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion. Any questions should be directed to Kim. See the class description and times below
REMEMBER – Registration is required and you MUST complete the first class. The January Classes are FULL. 2012Felting Workshop with Sharon CostelloSaturday, December 1 from 1-4pm.
Learn to make a charming miniature snowman (or woman) using carded wool fibers and a felting needle. Make one 6″ snowman ornament at the workshop and bring home supplies to make more at home. The class is free, but there will be a $5.00 materials fee. This easy to learn craft is appropriate for ages 10 to 100! (Younger participants are welcome with a supervising adult, but be aware that the felting needles are sharp!). Interested in attending? Please contact the Library as soon as possible as registration is limited to 14 participants. E Reader WorkshopSaturday, December 1st at 11am
Upper Hudson Library System Staff will be at the Library to demonstrate a variety of devices and how to download books. Nonprofit Financial Management SeminarNovember 29th, 6:30pm at the Carey Center for Global Good.
The Library has invited Rick Lane, Vice President – Investments and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, from Madison Wealth Managers to provide the seminar. The seminar description – In the not for profit sector, trustees and directors are presented with very specific challenges and numerous responsibilities. In the recent past, difficult economic times have only compounded the budgetary and financial issues at hand. Above all, the Fiduciary obligation to the organizations these people oversee is constantly measured and tested. Please join us for a seminar designed to address the specific needs of not for profit organizations. Some of the topics this seminar will focus on are; Fiduciary responsibility and excellence, best practices for endowment formation, maintenance and perpetuity and techniques commonly overlooked to maximize income to your organization. As we all know not for profit does not mean not for income. – We are excited to offer this seminar and hope that a representative(s) from the local nonprofits can attend. Please contact the Library at 797-3949 or email Kim at [email protected] to confirm your participation so that Rick and the Carey Center can plan accordingly. This Program is Free but please register. Schoharie ValleyJohn Wilkenson will be at the Library Friday, November 16th to read from his publication The Schoharie Valley.
National Game DayStop into the Library on Saturday, November 3 from 9-1 and check out the games.
Let’s Talk TechStarting Wednesday November 14th!
On Wednesdays throughout November bring your lunch and your smart phone or iPad to the Library at 12:30. We can share our favorite apps or ask each other how to use certain apps on a variety of devices. Albany Paranormal Research SocietyWednesday, October 24th at 7pm
The Albany Paranormal and Research Society (APRS) will return to the Library. APRS is a group of dedicated people from various backgrounds with a common interest in the paranormal who give of their time and energies to research, investigate and document paranormal events and phenomena. To learn more, visit www.paranormalalbany.com US Postal Service Informational MeetingTuesday, October 23
US Postal Service Staff will host a Community Meeting at the Library from Noon to 3:pm to answer questions and provide additional information about the POST Plan. The Library will be open during these hours. Yogic Relaxation and Laughter with Nancy Dyer4pm Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Yoga Nidra: The Art of Deep Relaxation Bring your mat. Wear comfortable clothes. No postures. Just come and experience the art of “yogic sleep”. Learn to tense and relax muscles progressively, releasing accumulated stress. Learn what conscious sleep is—yes, you can actually be a sleep and watching yourself snore. Learn how to use yoga nidra for self-healing and to explore the vast unknown—adventure travel, no charge. 11am Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Laughter Yoga A friend of mine survived a WWII Russian work camp, by following his father’s teachings: Laughing to himself all day long and chewing his meager food hundreds and hundreds of times a day to stimulate his immune system. Two of his work crew of 13 did it. Two survived two years in the camp. Science tells us that one smile/laugh can be equal to the “brain chemistry” benefit of up to 2000 chocolate bars and is like having $25,000 in your pocket. Children until the age of 5 smile/laugh up to 4 or 500 times a day. Come laugh with us and learn the health benefits of each different laugh: hahahah, hihihihi, fhufhufhu, heyheyhey and hohoho…. Nancy Dyer has studied and taught yoga in the tradition of Integral Yoga founded by Swami Satchidananda for almost 20 years. She teaches at the ashram in New York. Ever wonder what is a therapy dog?Saturday, October 20 at 11am.
Helene Goldberger and therapy dog Helen of Troy will share information and answer questions about therapy dogs. Children can read to Helen. Rensselaerville Oral History Project Presents“Sense of Place”
Grand Story Celebration Screening of DVD featuring local stories told by local storytellers Sunday, October 21st, 2012 Conkling Hall (8 Methodist Hill Rd) 4pm Refreshments served Join storyteller, Bairbre McCarthy & local Storytellers All ages welcome Invite family and friends The library will continue to collect and record local stories until the end of this year. All ages welcome; come on down to the library with family and friends to record your stories. To schedule an audio recording, contact Library Director, Kim Graff at 797-3949 or by email at [email protected] This Project is funded in part by a Community Arts Grant from The Arts Center of the Capital Region through the New York State Council of the Arts. |
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