Some of you may be receiving an email from the Library today informing you that your library cards have expired.  Just respond to the email with the information required, and your card will be updated to the year 2023.  Don’t miss out on accessing all the e-resources available with your card from the Library System – Overdrive e-books and audio books, movies streamed from Kanopy, e-magazines from RB Digital and when we reopen, all our physical books, books on CD and DVDs.

Check out the Valatie Free Library Facebook page.  Chuck, our new Program Coordinator, has designed a new activity, “Valatie Free Library Presents Craft Time.”  The first activity is drawing with 3 people . . . or more.  Check out the neat design; try it with friends and family.   Send  a photo of your drawing to valatiefreelibrary@gmail.com.  We would love to see your results.  Then keep tuned for many more activities in “Craft Time.”

If you would like to order an ebook or an audio book while the Library is closed, please check the top item in the right sidebar of this web page Click on “Click here.” Register for a temporary card by completing the starred items on the form – your name, address, phone number, email, etc.  Don’t forget to include the red Anti-Spam code.  Click submit; you will be given your temporary barcode number.  Follow the directions to get to the next screen.  Then create a temporary pin/password.  On the next screen you will be prompted to enter a new pin and to confirm it. Then you will be forwarded to the Midhudson Online Catalog.  For now, since books and dvds cannot be put on hold, click ebooks and you will see the catalog of the electronic items (ebooks, audiobooks, videos) owned by the System.  Search for a particular item or browse to find one that you can borrow or put on hold.  Choose to read on your e-reader as a kindle book or on your computer browser.  If you have any problems or questions, email valatiefreelibrary@gmail.com.  Please leave your phone number, and you will be contacted within 24 hours by phone or email.  One further detail:  After this when you want to borrow an e-item,  click on “Overdrive Ebooks and Audio Books” under “MHLS Resources” on this page.  

Spend five to ten minutes to complete the Census online.  It really is fast and easy, and you won’t have to go out to the Post Office.
Read over the instructions in your Census invitation that has already been mailed to you.  Then go to my2020census.gov to answer the questions.  You can respond in English, Spanish or one of 13 other languages.  To see a preview of the questions before you answer them, go to 2020census.gov/en/about-questions.html 
Scroll down to “Explore the Form” and keep clicking on the word “Next” to see the 12 questions and the explanation for each.  You can view these questions in English or Spanish. 
If you prefer to answer the questions by phone or mail a paper questionaire, there are also instructions for that under “How to Respond”  at my2020census.gov

Click on the following link to see a brief video about completing the Census

If you are planning to return library items to the Valatie Free Library at this time while we are closed, we would like to request that you keep them, no matter which library they came from, until we can open again.  You will NOT receive any fines!  Thank you!

Do you need your library card number or information about your item loans, the Census, a great new book or DVD, a computer concern?   Would you like to make a suggestion about a book or DVD or a special program for adults or kids?  Send an email to valatiefreelibrary@gmail.com which includes your phone number, and I will respond as promptly as possible.  I can access the Sierra catalog, and I will also check the Library email several times a day.

Please consult our web page for updated information, and our Facebook and Instagram pages for suggestions about fun ideas and resources for kids and adults.  Chuck, our new program coordinator, has posted some great links.

Don’t forget the Census.  Your invitation should be arriving shortly.  Read it over and know that your participation in completing it is extremely important.  More detail about that tomorrow!

Be safe and follow the CDC guidelines.  We miss you all!

As you think of ways to occupy yourself during this crisis, consider Kanopy, a streaming service of thousands of movies.  Look for the Kanopy icon at the bottom of the right sidebar on this page.  The Columbia County Libraries with the aid of a very generous grant from the Crandell Theater  have purchased a one year subscription to Kanopy for all Columbia County libraries.  With Kanopy you can stream 10 movies a month at no cost or an unlimited number of Kids Movies and Great Courses.  Go to the Kanopy icon on this page, click on it and in seconds you can register.  Search the various categories of films.  When you make your choices, you can stream immediately.  So,  make a batch of popcorn, get the family together and have movie night at home.

NOTE:  YOU WILL NEED YOUR LIBRARY CARD NUMBER WHEN YOU REGISTER.  AFTER THAT ONLY YOUR  EMAIL AND THE PASSWORD YOU CREATE WILL BE REQUESTED.  Send an email to valatiefreelibrary@gmail.com and we will give you your card number.

To protect our patrons and Staff in this difficult time, the Valatie Free Library will be closed from Tuesday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 31.  Check this page, our Facebook and Instagram pages for information about fun things to read, watch and learn as you stay at home and do your part to slow the spread of the virus.  We look forward to seeing you as soon as possible.  Stay well!