For the past three weeks, the Valatie Free Library and the other Columbia County Libraries have been collecting items for Our Community Cares Columbia County to give to cancer patients in hospitals in the County.  Saturday, October 16 is the final day of this drive.  If you can help, please bring one or more items from the suggested list to the Library.  Our Community Cares will pack them in comfort bags for Columbia County cancer patients.

Comfort Bag Wish List

• Lap Blankets
• Hats, Fuzzy Socks, Mittens, Gloves
• Crayons/Colored Pencils, Adult Coloring Books, Pens
• Unscented Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Drinking Cups with Straws
• Travel-size Tissues
• Inspirational items such as cards, books, magnets, and memo pads
• Puzzle Books, Playing Cards, Crossword Books, Journals
• Emery Boards
• Chewing Gum
• Lifesavers

From June 27th through August 14th,  we will be awarding certificates for free ice cream cones from O’Kennys.  Read 6 picture books or 3 chapter books (2 if they are very long).  Sign the passport that is at the Library or that we will give to you at a program.  Return the passport to the Library when you have finished reading, and we will stamp it and give you your ice cream certificate.  Note:  Parents also may read to their children and record the selections on the passports for their children.  Take the Reading Challenge!  Win ice cream cones! 

The Storybook Signs are again on the Rail Trail behind the Library.  As you walk or bike on the Trail, pause to read William Wakes Up by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Chuck Groenink, Valatie Free Library’s Program Coordinator.  Thank you to Al Johnson who made and painted the new signs, to Chuck for putting them along the trail, to Hudson Valley Greenway for permission to place the signs and to Ron Rich for his advice on sign placement.

E-magazines are available now only on Libby or Overdrive.  RB digital is no longer available.  However, you still have access to the same magazines that were formerly in RB digital and can request and borrow magazines for 7, 14 or 21 days.   Download the Libby App from the App Store or access Libby by clicking on the icon in the right side bar of this web page.  You can read the magazine in the browser on your e-reader or download it so that it is available when you do not have an internet connection.  Call (518-758-9321) for more information or assistance in using Libby.

Thanks to a very generous donation by Theresa Hurley in memory of her sister, Mary C. Hurley, the Valatie Free Library again has a subscription to Kanopy.  Valatie Free Library patrons may now stream films, documentaries and children’s programming for no charge.  To use this service, a person must be a patron of the Valatie Free Library and not have fines or replacement charges of more that $10.
Kanopy will go live this afternoon, Thursday, February 25, 2021.  Click on the Kanopy icon at the end of the right sidebar on this page and follow the instructions to register and get started.  You will need your library card barcode and pin.  If you need help or have misplaced your card or forgotten your pin, call us at 518-758-9321 or email valatiefreelibrary@gmail.com

Help the birds that you see around your house by making an easy bird feeder for your backyard.  Pick up an identification chart of common feeder birds, your own bird identification journal and bird seed at the Library.  Find a stick and an empty milk or juice carton and you are ready.  Click here to watch Chuck’s video.  Then hang up your bird feeder and watch for the birds to flock to your yard.

Nancy Kohler, local artist and enthusiastic art journalist, returns to the Valatie Free Library with a monthly series of art journaling workshops.  No stranger to the Library, she has presented several workshops for families, kids and adults in past years and is looking forward to this new venture.  We are enthusiastic about welcoming her again and sharing the videos she  has made for us.  To register, please click here.   For more information or to register by phone, call 518-758-9321.   Free supplies may be picked up at the Library.   Click here to see Nancy’s current video.

Stay tuned for details about viewing the photos sent to the Library in December 2020 for our artistic recap of a most unique year in history.  See how the photographers revealed hope and optimism in the face of so much that was overwhelmingly frustrating and sad.