Come on down to your favorite fun and free destination (your local library) on Friday, Aug. 9 anytime between 3 and 6 p.m. for carnival games, face painting, sno-cones, popcorn, and other out-of-this world surprises! This is a family-friendly all ages event.
Drop-in genealogy

Would you like to dig a little deeper to uncover your family roots, but aren’t sure how to get started? Or perhaps you’re at a standstill researching your lineage? Professional genealogist and Guilderland resident Lisa Dougherty is here to help.
Lisa brings 20 years of experience and provides free family history consultations on a drop-in basis the second Wednesday of each month. The next session is slated for Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 6-8 p.m. Bring your questions and challenges for help finding answers. Also, see her website: http://www.upstatenygenealogy.com.
Better Books Sale
Those in the know mark the second Saturday of the month on their calendars for this epic treasure trove of deals galore, next happening Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come early for the best selection of books, DVDs and CDs!
Can Ducks ride Bikes?
Join WMHT’s Barbara Lukas Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. for a fun family literacy program based on the classic kids’ book “Duck on a Bike.” Kids entering pre-K through grade 2 will enjoy a morning of reading, crafting and fun! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register online, by phone or in person.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament
Show off your Super Smash Bros. skills as you compete against other gamers in head-to-head rounds. The winner of each round advances until The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Champion emerges victorious. This game is rated Everyone 10+, and this tournament is for those entering grades 3-12. Please register online, by phone or in person.
Books in the Barnyard
Look for us at the Altamont Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 13 as GPL librarians share special animal-themed storytimes at 12, 3 and 6 p.m. See you there!
Starlab
The Dudley Observatory at MiSci (the Museum of Innovation and Science) will fascinate us with multiple programs accessing their portable Starlab planetarium on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
At 1:30 p.m., children entering grades K-5 become “Seasonal Stargazers,” discovering why the sun and other stars appear to move through the sky in predictable patterns, both daily and seasonally. At 2:45 p.m., kids entering grades K-2 look for patterns and make predictions based on the rotation of the Earth with “As the Earth Spins.” At 4 p.m., grades 3-5 learn about the connection between Greek mythology and seasonal constellations with the “Andromeda to Zeus” segment. At 5:45 p.m., the Seasonal Stargazer program repeats for grades K-5. Then at 7 p.m., “Andromeda to Zeus” gets more in-depth for grades 6-12, as participants predict the regular motion of celestial objects. Please register online, by phone or in person.
Library Club
Join us Friday, Aug. 16 at 2:30 p.m. for a summer meeting of Library Club to discuss programs/projects plans for the school year, and our favorite books! For grades 3-5. Please register online, by phone or in person.
— Luanne Nicholson