The first Saturday in February is traditionally Take Your Child to the Library Day, a national initiative marking its tenth year. However, during the pandemic, we’re taking the library to your child! We’ll have curbside goodie bags chock-full of booklets, coloring pages and fun surprises for ages pre-K-grade 5 to enjoy. No registration is needed; simply stop by to take one per child on Sat. Feb. 6, 1 to 3 p.m.
Tax Help
Unfortunately, none of the AARP TaxAide sites, including ours, will be providing services during this tax season. However, we’ve compiled a list of handy resources to assist you at: https://bit.ly/GPLTaxes and will update this page as needed. Federal (IRS) tax forms and instructions are available to pick up during curbside hours inside our Normanskill Room. New York State tax forms are expected mid-February.
Curbside Kits
Preschoolers can benefit from our fun and educational Grab & Go Storytime Kits, intended for ages 2-5. No registration needed; simply pick up one kit per child every other Monday during curbside hours. On Feb. 8, the theme is winter; on Feb. 22 it’s Drive & Ride.
Tweens and teens: celebrate the year’s sweetest holiday with a “Love is All Around” homemade craft guaranteed to win hearts! Using the materials and directions provided, you’ll create a lovely garland for someone special. Register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your kit during curbside hours starting Monday Feb. 8, at 10 a.m.
Teens: beat the winter doldrums with a Snowed-In Winter Art Kit! This creative collection contains art activities, treats, and fun surprises. Register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your kit during curbside hours starting Monday Feb. 8, at 10 a.m.
Adults: Pick up a fun Fortune Cookie kit with ingredients and instructions to celebrate Chinese New Year, or to give as a special Valentine’s Day gift! Register on the Events tab of our website, then pick up your kit during curbside hours starting Wednesday Feb. 10, 10 a.m.
Great Backyard Bird Count
From February 12 to 15, the Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites us to watch and count as many birds as we can find and report the numbers. Visit birdcount.org and sign up for a free eBird account. Then, venture out on the designated dates and start counting!
We’d like to know what you observed outdoors! Email us at [email protected] with a photo of yourself and/or your family birdwatching—or better still, a photo of a bird you observed—along with a list of the birds you saw. We’ll choose a random winner for a prize of a 10-pound bag of quality birdseed!
New GPL Podcast
Check out our new GPL Podcast: “How Did You Find It?” This monthly podcast, produced by Librarian Kathleen Tyrrell, explores books, libraries, information, entertainment and everything in between. It’s currently on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker and RadioPublic, and hopefully soon on Apple Podcasts too. We welcome your feedback at: [email protected] Also, check out our list of recommended podcasts at: http://bit.ly/GPLPodcastList.
— Luanne Nicholson
