Banned Books Week, an annual national campaign created by the American Library Association (ALA) 40 years ago celebrating the freedom to read whatever interests us, concludes on Saturday, Sept. 24.
This year’s theme – “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” – spotlights past and current attempts to censor books in libraries and schools, while uniting the entire literary community in shared support of a broad spectrum of ideas. We encourage you to stop in to GPL to view our Banned Books Week display and listen to our latest “How Did You Find It?” podcast to learn more about this topic.
Two Saturdays with Acclaimed Poet Susan Comninos
We’re fortunate to host nationally-known award-winning poet (and Guilderland native) Susan Comninos for two programs in October!
First, she will conduct an in-person poetry reading and book sale/signing of her just-published book, Out of Nowhere: Poems on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 3:15 p.m.
This debut collection of poetry has already received high praise, employing beautiful imagery and complex literary forms as it lends a relevant voice to classic themes such as love, loss, and redemption. Comninos will conclude the afternoon with an engaging discussion of poetic techniques.
The following week, Comninos will present a dynamic workshop, “The Creative Fever of Folklore,” on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 2 to 3:15 p.m., digging deeper into effective poetic devices.
Among the topics covered, we’ll discuss how individual poets come to be, and inherit a legacy.
Make sure to register on the Events tab of our website for either or both of these special events, as space is limited.
Memoirs
in the Morning
For our next virtual meetup Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 10:30 a.m., we’re reading New York Times Bestseller Beautiful Country: A Memoir, by Qian Julie Wang.
This moving story follows an undocumented child living in poverty as her parents transition from professors in China to sweatshop laborers in Chinatown.
— Luanne Nicholson
Please obtain a print or digital copy from us, then register for this book discussion on our website. Also, look for the “Memoirs in the Morning” online discussion group on goodreads.com.
Faith Ringgold: Artist, Author, Educator, Organizer
On Mon. Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., we’ll take in-depth look at multi-talented artist, Faith Ringgold, whose life and works continue to astonish art lovers around the world. Best known for her vibrant story quilts, she also creates politically charged paintings, prints, sculptures, and is the beloved author/illustrator of nearly 20 children’s books. Please register on the Events tab of guilderlandlibrary.org for this compelling online program.
Doubleheader: Two Baseball Authors
America’s pastime takes center stage on Sat. Oct. 8 at 1:00 p.m. with two notable baseball authors. Erik Sherman returns to GPL to read from “Two Sides of Glory: the 1986 Boston Red Sox In their Own Words.” Also appearing is Eric Gray, who will read from “Backyards to Ballparks: More Personal Baseball Stories from the Stands and Beyond.” Both authors will sell and sign copies of their books. No registration needed.
Fall Markets
Every Sunday in October will be jam-packed with activity in our upper parking lot! The Guilderland Farmer’s Market will operate as planned on Sun. Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Next, GPL’s Sunshine Committee with present a Fall Marketplace featuring a variety of local homegrown craft vendors, on Sun. Oct. 9, 10:00-2:00 p.m. Finally, on Sun. Oct. 16, 23 and 30, the Farmer’s Market has extended their run, returning for a fabulous fall finale in advance of Halloween!
Halloween Volunteers Needed
Speaking of Halloween…are you looking for a cost-effective way to promote your business or organization while connecting with the community in person? Or maybe you just want to have some good old-fashioned fun on Halloween, individually or as a group? Join us for spook-tacular fun! We’re looking for groups or individuals to sign up now for our Halloween Trunk or Treat on Mon. Oct. 31, 4:30-7:30 pm. Get creative – decorate your vehicle and hand out candy or allergy-free treats (provided) to enthusiastic trick-or-treaters, who will then vote for their favorite trunk. The top vote-getter will receive a prize. Please email Natalie Hurteau to reserve your spot for this inaugural event: [email protected]
General Information
Overdue fines have been eliminated at GPL; patrons will be billed for the replacement cost of lost items. Masks are optional. Curbside pickup is available. The Guilderland Farmer’s Market is held in our upper parking lot Sundays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Contact us at 518.456.2400 or [email protected]
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