I have earned my gold card for real this time!
Tag: <span>libraries</span>
So, on vacation in New Hampshire, I had to visit a library. I find a lot of ideas and inspiration, and frankly, I need all the inspiration I can get…
Castleton Public Library
I took a long drive down a winding, unlined road, questioning Siri’s navigational skills, to find the village of Castleton-on-Hudson. I found the charming red building at the bottom of a steep hill.
The library is part of the village hall. The front door is not accessible, but the back door is. I commented to the director that the back hall could be signposted a little bit better. Working with the town in a shared space is somewhat difficult (as is relying on their help, I can attest to that).
The library is one long room in the building, but recent improvements have made best use of the space.
Nassau Free Library
No, I didn’t go to the Bahamas, or even to Nassau County. Nassau Free Library is out in the pretty countryside in Rensselaer County. The building is an old house, built upon over the years. Their most recent renovation put in a meeting room in the basement.
Ramp entry in the back of the building.
East Greenbush Community Library
Sometimes it’s hard not to be jealous. To be held up against something and found wanting is very hard, even when it’s an “apples and oranges” thing. I’ve explained to my library board that we’re a Stewart’s Shop, and this library is Target, and there’s nothing wrong with being either until you demand that Stewarts starts carrying furniture. But I digress. The East Greenbush Library is a special district library that covers a sprawling township with no real center. They are next to the Greenbush YMCA, and the night I visited they were hosting a farmer’s market in the parking lot between their buildings. 
Fancy entry hallway has large meeting rooms on both sides, and built in display cabinets currently showing off a scout display, kid’s creations and ads for summer programs.
Bethlehem Public Library
I think this is my favorite library in the system. I’ll give you a definitive answer when I’ve visited them all. It’s in a beautiful suburban area Northeast of Albany (on the Western side of the Hudson). It’s very well-funded, but it’s not just about that.
“People think innovation is about one massive change, but it’s not, it’s many little changes, over time,” said Director Geoff Kirkpatrick. It’s experimenting, accepting failure as a part of growth. Trying new things like 3D printers, charging stations, mini golf in the library, wifi at the pool and lending out things like fishing poles
and metal detectors. Even under-funded libraries like mine can get that mindset, and experiment with things like traveling story times, seed libraries and appliance repair nights.
Library Tour- Albany’s many branches
The Albany Library serves over 97 thousand people, so they get more than one library branch. Seven total, in fact. Getting to all of them was a challenge all by itself. The Library Director completed a “bike to work day” by reaching them all by bike (and bus) in one day, and I am just now realizing what an accomplishment that was. Well done, Scott! They are very dedicated to bike and bus transportation. They have bike-care stations at each branch and sell bus passes.
Albany- Arbor Hill
Tour of Libraries: Guilderland Library
I’m not sure if it’s a good thing to define areas by where you can shop, but if I was to describe where the Guilderland Library was to my friends I would say “near Crossgates Mall”. It’s also close to SUNY Albany’s main campus. This particular library is one of my favorites (but I think one other is my absolute fav).
I wish I had paused to read the sign to find out why there is a life-sized cow (bull? didn’t check) in their foyer.
Tour De Bibliothèque I have issued myself a challenge, to visit all the libraries in my library system. There are 29, with 36 in all when you count the branches. …
One tried and true marketing technique for promotion is having a mascot. Tony the Tiger, the Philly Phanatic, Ronald McDonald, and so on. Libraries…. put their own spin on it.…
