JanuaryFebruary 2017 Volume LII No 3

Our Anniversary Year In Photos

NEWS OF THE FRIENDS

of Schenectady County Public Library

Friends of the Library BoardVal Catlin President

Tricia Margas 1st Vice PresidentShawn Marie Schultz

2nd Vice PresidentNancy Virkler Treasurer

Madelyn Thorne SecretaryJohn Karl Past President

DirectorsDonna FairleeShaheen HasanChris MakofskiSandy Marshall

Joan MolloyRita Moore

Dottie PotochnikRoberta Richardson

Charlene RomanPatricia StearnsEsther Swanker

Bob SymonsLinda Ward

Editor - Christine Witkowskifriendslibrary12305gmailcom

wwwfriendsofscplorgFind Us On Facebook

JanuaryFebruary 2017 2 wwwfriendsofscplorg

PRESIDENTrsquoS MESSAGE

As I write this in this season of gratitude and joy the Friends have a great deal to be thankful

for And we have many things to celebrate most importantly the 50 years of ongoing support of our members volunteers the library and its staff and the community

Our 50th anniversary year of 2016 is coming to a close and it is time to express our deep gratitude to the anniversary committee which planned and carried off events to mark this special year the kickoff event with local dignitaries and founding members present our special annual dinner meeting with a fabulous retrospective video and entertainment by Mopco special music events and a talk by Pulitzer Prize- winning author Tracy Kidder

The committee was enthusiastic and full of creative ideas We express our appreciation to Rita Moore chairperson who organized events so well with Doug Bixler Cheryl Cufari John Karl Donna Phillips and Chris Witkowski

We are also grateful to Mary James whose generous bequest funded a major upgrade to the av system in the McChesney Room (see article in NovemberDecember newsletter) That upgrade has been completed and the new equipment is now in use

Behind the scenes all year long many volunteers labor on the tasks that keep the Friends going ndash officers and board members book sorters and booksellers program planners writers list keepers label stickers and many more To all of you our thanks -Val CatlinThe Whitney Book Corner

600 Union Street Schenectady NY - 5183774670

Open 7 days a week Mon- Sat 10am-4pm

(Thurs til 7pm) Sun 130pm-330pm

upcoming sales

january - storewide clearance til the 14th media on sale all

month

february - romance hardcover- $1 paperbacks 4$1

1st thursdays 4pm-7pm half price

wwwwhitneybookcornerorg

FROM OUR MAILBAGThis letter was received from an Online Book Sale customer I want to say thank you for taking good care of a book my grandfather had published While moving

a box was lost and my copy was in it Thanks to you I now have the history of my family back To see my grandfatherrsquos note was amazing I grew up going to the house on Wendell Ave and my aunt still resides in Schenectady This is priceless to me and once again thank you so much History is so important - Best Suzanne Linville

Friends of the Library BoardVal Catlin President

Tricia Margas 1st Vice PresidentShawn Marie Schultz

2nd Vice PresidentNancy Virkler Treasurer

Madelyn Thorne SecretaryJohn Karl Past President

DirectorsDonna FairleeShaheen HasanChris MakofskiSandy Marshall

Joan MolloyRita Moore

Dottie PotochnikRoberta Richardson

Charlene RomanPatricia StearnsEsther Swanker

Bob SymonsLinda Ward

Editor - Christine Witkowskifriendslibrary12305gmailcom

wwwfriendsofscplorgFind Us On Facebook

JanuaryFebruary 2017 2 wwwfriendsofscplorg

PRESIDENTrsquoS MESSAGE

As I write this in this season of gratitude and joy the Friends have a great deal to be thankful

for And we have many things to celebrate most importantly the 50 years of ongoing support of our members volunteers the library and its staff and the community

Our 50th anniversary year of 2016 is coming to a close and it is time to express our deep gratitude to the anniversary committee which planned and carried off events to mark this special year the kickoff event with local dignitaries and founding members present our special annual dinner meeting with a fabulous retrospective video and entertainment by Mopco special music events and a talk by Pulitzer Prize- winning author Tracy Kidder

The committee was enthusiastic and full of creative ideas We express our appreciation to Rita Moore chairperson who organized events so well with Doug Bixler Cheryl Cufari John Karl Donna Phillips and Chris Witkowski

We are also grateful to Mary James whose generous bequest funded a major upgrade to the av system in the McChesney Room (see article in NovemberDecember newsletter) That upgrade has been completed and the new equipment is now in use

Behind the scenes all year long many volunteers labor on the tasks that keep the Friends going ndash officers and board members book sorters and booksellers program planners writers list keepers label stickers and many more To all of you our thanks -Val CatlinThe Whitney Book Corner

600 Union Street Schenectady NY - 5183774670

Open 7 days a week Mon- Sat 10am-4pm

(Thurs til 7pm) Sun 130pm-330pm

upcoming sales

january - storewide clearance til the 14th media on sale all

month

february - romance hardcover- $1 paperbacks 4$1

1st thursdays 4pm-7pm half price

wwwwhitneybookcornerorg

FROM OUR MAILBAGThis letter was received from an Online Book Sale customer I want to say thank you for taking good care of a book my grandfather had published While moving

a box was lost and my copy was in it Thanks to you I now have the history of my family back To see my grandfatherrsquos note was amazing I grew up going to the house on Wendell Ave and my aunt still resides in Schenectady This is priceless to me and once again thank you so much History is so important - Best Suzanne Linville

JanuaryFebruary 2017 3 friendslibrary12305gmailcom

NOON PROGRAMS

BOOKS SANDWICHED INPatricia Rush Coordinator

January

Jan 9 Andy Morris Associate Professor of History at Union College will review Douglas Brinkleyrsquos new book Rightful Heritage Franklin Roosevelt and the Land of America The book offers through the lens of environmental history a way of looking at FDRrsquos presidency that most of us are not familiar with

Jan 23 John Caher former New York Law Journal senior reporter is co-author along with Louis Grumet of The Curious Case of Kiryas Joel The Rise of a Village Theocracy and the Battle to Defend the Separation of Church and State Caher will discuss a court case regarding the ultra-Orthodox Satmar Jewish communityrsquos attempts to educate special needs children in a dedicated school district and the legal battles that ensued between the state of New York and the Supreme Court

Jan 30 Esther Willison retired teacher from the Schenectady City School District reviews Jhumpa Lahirirsquos book In Other Words a memoir about the writerrsquos immersion in reading and writing Italian which she describes as giving her a new expressive vein The book is written in Italian with an English translation on the facing page by another writer an unusual bilingual format

February

Feb 6 Retired English teacher and past president of ECOS The Environmental Clearinghouse Patricia Rush will review Annie Proulxrsquo novel Barkskins a tale of long-term shortsighted greed about the destruction of the worldrsquos forests The narrative follows two French immigrants and their posterity over more than three centuries as they take down the forests of maritime Canada Maine New Zealand and Michigan

Feb 13 George Shaw Professor Emeritus of Geology at Union College will discuss his newest book Earthrsquos Early Atmosphere and Oceans and the Origin of Life The book discusses how the earthrsquos atmosphere and oceans formed and how their composition made it probable for living organisms to arise The book is technical but Shaw will provide a simplified overview of its most important aspects allowing plenty of time for questions He encourages questions and asks that you email him at shawgunionedu particularly if you want to read the book before his presentation

Feb 27 Gene Rowland coordinator of noon programs for the Friends of the Library will review a new book about the Erie Canal Heavenrsquos Ditch God Gold and Murder on the Erie Canal by Jack Kelly The Erie Canal made New York the commercial capital of America and brought the modern world ldquocrashing into the frontierrdquo

Note the Monday series of talks is held at 1200 noon in the McChesney Room of the Central Library on Clinton Street You may bring a bag lunch coffee and tea are available for a nominal fee The room is equipped with special devices for the hearing-impaired

MID-WINTER BOOK SALE FEBRUARY 4 amp 5

McCHESNEY ROOM CENTRAL BRANCH SATURDAY 9-5

SUNDAY 1- 4ADULT FICTION amp NONFICTION TITLES

JanuaryFebruary 2017 4 wwwfriendsofscplorg

KEEPING UP WITH THE FRIENDS

Mailings Preparation 1+ positions Prepare mailings for 5 newsletters and 4 renewals a year (can be one

person or subdivided)

bull Create mailing labels from data supplied by Membership chairperson Work mostly from home Need computer and printer (supplies will be provided) knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word Programs (training will be provided)

bull Renewals mailings deliver labels envelopes and letters to renewal mailing team then take to Colonie Post Office for mailing

bull Assemble and oversee newsletter mailing team for labeling and final distribution of newsletter including taking to Colonie Post Office for mailing

bull Email friendslibrary12305gmailcom

Donations Verification 1 position Record GE matching gifts on GE Foundation website

bull Work from home Need computer and internet access

bull Update gifts records online from printed list suppliedbull Send email reminders to those who have not notified

GE of their contributions bull Email friendslibrary12305gmailcom

Online Sales Team - 2 Positions

bull Person to work on our eBay account bull Shipperposter - take books to the Post Office and list

books for sale online bull Computer skills required must be member of the

Friends of the Library bull Email bookwormT14gmailcom

Volunteer Positions Available

WHITNEY BOOK CORNER

On October 29th the Whitney held its first annual Harry Potter Day It was a big success for all ages Barb Neznek taught two classes on Herbology and the kids went home with little goody bags and either a mandrake or a wand The classes were so well attended that there were parents lined up around the outside wall to listen in In the Childrenrsquos Department Adam from Unchartered Wild showed off his dragon and other creatures and a wildlife group brought owls Some of the Friends dressed in character as did some of the Juniors It was a great event and we are looking forward to doing it again next year

The January clearance sale 50 off everything runs from January 2nd until January 14th and media will be 50 off all month Of course love is in the air in February with our Romance books on sale - Charlene Roman

Dumbledore amp Professor Snape(aka Tony and Charlene Roman)

Library Director Karen Bradley

From left Shawn Marie Schultz Amanda Aucompaugh Shaheen Hasan Joe Giordanoand Emily Aucompaugh

JanuaryFebruary 2017 5 friendslibrary12305gmailcom

AROUND THE LIBRARY

GREAT DECISIONS

The Great Decisions discussion series on foreign policy issues will start on February 7 2017 We will be meeting every Tuesday in February through March at 930 am in the McChesney Room but each meeting is about a different topic so you may attend any or all of them

The program is free of charge and is sponsored by the national non-partisan Foreign Policy Association (wwwfpaorg) The FPA provides a video introducing the main issues which is played during the first half hour of each meeting The FPA also publishes a discussion guide which contains a comprehensive balanced 10-page review of each topic The published guide is very helpful but not mandatory The guide will be available for purchase (by check only) in mid-January at the Central Library Reference Desk Previous members of Great Decisions are being contacted by e-mail or US mail with details If you wish to be added to this mailing list please contact one of the following Fred Eddy-346-1683 FredEddy7gmailcom or Tony Mogro ndash 374-1377 AMogronycaprrcom

Topics for the 2017 series are

Feb 7 The Future of EuropeFeb 14 Trade and PoliticsFeb 21 Conflict in the South China SeaFeb 28 Saudi Arabia in TransitionMar 7 US Foreign Policy and PetroleumMar 14 Latin Americarsquos Political PendulumMar 21 Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mar 28 Nuclear Security

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES

Central Branch

Microsoft Word 2013 Getting Started -Wednesday January 4 6-730 pmiPad Get to Know Your iPad - Thursday January 12 6-730 pm Microsoft Word 2013 Beginner -Wednesday January 18 6-730 pmiPad Part 2 Useful Tips -Thursday January 19 6-730 pmMicrosoft Word 2013 Intermediate -Saturday January 21 915-1045 am

Bornt Branch

Computers For Novices-Wednesday January 11 1015-1145 amBasic Keyboarding-Thursday January 12 1015-1145 amBasic Internet- Friday January 13 1015-1145 amInternet Searching-Wednesday January 18 1015-1145 amBasic E-Mail-Thursday January 19 1015-1145 am

Register online at wwwscplorg at any library location or by calling 388-4511 Registrants must have a valid SCPL card The classes are funded by the Friends of the Library

WE AIM TO KEEP YOU INFORMEDThe Friends newsletter is published five times a year and sent to our members either electronically or through the mail Program cancellations and items of special interest will be sent in email blasts to those members who have provided us contact information All of the Friends programs are listed on our website wwwfriendsofscplorg and posted on Facebook

The Friends Annual Dinner Meeting will be held on Thursday April 6 2017 at the Schenectady County Community College Details will be

published in the MarchApril newsletter

JanuaryFebruary 2017 6 wwwfriendsofscplorg

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

RENEWALS AND NEW MEMBERS

SUPPORTING - $35

Michael CorsonCarol amp Charles KahnLeah LaFeraChristine amp Bill Lee LeeRobert RingleePatricia SantilloJulia StoneLorene H Zabin

PATRON - $50-199

Philip amp JoAnn AdamsBernard AllansonWendy amp Walter BerningerJohn amp Barbara BeverleyAnn BishNaomi BristolWonja amp Jeff Brucker

Phyllis BudkaLouis amp Judith CloughMary FitzgeraldJoan HamCharles HatchTed HeislerAnn HicksBernice IzzoJohn amp Marilyn KnarvikDon Liebers amp Ann ReillyCharles amp Sharon ManeriPeter McManusBeverly ProvostAlvin amp Pauline SchwartzJune amp Vernon ScovilleLinda SpauldingMarcia amp Charles SteinerIrene WickhamConnier Young

BENEFACTOR-$200+

Robert amp Susan DoyleLeonard Herman

Eligible for GE Match

NEW MEMBERS

John MorseJames amp Pamela Silvano

DONATIONS

John amp Susan Hubbard The Love-Jatulis Charitable Gift Fund

GO DIGITAL

Interested in receiving the Friends newsletter hot off the

presses Tired of waiting for snail

mailSign up today to have the

newsletter delivered directly to your inbox Simply email

us at folmembernoticegmailcom and wersquoll put you on our list

YES WE TAKE DONATIONS

Donations of books can be dropped off on the loading dock during opening hours at the Central Branch 99 Clinton St All items must be in good clean condition and packed in boxes or bags Please be mindful of the following guidelines

ACCEPTED ITEMSBooks

CDs ndash music and books on CD DVDs

ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPTAAA Travel and Readerrsquos Digest Condensed Books

AudiocassettesComputer books manuals or software older than 3 years

Damaged Dirty or Smelly Books Encyclopedias

MagazinesRecords

Textbooks older than 5 yearsVHS Tapes (videocassettes)

FEBRUARY 4 amp 5McCHESNEY

ROOM CENTRAL BRANCH

SATURDAY 9-5SUNDAY 1- 4

ADULT FICTION amp NONFICTION

TITLES

REELSA Series of Free Films Shown at Noon in the McChesney Room

JanuaryJanuary 4 Cafeacute Society Jesse Eisenberg Kristen Stewart Lionsgate Directed by Woody Allen Rated PG-13 96 minutes 2016

January 11 The Shallows Blake Lively Oscar Jaenada Brett Cullen Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Rated PG-13 2016

January 18 Independence Day ResurgenceLiam Hemsworth Jeff Goldblum Bill Pullman Directed by Roland Emmerich Rated PG-13 120 minutes 2016

January 25 Florence Foster JenkinsMeryl Streep Hugh Grant Directed by Stephen Frears Rated PG-13 110 minutes 2016

FebruaryFebruary 1 The Jungle Book Neel Sethi Bill Murray Sir Ben Kingsley Idris Elba Lupita Nyongrsquoo Directed by Jon Favreau Rated PG 106 minutes 2016

February 8 Sully Tom Hanks Aaron Eckhart Valerie Mahaffey Delphi Harrington Directed by Clint Eastwood Rated PG-13 96 minutes 2016

February 15 Jason Bourne Matt Damon Tommy Lee Jones Alicia Vikander Directed by Paul Greengrass Rated PG-13 123 minutes 2016

February 22 Petersquos Dragon Bryce Dallas Howard Robert Redford Karl Urban Oakes Fegley Directed by David Lowery Rated PG 103 minutes 2016

Detailed movie information can be found on the Events Calendar at wwwscplorg

JanuaryFebruary 2017 7 friendslibrary12305gmailcom

AROUND THE LIBRARY

FROM THE DIRECTOR We have just wound down a truly

remarkable 50th Anniversary celebration of our Friends of the Library organization This is a time of year when many pause to reflect upon the events of the past year and to also look forward to

the new year ahead The dedication and commitment of time by hundreds of Friends volunteers who sort and sell books whether at the annual books sales the online bookstore or the Whitney Book Corner is truly a team effort I feel blessed that our staff and so many in our community benefit in countless ways from all of these efforts

I would like to thank the 50th Anniversary Committee for all the planning that went into making this a memorable year for our community It began with

a $150000 donation from the Friends for our new Phyllis Bornt Branch Library amp Literacy Center and is concluding with a $50000 investment in the audio-visual system of the McChesney Room scheduled to be completed by mid-December The extra programming that went on throughout the year from music to the Gala dinner to the Zucchini Brothers to John Simon to author Tracy Kidder well there are too many to mention was enjoyed by many

As the Director of the library system I am very grateful for all the Friends do and provide for us each year - there is no other organization like it in the Capital region - Karen Bradley

REELSA Series of Free Films Shown at Noon in the McChesney Room

JanuaryJanuary 4 Cafeacute Society Jesse Eisenberg Kristen Stewart Lionsgate Directed by Woody Allen Rated PG-13 96 minutes 2016

January 11 The Shallows Blake Lively Oscar Jaenada Brett Cullen Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Rated PG-13 2016

January 18 Independence Day ResurgenceLiam Hemsworth Jeff Goldblum Bill Pullman Directed by Roland Emmerich Rated PG-13 120 minutes 2016

January 25 Florence Foster JenkinsMeryl Streep Hugh Grant Directed by Stephen Frears Rated PG-13 110 minutes 2016

FebruaryFebruary 1 The Jungle Book Neel Sethi Bill Murray Sir Ben Kingsley Idris Elba Lupita Nyongrsquoo Directed by Jon Favreau Rated PG 106 minutes 2016

February 8 Sully Tom Hanks Aaron Eckhart Valerie Mahaffey Delphi Harrington Directed by Clint Eastwood Rated PG-13 96 minutes 2016

February 15 Jason Bourne Matt Damon Tommy Lee Jones Alicia Vikander Directed by Paul Greengrass Rated PG-13 123 minutes 2016

February 22 Petersquos Dragon Bryce Dallas Howard Robert Redford Karl Urban Oakes Fegley Directed by David Lowery Rated PG 103 minutes 2016

Detailed movie information can be found on the Events Calendar at wwwscplorg

JanuaryFebruary 2017 7 friendslibrary12305gmailcom

AROUND THE LIBRARY

FROM THE DIRECTOR We have just wound down a truly

remarkable 50th Anniversary celebration of our Friends of the Library organization This is a time of year when many pause to reflect upon the events of the past year and to also look forward to

the new year ahead The dedication and commitment of time by hundreds of Friends volunteers who sort and sell books whether at the annual books sales the online bookstore or the Whitney Book Corner is truly a team effort I feel blessed that our staff and so many in our community benefit in countless ways from all of these efforts

I would like to thank the 50th Anniversary Committee for all the planning that went into making this a memorable year for our community It began with

a $150000 donation from the Friends for our new Phyllis Bornt Branch Library amp Literacy Center and is concluding with a $50000 investment in the audio-visual system of the McChesney Room scheduled to be completed by mid-December The extra programming that went on throughout the year from music to the Gala dinner to the Zucchini Brothers to John Simon to author Tracy Kidder well there are too many to mention was enjoyed by many

As the Director of the library system I am very grateful for all the Friends do and provide for us each year - there is no other organization like it in the Capital region - Karen Bradley

JanuaryFebruary 2017 8 wwwfriendsofscplorg

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage Paid

Albany NY Permit 728

FRIENDS OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 99 CLINTON STREET SCHENECTADY NY 12305

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTEDDATED MATERIAL

BEAT THE SNOW SCHEDULE

bull January 8- Hearty Hearty Love - folky and fun

bull January 15- Musicians of Maalwyck - classy and professional

bull January 22 - Kitchen Jazz - sassy and easy going

bull January 29 -Bien Baez and Michael Clement - lovely songs wiht piano

bull February 5- NO CONCERT-BOOK SALE

bull February 12 - Doug Chilton - jazz smooth and cool

bull February 19 - Rosanne Hargrave and Michael Clement-Gershwin melodies

bull February 26-Schenectady Light Opera Company-Broadwaymusic

bull March5-Colonie Village Singers with Malcolm Kogut -patrioticsongssing-along

bull March12-Mark Tommasone -guitarandvoice

bull March19-The Etude Club of Schenectady-classicalinstrumental

bull March26-Holly McCormak and Malcolm KogutsingingJudyGarland

WINTER CONCERT SERIES RETURNS

The performers are ready to go for the Beat the Snow Concert Series Again this year we have a good mix of new and former performers and varied styles of music What is missing are Friends of SCPL helpers If anyone is available one of the Sundays to help announce and move chairs around please contact Janice Walz at 346-8081 or jmdalznycaprrcom Thank you