Stop by for an updated library card! With your new number, you can log in to Kanopy to watch movies and Overdrive to listen to audiobooks and read ebooks. You can also take classes for free with Gale Presents: Udemy, do research with the databases from Vermont Online Library, and more. Contact the library to get your new number today.

Construction coming soon! Keep an eye out for updates!

The library & Town Hall building will be receiving some very welcome upgrades soon thanks to a MERP grant. This will improve the building’s resilience and energy efficiency! However, we may see some temporary disruption to our regular hours while construction is underway.

The exact timeline is still being determined, but construction could begin as soon as early March. As we learn more, notices of closure will be posted here on the website, on Facebook and on Front Porch Forum.

Death Cafe, Wednesday,

March 11th at 6:00 PM

Tea, treats, and open conversation about death. Facilitated by Kelsey Crelin.

This group meets on the second Wednesday of the month. However, they have been mostly meeting online lately instead of inside the library! As the weather gets warmer & the construction wraps up, look for a return to in-person meetings.

Community Read of the US Constitution Friday, March 13th 5:30 PM

When was the last time, if ever, that you read through this fundamental document?

This is not a political discussion; everyone is welcome.  This is an opportunity to read together (everyone will be invited to be a reader, but no one is obligated to be a reader - you are also welcome as a listener).  

 As we read we will be invited to think about the problems the writers were addressing.   We will also ask ourselves if and how our personal lives have ever been directly impacted by the articles of the constitution.

NOTE: If the library ends up closed for construction on this date, this event will move into The Albany Genny! Either way, the parking lot is the same.

Book Discussion Group, Monday, March 14 at 4:00 PM

Now reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Stop by the library to pick up a copy of this month’s read, then join your neighbors to talk it over! It’s possible that this meeting might be online-only; reach out if you need a meeting link!

Please note that meetings have moved back to the third Monday of the month!

Next up for the April discussion will be The North Woods by Daniel Mason.

Library Minecraft:

Saturdays, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

We have library laptops set up for multiplayer Minecraft fun. Snacks provided!

Thanks to the Winnie Belle Learned Fund and the Allen Hilles Fund for supporting this program!

Legal fine print: NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT EVENT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT.

Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water, a Vermont Reads Talk

April 17, 6:00 PM

Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and even rain gutters teem with life you can easily observe. With an investment of less than $20 you can see many more of our fellow travelers. Declan McCabe, an aquatic ecologist and professor of biology at Saint Michael’s College, discusses and shares photographs of the stunning and fascinating organisms found in Vermont’s waterways. He will also be bringing live specimens for us to meet under the microscope!

This is a tie-in program for Vermont Reads The Light Pirate. Vermont’s analog to the rising sea waters described in The Light Pirate has been increased rainfall due to the additional moisture in the atmosphere. Declan’s book includes discussion of a tipping point in the mid 1990s resulting in more intense storms, particularly in fall. The talk will include strategies to minimize stormwater impacts and ways to live with the expectation of additional flooding.

This program is available thanks to funding from Vermont Humanities.

Drawing Hidden Systems: A Vermont Reads Talk

May 23rd, 3:00 PM

Have you ever wondered where electricity comes from, how the internet works, or how there’s (mostly) enough water for everyone all the time? Where did these systems come from, and how do they affect our challenges like inequality and climate change?

Join Vermont author and artist Dan Nott for a look at these questions and more as he discusses his award-winning nonfiction graphic novel, Hidden Systems for this all-ages event. The talk will also include visual readings from Hidden Systems that focus on the electric grid and energy uses, lessons from comics history, and information for readers and aspiring cartoonists on how to get into reading and drawing comics.

This program is funded by Vermont Humanities.

FIND A BOOK 24/7

If you are looking for a book to read, please visit one of the four Little Free Libraries up in our town! They are located in East Albany, South Albany, Albany Village, and Albany Center. They are restocked regularly, with books for all ages.

There is also a Little Free Bookshelf in the Albany Genny in the community room, available whenever the Genny is open, 8am- 7pm.

The Albany Public Library seeks to be a welcoming place where community members can gather, find and share information and explore ideas.

The mission statement of the library encourages the participation of community members of all ages in both the individual and collective pursuit of knowledge, enrichment and enjoyment through books, timely information, programs, public gatherings and events.

We have two computers, a vibrant collection of 3000+ books, audio books, board games, and free access to wifi 24/7. You can search online for Library materials available for check out with our collaborative catalog.

During the pandemic we have had the opportunity to weed our collection and make room for exciting new books we would be delighted to share with you. We do still offer curbside pickup as well as regular browsing hours. Please reach out if you would like more information about this.

If you are interested in volunteering at the library, please let us know! You can call 755-6107, or email aplvtdirector@gmail.com.