Albany Public Library

APL is pleased to announce the establishment of a new Art Exhibition Program that is being piloted in the Pine Hills Branch at 517 Western Avenue. That location will host biannual art exhibitions of local artists.

“Albany Public Library is thrilled to bring the work of talented local artists to the walls of the lovely Pine Hills Branch,” said Executive Director Carol Nersinger. “We love the idea of creating a space where people can explore words and images in a meaningful way.”

The opening reception for the inaugural exhibition, “A Fine Line,” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the Pine Hills Branch. The reception is free and open to the public. “A Fine Line” will remain on display through Sept. 7 and can be viewed during regular branch hours.

Discussions about the new exhibition program started in 2011 with members of the library staff and board. A planning committee was formed and organizers received guidance from members of the local arts community — including Sharon Bates of the Albany International Airport, Janet Riker of the University at Albany, Tammis Groft of the Albany Institute of History and Art, and Christine Miles of Miles Consulting – in order to shape program goals and advise on policies.

“Displaying artwork within a library setting provides a wonderful opportunity for the viewer to explore concepts that are new, unfamiliar, or inspiring through the wealth of resources on surrounding shelves,” said Art Exhibition Coordinator Kara Jefts. “I think it is a really exciting opportunity for both artists and patrons to explore relationships between art and idea.”

Questions about the new Art Exhibition Program can be directed to art@albanypubliclibrary.org.

Music lovers should make plans to stop by APL this week as we’ve got four concerts scheduled at your neighborhood libraries. All performances are free and open to the public.

A Night for Jazz with the Joe Finn Trio

Wednesday, April 17

6 pm at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch

Enjoy a night of lively music during this Jazz Appreciation Month concert.

Dave Bates Plus Four Klezmer Band

Wednesday, April 17

6:30 pm at the Bach Branch

This klezmer band features four instrumentalists and one singer and performs traditional Jewish dance music and Yiddish songs for the whole family.

2 Broads with Alotta Sound

Friday, April 19

5 pm at the Delaware Branch

Vocalist Quency Rene and keyboardist Diane Geddes perform computer-enhanced music in  a variety of genres including jazz, blues, country, and pop.

Classical Music in the Afternoon with the Glaston Duo

Saturday, April 20

2 pm at the Pine Hills Branch

Flutist John Van Voris and guitarist Doug Esmond play an eclectic mix of classical music, both standard and unexpected, with some original compositions as well.

Albany Public Library is holding the line on spending with a 2014 budget that results in no tax levy increase.

The 2014 library operations budget is $6,434,764 — the same amount as the 2013 spending plan.

Because the new budget does not raise the tax levy, the library is not required to put it out for a public vote. Approval by the library’s Board of Trustees, which was unanimously given at its March meeting, is all that is required for the flat spending plan to become official.

“The library administration worked hard to maintain current spending levels so we would be able to provide our taxpayers with no tax levy increase for 2014,” said APL Executive Director Carol Nersinger.

“The board and leadership listened to comments from Albany residents and understand they need relief from rising taxes,” she said. “The library’s fiscal conservatism and efficient budgeting allow us to give taxpayers a little break on their library taxes next year.”

Calling all aspiring songwriters! Local singer/songwriter Kate McDonnell is teaching a two-part songwriting workshop at the Main Library on April 8 and April 15 (Mondays) from 7 to 8:30 pm. The workshops, which are free and open to the public, are designed for teens and adults.

McDonnell will provide suggestions and techniques, and assist with all stages of the songwriting process. Participants will share songs with each other and create some new ones as well. Students are encouraged to bring any materials they would like to work on, ranging from unfinished poems or rhymes to partial melodies.

For more information about the songwriting workshop at the Main Library, please call 427-4349.

As a special bonus, accomplished singer/songwriter Matt Durfee will perform solo acoustic sets before each workshop starting at 6 pm.

APL has some great author talks coming up in the next month. Make plans to join us! As always, our programs are free and open to the public.

“Social Media and Writers in the Digital Age” by Local Author K.A. Laity

April 10 (Wed) at 7 pm — Main Library

Laity shares insight about how social media is changing the writing life. She is an author, medievalist, Fulbrighter, and College of St. Rose professor. Her books include: “Owl Stretching” and “The Mangrove Legacy.”

“The Shaman as Poet of Consciousness” by Author Robert Moss

April 30 (Tues) at 7 pm — Main Library

Moss, the creator of active dreaming, discusses how shamans are poets of consciousness who use the power of song and story to teach and heal. His books include: “Dreaming the Soul Back Home” and “Here, Everything is Dreaming.”

Spring Book and Author Event Honoring Vincent Zandri

May 4 (Sat) at 1:30 pm — Main Library

The Friends of APL host this special event honoring Zandri, a local photojournalist, world traveler, and author of more than 13 books including “Murder by Moonlight.”

Learn about legal services that are available in the Capital Region during Community Law Days this weekend at the Main Library (161 Washington Avenue): Saturday, April 6, from 10 am til 1 pm and Sunday, April 7, from 1 to 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees will learn about legal services regarding:

• Domestic violence issues
• Family court
• Food stamps
• Health care proxies
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Medicare/Medicaid
• Mortgage foreclosure
• Powers of attorney
• Prisoners’ rights
• Tax assistance
• Wills

Participating organizations include: Albany County Bar Association, Albany Law School Clinic & Justice Center, Albany Law School Pro Bono Society, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, The Legal Project, New York State Access to Justice Program, New York State Bar Association, Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York, and Third Judicial District Office.

For more information about Community Law Days at the Main Library, call the Reference Department at 427-4303.

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) and the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) are bringing NanoDays to the Main Library this Wednesday, April 3, from 11 am until 1 pm in the Children’s Room on the second floor.

Children and their families will learn about fuel cells, solar energy, and photovoltaic panels. Participants will have the opportunity to play with model fuel-cell cars and experiment with working photovoltaic panels, which will power small items such as calculators, fans, and radios. The NanoDays program is free and open to the public.

NanoDays is a nationwide festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering and its potential impact on the future. The program engages people of all ages in learning about this emerging field of science, which holds the promise of developing revolutionary materials and technologies. In the Capital Region, NanoDays are taking place from April 1 through April 6 at  public libraries and other organizations.

George O’Connor, author and illustrator of the popular “Olympians” graphic novel series, will visit the Delaware Branch on Tuesday, April 2, at 3 pm. Children, teens, and families are encouraged to come meet the author at this free event.

Long before Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, there were the original superheroes: the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece! In this special presentation, O’Connor will describe how he brings Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and the other Greek gods to life in his highly acclaimed “Olympians” graphic novels.

After the presentation, we’ll raffle off copies of O’Connor’s newest “Olympians” book — “Poseidon” — to 10 children or teens in the audience. O’Connor will be happy to personally sign each copy for its luck winner!

In addition to the “Olympians” graphic novels, O’Connor has published several children’s picture books, including the New York Times best-selling “Kapow,” “Sally and the Some-Thing,” and “Uncle Bigfoot.” You can learn more about the author at www.olympiansrule.com.

For more information about the program, please call the Delaware Branch at 463-0254.

This program is made possible by Comics Connect. Comics Connect, a collaborative project of the Mohawk Valley Library System and the Upper Hudson Library System, is supported by funds from the New York State Library’s Family Literacy Library Services grant program.

People wishing to become U.S. citizens can get assistance at a special drop-in workshop this Saturday, March 30, at the Main Library from 11:30 am until 4 pm.

Participants can get free help completing their citizenship forms and have their applications reviewed by an attorney. People are asked to bring all documents necessary to file their applications. There is a fee required by the federal government to submit citizenship applications.

For more information about the workshop and details about the citizenship process, please call the NYS Office for New Americans at 621-7363.

The workshop is sponsored by the NYS Office for New Americans and Literacy NY. Participating organizations include: the Empire State Justice Center, The Legal Project, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, and Albany Public Library.

It’s another busy week at APL with lots of programs, music performances, movies, and other fun stuff to entertain you. We’ve got a full schedule of events posted online and you can also refer to the APL program guide for details.

Here are just a few of the programs scheduled at APL for the week of March 18:

MONDAY, MARCH 18

+ March Madness takes over the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch with a fun program for teens. Kids ages 13-17 can stop into the AH/WH Branch today to read up on their favorite athletes and fill out a basketball bracket with the chance to win cool prizes.

+ Singer/songwriter Matt Durfee performs at the Main Library at 6 pm. His “Blue Mondays” concerts continue on Mondays at 6 pm on March 25, April 8, and April 15.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

+ Yoga teacher Toni Smith leads people of all ages and abilities through an “adaptive yoga in the chair” class at the Bach Branch at 4 pm.

+ Rosetta Burke, a retired major general in the Army, shares her unique 35-year military career during a talk at the Main Library at 12:15 pm. Burke’s presentation on “Women in the Military” is a Friends of APL program.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

+ It’s “March Movie Madness” at the Pine Hills Branch with a 3:30 pm showing of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” Bring the kiddos to watch this now-classic live action/animation mashup.

+ Jazz duo Peg and Bill Delaney entertain us with a concert at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch at 6 pm.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

+ The North Albany Branch hosts pre-school story time for kids 3-5 at 10:30 am. Lots of songs and stories for the little guys.

+ Kids can make fun arts and crafts projects at the Delaware Branch at 4 pm.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

+  Get credit report and credit repair help from the Affordable Housing Partnership in this drop-in session from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Main Library.

+ Kids can use up some of their extra energy in the Delaware Branch’s “Jumping Jellybeans Jump Rope Endurance Trials.” The program starts at 4 pm and is for ages 5-11.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

+ Walk-in income tax preparation services continue on Saturday at the Main Library from 10 am until 3 pm. There is an annual household income limit of $51,000. Help is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The free assistance is provided by APL partners: IRS VITA and AARP Tax-Aide programs. For more information, please call the Main Library Reference Department at 427-4303.

+ The Bach Branch hosts a monthly art group for teens and adults. They meet today at 1 pm to work on sketching and an art project.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

+ The Main Library shows “Hotel Transylvania” at 2 pm as part of the Sunday Cinema series. The animated movie stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James and Dracula and Frankenstein.