Pine Hills Grand Opening Party on Dec. 5
The first of Albany’s five new libraries–the fully renovated Pine Hills Branch Library at 517 Western Avenue–celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 5, with a party for the community from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Pine Hills grand opening party features:
• Ribbon cutting with library leaders and elected officials
• Family entertainment
• Fun giveaways
• Craft activities for kids
• Refreshments generously provided by hospitality sponsor Price Chopper
In honor of the grand opening at Pine Hills, Albany’s two other branches—North Albany at 616 North Pearl Street and Howe at 200 South Pearl Street—will be closed on Dec. 5. On that day, library customers can visit the Pine Hills location from 1 to 5 p.m. or the Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The newly renovated Pine Hills Branch Library features:
• 50,000-piece collection of books, DVDs, CDs, audio books, magazines, and more
• 24 public access computers
• Separate spaces and computers for adults, teens, and children
• Two community meeting rooms
• Three small-group study rooms
• Building-wide Wi-Fi
• “Green” systems and construction
• Beautiful, light-filled common areas and reading nooks
Albany Public Library is renovating and building five new libraries as part of the $29.1 million Branch Improvement Plan approved by voters in February 2007. The three renovated branches—Pine Hills, Delaware, and Howe—open between November 2009 and early Spring 2010. The two newly built branches—Bach and Arbor Hill/West Hill—open in Spring 2010.