Friends of the Library
Join the Friends! New Members Welcome
If you’re not sure what we’re about, the Friends is a support organization to the Colonie Town Library. There are numerous ways the Friends help, such as paying for items that are not covered in the library’s annual budget. Money is raised by selling used books or holding special fundraisers. Some recent purchases were the outdoor book drop box and numerous museum passes that may be borrowed.
Your assistance is needed in many areas. Whether you can volunteer just an hour or on a regular basis, we can use you! There are many opportunities. Beginning in May when the Colonie Farmers Market opens at the Crossings on Saturday mornings, volunteers are needed in two-hour shifts to assist with used-book sales. You can also choose to assist at just one event such as selling raffle tickets, assembling food orders, etc. for an hour or two on a specific day. Sign up to volunteer >
It’s easy to join. Annual membership dues > are modestly priced and can be paid online:
$15 Individual Annual Membership
$25 Household Annual Membership
$10 Senior Annual Membership
$250 Business Annual Membership
Please try us out by attending one of the meetings > listed below.
Newsworthy:
THE BOOK NOOK: OPEN SATURDAYS 9:00AM-1:00PM
We are thrilled to announce that the Book Nook has opened. Hours are Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The Book Nook will follow the dates and times for the Farmers Market which is held at the Crossings off Albany-Shaker Road.
There is a large assortment of both adult and children’s books — each available for ONE DOLLAR. Please bring a bag to carry your purchases, or there are Friends bags for sale for $1.00.
We will accept donations at the Nook, but please limit them to one box or less each Saturday. No encyclopedias or textbooks will be accepted.
If you’d like to join the Friends, please stop by the Nook and talk to a member. Thank you for your support.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Our 2021 Membership Drive raised a total of $3,867! The Friends now have 215 active members. If you haven’t yet sent in your dues, it’s not too late. Please mail to: Friends of the Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 or pay online >.
We thank each and every one of you for being a Friend of the Library.
Car Wash Tickets for Sale
The Friends are selling Hoffman Car Wash tickets. There are two choices: full-service car washes for $43 and exterior car washes for $13. Plan ahead for birthdays, thank you’s, holidays, etc. The tickets do not expire, and the Friends receive 50% of the price which will support our Library! Thanks for supporting the Friends of the Library. Purchase car wash tickets >
Possibility of Friends’ Little Free Libraries
If you’ve never heard of “little free libraries,” let us explain. Small little wooden houses are built to house the books, and they are placed in neighbor-hoods where a resident has agreed to be the steward of the little library on their property. This duty includes frequently checking the little library to be sure it is adequately maintained including ensuring there is a good stock of books. The Colonie Library will provide the steward with additional books as needed. Users of the little libraries may leave a book or take a book or two. These little libraries are especially helpful at the outer ends of our town where some residents are unable to make the trip to the library. We are looking for people to build the library boxes. The Friends will provide some ideas for the builders. In addition, we need stewards. If you are interested in either of these tasks, please contact us >.
Meetings
Meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM at the library’s Activity Room, located near the Children’s Room.
| January 10, 2023 | Minutes > |
| February 14, 2023 | Minutes > |
| March | Cancelled |
| April 11, 2023 | Minutes > |
| May | |
| June | |
| July | |
| August | |
| September | |
| October | |
| November | |
| December |
| January 11, 2022 | Minutes > |
| February 8, 2022 | Minutes > |
| March 8, 2022 | Minutes > |
| April 12, 2022 | Minutes > |
| May 10, 2022 | Minutes > |
| June 14, 2022 | Minutes > |
| July 12, 2022 | Minutes > |
| August 9, 2022 | Minutes > |
| September 13, 2022 | Minutes > |
| October 11, 2022 | Minutes > |
| November 15, 2022 | Minutes > |
| December 13, 2022 | Minutes > |
Book and Media Donations at the Library
- Every Thursday
- Bring items to front entrance between 10:00 AM-8:00 PM and leave on designated cart; or to the side delivery door (marked with signage) from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- One small grocery bag or less, per week; excess items cannot be accepted
- Items needed:
- recent best sellers
- clean copies of “classic” titles
- current magazines
- audiovisual materials (DVDs, CDs)
- children’s books
- Items not needed
- books in poor condition (yellowed or torn pages, broken bindings, musty)
- textbooks
- Reader’s Digest condensed books
- encyclopedias and other dated information
- Toys. We are NOT accepting any toy donations at this time. Anything brought in and left will be disposed of. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.