March 2023

Beyond today's snow, much mud awaits. But beyond that, we sense the promise of spring! There is plenty to keep everyone occupied at the library in the meantime.

And as you think about spring, consider helping the library at our annual Plant Sale.

Here's what KC says:

"It’s still winter and we’re poring over seed catalogs and likely succumbing to the temptation of all the alluring varieties. Come spring, those little seedlings are so innocent as they emerge. They don't take up any space at all in their tiny pots. In a few weeks you are facing a forest of tomato, pepper, flower, and herb plants that you have no space for. Now what?

There is a solution! Gather them up and donate them to the Greenwich Free Library plant sale which will be on Saturday May 13."

If you're interested in donating, please drop by the library, or contact KC at kscott@sals.edu

In today's Newsletter:

• Fines & Fees Amnesty for Young Patrons
• Greenwich Youth Center's Basket Raffle & Bake Sale, 2/24
• Boomerang Books, Thursday 3/2 and Saturday 3/18
• Yoga for Kids, 3/8 and 3/22
• The Future of Local News, 3/9
• Daniel Tiger's Picnic Adventure, 3/18
• SoulCollage, 3/18
• Composting on Zoom, 3/21
• Youth and Teen Programming updates
• Teen Lounge Presents: The Greatest Showman
• Community Connections: Salem's Community Cats, Alzheimer's Support Group, Battenkinder, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
• Staff Appreciation Days: 3/2 - 3/3

As most of you know, Greenwich Free Library has not charged late fines for many years. But, as at most libraries, patrons are still charged for lost and damaged books. While this system generally works smoothly to ensure that books are returned to our collection, there are times when patrons--especially young patrons--are blocked from using the library's physical collection. In order to open our doors more widely to all young people, and in honor of Greenwich school's upcoming Greenwich Reads Together program, we have an exciting announcement:

The Greenwich Free Library Board of Trustees has agreed to a one-time amnesty for all book replacement fees on the accounts of patrons under 18. By February 28th, 2023 all kids registered at our library will have a clean slate.

Want to support our young patrons and help us maintain our collection? All donations made to our circulation desk jar up until the end of March will go towards replacing lost or missing materials.

Read the library column in the latest Journal & Press for the full story about this program. And if you want to catch all of the library news, consider subscribing to our local paper.

Our friends at the Youth Center will host their basket raffle and bake sale here at the library tomorrow. Come on out to support their vital work in our community.

Friday February 24

3:00 - 4:30

Community Room

The Friends of the Greenwich Library present the monthly Boomerang Book Sale

Thursday March 2

4:00 - 6:00 PM

And, we're thrilled to announce Boomerang's new expanded hours:

March 18 (and every third Saturday) from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Kids ages 2-5 can join certified instructor Haley Graves for morning yoga! Registration is required for each individual session, and space is limited.

2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Community Room

10:00 - 10:45

Join esteemed journalists Wendy Liberatore, Judy Patrick, and Ken Tingley for a spirited conversation about the present state of local news and what is needed to ensure its future. Ken Tingley, former editor of the Post-Star will begin with a brief presentation on the value of local newspapers and a reading from his book, The Last American Newspaper. At 7:00 PM, Tingley will be joined by Wendy Liberatore of the Times Union and Judy Patrick from the New York Press Association for a panel discussion moderated by library director Sarah Murphy. A Q & A and community conversation will follow the panel. The Last American Newspaper will be available for sale.

Thursday March 9, 2023

Community Room

6:30 PM

Join WMHT Public Television and the Greenwich Free Library for Daniel Tiger's Picnic Adventure. WMHT will provide craft activities and a free book to take home. We will watch Daniel Tiger's story on the big screen. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Open to families with children Pre-K-2nd grade. Registration is required and is limited to 25 kids. Please register each child attending separately.

Saturday March 18

Community Room

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

SoulCollage returns with certified facilitator Judith Prest! This session is already reserved out, but you can register to be on the wait list. Those on the waitlist will be among the first to hear when our June session is announced.

Saturday March 18th

Large Meeting Room

1:00 - 4:00 PM

This March marks one full year of the library's partnership with Adirondack Worm Farm. As of 2/1/23, patrons and library staff have diverted 4,020 pounds of food waste and compostable materials from ending up in landfills. Well done, Greenwich!

To commemorate a year of composting together, we are hosting an online information session with Chief Worm Wrangler, Bill Richmond.

Just getting started with a backyard bin?

Ready to take your home or business compost to the next level?

Want to drop off your kitchen waste here at the library, but aren't sure which materials are fully compostable?

Join us on Zoom Tuesday March 21 at 7PM

Register in advance to get the Zoom link.

Looking for early childhood, after school, and teen programs? We've got you covered 5 days a week!

• Mondays at 10:30: Talk Soup Playgroup Drop-in programming for kids 0-5 and their caregivers.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00: Building Blocks Kindergarten Readiness for pre-school aged kids; registration is full for our current session, follow Building Blocks Early Literacy on Facebook and Instagram for news about future sessions!
• Tuesdays at 3:00: Teen Lounge Snacks, activities, games, and more, Ages 12+ With Universal Yums (snacks from around the world) every third Tuesday.
• Wednesdays at 2:30: LEGO Club The most epic club around for LEGO enthusiasts and their pals.
• Thursdays at 3:00: Children's Room Story Hour Stories, crafts, activities, and the chance to read with Lola, licensed therapy dog!
• Fridays at 10:30 Little Learners, ideal for kids 2-5, no registration required.

Enjoy popcorn and great company at this free movie event!

All ages welcome.

Tuesday March 28

Community Room

3:00 - 4:30 PM

No registration required

With generous support from LARAC's community arts and culture funding and the hard work of Scouts BSA Troop 6027, Greenwich is now home to six Little Free Libraries. Take a book and share a book! Find the new LFLs outside of St. Joseph's Parish Hall on Hill Street, on the corner of Sloan Drive and Prospect Street, across from the Middle Falls Firehouse along route 29, at the Greenwich Recreation Park along the Battenkill, at the Cossayuna Fire Department, and near the entrance to Battenkill Community Services on Route 40.

We are proud to be hosting some wonderful Community organizations and patron groups in the library this month.

If you're looking for a spot to host a workshop, lecture, or meeting, consider booking at the library.

• Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group Wednesday 3/1 at 1:30 No registration necessary; contact Lindsay at listanislowsky@alz.org for more information.
• Battenkinder Play, Learn, and Grow for families Organized by patrons. First Wednesdays, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance free tax preparation for those earning up to $60,000 per year. Trained IRS Certified local volunteers will be at our library on February 27th and March 13th. Call 1-800-211-5128 to schedule an appointment.

Used Sneaker Drive to benefit Salem's Community Cats.

There are only 3 rules:

1. Athletic shoes only
2. It has to be a matching pair
3. Shoes have to be more than 4.5” long

For every qualifying pair donated Salem’s Community Cats/Greenwich Witch’s kittens will receive money that helps fund Trap-Neuter-Release and rehoming of stray kittens. An added bonus is that unwanted shoes stay out of landfills.

The Greenwich Free Library Board of Directors have designated March 2nd and 3rd as Staff Appreciation Days.

Our support staff make this library what it is, and this newsletter is proof of it: Emily, Marge, Sandy, Emilly, KC, and Lynne are responsible for much of the organizing, brainstorming, and implementation of everything you've just read about AND they greet you, help you, and chat with you every time you visit the library.

Come by next Thursday or Friday to shout out your own appreciation for this hard-working, hard-reading team of great women.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and be sure to drop by the library regularly to stay in the know about library happenings and gatherings.