Week Calendar

Please join us in the Large Meeting Room where your toddler is free to roam and play in the space during stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for ages 2-5 and their caregivers. 

[For ages 0-18 months] Please join us in our Youth Services Programming Room for stories, fingerplays, songs, and rhymes for children ages 0 to 18 months and their caregiver.

[Ages 0-6 and their Caregivers]  Come to Bach for a fun and educational storytime full of silliness, singing and movement.  Then, stay to play!

[Ages 1-4] Come join Gruff the friendly storytime monster and his human librarian side-kick for fun stories, silly songs, and dancing. Bring your energy and your little one and get all the wiggles out! 

[2-5] Come on down to the historic Howe Branch of the Albany Public library for Stories, Songs, Dancing, Playtime and Crafts!

[For adults] English as a new language can be challenging and there is always room for improvement.

[Ages 0-5] Join us for stories, songs & fun for preschoolers and their caregivers every week at the Delaware Branch.  Then, every week after Preschool Storytime-- stay & play!

[Ages 0-24 months] Join us for fun songs and short books to introduce your baby to storytime! We will meet in the community room, and babies and their caregivers are welcome to stay and play after storytime.

[Ages 0-5] Join us for a sensory friendly storytime with dimmer lights, fidget toys, and fun songs, followed by unstructured play time.

[For ages 0-18 months] Bring your baby and bounce along to fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Baby Storytime is a 15-minute program, followed by a relaxed playtime where you and baby will meet new friends.

[For adults] The City of Albany's new Department of Neighborhood Services wants to hear from you! Please stop by the Pine Hills Branch to meet with Alex Word, the Neighborhood Specialist for Pine Hills. 

[For ages 1-4] Please join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, and rhymes for toddlers and their caregiver. After storytime, enjoy unstructured playtime with sensory blocks, cars, balls, and much more!

[For Ages 0-5] Join us for stories, songs, and movement activities. Bring the whole family and enjoy Saturday at the library!

[For Ages 0-5] Join us for stories, songs, and movement activities. Bring the whole family and enjoy Saturday at the library, where we're Growing Readers.

[For Ages 0-5] Join us for stories, songs, and movement activities. Bring the whole family and enjoy Saturday at the library!

[Adults] Bring your device & your questions and we'll figure it out together. This is a one-on-one help session. Registration is required; call 518-427-4300, ext. 4 to register, or register online. Tech Help is offered every Monday. 

Come Join us at the Howe Branch or on Zoom to get some light movement in to start your week off right! Please Make sure to bring a water bottle, walking shoes and to wear comfortable clothing for movement i.e. Leggings and a tee shirt.

[For Adults] This class is designed for adult newcomers to Albany who have some basic English language skills and are looking to improve their fluency and communication abilities.

[For ages 18+] Are you a fiber crafter? Does your family have all the hand knitted or crocheted hats, scarves, mittens, or shawls that they could possibly use in this lifetime?

Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County ENL class

Patrons can call Emma Schreiner at 518-434-0540 for scheduling and more information.

[For Adults] Classes are provided to help students improve English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Classes are free to students age 21 year or older. 

[Adults] Caregivers, stop in with your group for various activities for all abilities. Crafts, Legos, quiet time, coloring, movies... there's no limit to the fun we'll have! Call 518-427-4300 ext.

[Adults 18+] We welcome any kind of knitting, crocheting, quilting or needlework. Is it a hobby that you enjoyed in the past and would like to get back to? You can bring a project that you’re working on, or one that you want to start.

[For Adults] Join us for a free movie screening with coffee and the chance to talk to community services providers! Housing Services, mental health providers, and others will be available to answer questions and provide information. 

[Adults] Susan Riback, Community Health Nurse Educator for the NNORC, is available for blood pressure checks, education on health topics, Therapeutic Touch. other health concerns.

[Ages 18+] Would you like to update or create a résumé? Having formatting nightmares? Need help tweaking or writing a cover letter? The Delaware Branch offers one-on-one sessions every Thursday between 1-2pm. 

Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County ENL class

Patrons can call Emma Schreiner at 518-434-0540 for scheduling and more information.

[For Adults] Classes are provided to help students improve English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Classes are free to students age 21 year or older. 

[For Adults] Watch a 1-hour, pre-recorded bestselling author talk with fellow attendees in the Pine Hills Branch meeting room. These videos are offered through APL's partnership with Library Speakers Consortium. 

Interested in exploring a new fiber arts hobby? 

Join us for an introductory lesson into crochet led by local crochet artist, Kaila Kurz. 

[Ages 5-11] Looking for some break week fun? Stop by the Youth Services room to see what's in store:

Monday, 2/17: Bean Portraits

Tuesday, 2/18: Paper Plate Rainbow

Wednesday, 2/19: Yarn Bookmarks

[Ages 5-11] Come learn about suspension bridges and chain reactions with popsicles! This is a drop-in event.

[Ages 4-8] During February Break week Pine Hills will feature three special storytimes and winter themed crafts. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the end!

Monday, 2/17: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

[For Adults] This class is designed for adult immigrants and newcomers to Albany who are preparing for the USCIS citizenship and naturalization process.

[Ages 5-11] Looking for some break week fun? Stop by the Youth Services room to see what's in store:

Monday, 2/17: Bean Portraits

Tuesday, 2/18: Paper Plate Rainbow

Wednesday, 2/19: Yarn Bookmarks

[For ages 11+] Come design your own Pop Sockets for your cell phones! Registration is necessary. Call the library at 518-427-4300 ext. 4 or register online.

We welcome you to our conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins as he talks to us about the examination of his family’s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in this riveting memoir, I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My

[Ages 4-8] During February Break week Pine Hills will feature three special storytimes and winter themed crafts. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the end!

Monday, 2/17: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

Join us for a Livestream of this enlightening conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins as he talks to us about the examination of his family’s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in this riveting memoir, I Am Nobody's S

Join us as we review Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures, edited by Kevin M. Strait and Kinshasha Holman Conwill. 

[Ages 5-11] Looking for some break week fun? Stop by the Youth Services room to see what's in store:

Monday, 2/17: Bean Portraits

Tuesday, 2/18: Paper Plate Rainbow

Wednesday, 2/19: Yarn Bookmarks

[Ages 5-17] Hey teens, come make a pony bead keychain! Walk-ins welcome, while supplies last.

[Ages 4-8] During February Break week Pine Hills will feature three special storytimes and winter themed crafts. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the end!

Monday, 2/17: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

Visit the North Albany Branch and meet some birds of prey! We are excited to have Joyce Perry from the Whispering Willow Wild Care to stop by and teach us some amazing facts about the birds. 

Please register as seating is limited!

[Adults 18+]  Looking for help so you can confidently use a computer?  Sign up for a 30-minute session for help with:

[Ages 5-11] Looking for some break week fun? Stop by the Youth Services room to see what's in store:

Monday, 2/17: Bean Portraits

Tuesday, 2/18: Paper Plate Rainbow

Wednesday, 2/19: Yarn Bookmarks

Create printing art using flat LEGO pieces! 

Supplies are limited! Please register for your spot.

[Ages 5-11] Become a Library Scientist and together we will explore the world through STEM!

 Inspired by work conducted by Dr. Warren M. Washington, we will be exploring atmospheric science by creating our very own Cloud in a Jar.

[Adults] Cozy up with a cup of tea while we discuss notable literary titles in our "Novels After Noon" book club. We will explore a variety of genres including memoirs, historical fiction, mysteries and more!

[Ages 5-11] Looking for some break week fun? Stop by the Youth Services room to see what's in store:

Monday, 2/17: Bean Portraits

Tuesday, 2/18: Paper Plate Rainbow

Wednesday, 2/19: Yarn Bookmarks

[For adults] Each month, from January to May 2025, join us for a new 1-hour documentary film screening followed by a moderated community conversation organized by WMHT. All films will eventually air on PBS's Independent Lens. 

[Adults] The City of Albany's new Department of Neighborhood Services wants to hear from you!

The City of Albany's new Department of Neighborhood Services wants to hear from you! Please stop by the North Albany Branch to meet with Lori Kochanski, the Neighborhood Specialist for North Albany. 

[Ages 10-17] Make another attempt at glory with a new Super Smash Bros. competition! All participants get a prize, but the top three winners get their pick of more!  

[Ages 5-17] Kids love reading to Rocket, certified therapy dog.  Why?  Because he's soft, cuddly and a good listener.

[Ages 4-8] Visit the Pine Hill Branch library and explore our extensive picture book collection! Each week our "Book Buddies" will read pre-selected books featuring award winning authors.

Create your favorite video game characters or make your own creation with Perler beads!

[Adults 18+]  Looking for help so you can confidently use a computer?  Sign up for a 30-minute session for help with:

[Adults] The City of Albany's new Department of Neighborhood Services wants to hear from you!

What is electricity, what are the types and where does it come from? Explore the different types of electricity and see how it is generated and used in this shocking program presented by the Museum of Innovation and Science! 

[Ages 4+] Come tackle our bouncy ball challenges to win prizes, and also make your very own bouncy ball to take home! This is drop-in event, while supplies last.

Tired of the cold and itching for warmer weather? Come join us at the North Albany library for a summer themed party in the middle of winter! We will have summer themed music, snacks, and crafts for the whole family.

[Ages 3-7] Curiosity Club: Dinosaur Art

 Hi 3-7 Year olds!   We are doing Dinosaur Art and Activities-Stomp on In!

[For Ages 6 - 14] Calling all little Makers! Along with access to all of the Albany Made Lab equipment, Mini Makers will be abke to use some of our favorite Youth Services gadgets and tools.

[For age 2+ with a caregiver]

Join us and Barbara Lukas from WMHT as we make some fun Cat in the Hat themed crafts and get a photo taken with the hat wearing cat himself!

Space is limited. Registration is required.

[For ages 3-7] Join us for a sensory friendly storytime with interactive stories, songs, dance, and play! 

Join us at North Albany to make slime!

Join us every Tuesday after school for crafts and fun at Arbor Hill West Hill!

Interested in learning how to create objects for 3D printing? Join us for an introduction to the basic concepts and the Tinkercad modeling program.

[Ages 6-12] Let's paint a Winter Wonderland!  Painting and cocoa, how cozy!  We will use watercolors and "resist" techniques for surprising effects.  Learn drawing and painting techniques to make your Winter scenes sparkle!

[For Ages 10 to 17] A space welcoming all gamers age 10 to 17. Come play our Nintendo Switch on a big screen. Compete with others in multi-player chaos with up to 8 players at once!

[Ages 9-17] Hang out at the library and choose from our selection of board games or video game to play with your friends!

Join us after school every third Thursday of the month for different projects and crafts at our Crafternoons! 
Supplies are limited. First come, first served. [Ages 5-11] 

[Ages 10-17] Interested in tabletop roleplaying games but don't know where to start? Mainstream games seem too complicated or uninteresting?

[For All Ages] Calling all Artists, Musicians, Crafters, Makers and Menders! Stop by the self-directed open Makerspace and start (or finish) something!

[For Ages 13-17] Clash your favorite gaming icons in the ultimate showdown. Tweens and Teens are invited to bring their friends and play Super Smash. Come see if you are good enough to beat our library gamers!

[Ages 14+] Calling all writers! Need motivation to write? Need someone to help keep you accountable for your writing goals? Just want somewhere to share your work or ideas and get feedback?

[For ages 9-17] Play various video games including Smash Brothers, Tekken, Mariokart, NBA 2K22 on the Nintendo Switch, XBox or PS4 with your friends! 

This session will clarify the physical and legal responsibilities of both tenants and landlords, focusing on maintenance, building codes, and regulatory compliance. Co-hosted with the Codes Department.

Come make small pieces of art at the Howe Branch in February! 

Paint and Sip: 6th 

Collage and Sip:13th 

Watercolor and Sip: 20th
 
Draw and Sip: 27th

The Moon Space is a chest/breastfeeding support group led by Altranise Harris.

[Ages 18+] Are you into movies? Perhaps you enjoy cult classics! Welcome to Cinemania! It's like a book, but faster.

In honor of Black History Month, we will be projecting the film Fences (2016), directed by Denzel Washington.

[Ages 2-7] Join us in your jammies for Pajama Storytime!  We will read books, sing songs, and have lots of cozy fun!

Join us for an hour of fun discussing the book "Winter Sisters" by Robin Oliveira.  

[For ages 6-14] Minecraft beginners and experts: come build your world and characters in a weekly Minecraft competition with your friends at the APL Washington Ave. Branch.