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!

[Adults] Get in-person tax help and file for free! New York State Tax Department employees will walk you through your income tax returns, step-by-step, as you complete your own tax return. It's quick and easy!

[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 0-24 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.

[Ages 0-5] Join us for stories, songs & fun for preschoolers and their caregivers every week at the Delaware Branch. After Storytime-- stay & play! Let your little ones tap into their imaginations during this 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.

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch. 

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

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

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.

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

[Adults] Get in-person tax help and file for free! New York State Tax Department employees will walk you through your income tax returns, step-by-step, as you complete your own tax return. It's quick and easy!

Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County

[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?

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

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.

[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. 

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

[Adults 18+] Albany Public Library is proudly partnering with the Empire Justice Center and Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York to host a transgender and nonbinary name change clinic!

[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. 

[18+] Come have Coffee/ Tea and Donuts with us as we watch the movie of the month. 

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

Learn how to express yourself clearly and imaginatively, share your work, and respond to the stories of others. Attend any or all sessions. Facilitated by Misty Yarnall. This program is online and conducted via Zoom.

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

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

Join us for a Book Review of The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy.  Reviewer:  John Rowen, former president, Friends of APL.  

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

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

[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.

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

[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. 

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

[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.

[Ages 4-9] Learn about the myth and science behind rainbows! This educational kit helps you teach your child about how rainbows are created and how you can make them even when you're indoors!

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

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

[Adults 18+] The City of Albany's new Department of Neighborhood Services wants to hear from you!

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

[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.

[Ages 7-12] Take a break from screens and come to the library and participate in a series of fun activities led by our library staff.

We have video games, anime, and potential make crafts! A place to hang with friends after school.

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

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

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

Learning through play! Playdough playtime is a sensory learning experience for your young child. Kids will learn letters, shapes, numbers, and more while developing their fine motor skills and having fun in the process!

Drop in to North Albany for help with any and all tech questions.

Students’ grades K-12 can meet with a student tutor from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University at Albany for a half an hour tutoring session. Tutors can offer homework help, worksheets, and test prep.  

Located at the Pine Hills Library Branch.

Please Note: Participants may sign up for one session a day and two sessions a week at maximum. Participants can only sign up two weeks in advance. Thank you!

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

Come play with or against your friends at Bach! Video games and traditional games, we have them both!

Newly arrived immigrants learn to sew while practicing their English language skills. Hosted by Stitching Exchange

[Ages 5 and Up] Let's Go Danes!  Sport your purple and come meet some players from the Women's Basketball team from SUNY Albany!

[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!

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

[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.

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

[Ages 4+] Come take our LEGO challenge and solve a simple engineering problem in the first half hour. Then, use your imagination and free play with our LEGO sets for the second half of the program. This is a drop-in program.

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

[Adults] Get Your Tax Return Prepared For Free! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a national IRS volunteer program where IRS-certified volunteers prepare Federal and state tax returns for free!

[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!

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

[All Ages] Come try out some of our favorite fidget toys & sensory items every Friday! Walk-ins welcome. Leave with a small fidget giveaway. While supplies last.

[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! 

Located at the Washington Avenue Library Branch.

[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.

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

Paint and Sip: Originally 2/6 POSTPONED TO MARCH 7 DUE TO SNOW

Collage and Sip:13th 

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

[Adults 18+] Join us for our relaxing monthly art workshop. No experience needed—just bring your creativity! Enjoy complimentary refreshments while you design and unwind.

[Adults, Ages 18+] Connect with your inner artist in this new program series, where we explore different art mediums and drawing methods.

[Adults] Read this month's book before our meeting and join us (virtually) for a lively discussion.

**This program will be held via Zoom. A link and password to access the Zoom program will be sent upon Registration**

[ages 5-11] Have you ever used straws to make a picture? Slurp up some fun & make our your designs and artworks using just drinking straws. 

[Ages 18+] Bring your knitting, crochet, needle work, coloring, or any other craft you've been working on to our monthly meeting where we talk, laugh, and enjoy a movie. 

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

Come join us to hear volunteers of Whiskers Animal Benevolent League talk about animal welfare efforts in Albany and make a one-of-a-kind piece of art with your own personal helper - a Whiskers cat! Catnip and treats included. 

[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.