Library eNewsletter | August 2025 | | | |
GROWING TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY
Community Partners to the Rescue!
As SSPL faced challenges around the recent start of our elevator renovation, we reached out to our friends at SAIL (Southern Adirondack Independent Living), who graciously lent the us mobility equipment for patron use. These items are stored on the Lower Level and the Second Floor of the library, and will be available for the duration of the library elevator construction project. The two pediatric wheelchairs on the lower level, and the adult rollator walkers (1 on the lower level and 1 on the second floor) are for patrons who find their way to those floors, but may need an assistive device to get around once they get there. Saratoga Springs Public Library is committed to fostering strong relationships with our community partners, and we are grateful to SAIL for lending a hand.
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Summer Reading Program 2025
Color Our World with SSPL
Summer Reading 2025 kicked off on June 23rd, and "Color Our World" programming and activities are in full swing! To learn about this year's campaign for kids and teens, click on the the video at left and/or visit this link.
Adults are also encouraged to participate by using the colors of the rainbow to guide their library and community activities! Pick up an Adult Summer Reading card at the Information Desk, complete each challenge, and celebrate a colorful season of collaboration, engagement, and learning. Submit your completed activity card at the Information Desk for a chance to win our grand prize - a Saratoga Paint & Drip gift certificate!
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Silent Wings Raptors Program
Join us Saturday, August 2nd at 11 a.m. in the H. Dutcher Community Room and meet a variety of native raptors including owls, hawks, ravens and more! Trish Marki of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York will present this exciting program for children, teens, and their families. Registration is not required, but space is limited based on room capacity.
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Luzerne Music Center's Faculty Brass Quintet
Join us in the H. Dutcher Community Room at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 12th (rescheduled from July) for a colorful concert! Luzerne Music Center’s Faculty Brass Quintet is an ensemble of five renowned musicians who serve as faculty at Luzerne Music Center's summer camp in Lake Luzerne, NY. Their repertoire features an engaging variety of music, from classical masterpieces to popular works. In addition to the performance, the library invites audience members to ask questions, offering insights into the music, instruments, their lives as professional musicians, and more. This program is a wonderful opportunity for audiences of all ages to enjoy live chamber music and connect with professional musicians in an intimate setting. All ages are welcome to attend. No registration required.
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Poetry Café Dead Poets Series
Join us at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 14th for Poetry Café, a monthly online librarian-led poetry discussion. In this session, we will become familiar with some of César Vallejo's poems. This Peruvian poet was a contemporary of Pablo Neruda. The youngest child in a large, indigenous family, he was raised as a strict Catholic and largely self-educated. Vallejo eventually moved to Europe, where he was influenced by other bohemian cafe-dwellers. The contradictions of his life seem to have fueled his evocative, soulful work. Please register online.
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Program in Hand?
Get Your July/August Program Guide
Our Program Guide for July and August is available online and in-house. SSPL prints limited quantities of the guide, which covers two months of programming at a time. This option is for those who wish to have a physical document highlighting our offerings. If you are comfortable with an online format, we encourage you to help us conserve resources by choosing that option, and visiting our online link to the guide or our Events Calendar at www.sspl.org. There, you will find additional programming details, and if required, have the ability to register.
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Kids Corner
What's New in August for Kids & Their Families
Click on the links below to check out these offerings, and visit our online calendar for more:
Children & Families
Paws4Reading | Multiple Dates & Times | Reading Age
Silent Wings Raptors Program | Saturday, August 2 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | All Ages
Minecraft Creative Coding | Mondays, August 4-25 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Grades 4 - 8
Kindergarten Camp | Tuesdays, July 8 - August 26 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Children Entering Kindergarten
Meet the Artist Series | Wednesdays, August 6 - 27 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Grades K - 6
Alyx Magic | Thursday, August 7 | 3 - 4 p.m. | Children & Families
SCAT: The Incredible Science of Wildlife Poop with Anita Sanchez | Friday, August 8 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Grades 1 - 5
Ghost Adventures with the Tang Teaching Museum | Monday, August 11 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Grades K - 6
Colorful Critters Scavenger Hunt | Tuesday, August 12 - Sunday, August 24 | Open Hours | Children & Families
Messy Arty Party | Wednesday, August 13 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Ages 3 - Grade 2 with Adult
Make a Woven Yarn Bracelet | Thursday, August 14 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Grades 3 - 6
Elephant & Piggy Party | Friday, August 15 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Ages 3 - Grade 3 with Families
Baby Rave: I Want My 80s | Saturday, August 16 | 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. | Ages 0 - 18 Months
Parachute Play | Wednesday, August 20 | 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Age 3 - Grade 2
Ice Cream Social | Monday, August 25 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Children & Teens
SSPL Visits the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Wednesday, August 27 | 3 - 6 p.m. | Children & Families
Family Movie Friday: Ratatouille | Friday, August 29 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Children & Families
Please check our Events Calendar for Take-and-Make Crafts, Drop-in Crafts, and Story Times.
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CONSTRUCTION NOTICE
Library Elevator Upgrade Project
Our library elevator construction project has begun, and the thirty-year-old elevator system is being replaced and upgraded. We anticipate that the project last until mid-November. During this period, there will be no elevator access to the library’s Lower Level or Second Floor. If you are in need of materials or services from these parts of the library, and are unable to use the stairs, library staff will be happy to assist you. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we complete this necessary project. For additional information, please visit our announcement through this link.
| | If your birdhouse does not win, you can pick it up anytime between August 19th & 31st. After September 1st, all remaining birdhouses will be donated. | | |
Friends of SSPL
Vote for your Favorite Birdhouse!
- From August 1st - August 17th, stop by the New & Popular section of the library to vote for your favorite birdhouse. If you purchased and decorated a birdhouse, please bring it to the Book Shop as soon as possible to be entered.
- Just put the number of your favorite birdhouse on the voting slip and drop it in the box.
- Our winner will be announced on August 18th, and will spend some time on display in the library's native pollinator garden.
- Should you like to complete a last minute entry, or just purchase a birdhouse to decorate for home, buy a birdhouse from the Friends Book Shop for $25.
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Diving into Digital Services
Read or Listen Online
Did you know that your Saratoga Springs Public Library Card gives you free access to a plethora of downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, and even comics? If you haven't already, visit this link to get started with SALON, Libby, Hoopla, or Comics Plus.
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Current Library Hours & Services
The library is open seven days a week and indoor seating is available. Current hours of operation are Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
UPCOMING HOLIDAY HOURS
Labor Day - Monday, September 1, 2025 - LIBRARY CLOSED
For a full list of services and additional updates, please visit the Library Announcements section of our homepage at www.sspl.org.
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