Susan Arbetter, host of WMHT’s New York Now television program, will give the keynote address. Susan has a unique perspective on statewide events as she routinely interviews politicians, civil servants, journalists, and men and women at popular spots across New York. She will address the future of libraries in the face of ever-changing technology. The Sonny & Perley Quintet, featuring Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau, will provide the evening’s musical entertainment.

The theme of the Gala is “Looking Back, Looking Beyond.” This occasion will mark the beginning of the Library’s next 50 years of service to the community. For half a century, your Library has served as an information resource, an oasis of lifelong learning, a gathering place for summer reading fun, and a cultural center.

To highlight both the Anniversary and the Library’s central role in Guilderland, the Library has held a series of events illustrating how the Library has grown and changed to meet the needs of the community. 

The celebration kicked off in June with an event marking the Library’s 1957 founding; Jerry Mathers – The Beav of “Leave It To Beaver” fame – was our keynote speaker. In July we hosted "The Beatles Live in The Garden" in which Tom Raider of “Imagining Lennon Live” turned the Helderberg Room into 1967-era Madison Square Garden for a one-night, ”sold-out” performance.

In August, Disco made a garish comeback with our 1977 party.  And our 1987 celebration featured the Eighties Film Fest.  On October 27, we will bring a younger generation into the party as we celebrate 1997 with the Children’s Book Fair and Dinosaur Festival.

Concurrent with all these events, Library exhibits illustrated (and continue to show) how the Library has expanded its offerings to you, our patrons. Gone are the days of card catalogs and typewriters. Today we serve your information needs with books (of course), computers, WiFi, online resources, and special programs.

Be sure to join community leaders and media personalities at this milestone event. 
Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase your tickets, please call 456-2400 x 12, or e-mail Mark Curiale at curialem@uhls.lib.ny.us

See how we celebrated decades past by clicking on 1997 1987, 1977, and 1967.