Some 100 guests crowded the Western Turnpike Golf Course’s main dining room to celebrate the Guilderland Public Library’s 50th anniversary at the “Looking Back, Looking Beyond Gala” last month, and if you want evidence of the community’s support, all you have to is drive by the Library.

“We were gratified by the contributions the community made to the Growing for Generations fund,” Barbara Nichols Randall, director of the library said recently. “In fact the fund is now up to $25,000, halfway to our goal of raising $50,000. We thank the community for its contributions.”

 

Evidence of the fund’s growth can be seen on the Growing for Generations thermometer on display along Western Avenue in front of the Library. Members of the Library Foundation recently held a small ceremony in which they marked the fund’s $15,000 leap to its current level.

 

The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Library. It is the Foundation that underwrites so many of the programs and services that make the Guilderland Public Library such an important part of the community. It is the Foundation that, in the past, upgraded the Library’s Young Adult area, created the ever-popular Community Literary Garden, and underwrites the Carol J. Hamblin Notable Authors Speakers Series that will shortly host the appearance of Ela Stein Weissberger.

During last month’s gala dinner, keynote speaker Susan Arbetter, host of WMHT’s New York Now, spoke about the role the Library plays in Guilderland, and the importance of keeping it the special place it is:

“The Library is kind of like the hub of our community; it’s The Commons of our civic life; it’s a sanctuary. Libraries are the glue that keeps communities like Guilderland together.

“There’s an old joke that ‘no one knew what Harry did at the office until he left, and then his plants died.’ Well, using that kind of deduction, if we allow the glue that keeps our community together to fade away because of apathy, Wall Street fears, or whatever other excuses you want to come up, ultimately our sense of who we are will die, too.

“Make yourself a promise that the Library will always be there.”

The Gala was also an opportunity to recognize personal achievement. Merry Sparano, who served 27 years as a Trustee and is now a Trustee Emeritus, was honored for her service to the Library. Brian Hartson, president of the Library’s Board of Trustees, prefaced his remarks by commenting that the “Guilderland Public Library is by any measure, a success. Quite often in the top rankings by any objective standard, its success as a center of community learning is due and owing to the people who work behind the scenes to make it so.”

Mr. Hartson then focused on Ms. Sparano’s service: “…she has given generously of her vision, time and talents to ensure the success of the Library. During her tenure, the Library evolved from a small community facility into what is clearly one of Guilderland’s largest and most important centers of learning and culture … in fact, it seems that Merry has always been part of the Library.”

With that comment, Mr. Hartson turned the proceedings over to Ms. Randall who presented Ms. Sparano with a memento made from a core sample of the Library’s floor. Merry had been instrumental in getting the Library’s current building built, so she laughed as she accepted the gift noting that it was “particularly appropriate.”

The Library Foundation is accepting donations to the Growing for Generations fund. Checks can be made out to the Guilderland Library Foundation, and mailed to them at 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084.