Grand Island Memorial Library news and events

The library has resumed regular hours, including Saturdays.

9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

Material donations (books, DVDs, CDs) are currently being accepted! Please drop off your donations any time the library is open. Monetary donations are always accepted. ... Thank you for supporting your library.

Upcoming Events

•Discard Book Sale: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 21 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22. On Friday, which is General Sale Day, prices will be as marked. On Saturday, people can buy a bag of books for $3 per bag.

•Local Author Visit: Julianna Woite, author of “Our Invisible String,” will speak at the library at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. She will discuss 1957 in Buffalo. It was the year that Buffalo hosted its 125^th anniversary and World Port Celebration, as well as the year that Elvis Presley rocked Memorial Auditorium. It is also the backdrop for the novel, “Our Invisible String.” Through stories, photographs and artifacts, spend some time exploring the real-life people and places discussed in the book, and fully immerse yourself in the world of Josie and Jack. Copies will be available for sale at the event. Visit juliannawoite.com for more information. Funding for this program has been provided by the Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library.

For Children and Youth

•Preschool story time: 10-10:45 a.m. Oct. 26. Storytime is for children aged 3-5, who come with or without a caregiver. Join Miss Carly for stories, music, dancing, crafts and MORE! Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

•Read to a dog: 1-3 p.m. Nov. 12. Pick out a book and practice reading out loud to a good listener at the Grand Island Memorial Library. All our furry friends are therapy dogs certified through the SPCA's “Paws for Love” program. Sign up for your personal 20-minute reading session. Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

•Anime/Manga drawing workshop: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m., session 1: action figures; Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m., session 2: Manga faces and figures Interested in learning how to draw Manga? You won't want to miss these workshops! Draw along with award-winning cartoonist and picture book illustrator Tom Paul Fox. For ages 9-17. Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

For Adults

•Get ready for HEAP from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Join us for our pre-HEAP season tabling event. We will provide information for the Home Energy Assistance Program, Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR), weatherization and senior services. The program is being offered by the Erie County Department of Social Services.

•Grand Island Knitters will meet from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 31. Join the group for help with any knitting projects, or for companionship while knitting. It is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the library or call 716-773-7124.

•Mindfulness groups: Feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, anxious? Here to talk – here to listen – here to support. The Mindfulness groups are continuing to meet at the Grand Island Memorial Library. Yoga is part of the meetings. Upcoming dates: Oct. 28; Nov. 4, 18; and Dec. 2. All meetings will begin at 11 a.m. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

Accidental Art: part deux: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. This is designed for adults aged 18 and over. It will feature new projects for those who like nontraditional art forms (experimental sculptures, temporary art forms and some other craziness). This class is also useful to those who have kids, grandkids, homeschool, scout troops or just for themselves. You do not have to have attended the first session in order to join this one. Instructor Marsha Mis has a BFA from UB and has worked as an Artpark artist. She has shared similar projects with WNY Alzheimer's Association groups. Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

•French and Sicilian Cookery: Recipes from our mothers’ apron strings, featuring Linda and Sal: 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. Enjoy a cooking demo, recipes, stories ... and a little something to take home! Menu: Swiss chard and potato stew; panini two ways (turkey and veggie); creamy, cheesy potato soup two ways (regular and dairy-free vegan). Registration is required. Call 716-773-7124.

Adult Book Club: The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The book being discussed is “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. Physical copies of the book will be available for checkout.

Available for Loan

GO FISH! The library is operating a fishing rod lending program. You can use your library card to borrow a fishing rod. Extra hooks and bobbers are provided with each rod. If you are new to fishing, that’s not a barrier. Included are instructions on casting a fishing rod, as well as information on local fishing spot. Do you need bait? You can purchase worms at bait shops and at most gas stations. Poles can be borrowed for one week. Everyone over the age of 16 must possess a valid New York state freshwater fishing license (sold at most sporting goods stores, town/county clerks, DEC offices, over the phone at 1-866-933-2257 or online by visiting www.dec.ny.gov.). In addition to the fishing rod lending program, the library also has disc golf sets available for borrowing.

More Library Information

Registration is required for all library events, unless indicated otherwise. Call the library at 716-773-7124.

Curbside service is still available. Call 716-773-7124 during open hours for more information.