The Library Spotlight

This 3-session series (Feb. 2, 9, 16) will explore the Enneagram, one of the most powerful and insightful tools for understanding ourselves and others. It is a personality system that describes nine distinct ways of thinking, feeling and acting in the world. At its core, the Enneagram helps us to see ourselves at a deeper, more objective level and can be of invaluable assistance on our path to self-knowledge. Please register online here: https://sspl.libcal.com/event/8432583

The first session will give you a brief overview of the Enneagram system and the opportunity to determine which of the nine Enneatypes you resonate with most. You will leave with a better understanding of how the Enneagram works and how it can benefit you and your relationships. In subsequent sessions, we will go a little deeper and address the wings - extensions of your core type, levels of development, and how to achieve your greater essence free of negative patterns and blocks.. We also will explore stress reduction approaches for the various types.

We will use the book, The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-discovery Guide, by David N. Daniels and Virginia A. Price, which contains additional information about the Enneagram types and a self test to help you identify your personality type. Multiple copies of this book are available to borrow from the reading group section at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

This online program uses the Zoom livestreaming platform. It will require access to a computer, mobile device with the Zoom app installed, and/or a phone for audio-only access. Registration with an email is required in order to receive information on how to connect. The email will be sent three (3) hours prior to the scheduled start time of the program.

Author Patricia A. Nugent will share vignettes from Healing with Dolly Lama: Finding God in Dog, her most recent real-life novel about the personal transformation and growth that unwanted gifts can inspire — in this case, the gift of a puppy named Dolly Lama. Proving that healing can come from unexpected sources, Dolly Lama became a catalyst for helping the author rediscover her spirituality and believe in possibilities again. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own stories about past and current canine companions. “Because there’s no other relationship like it!” The presentation will be followed by a special performance of "Smelly Old Dog," an original song by local musician, Michael Jerling who has close ties to Caffè Lena. Please register online through this link.

Books will be discounted and inscribed for attendees. 20% of sales will go to Therapy Dog International (TDI). The day of the program we are accepting donations for Estherville Animal Shelter in Greenfield. The following items are suggestions:

• Kong Toys​

• Rope Toys​

• Hard Balls​

• Sqeaker Toys​

• Hard Rubber Chew Toys​

• Large Rawhide Bones​

• Basted Shin Bones

• old comforters and blankets

• carpet remnants​

• Treats - Beggins Strips, Milkbone or Pupperoni

For more information about Healing with Dolly Lama, email HWDollyLama@gmail.com. For more information about TDI, contact Marj Johnson, email marjnoils@gmail.com.

Worth noting, Morris Animal Foundation is committed to studying why our pets' life spans are getting shorter. The author contributes all proceeds from her sale of her Dolly Lama greeting cards to this foundation.

February brings us a day to honor our US presidents. Join Rhona to virtually visit a number of presidential libraries, museums and historic sites of interest. Let’s travel the country together and see what we can discover about those who were elected to the highest office in the land. Registration is required. Please register through this link. 

This online program uses the Zoom live-streaming platform. It will require access to a computer or mobile device with the Zoom app installed, or a phone for audio-only access. Registration with an email is required in order to receive information on how to connect. The email will be sent three hours prior to the scheduled start time of the program.

Join this low-key librarian-led poetry workshop. We'll be using existing poems, or poetry prompts as jumping-off points for writing. For this session, we'll work find inspiration in a poem by Wallace Stevens, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. Bring pen and paper! Please register through this link. 

This online program uses the Zoom livestreaming platform. It will require access to a computer, mobile device with the Zoom app installed, and/or a phone for audio-only access.

Registration with an email is required in order to receive information on how to connect. The email will be sent three (3) hours prior to the scheduled start time of the program.

In collaboration with the Children's Museum at Saratoga, children in Grades 3-5 will learn about the life and struggles of the inventor of the home security system, Marie Van Brittan Brown. Find out how and why she came up with this invention and learn about the struggles she faced as a black female inventor growing up in the mid-20th century. Then we’ll get our thinking hats on as we come up with our own security system.

A kit of materials to go along with the program will be provided for all registered patrons. Please register through this link. Kit pick up will be from Monday, February 14th - Tuesday, February 22nd.

The program was developed by grant funds from the Museum Association of New York as part of their Building Capacity project.

This online program uses the Zoom live-streaming platform. It will require access to a computer, mobile device with the Zoom app installed, and/or a phone for audio-only access.

Registration with an email is required in order to receive information on how to connect. The email will be sent three (3) hours prior to the scheduled start time of the program.