When you hear the word “library”, what comes to mind? Books? Silence? The old female librarian always yelling at you to be quiet? Albany Public Library is out to change the way you used to think about libraries, starting with the librarian…
Executive Director Scott Jarzombek, hired by Albany Public Library last June, is anything but the stereotypical “old lady” librarian. He comes from a skater kid, punk rock background, at 39 could barely be considered even “middle aged”, and is determined to establish Albany’s seven branch libraries as useful and fun places of refuge for Albany community members of all ages.
Exhibit A: The Albany Made Creative Lab
Opened for the first time this past fall, the Washington Avenue Branch Lab is home to a 3D printer, 3D scanner, video and music production equipment, a sewing machine, fiber arts materials, hand tools, graphics software and computers, and so much more! If you’ve ever been interested in inventing or creating anything, the Creative Lab is the place to do it.
Exhibit B: The New Youth Services Room
This brand new addition to the Washington Avenue Branch replaced the old Reference Room and features separate areas for children and teens, computers and iPads, a play kitchen and LEGO table, an expanded and re-organized picture book collection, an express checkout station, and more!
Exhibit C: The Abundance of Available Programming Options
Gone are the days of a library’s purpose being solely for silent research. Today, you can find classes about art and expression, book groups and literature discussions, computer and technology seminars for adults and seniors, health and fitness meetings, local history events, movie viewings, and an entire collection of classes and events for youngsters on a variety of different topics.
With all of these recent improvements, it’s certain that there is much much more to come from Jarzombek and his team. Stop by your local Albany Public Library Branch and see what’s new today! The branches are:
- Washington Avenue – 116 Washington Ave.
- Arbor Hill/West Hill – 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.
- Bach – 455 New Scotland Ave.
- Delaware – 331 Delaware Ave.
- Howe – 105 Schuyler St.
- North Albany – 616 North Pearl St.
- Pine Hills – 517 Western Ave.
