Hello everyone,
We would like to give you all a brief update: all currently checked out items are now due on June 30th. We will post further updates as available, but please do not worry because no fines will accrue for overdue items.
Additionally, Town of Ulster patrons whose accounts are due to expire have been extended until at least June 1st. If you find that you are unable to access your account for any reason, please don't hesitate to call the library and leave a message at 845-338-7881 or shoot us an email at staff@townofulsterlibrary.org. We will return your message as soon as possible and are here to help you. In the meantime, take care and be well!
—All of us at the Town of Ulster Library
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Join the Library Board of Trustees!
Library trustees are powerful advocates for libraries. As part of the trustee board, you will serve along with a dedicated group of volunteers tasked with helping to direct the policies and provide financial oversight and ensure a sustainable future for the library. You can be elected or appointed to the library board for a period of time. For specifics on the role your board of trustee has, contact Tracy via email director@townofulsterlibrary.org or call the library at 845-338-7881.
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Trustees pictured here: Rotena Nippert (Trustee), Allison Organtini (President), Bruce Engholm (recording Secretary) and Susan Hayes (Trustee) Not pictured Anne Davis (Trustee), Annie LaBarge (Trustee)
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Virtual Board Meeting Info
Concerns, questions or suggestions? We encourage all Town of Ulster residents to attend a Library Board meeting. The board meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 4 PM in the library.
Next meeting, Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00 PM via Zoom.
Topic: Town of Ulster Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5835416329
Meeting ID: 583 541 6329
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Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 583 541 6329
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keh4WKc1pR
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- Handouts from Reduce Food Waste talk
- What's Available With Your Library Card
- Summer Reading 2020 Teaser
- June 2020 BookPage
- Tech Post: Protect Yourself from Misinformation with NewsGuard
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Here is the link for those who would like a copy of all handouts and PowerPoint from our Reduce Food Waste presentation!
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Check out what's available... with your library card! This week let’s talk about Acorn TV. Acorn TV streams world class mysteries, dramas, and comedies from Britain and beyond! Who doesn’t love a good British crime show!?! Acorn TV is the hidden gem of streaming that you’ve been looking for. With so many popular series to choose from including Vera, Midsomer Murders, Poirot, Foyle’s War and Doc Martin! To get started, visit Acorn TV here.
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Summer Reading 2020!
Join in the fun this summer as we guide you on a virtual journey, designed to encourage you to “Imagine Your Story,” with a celebration of fairy tales, folklore, mythology, and sharing your own unique story and voice. Our varied and fun interpretations of the theme range from exploring the classics of the genres, Time Travel, Dungeons and Dragons, a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole and more! Programming covers all ages, from 0 on up. Full program information coming soon, including exciting collaborations on the county level. Stay tuned, we cannot wait to imagine with you!
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June 2020 BookPage
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Protect Yourself from Misinformation with NewsGuard
The spread of COVID-19 has doubtless left many of us uncertain and grasping for information. Where did the disease come from? How serious is it? What are the safety measures that I need to take? It’s natural to turn to the internet to answer these burning questions, but not all sources carry reliable information. So, what to do then?
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Well, you can check out NewsGuard, a browser extension which evaluates the reliability and transparency of online news sites. NewsGuard’s analysis of news sources revolves around a number of factors including the source in question’s business model, instances of publishing false content, and full disclosure of financing.
Once you’ve installed the browser extension, you will be able to see the NewsGuard rating of different sites, indicated by a shield at the top right of your screen near the search bar: 
If you click on this icon, NewsGuard will give you a breakdown of the site in question’s reliability metrics as well as an overall grade out of 100. You can also learn further information by checking out NewGuard’s ‘Nutrition Label’ for the source, which offers a more detailed explanation of each rating and sources to support the site's evaluation.
If you’re interested in NewsGuard, you can download it or learn more about it at this link, here. Due to circumstances surrounding the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, this service is currently free until July 1st, so be sure to check it out soon if you are interested.
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Introducing Tutor Tuesday! If you or a student you know needs help with Social Studies or English homework send your questions in an e-mail at anytime to Josh at tech@townofulsterlibrary.org.
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When articulating your questions, please try to be as specific as possible and refrain from sending any links or files. Once you have asked your question, a grade 7-12 certified Social Studies teacher will respond to your queries via e-mail. These responses will take place every Tuesday from 12-2 PM until the library is re-opened.
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T(w)een Labs Virtual Brainstorm
Thursdays at 4:00 PM
Where: Zoom Meeting
Join Town of Ulster Library teen coordinator Amy every Thursday @ 4pm for a Virtual Brainstorm! Teens can connect via ZOOM to talk about all the movies and shows, games and video games, and all the awesome books they have read, as well as brainstorm cool projects or crafts for T(w)een Labs to offer online and in person for when the library reopens. Bring a snack! Bring a pet! Come just to say hi! 😺
*EMAIL: teen@townofulsterlibrary.org for ZOOM Link before Thursday!!
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Join Ms. Kelley as she reads two books, sings familiar children’s songs and presents a craft that can be done at home. This storytime is for children ages 0-5 years, however, anyone is welcome.
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Do you need help navigating Overdrive, Libby, or another website? We can help! Email Josh at tech@townofulsterlibary.org for answers to basic tech questions. Responses will be given a Zoom meeting call on Thursdays between 12PM-1PM.
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Missing our ukulele program and your new found friends? Here's an option: join the Catskills Ukulele Group on Zoom for weekly jams every Saturday from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM. The session will be available to join 15 minutes before the event starts. Tip: bookmark the session link for easy access in the future!
For more information, please email Lynda and/or join the Catskills Ukulele Google Group.
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A Guide to COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Relief
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores. You can apply for and use SNAP while keeping a safe distance from other people. Please see flyer for more information.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA has extended eligibility for individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits (e.g., self-employed workers, independent contractors). Please note, you cannot apply for PUA, until you have been determined ineligible for UI benefits. You must apply for UI before you apply for PUA. Click here for more information.
If you are self-employed, you may now file for UI benefits online. See guidance on how to file a UI claim if you are self-employed.
Free Internet for Students & Families
The Kingston City School District is working with Charter Spectrum to provide our students and families with free internet for the duration of the state-wide school closure. Families can call 1-844-488-8395 to request this free service. Below are the changes made by Charter Spectrum to ease the burden on KCSD households who are not currently Spectrum customers:
- Past Due Balances are no longer a disqualification for this free service
- No Credit Card or up-front fees will be required
- No Federal or State ID will be required, only proof of address to send the modem.
Charter will also open Spectrum Wi-Fi Hotspots to the public during the closure with no password requirements. Please visit https://www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots to find the location most convenient to you.
Project Resilience
Project Resilience is an Ulster County-wide community partnership to bring food and other assistance to those who cannot afford it or who cannot leave home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ulster County is partnering with United Way and many other area organizations and businesses to mobilize food and services.
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Ulster County Covid-19 Hotline: (845) 443-8888
Ulster County Mobile Mental Health: (844) 277-4820 (between the hours of 10AM-10PM)
 New York State Covid-19 Information Hotline:
(888) 364-3065
 Family of Woodstock 24 Hours Crisis and Food Support Hotline: (845) 679-2485
 Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255) |
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It's Census time! and you may have already received a questionnaire in the mail. While some operations have been adjusted in interest of "protecting the health and safety of our staff and the public", the Census is still available online and so far, the last day to complete the Census questionnaire is still July 31, with the understanding that this could change should circumstances change. Read on for an Census 2020 FAQ:
Why should I take the census?
- By participating you are securing additional funding for your community’s hospitals, fire departments, schools and roads as well as other social services.
- You are also ensuring greater political representation for your community.
Is my privacy violated by the census?
- Title 13 Section 9 ensures that all census data must be private, and cannot even be shared with other governmental organizations under penalty of law.
- Strict policies and IT infrastructure safeguards maintain data security.
- Questions about citizenship status WILL NOT appear on the 2020 census.
How can I respond to the census?
- You can respond online at my2020census.gov.
- You can respond via phone by calling 844-330-2020.
- You can respond through mail by sending a completed census form to the US Census Bureau.
Who needs to be counted when I respond to the census?
- You should include everyone who regularly sleeps at your residence, even including: roommates, young children, newborns and anyone who is renting a space in your home. This includes non-citizens.
- You DO NOT need to include students who dorm at a university, active military personnel, people in nursing facilities or people in correctional facilities.
How long do I have to respond to the census?
- July 31, 2020 is still the last date for households to respond to the 2020 census.
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