New Groups & Presentations Bring Changes to CPL

January is always a refreshing time…a time for perspective on our lives…a time for getting organized, trying new things and beginning anew! At the library, this January, we have several new organizations, some new presentations and a new artist exhibiting with us!



If you are interested in saving money, why not join our Canastota Coupon Clippers? The group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. The group clips coupons, shares coupons and information on store sales! To start the New Year out, the group is featuring a presentation by Jessica Jones of Extreme Couponing on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30pm. For just $10, Jessica will provide handouts, a binder and information on store policies, stacking, and more. Jones, who has been featured in local television programs and newspaper articles has saved more than $1,700 since she began Extreme Couponing this past year.


Scrapbooking is a fun way to preserve photos and memories for yourself, your friends and relatives. A new Scrapbooking group will begin meeting at the library on Monday, January 9 beginning at 5:30pm. The group hopes you will bring all your own photos and supplies and come out to meet and work with other scrapbookers! Meetings will be held the second Monday of every month!


Also on Monday, January 9th, the Canastota Library and Canal Town Museum will present a Canalside Talk at 7pm in the Children’s Area of the library. Robert Arnold III, a retired Albany County Historian will speak about “1812: New York’s War, New York’s Impetus”. Much of the war was fought on our soil and on our waterways. New Yorkers responded to the military conflict and in doing so found serious inadequacies in the state’s infrastructure and the nation’s military capacity. This talk will be held with the support of the New York Council for Humanities.


January brings back the library’s Tech Tuesdays and new Computer Therapy Thursdays! During the months of January, February and March, the library, with the support of the Mid York Library System will provide free computer services to assist the unemployed, underemployed and other patrons interested in updating their computer skills! With five laptops and technology training staff available, patrons can receive individualized help or attend scheduled training programs. When the laptops are not in use during training, the computers will be available for use on the main floor of the library.


Shannon Crandall is the artist of the month for the library this month. Crandall’s mixed media paintings reflect the rhythm of life and nature. Layers, textures and vibrant colors play center stage in her creations. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Art History, Crandall considers herself to be a self taught artist. An artist’s reception will be held for Shannon Crandall on January 10 at 7pm. The public is invited to attend!


We hope you will stop into the library during January to visit with us and listen to a lecture or join one of our regular groups! May January bring you the changes that you are seeking in your life!