Charlie's Story

When East Greenbush Community Library unveiled its contest to discover a new library mascot, 11-year-old Allison Hutton knew just who to draw.

A 5th-grader at Genet Elementary School, Allison has always loved elephants and her favorite animal was a natural choice for the design she submitted. She took further inspiration from her favorite color, which also happens to appear in the library’s name, and created Charlie, a playful elephant whose wild polka-dot pattern reflects his fun-loving nature.

Allison with Design

Out of 38 total design submissions from the library’s youth patrons, Charlie won the hearts of voters throughout East Greenbush, and has arrived at the library to learn the business of being a mascot from Sully!

Named for an important person in Allison’s life (her teddy bear), Charlie can’t wait to live in the Children’s Room with some of his favorite things: books. In addition to being a big reader, which is important for any library mascot, Charlie can also be found playing soccer, drawing, and watching movies. Charlie’s preferred movie snacks are gummy bears, Skittles, M&M cookies, and ice cream with rainbow sprinkles—as you can see, Charlie loves brightly-colored things that match his polka dots!

If Charlie gets to follow in Sully’s globetrotting footsteps, this inquisitive elephant would love to visit FunPlex and the East Greenbush Bowling Center for summer fun, then stop by 16 Handles for his favorite rainbow sprinkles before hitting the movie theater.

If Charlie needs to stay safe inside the library, he’ll have plenty to do between hanging out with Sully and reading Allison’s favorite books, like The Land of Stories, The Magic Misfits, and Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. He might even take it way back and revisit some of his designer’s best-beloved picture books, Humphrey’s Corner and The Elephant Prince. He and Sully will have to step up their game to keep pace with Allison, who’s been busy building a tree house, painting friendly message rocks for her neighbors, planting a garden, and playing lots of board games.

As the youngest of four sisters, Allison has plenty to keep her occupied between family, schoolwork in her favorite subjects of reading, math, science, and writing, and dreaming of keeping chickens or a duck as pets.

Thank you for drawing our new mascot into life, Allison! Check out the East Greenbush Community Library Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates on Charlie’s library life.

Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders