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THE BLAST
THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM
WALLKILL PUBLIC LIBRARY
| | | 2026 Summer Reading Program Theme Revealed! | | | | |
This year's theme for the Summer Reading Program is "UNEARTH A STORY." We are in the process of finalizing the Summer Reading Program plans and handouts, but here is a "sneak peek" at some events and dates:
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June 19, Noon to 3PM: PREREGISTRATION PARTY Come and go for SRP information, reading logs, sway, crafts, and snacks
- July 10, 1 PM:
SRP Kick-off BBQ and
250th Birthday Celebration
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July 14-Aug. 13:
Summer Reading Program filled with presenters, performances, crafts for all ages, STEM/STEAM Activities, Storytime, and so much more!!!
Registration for summer reading programs starts on June 19!
| | Teen Volunteers Needed for SRP | | |
Renegades Raffle Basket
The Friends of the Wallkill Public Library congratulate Lori P., the lucky winner of the Renegades Raffle Basket. Her ticket was drawn at the Duck Derby festivities on May 9th. Thank you to all who purchased tickets. Your support helps fund all the great programs at the Wallkill Public Library!
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Spring Book Bingo
Congratulations to Renee D.! She was the winner of the Wallkill Public Library's Winter to Spring Book Bingo. Renee won a $50 money card to Stewarts.
There's always something fun happening at the library. Keep an eye out for more activities via Facebook, Instagram, our event calendar and in our newsletter!
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Memorial Day, Monday, May 25
The library will be closed all day on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
| | | Museum Pass Spotlight: Storm King Art Center | | |
Looking for something to do as the weather gets warmer? Why not check out a museum or park pass from the Wallkill Public Library?! In this issue, we're highlighting our Storm King Art Center pass.
Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in New York’s Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions under open sky. Storm King collects, exhibits, and conserves modern and contemporary art—from large-scale sculpture situated in Storm King’s expansive landscape, to site-specific earthworks, to related drawings and photographs—to create a dynamic and unique place to explore art in nature.
The pass is good for free admission for two adults and all children under age 18 living in the same household. Pick up the pass at the library and immerse yourself in art and nature!
Visit Storm King Art Center's website to plan your visit: https://stormking.org/
Visitor Entrance is located at 20 Old Pleasant Hill Road, New Windsor, NY 12553
| | Wings Over Wallkill Birdwatching Walks | | |
The Wings over Wallkill birdwatching tours are back for a new season at the same place, but at an all new time! Come join us once a month at the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge located at 902 Hoagerburgh Rd. from 9am until 10ish as we explore the grasslands in search of our fine feathered friends. Long pants and a good pair of binoculars or camera are highly recommended.
Registration for each event is required.
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March 1 - November 1
Come by the library to pick up your I Bird NY Challenge birdwatching sheets and submission forms. The birds you spot and report help the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation track bird populations in NYS, and help with wildlife conservation efforts. For your participation, you'll receive a competition certificate, a commemorative patch, and be entered to win great birding prizes including birding accessories such as spotting scopes and binoculars. Participants may also earn a bonus entry into the prize giveaway by submitting a photo with their bird sighting submission forms to document their experience completing the I BIRD NY Challenge.
| | You can also find birdwatching materials and log your bird sightings online at: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/birding/i-bird-ny | | Tiny Art Show is still on... but not for long! | | | | |
Get Your Ducks in a Row...
... and waddle on over to the Wallkill Public Library to enjoy “Duck Duck Art,” our Tiny Art Show running through Saturday, May 16! Stop in to see an adorable and creative collection of one-of-a-kind decorated ducks before the show ends!
Duck decorators can pick up their creations any time after May 16.
| | Workshop Wednesday: May Flowers greeting card | | Saturday DIY: Essential Oils Room Spray | |
Saturday, June 6, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Measure, mix and mist! Join us for a hands-on DIY workshop where you will craft your own essential oil room spray using simple ingredients and take home a personalized aroma in a reusable spray bottle.
Join us for a fun, relaxing and creative Saturday craft session – supplies and inspiration provided. Recommended for ages 8+. Registration required: https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/16717480
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Grow Your Own Herbal Tea
Sign up today for our take and make herbal tea growing kit!
Each month register for a new herbal tea kit to grow at home. Kits will include basic instructions and information, a starter pot, starter soil and seeds.
Registration is required. Any take and make kits not picked up within one week of the pick-up date will be offered to the public.
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Friday, June 5,
5:00 - 5:45 PM
Beyond the Book is a monthly book club for tweens, where stories spark real-world adventures! This month, we’re diving into the thrilling I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 and I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis. Join us for lively discussions and—of course—pizza! Come for the books, stay for the fun, and leave with skills that go beyond the page.
| | I Survived
the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 | | I Survived
the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 | | "I made it at the library..." | |
Workshop Wednesday
We made mini faux flower arrangements for Mother's Day!
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Patrons got creative at our Saturday DIY program, crafting beautiful, pressed flower bookmarks—each one a unique blend of nature and creativity.
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The Adult Fiction Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 3:45 PM to discuss James by Percival Everett.
A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved Jim's point of view
When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
Brimming with nuanced humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before. James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first-century American literature.
-- from Goodreads.
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Reading ahead?
April's Adult Book Club Selection
We'll be discussing The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes on Tuesday, June 16 at 3:45 PM.
Inspired by true events, a thrilling Depression-era novel from the author of The Librarian of Burned Books about a woman’s quest to uncover a mystery surrounding a local librarian and the Boxcar Library—a converted mining train that brought books to isolated rural towns in Montana.
Inspired by the fascinating, true history of Missoula’s Boxcar Library, the novel blends the story of the strong, courageous women who survived and thrived in the rough and rowdy West with that of the power of standing together to fight for workers’ lives. And through it all shines the capacity of books to provide connection and light to those who need it most. -- from Goodreads.
| | Saturday Morning Book Club | | | | |
The Saturday Morning Book Club will hold their next meeting on Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 AM. They'll be discussing The Women by Kristin Hannah.
An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
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Reading ahead?
June's Saturday Book Club Selection is...
... The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. We'll be discussing it on Saturday, June 27 at 10:30 AM.
In this rich and deeply satisfying novel by the beloved author of The Art of Mending, and Open House, a resilient woman embarks upon an unforgettable journey of adventure, self-discovery, and renewal.
Betta Nolan moves to a small town after the death of her husband to try to begin anew. Pursuing a dream of a different kind of life, she is determined to find pleasure in her simple daily routines. Among those who help her in both expected and unexpected ways are the ten-year-old boy next door, three wild women friends from her college days, a twenty-year-old who is struggling to find his place in the world, and a handsome man who is ready for love.
Elizabeth Berg's The Year of Pleasures is about acknowledging the solace found in ordinary things: a warm bath, good food, the beauty of nature, music, friends, and art. "Berg writes with humor and a big heart about resilience, loneliness, love, and hope. And the transcendence that redeems," said Andre Dubus about Durable Goods. And the same could be said about The Year of Pleasures.
-- from Goodreads
| | Click the titles to link to our online catalog to read descriptions, reviews, and place holds. | | | |
HomeBoost Energy Assessment Kits
Wallkill Public Library and the Ramapo Catskill Library System have partnered with Central Hudson to make HomeBoost Energy Assessment Kits available to our patrons. The kits include a specialized camera that can be attached to your smartphone to check your home for drafts. It also can scan appliances to check their relative energy efficiency. Your energy bills aren't getting any lower, so take advantage of these kits to help bring those bills down.
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Blood Pressure Monitor kits available at the library!
Patrons can now borrow blood pressure monitor kits to help be better informed about their heart health. Each kit comes with instructions and information about how to use the monitors and interpret the results. Kits can be checked out for a period of three weeks.
We also have a blood pressure monitor set up in the library where patrons can swing by and test themselves while at the library. We encourage everyone to come by to use them.
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Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
Looking for a cozy winter activity? Stop by the library and pick up or drop off a jigsaw puzzle as part of our winter puzzle exchange!
We have over 50 puzzles ranging from 150 to 1,008 pieces—perfect for solo puzzlers or the whole family. There’s something for everyone, so come find your next challenge today!
Donating a puzzle? Please count the pieces and place them in a zippered plastic bag before putting the puzzle in the original box. We do our best to ensure every puzzle is complete, but if you discover missing pieces, kindly report it and return the puzzle to the circulation desk.
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New York Times All-Access!
Get the New York Times online access (yes, including Games!) as a Wallkill Public Library patron. News, recipes, podcasts, the Wordle archive — it’s all yours. Unlock your access by clicking the link for instructions on how to explore New York Times content at the library or at home (or anywhere else!).
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Food Pantry Donations
Wallkill Public Library continues to accept unexpired, nonperishable and canned food donations, as well toiletries. All donations go to the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry at the Wallkill Reformed Church. If you are able to give, please feel free to drop off your donations at the library during regular operating hours. If you are in need of assistance, please check out Loaves & Fishes website for information on when they are open: https://wallkillreformed.org/Loaves-Fishes-Food-Pantry
Thank you to everyone who is able to lend a hand to their neighbors during hard times.
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Tech Support
10:00-4:00 PM weekdays
The Wallkill Public Library offers Tech Support from 10-4 on weekdays. So, if you're having issues with your cellphone, tablet, or other technology please stop by the front desk of the library. We'll be happy to lend a hand if we can.
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Textile Tuesdays
The Wallkill Quilter's Circle is sponsored by the Wallkill Public Library. The Circle meets for Textile Tuesdays in the Community Room at the Shawangunk Town Hall on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM for a come-as-you-please work session.
Bring your present project and your lunch and join us! No registration necessary. New members always welcome!
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Mahjong Meet-ups
Every Wednesday at 1 PM and Thursday at 6 PM the library hosts our Mahjong Clubs in the Reading Room. If you’re a player or just interested in learning, join us! We supply the games and (a limited number of) mahjong cards. Just drop in, no registration required
Forgot your card? Check one out at the circulation desk to use during the game!
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Pinochle
Thursdays, 1-3 PM
in the Library Reading Room
Come and join the new Pinochle gathering in the library Reading Room on Thursdays between 1-3pm. If you're a novice player, we'll have some more experienced players to teach you the rules and how to play 4-handed pinochle. Please sign up and identify whether you are already a player or want to learn how to play.
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Battery Recycling Made Easy
Wondering what's the best way to get rid of those used batteries rolling around in your junk drawer?
The Library accepts used batteries and cell phones to be recycled! You will find the WeRecycle Battery Box located on our window seat. Please use a plastic baggie (found on the side of the box) to place your batteries or cell phones in before placing them in the battery recycle box. Quick, easy, convenient, and environmentally friendly!
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Clynk Bottle & Can Collection
Stop by the circulation desk to grab a Clynk bag and tag, then simply:
- Fill the bag with aluminum cans and plastic bottles eligible for the NY bottle deposit.
- Donate your filled Clynk bag by dropping it off at the Clynk collection area located at the entrance of your local Hannaford grocery store. Follow the instructions on or next to the Clynk door.
Together, we can all make a positive impact on the environment and help the library at the same time!
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Lend-A-Pole Program
Thanks to the Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Ulster County (FSCUC), patrons are able to borrow fishing poles from the library!
The FSCUC donated a Lend-A-Pole cabinet filled with poles, tackle boxes, and informational pamphlets to the library. Patrons can check fishing poles out just as they would a museum pass or book. Borrowers also get to take out – (and keep!) - a tackle box, as the FSCUC will replenish the supply when it gets low.
Ask at the circulation desk for assistance.
| | Children's Program Highlights | | 1000 Books Before Kindergarten | |
Congratulations,
super readers!
Congratulations to Delaney and Marshall A. for reading 400 books! Keep up the great effort!
If interested in learning more about this program, contact Sarah Phillips (sphillips@rcls.org) or speak to a library staff member.
| | | During the past few weeks of Storytime, Crafting Caboodles, and STEM Programs, the theme was springtime. The weather was beautiful during Thursday's Story and Sensory Time so following Storytime, participants went outside to listen to the birds, look at plants/bugs, and draw with sidewalk chalk. Children met new friends, practiced sharing, and practiced communication skills. (Few pictures this week - participants were either "on the move" or not interested in getting their picture taken.) | | | The next few weeks' themes will include nature including flowers, insects, and the lifecycle of plants/animals to name a few. Check out the WPL Events calendar for details and registration. Due to limited space, please register each child at www.wallkillpubliclibrary.org. | | | Ulster County Fair READ and WIN Program | | |
The Ulster County Fair Read & Win Program is still taking place with a deadline of June 12th. Participants (ages 4-18 years old and attending school/PreK4/homeschool) can earn stamps in their passports after reading books with up to four stamps given at one time. After the 8th stamp, children can earn discounts and coupons to the Ulster County Fair.
Stop by the Wallkill Public Library for details.
| | | May is Mental Health Awareness Month | | | | |
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, books about feelings, self-regulation, calming strategies, mindfulness, and other related books are on blue display rack in the Children's Area (in the room with the employee desk).
Reading books about feelings with children is a great way to introduce and identify emotions. This provides a solid foundation for the next level of discussing calming strategies and practicing them which leads to self-regulation.
The following links are just a few of the many online resources that have information about self-regulation for children:
- Helping Toddlers Develop Self-Control
- Promoting Self-Regulation In the First Five Years (Duke University)
- Zones of Regulation: Self-Regulation for Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Children
| | Wallkill Public Library joined the Duck Derby festivities at Popp Park on May 9th with a mini book sale, free swag, a display of decorated ducks, and Take & Make Crafts. | | Ongoing Children's Programming | |
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
If you are interested in learning more about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program, reach out to Ms. Sarah sphillips@rcls.org or speak with someone at the circulation desk.
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TUESDAYS
10:30 AM Family Storytime
Children of all ages are welcome. The books and activities will be centered around children ages 4-10 years of age. Registration is required.
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11:00 AM Crafting Caboodles
Join Miss Sarah for crafts in the Children's Room. We will celebrate a different theme every week by making fun creations! Ages 3+ (younger children may attend, but this may require more assistance from the parent). Registration is required.
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11:30 AM Take & Make Craft
If you aren't able to attend Crafting Caboodles, grab a Take and Make Craft in the bin. Sign on the clipboard for each Take and Make kit you take. While supplies last.
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WEDNESDAYS
11:00 AM STEM Explorers
Ages 4+. A wide variety of topics and activities pertaining to science, technology, and math will be covered. (Younger children may attend, but this activity may require more assistance from the parent.) Registration is required.
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THURSDAYS
10:30 AM Infant and Toddler Storytime
The books and activities will be centered around children ages 0 to 2-3 years of age. Music, finger play, and sensory activities for infants/toddlers may also be included. Registration is required.
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Some SATURDAYS
Check Wallkill Public Library events calendar for dates
10:00 AM Family Storytime
Children of all ages are welcome. The books and activities will be centered around children ages 4-10. This will be a "repeat" of the previous Tuesday's story time. Registration is required.
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10:30 AM Crafting Caboodles
Join Ms. Sarah for Saturday crafts in the library Children's Room (for children age 3 & up). This will be a "repeat" of the previous Tuesday's craft.
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10:45 AM Lego Bricks and Building Club
This program is for children ages 3-11 who enjoy building with Lego bricks. During sessions, participants will be able to test the creativity and ability by engaging in Lego building challenges, along with building just for enjoyment.
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The Forgotten Scoop
Gillia Olson
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Tater Fry and the Quest for Ketchup
Gillia Olson
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Oh, Tal! Not Today.
Tal Anderson
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Oh, Tal! Not Like That.
Tal Anderson
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The 10 Strongest Animals
Rachel Rose
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The 10 Smartest Animals
Rachel Rose
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The 10 Deadliest Animals
Rachel Rose
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Pencil & Eraser
Jenny Alvarado
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5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior
Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel
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The PAWS series:
Gabby Gets It Together (#1)
Mindy Makes Spome Space (#2)
Priya Puts Herself First (#3)
Michele Assarasakorn
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Dragon Masters:
Defending the Swamp Dragon
Tracey West
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Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and other Scary Things
Lenore Look
| | Click the titles to link to our online catalog to read descriptions, reviews, and place holds. | |
Young Adult Graphic Novel | | Local Vaccination Clinics | | Business services available at the library | |
Copy & Print
Copying and self-service printing is available from our public access computers.
- Letter size B&W $.10
- Legal size B&W $.20
- Letter size Color $.30
- Legal size Color $.40
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Fax
Faxes can be sent and received at a charge of $1.00 per page.
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Scan
Scan documents to your portable USB drive. There is no charge for this service!
| | Stop in for free support for all your tech needs. Digital Navigators are available at the library to help you with all your digital and tech needs. Stop in or call to make an appointment. | | Library services at a glance | |
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Our doors are open for library services including browsing for library materials, making copies, sending faxes, and using the public access computers.
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Our bookdrop is open for contact-free and after-hours returns of library materials. Be sure to secure DVD and BCD cases with rubber bands.
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Fine-free returns on everything, except museum/park passes.
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Inter-library loans are available between all RCLS libraries.
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In-person programming for all ages!
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Museum passes are available to Wallkill Public Library patrons for the Empire Pass, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Historic Huguenot Street Tour Pass, Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Mohonk Preserve, and Storm King Art Center. Plus, more print-at-home museum passes available through the Ulster County InfoPortal on the library’s website.
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