The Wallkill Public Library will be closed on Monday May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. The staff of the library would like to pay tribute to those who've served and acknowledge all that they have done. Many thanks to our Veterans and active service members!

Many thanks to the Friends for their support of the library! As a result of their very successful Book Sale, they have agreed to purchase new Adirondack chairs for the library lawn for the community to use. We're thrilled to have new colorful chairs to adorn our lawn in time for the Summer Reading Program "Color Our World!" programming!

If you're interested in learning more about the Friends, and what they do please stop by the library for more information. They're always looking for help doing the good work that they do.

Saturday, May 24 from 10 AM to 12 PM

Town Hall Community Room

In this engaging workshop, you’ll uncover the secrets to successfully growing these incredible trees. We’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating figs in pots versus planting them in the ground, delve into essential techniques like branch and root pruning, and discuss best practices for watering and caring for both potted and in-ground fig trees.

You’ll also learn how to shape your fig tree—whether you prefer it as a stately tree or a compact, productive bush—and discover effective methods for winterizing to protect your plants during colder months.

Come prepared with your questions for an open and interactive discussion! A friendly word of caution: cultivating fig trees is not just a hobby—it’s a passion that can become highly addictive. You’ve been warned!

About the Presenter: Evan Panagiotopoulos, affectionately known as The Fig Tree Guy, is a devoted fig aficionado with a deep love for cultivating a diverse array of fig trees in his garden. His passion for figs extends far beyond simple gardening; he is enthusiastic about every aspect of fig care, including growing trees both in pots and in-ground, mastering the art of rooting cuttings, and implementing effective winterization techniques. Evan’s dedication to figs is evident in his hands-on approach and his eagerness to share his knowledge with fellow enthusiasts, making him a trusted voice in the fig-growing community.

There are still a few spots open but register soon!

Registration Fee: $5 (everyone will leave with a rooted fig cutting of their own!)

Go fish!

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.

No more wondering if your favorite author has written a book lately. No more forgetting to reserve that bestselling author’s newest title.

Our Favorite Authors Club is the ultimate in convenience for our avid readers. Simply select your favorite authors from the list. Your name will automatically be placed on the hold list when new titles by your authors are ordered. We can't guarantee how near the top you'll be, but it's one less thing you'll have to think about.

We have updated our list recently, so if you are a club member from way back, check out our newest list. (Yes! We added Freida McFadden, among others!) Click here to see the list of authors we are offering. Simply fill out the form, drop it off to us and you’re done. Take advantage of this automatic reserve program today!

The Wallkill Public Library Spring 2025 Tiny Art Show theme is "Tiptoe Through the Tulips"!

Be sure to check out the tiny masterpieces the next time you visit! New creations keep arriving daily.

Artwork will be on display for the entire month of May!

Saturday mornings at 8 AM on:

5/17, 6/7, 7/12, 8/9, 9/3 & 10/11

Spring is on its way, and with it we'll be reviving the Wings Over Wallkill Birdwatching tour at the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge located at 902 Hoagerburgh Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589. This program is open to both experienced birders and beginners. Be sure to bring your binoculars, your hiking boots, and your spirit for discovery.

Register for as many sessions as you like via the links below or the buttons:

May 17 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266110

June 7 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266111

July 12 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266112

August 9 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266113

September 13 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266114

October 11 registration link - https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14266115

There's still time to pick up your BINGO card today!

Our current Book BINGO contest runs through May 31. Read books and earn chances to win. Pick up a gardening book to help you plan how to spend the prize which is a $25 gift certificate compliments of Wallkill Greenhouse. The more you read, the more chances you have to win. Turn your completed BINGO cards in by Saturday, May 31. The random drawing will be held Tuesday, June 3. Good luck!

Start at anytime!

Join the 2025 Reading Challenge at the Wallkill Public Library! Ask for your challenge card at the Circulation Desk. Read a book for each month as outlined on our challenge card and earn one raffle ticket for every completed month. Complete three challenges, and you’ll receive a special incentive prize plus an extra ticket for the final prize drawing.

The grand prize will be announced later, and the drawing will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026. Don’t miss out on the fun and the chance to win fantastic prizes while expanding your reading horizons!

Join the Wallkill Public Library in our Clynk bottle and can collection! Stop by the circulation desk to grab a Clynk bag and tag, then simply:

1. Fill the bag with aluminum cans and plastic bottles eligible for the NY bottle deposit.
2. 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!

The Saturday Morning Book Club will hold their next meeting on Saturday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. They'll be discussing I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl.

Roman Grady is the sole reporter for the local newspaper in a tiny Hudson Valley town - a town so small that every store opening and DUI is considered newsworthy. But when Roman's longtime girlfriend, Ashley, the mother of his four-year-old son, is found dead, he realizes he had no idea what was really going on in her life.

And when he starts asking questions, he’s not prepared for the answers.

What was Ashley doing at the cliffside home of her troubled ex-girlfriend? How did no one in a house full of people see what happened to her? And why does it seem like everyone in town suddenly has something to hide? As Roman and his mother dig into Ashley’s last few months, the truths they uncover threaten to expose painful secrets. The kind of secrets that can get you killed.

A gripping thriller and a moving portrait of a family struggling through tragedy, I Dreamed of Falling showcases Julia Dahl's talent for using crime fiction to tell an immersive and unforgettable story. Dahl’s unflinching novel asks hard questions about love, regret, inequality, and the possibilities and the perils of forgiveness.

-- from Goodreads

Board Game Afternoons

Mondays, 3:00-5:00 PM

in the Reading Room

We meet in the Reading Room on Mondays from 3-5:00 PM to play classic games and learn contemporary board games like Dungeons & Dragons, Settlers of Catan, Risk, Mysterium, Sherriff of Nottingham, and others. For teens and adults.

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.

Bring your present project and your lunch and join us! No registration necessary.

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!

Thursdays from 2 - 4 PM

Having trouble figuring out your new phone? Need some pointers on how to send that photo to your relatives? Until further notice, the Wallkill Public Library will be conducting weekly Tech Support sessions every Thursday from 2 to 4 PM. Swing by the library Reading Room if you need a hand, and we'll do our best to get you the answers you need and give you the know how to do it yourself. 

No registration required! Walk-ins welcome.

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!

On Thursday, June 19 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, come see what this year's Summer Reading Program theme, Color Our World, is all about, including the fantastic programming (July 3 through August 14) and engaging reading challenges (through August 31) that we have planned for your children (ages 12 and under), starting with our kick-off event on July 3! There will also be crafts, cupcakes, a face painter, and balloon animals! While supplies last. Registration is not required. We will also have information for teens and adults.

Miss Michelle and Mr. Dan had a quacktastic time at Vision of Wallkill's 4th annual Duck Derby at Popp Park this past weekend! We had some great books for sale for the adults and handed out free children's books and crafts in honor of Children's Book Week. We also hosted a toy duckling hatch - several lucky participants won Stewart's ice cream cones! Lucky Duck Puppets also put on a great show for all!

Miss Michelle and Mr. Dan held a raffle at Ostrander's Family Game Night last month - participants had to guess how much money was in the library's alligator bank's belly. It ends up that there were 516 coins equaling $31.99. We are happy to announce the following winners of our raffle:

• Winner of a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card: Kylie O. - guessed $20
• Winner of a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card: Layla O. - guessed 430 coins
• Winner of a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card and the chance to name our alligator: Amy S. - guessed $30 and named her "Emily"

Thanks to the folks at Ostrander Elementary School for the photos and congratulations to all! 

We are thrilled to roll out a new program in the Children's Room, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten!

1000 books might seem like a lot, but you have probably already made a dent and if not, it's never too late to start! This program is a national initiative which promotes bonding through reading between infants and young children and their caregivers/parents using a simple and fun approach to establish strong early brain development and literacy skills. There are also incentive prizes along the way! Any child from birth to kindergarten-age can participate.

Sign up in-person at the library or send Miss Michelle an email expressing your interest at mgreco@rcls.org. You can then pick up your program packet. PS: We'll have more information and resources on our website soon!

Zoe the Therapy Dog

Zoe's next visit with us will be on May 20th at 10:30 AM. Zoe loves to join in on the fun - she also enjoys being read to and will take some gentle pets along the way…she might even surprise us with some tricks! To register your child, please click on the following link to our online calendar: https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/13476643

Take & Makes

Did you know that we have weekly sign-ups for *FREE* craft kits? Register for "Miss Michelle's Take-and-Make Craft" each week by Tuesday to pick-up a take-and-make craft kit on Thursday or after! Recently we made Wiggly Snakes, to celebrate The Year of the Snake, and Pop-up Groundhogs with a little winter poem. For children ages 3 & up. Please register each child separately on our online calendar at the following link: https://wallkillpubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/wpl_programs_events

Ongoing children's programming

In the Children’s Room on our lower level

• Storytime is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 AM,
• Crafting Caboodles is on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM, and
• STEM is on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM.
• We also have take-and-make sign-ups again!

Please click on the button below to link to our online calendar to register for these programs.

I spy photos of some library staffers getting caught reading on the Children's Room bulletin board!

• Our doors are open for library services including browsing for library materials, making copies, sending faxes, and using the public access computers.
• 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.
• Fine-free returns on everything, except museum/park passes.
• Inter-library loans are available between all RCLS libraries.
• In-person programming for all ages!
• Museum passes are available to Wallkill Public Library patrons for the Empire Pass, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Historic Huguenot Street Tour Pass, Mohonk Preserve, Museum Village, and Storm King Art Center. Plus, more print-at-home museum passes available through the Ulster County InfoPortal on the library’s website.
• We are not accepting any donations of books or DVDs at this time.