January's Artist of the Month
During the month of January, we'll be showing the photography of local resident Alec Halstead.
Please join us for an artist reception on Friday, January 16th at 6pm.
Alec Halstead navigates life through the lens of his camera, with the perspectives of a world traveler and a military veteran, where he was the command photographer at every duty station of his 23-year career.
We are always looking for new artists who want to display their work in the Library! Please email programs@pvlibrary.org for more information.
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NEW! Teen Swag Bags!
Teens (age 12-17) who check out a Teen/YA book can pick up a free Wintertime Swag Bag, full of snacks, crafts, accessories, and other fun goodies to enjoy while reading!
Available beginning January 2nd, while supplies last.
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Family Game Day!
Friday, January 2nd - 1pm to 3pm
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No school? No problem!
Kids ages 4 and up and their families are welcome to stop by the Library to play a variety of board games! We have something for everyone like Hi Ho Cherry-O for the littles and LEGO Heroica for tweens. Explore STEAM games like Mouse Trap or a fun, family competition in Hungry Hungry Hippos or Bluey Candy Land!
No need to sign up - just stop in and play!
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New Year's Sound Bath
w/ Gloria Dineen
Saturday, January 3rd @ 10am
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Start the New Year in a relaxing way, as we welcome back Gloria Dineen of Glowasis Healing Arts for a sound bath meditation. She'll create a serene space with the soothing tones of crystal singing bowls, chimes, drums, and other meditative instruments, each infused with reiki energy and the intention of healing and renewal. The sound wave vibrations help to clear emotional energy, release stress, and restore a state of balance and inner peace.
No prior experience is needed. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow, or anything else that helps you feel supported and relaxed.
Gloria is a certified life coach, transformational grief coach, and reiki master with a passion for helping people find peace, healing, and renewal.
Registration is required - space is limited.
**PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased popularity, registration for Pleasant Valley residents will be prioritized for the first week for programs expected to fill up quickly. A library card may be required in order to sign up for these events.
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Winter Storytimes!
registration opens January 5th
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Join Miss Julie for Toddler Time!
Children ages 18 to 36 months (3yrs) and their caregivers are welcome to enjoy read-aloud stories, educational music, and a creative activity to work on together.
Choose from our Monday session or our Tuesday session, both held from 11am to 11:30am. Both will meet for five classes starting January 12th/13th through February 23rd/24th. There will not be classes on January 19th & 20th, or February 16th & 17th.
Register for Monday Toddler Time here.
Register for Tuesday Toddler Time here.
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Join Miss Julie for Pre-K Storytime!
Independent children ages 3 to 5 years are welcome to enjoy a story, music, and a creative activity!
This session will be held on Tuesdays from 1pm to 1:45pm, and will meet for six classes January 13th through February 24th. There will not be class on February 17th.
Register for Pre-K Stories here.
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Winter Seed Sowing
w/ Janice Novet & PV Community Garden
Tuesday, January 6th @ 6pm
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Learn how to sow native seeds in winter to have pollinator plants in your landscape in the summer and fall. Janice Novet and other members of Pleasant Valley's Community Garden will demonstrate and discuss how the process works, how to set up your own garden containers, where to find seeds and other resources, and how fun, easy, and cost-effective winter gardening can be.
Registration is required.
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Crafterday!:
Multimedia Collage Art w/ Sarah
Saturday, January 10th @ 10:30am
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Resident artist and Senior Clerk Sarah is back with a multi-media winter collage craft class! Tap into your imagination and let your creativity run rampant as you create a unique multi-media collage art piece to hang in your home. We'll provide all the materials, including poster boards, colorful and textured paper scraps, pictures and images, stickers, ribbons, glitter, ModPodge, and more - just bring your imagination! (Image shown is an example of the type of art - yours will vary.)
Registration is required - space is limited.
**PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased popularity, registration for Pleasant Valley residents will be prioritized for the first week for programs expected to fill up quickly. A library card may be required in order to sign up for these events.
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Queer Revolutionary:
The Trials of Robert Newburgh
a special virtual presentation
Monday, January 12th @ 6pm
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*PLEASE NOTE: This program is meant to be viewed from home; should you choose to watch the stream at the Library, there is a chance that the audio will not be very loud and technical difficulties may arise.
On the eve of the American Revolution, the British army court-martialed a chaplain, Robert Newburgh, who had been accused of engaging in an intimate relationship with another man. Newburgh’s enemies cited his flamboyant appearance, defiance of military authority, and seduction of soldiers as proof of his low character. Consumed by fears that the British Empire would soon be torn asunder, they claimed that crimes against nature were crimes against the king.
In this talk, historian John Gilbert McCurdy (Eastern Michigan University) uses the case of Robert Newburgh to glimpse inside eighteenth-century perceptions of queerness. By demanding to have his case heard, Newburgh invoked Enlightenment ideals of equality, arguing passionately that his style of dress and manner should not affect his place in the army or society. Newburgh thus made the case for sexual liberalism, an idea that was wholly consistent with the highest ideals of the American Revolution, and that anticipated a greater freedom for LBGTQ+ individuals in the nation that followed.
Sponsored by Dutchess County Library Association, this special virtual program will be screened at the Pleasant Valley Library on Monday, January 12th at 6pm. If you would like to watch the presentation here at the Library, please register here.
If you would rather watch this presentation from home, please click here to sign up to receive the Zoom link by email.
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Transformation in the New Year
w/ Joy E. Dyson
Tuesday, January 13th @ 6pm
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Get 2026 off to a great start with Joy E. Dyson, local certified health coach and holistic nutritionist of Wellness With Joy. Bring your New Year's resolution and leave with a plan of action to make it happen. Understanding yourself and how you work will help you accomplish your goals for a healthier life moving ahead. In her new workshop, Joy will go over strategies and you'll leave with a step by step guide in implementing your New Years goal.
Joy E. Dyson is a busy mom of four school age children living in Dutchess County. She is a certified nutritionist and health coach through the Nutritional Therapy Association and Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She spent the last 11 years gradually incorporating food as medicine for herself and family. After family and friends saw her improvements and were reaching out for advice, she established her own business, Wellness With Joy, in 2024.
Registration is required.
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Winter Swiss Chess Tournament
Saturday, January 17th - 10am to 2pm
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4 Rounds of Game/15 Swiss Chess
Sign-in - 10:00-10:30am
All ages and levels of experience welcome.
Walk-ins are welcome, or pre-register ahead of time.
Please bring your own chess set and chess clock. Some chess sets and chess clocks will be provided.
Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
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| | Screening of 1776
Saturday, January 24th @ 12pm | | |
Please join us in celebrating America's 250th birthday with a special screening of the film 1776. The Pleasant Valley Historical Society will provide light refreshments for this afternoon event.
The nation's fathers harmonize their way through the founding of America in this musical adapted from a popular Broadway show. Colonial representatives gather in Philadelphia with the aim of establishing a set of governmental rules for the burgeoning United States. Benjamin Franklin (Howard da Silva) and John Adams (William Daniels) charge Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) with the work of writing a statement announcing the new country's emancipation from British rule.
Registration is required.
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Intro to Babysitting Course
Saturday, January 31st - 10:30am to 1:30pm
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In this class, participants will learn interviewing tips, communication skills, ages & stages of babies and toddlers, safety & first aid tips, and about feeding & caring for children (including diaper changing). A simple test will be administered at the end of the class, and certificates will be given to attendees.
The instructor has taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade, and is currently a 1st grade teacher. She holds three teacher certifications in Early Childhood, General Education, and Special Education as well as a Master's Degree in Literacy.
Registration is required.
Open to ages 11yrs and up. Please bring a pen/pencil, paper, and a snack.
Snow date: Saturday, February 7th.
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After-School ArtVenture
Wednesdays, January 7th & 21st - 4pm to 5pm
Stop by for our after-school crafting program! Miss Julie will have an array of craft projects for children ages 5 to 11 years to choose from.
No registration is required - just stop by any time between 4pm and 5pm!
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Reading
Fur-iend Brianna!
Mondays, January 12th and 26th - 3:30pm to 5pm
Brianna the Therapy Dog will be at the library to help children that are not comfortable reading out-loud in front of others (or being around dogs) feel more relaxed. She loves when kids who love animals come to read to her, even if they are already comfortable readers.
No registration required!
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Baby Meets Baby
Thursday, January 22nd @ 11am
Friday, January 30th @ 12:30pm
Baby Meets Baby is for 7 to 17 month olds and their caregivers to interact - with themselves, with each other, and with the Library! This playtime will encourage hands-on exploration of the senses, spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination, socialization, and more!
This program is for babies 7 to 17 months. Children MUST be able to sit on their own, unassisted and without support.
No registration required - just stop by.
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Take & Make Adult Craft
available beginning January 2nd, while supplies last.
This month we are making a Winter Coffee Acrylic Painting! Each bag contains all the supplies you will need and step by step instructions. *Colors and patterns may differ from picture.
**available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last, for adults 18+ only, limit one per household
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Senior Movie Morning Wednesday, December 10th @ 11:30am
Seniors (ages 50+) are invited to attend this special seniors-only movie matinee. Light refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own snack or lunch to enjoy!
Our movie for January is the 2022 music biopic "Elvis" (PG-13), directed by Baz Luhrmann.
The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley's rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis's life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).
Registration required - please click here.
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*This program requires registration.
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