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LaGrange Association Library

1110 Route 55, LaGrangeville

A Note from the Director

Mary De Bellis

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn’t stop for anybody.”

Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

As we enter the fall season with changes in the weather, the color of the leaves, and the end of daylight savings time, the Library is also experiencing several changes.

On September 20, we said goodbye to Adult/Teen Services Coordinator Danielle Haight-Mueller, as she embarks on a new life in Seattle, Washington. Danielle brought our community together with innovative programming, including the hiking club, adult/teen paint night, an afternoon book club, a teen book club, and local speaker and author presentations. We will miss her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

In Danielle's place we welcome Reana Panday, who is very excited to continue many of our traditional programs while enhancing the Library's cultural, recreational, and educational offerings to the LaGrange community.

We also welcome Myra Jensen as our new Youth Services Coordinator, replacing Jess Wiede, who left the Library over the summer. Myra hails from the Youth Services Department at Beekman Library and we are delighted to have her serve the children and families of the LaGrange community.

As they transition into their new positions, I know you will all welcome and support Reana and Myra. Please stop by to meet them and say hello!

Greetings and a Farewell

Danielle Haight-Mueller

Adult/Teen Services Coordinator

Reana Panday

Adult/Teen Services Coordinator

Hello! My name is Reana and I am thrilled to join the community at the LaGrange Association Library! I recently graduated from Vassar College. During my four years at Vassar, I served as a Student Assistant at the Dickinson Music Library, where I discovered my passion for librarianship. There I managed the circulation desk and worked on preservation tasks. However, my favorite part was meeting and getting to know the patrons. Thus, I am looking forward to working with you all and serving as a resource to the LaGrange community. If you are ever in need of a good sci-fi/fantasy/horror book recommendation, or if you are up for a science chat, I am your person! I look forward to meeting many of you at the library!

Myra Jensen

Youth Services Coordinator

Upcoming Program Highlights

The LaGrange Association Library invites our community once again to participate in The Great Give Back! We are collecting a variety of items for Hudson River Housing, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing everyone with a good place to live in dignity.

Collection will run from October 1-26.

For a full list of donatable items, please see our website.

Love the macabre? Ever wanted to write a scary story like your favorite author or director? Then join our horror writing workshop, hosted by Theresa Narvesen! This evening session will spark your creativity as you dive into thrilling writing prompts inspired by eerie images and movie clips.

Theresa, a Hudson Valley middle school teacher with degrees in English, Creative Writing, and Education, is passionate about horror. Drawing from writers like Ronald Malfi and Edgar Allan Poe, she crafts spine-tingling short stories and has taught horror and thriller writing online.

Unleash your imagination and let it spill onto the page—if you dare!

Friday, October 11th at 5:30 p.m.

For ages 16-22.

Be sure to register here.

Come join us at the Library for popcorn and a screening of Disney's 

Hocus Pocus (PG)!

Friday, October 18th at 5:30 p.m.

For all ages and families.

 No registration is required, feel free to drop in! 

Library Book Clubs

October's selection is The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton. Our book club meets both in person and virtually every month.



This month we will be meeting on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:30 p.m. 

To reserve a physical copy with your library card click here.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Join us for our daytime book club, A Novel Bunch! 

We'll be reading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. Bring your thoughts and insights as we dive into a new story every month.

Thursday, October 24th at 12:30 p.m.

To reserve a physical copy with your library card click here.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Other Programming

The LaGrange Library Hiking Club will meet on the second Saturday of this month, weather permitting, and subject to change. The location of this month's hike is Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY.

All hikers are required to have a signed waiver on file before they're able to join our hikes. Contact Reana Panday at rpanday@laglib.org for more information.

Saturday, October 12th at 10:00 a.m.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Join us in welcoming Shannon White, author of 

The Invisible Conversations with your Aging Parents.

Living arrangements, changing health issues, money, grief, loss, caregiving, when to stop driving: Whether you are an adult with an aging parent, or an older parent with an adult child(ren), many topics arise which need to be discussed, so that family members may remain connected at a very important time in life. And yet, research shows that those conversations and the surrounding emotional landscape between parents and the adult children often prevent them from happening.

This book talk is based on real-life examples of over 30 years of working with people during these crucial years. Books will be available to purchase for $10 (cash, check or Venmo accepted).

Rev. Shannon White has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 33 years, having served in four congregations in New York and Connecticut. She is currently the Interim Senior Pastor at Freedom Plains United Presbyterian Church. She lives in CT with her spouse.

Wednesday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Join us in supporting maternal mental health and fostering a healthier, happier community for both mothers and their babies. Postpartum depression (PPD) affects many new mothers and can have a lasting impact on both maternal and infant health if left unaddressed. This free community education session focuses on raising awareness and providing essential information about postpartum depression. Participants will learn how to recognize early symptoms, understand risk factors, and discover strategies for prevention and early intervention.

Asha Varghese, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Student, and her research partner, Grace Anugwo, will be leading this community education program. They are passionate about raising awareness, providing education, and offering support to expecting and new mothers, families, and healthcare providers within the community.

This event is ideal for expecting and new mothers, their partners, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in supporting maternal mental health. Whether you are seeking to understand PPD for yourself or a loved one, this session will provide valuable insights and resources to help. 

Monday, October 21st at 3:00 p.m.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

This guided session is perfect for all skill levels and will capture the vibrant colors of fall on canvas. No previous experience required.

Friday, October 25th at 5:00 p.m.

For teens ages 13-18.

Be sure to register here.

Join us for a fun night of gaming as you play Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and Luigi's Mansion!

Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m.

For ages 6-10.

Please be sure to register here.

Kids will use their imagination and creativity as they make animals with leaves for this nature inspired art activity.

Friday, October 11th at 3:00 p.m.

For ages 5-7

Be sure to register here.

Come play the Pokémon Trading Card Game as we feature Dark, Psychic, and Ghost-type Pokémon cards for October's game night.

Wednesday, October 16th at 5:30 p.m.

For ages 6-10.

Be sure to register here.

BookNook

Please stop by and peruse our selection of Mysteries!

Reading Recommendations

Looking for a book? Want to know what title is next in a series? Like an author and want to read something similar? Need a recommendation for your book club? We can help!

Click (here) to fill out the request form.

You can also find it by going to laglib.org and clicking "Reading Suggestions"



Questions? Call 845-452-3141 or email rpanday@laglib.org

Want to know what we're reading here at the library?

Click here to go to the Staff Picks page on our website.

Alternatively, you can go to laglib.org and click "Reading Suggestions"

The Library Board needs the time, talents, and skills of LaGrange residents to ensure the Library’s success as a vital resource in the community. The work is rewarding and the impact is great!

For more information, please contact Mary De Bellis, Director, at mdebellis@laglib.org or Ginnie Genovese, Board Nominating Chair, at gingen424@gmail.com

For more information and to sign up for any of these programs, click here.