Category Archives: Programs

Book and Activity Bags for Kids (ages 0-5) – June 2021

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This June, we are distributing special giveaway bags for kids ages birth to 5 and their parents. Every bag includes books, crafts, and activities to help encourage early literacy skills development in fun and meaningful ways. They also include raffle tickets for participating families, which provide an opportunity to win gift certificates to local businesses. We have a limited supply of bags! To reserve a bag and schedule a pickup date/time, email youth@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x100. This month’s bag features books, crafts, and activities celebrating all of the colors of the rainbow!

This project is supported by a mini-grant from Talk Read Sing Columbia, spreading the message that Talking is Teaching so every young child in Columbia County has the opportunity to thrive.

Drag Queen Story Time at the Hudson Waterfront Park

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Program Description: In collaboration with OutHudson, we are proud to present a special evening story hour and picnic. Drag Queen Story Time is a family-friendly and inclusive event, striving to celebrate differences and break down barriers. There will be a drag treasure chest with costumes for kids and complimentary cookies from Trixie’s Oven. Families are welcome to bring a blanket and food while they enjoy stories and a show from local drag artist, Katarina Mirage.

Date/Time: Friday, June 25, 5:30-7pm
Story time at 6pm

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Wild Harvest: Foraging at Oakdale Lake

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Program Description: Join herbalist and author, Dina Falconi, on a walk to explore the plants of Oakdale Lake. Learn to identify these plants using basic sensory skills and discover how they are used for food, medicine and pleasure. This walk will include practical information on harvest and preparation. Please bring a notepad, camera, and water bottle. Signed copies of Dina Falconi’s Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook will also be available for purchase, for anyone who is interested (please bring cash or check). Masks and social distancing will be required.

Date/Time: Tuesday, June 29, 6-8pm
Meet at Oakdale Beach, Hudson

To register for this program, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x100. Space is limited.

This program is a Library of Local event.

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Chitt Chat: Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail Talk

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Program Description: Join us for a talk about an endangered snail whose entire population only exists at one location, Chittenango Falls State Park! Why are snails important? What do snails eat? How are researchers helping endangered snail species like the Chittenango Ovate amber snail (COAS)? Cody Gilbertson, who will be speaking, has studied and worked with COAS for over 10 years and has written her master’s thesis on these beautiful unique snails. Her work has been highlighted in Scientific American, WRVO public media, and Hypothesis WNYC public radio. Come hear her talk and enjoy the snail tales!

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 16, 7-8pm

To register and receive the Zoom login link, email info@claveracklibrary.org or call 518-851-7120

This program is presented as a collaboration between the Claverack Free Library, Philmont Public Library, Hudson Area Library, and the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.

Hudson River Fishing Advisory: Fishin’ with Fran

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Program Description: Join educator, Fran Martino, and the Hudson River Fish Advisory for health advice about eating fish from New York State waters by visiting one of these outdoor, drop-in events. Learn where you can safely fish for dinner with the family, learn how to identify fish species, take a selfie at the Big Fish photo frame, and pick-up free activity books, fishing maps of local waters, and other special rewards for kids.

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 23, 5-8pm and
Saturday, July 3, 11am-3pm

Mohicans and Iroquois Discussed in Latest Leisler Institute and Library Collaboration

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The Mohican Chief Etow Oh Koam, referred to as one of the Four Mohawk Kings, in a state visit to Queen Anne in 1710. By John Simon, c. 1750.

Program Description: The Mohicans’ Incorporation into the Iroquois League, 1671-1675 by Evan Haefeli, historian of colonial North America and the Atlantic world at Texas A&M University, will be our June local history talk at the library. This talk derives from one of Dr. Haefeli’s current research projects on the history of the Iroquois Confederacy’s relations with its Indigenous neighbors to the east and south, especially the people of the Hudson Valley. The incorporation of the Mohicans into the Iroquois League has remained obscured but was pivotal to the history of the colonial northeast. It explains why the Mohicans and Munsee neighbors did not join in King Philip’s War and so prevented that conflict from spilling over into the Hudson Valley. It also clarifies the nature of Indigenous politics in the region in the era of Jacob Leisler.

Date/Time: Thursday, June 24, 6-7:30pm

Registration: For Zoom registration link click here or contact Brenda Shufelt at 518-828-1792 x106 or brenda.shufelt@hudsonarealibrary.org. Continue reading →

Nonfiction Book Group June and July Meetings

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Program Description: The Hudson Area Library Nonfiction Book Group will read Caste: The Origins of Our Dicontents (2020) by Isabel Wilkerson, for both the June and July meetings and discussions. All are welcome. To participate in the group discussion, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x100. The book is available to borrow in print, audiobook or as an eBook.

Date/Time:
Monday, June 28, 6-7:30pm
Monday, July 26, 6-7:30pm

Register: Email Mark Orton, Library Board President and facilitator of the book group, at morton@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101 for Zoom link.

The Non-Fiction Book Group meets each month Mondays, 6-7:30pm on Zoom. The group is facilitated by library Board President, Mark Orton. For more information on the Non-Fiction Book Group, and to see previous book selections, visit their page

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Free One-on-One Job Search Help and Career Development

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Program Description: Nationally Certified Career Services Provider, Beth Gordon, will work with you one-on-one to re-fresh your resume or brush up on your interview skills to land that next job.

Date/Time: Beth is available by appointment for one-one-one sessions offered at a safe distance by telephone, Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime.

Registration: Email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x100 to schedule a one-on-one appointment. Residents of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library service area or surrounding area can email director@roejanlibrary.org or call 518-325-4101.

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