Summer Reading Program

This giveaway is intended for children ages birth to five and their caregivers. It includes a Spanish/English bilingual board book, De Colores, adapted by Elodie Pope, and everything you need to make your own rainbow.

Date/Time: Pick up begins on Thursday, June 1
Pick-up location: Hudson Area Library Main Desk, while supplies last.

Este obsequio está destinado a niños desde el nacimiento hasta los cinco años y sus cuidadores. Incluye un libro de cartón bilingüe español/inglés, De Colores, adaptado por Elodie Pope, y todo lo que necesitas para hacer tu propio arcoíris de papel.

La recogida comienza: jueves 1 de junio
Lugar de recogida: mostrador principal de la biblioteca del área de Hudson, hasta agotar existencias.

The BBFH Exhibition documents the historic presence of Black and Brown families residing in Hudson, and includes extended family members that return to their families centered in Hudson.

This is the second leg of a documentation project by Operation Unite NY. The first leg focused on collecting photographs from families with senior members living in Hudson and may have relocated from other areas. A third opportunity this summer will invite families who represent longtime residents and first-generation residents in Hudson.

Photographer David McIntyre has worked extensively to bring this exhibition to fruition and will continue to assist in the curation of the exhibition moving forward.

Date/Time:
Opening: Thursday, July 6, 6pm
Exhibition: Thursday, July 6 – Monday, August 28

Location: In person, Hudson Area Library Community Room

Registration: No registration required. All are welcome!

This exhibition is presented in partnership with Operation Unite NY and David McIntyre.

Summer Reading is a national celebration of books and readers that goes on all summer long. This year’s theme is “All Together Now” and we’ve got a ton of community-centered events, giveaways, and activities planned for readers of all ages, including:

Giveaway Backpacks, packed full of free art supplies, crafts, books, and more. These bags will be available for pick-up at the library’s Ready for Summer Party on Tuesday, July 11. While supplies last!

Raffle Prizes for participants in our All Ages Reading Challenge. From July 10 to August 19, every day that you read is a chance to win a prize! Pick up a reading log at the library’s main desk, circle each day that you read, and collect raffle tickets for your chance to win one of our phenomenal prize baskets! Newborns through seniors are eligible to win, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 22.

Free Programs for All Ages
Click the links below for full program descriptions

• Ready for Summer Party: Tuesday, July 11, 5 – 7pm
• Exhibition: Black and Brown Families of Hudson: On view July 6 – August 28
• Cooking Up Community: Thursdays, July 13 and August 10, 6pm
• Ailey Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Friday, July 28, 5:30pm
• Ailey II Dance Performance: Saturday, July 29, 2pm
• Youth DJ Performance: Tuesday, August 15, 5 – 7pm

Free Programs for Kids and Families
Click the links below for full program descriptions

• Movement & Music: Thursdays, July 6 – August 24, 4 – 5pm
• Crafting Kindness: Wednesdays, July 12 – August 16, 11am – 12pm
• Water Explorers at Frog Pond: Monday, July 17, 3 – 4pm or 4 – 5pm (two sessions available)
• Bilingual Storytime: Tuesdays, July 18 – August 8, 1 – 2pm
• Infant Toddler Playgroup and Parent Support: Mondays, July 24 and August 28, 2 – 4pm
• Youth Masterclass Dance Workshops with Ailey II: Saturday, July 29, 11am (Beginner, ages 7 – 12) and 12:30pm (Advanced/Intermediate, ages 10 – 18)

Free Programs for Tweens and Teens
Click the links below for full program descriptions

• Bound by Books, Youth Radio Show: Records Tuesdays 4 – 5pm on Zoom, Broadcasts Fridays at 7pm on WGXC
• Hey DJ! Keep playing that song!: Tuesdays, July 11 – August 15, 3 – 5pm
• Crafting for Money: Wednesdays, July 12 – August 9, 3 – 5pm
• Plant Defenders: Thursday, July 20, 9:30 – 11:30am
• Youth Masterclass Dance Workshops with Ailey II: Saturday, July 29, 11am (Beginner, ages 7 – 12) and 12:30pm (Advanced/Intermediate, ages 10 – 18)
• HACK the Library: 3D Mapping: Thursday and Friday, July 27 and 28, 10am – 3pm

Free Programs for Adults
Click the links below for full program descriptions

• Qigong~TaiChi: Tuesdays, July 11 – August 29, 10 – 11am
• Capoeira Workshop: Saturday, July 22, 3pm
• Non-Fiction Book Group: Monday, July 24, 6 – 7pm
• Community Care Clinic: Saturdays, July 8, August 19, and September 16, 11am – 2pm
• Free One-on-One Job Search Help and Career Development: Contact us to set up an appointment.
• Adult Literacy Classes: Contact Literacy Connections at 518-828-1792 x104 for information about joining a class.
• HSE, General Education Development Preparation Program: To register, call 518-479-6838 or email ronald.valentine@questar.org

For more information about the Summer Reading Program, and/or to register for any of the special events, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101

This summer, Ailey II (the younger version of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) will visit Hudson for an exciting weekend of free community programming for all ages. To start the celebration, former Ailey Associate Artistic Director, Masazumi Chaya will participate in a panel discussion and film screening of the 2021 Ailey documentary, a beautiful portrait of legendary choreographer, Alvin Ailey. Then, professional dancers from Ailey II will lead two masterclass dance workshops for local Columbia County youth of various ages and skill levels. Finally, the Ailey II dancers will share a gorgeous public dance performance for all members of the community – a rare and wonderful opportunity to see some of the most talented dancers in the world, right here in Hudson.

Date/Time:

• Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Friday, July 28, 5:30pm
• Youth Masterclass Dance Workshops: Saturday, July 29, 11am (beginner level, ages 7 – 12) and 12:30pm (advanced/intermediate level, ages 10 – 18)
• Ailey II Public Dance Performance: Saturday, July 29, 2pm

Location: In person, Hudson Area Library Community Room

Registration: Registration is required for all of these events, and space is limited! To register, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101

Photo credit:

This program is presented in partnership with JCINTIME, LLC and Operation Unite NY and it is supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Fund for Columbia County.

More about Ailey II’s Youth Masterclass Dance Workshops: Ailey II’s masterclass will focus on sharing the strength, beauty and essence of Alvin Ailey’s vision of bringing dance back to the people. Using the foundations of the Lester Horton technique and including contemporary methodologies, the class will begin with a warm-up, followed by center sequences, and culminating in a combination featuring the company’s current repertory. The participants will experience the creative and technical dynamisms of Alvin Ailey’s work taught by the Ailey II artists. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the history and legacy of Alvin Ailey and the Lester Horton technique.

More about the Ailey II Public Dance Performance coming soon.

Celebrate the start of summer with dance music, free books and activities for kids, a backpack giveaway, free pizza tickets for Summer Reading registrants, and more! Sarah Van Buren (SVB) and Matthew Cullen will share special DJ performances to kick-off our Hey DJ! Keep playing that song! program for tweens and teens this summer. Then, stay tuned for another all ages dance party in August, which will feature our local youth DJs!

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 11, 5 – 7pm

Location: Half Moon (48 S. Front St. Hudson, NY) – outside, weather permitting

Registration: No registration required. All are welcome!

Photo credit: Joann Arruda

This event is made possible by the Alexander & Marjorie Hover Foundation.