The library will be updating our staff-oriented library systems on Thursday, August 1 through Tuesday, August 6. We're excited for the change, because it'll help us serve our community better, but we ask for your patience during the transition as we navigate any challenges, expected and unexpected, during this change.

Here are some dates to remember for these transitions: 

On Thursday, August 1 (4 PM on) through August 3, the library will be doing manual, offline checkouts during these days. You will need your card during this time since we will not be able to look up your account while we are in transition.

You will be able to:

• Check out items at the library and pick up items from the hold shelf.
• Use online services such as Libby and Kanopy, and databases such as Consumer Reports, Mango Language Learning, Niche Academy, etc...
• Use our public access computers, use our WiFi, print and copy documents, and send faxes.

The following services will not be available:

• Placing new holds on items
• Renewing items
• Accessing our catalog on our website and through the app, RCLS Go
• Updating patron account information, including paying fines or lost book fees
• Processing new library cards

The library will be closed to patrons on August 5 and August 6 to stress test the new system, resolve any initial growing pains, and conduct further staff training with our new system.

Please read this letter from our director, Dan Perkins, to learn more about the change, and how it will affect you.

Storm King Art Center

1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553

(845) 534-3115

Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in New York’s Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions under open sky. Since 1960, Storm King has been dedicated to stewarding the hills, meadows, and forests of its site and surrounding landscape. Building on the visionary thinking of its founders, Storm King supports artists and some of their most ambitious works. Changing exhibitions, programming, and seasons offer discoveries with every visit.

Storm King Art Center is open Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesdays), 10 AM–5:30 PM. Final entry for all visitors is 4 PM. On Saturdays through August 31, Storm King is open until 7:30 PM (final entry 6 PM). 

Our Storm King Art Center Pass admits 2 adults and all children living in the same household. For more information, please visit stormking.org or call (845) 534-3115.

The Wallkill Public Library will be offering two College Prep programs in August. These programs are intended for students of all ages on their way to college for the first time or going back to college after a long break. 

We look forward to seeing you, and helping you get on the right track before heading off to school!

College Research 101: Research Basics

Thursday, August 8 at 12:30 PM in the Reading Room

We'll be going over how to conduct smarter research, how to tell the differences between scholarly and popular materials, and how to best use Google Scholar in your research (as well as when not to).

College Research 102: Citations & Avoiding Plagiarism

Friday, August 9 at 12:30 PM in the Reading Room

We'll be going over best practices for citing sources to avoid plagiarism, learning about some free tools to help making citing sources a breeze, and uncovering some pitfalls to watch out for to ensure you're getting the most out of your efforts.

Food & Wine joins WPL's magazine offerings

Food & Wine toasts the global epicurean experience. Every issue brings you mouthwatering recipes packed with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Discover the latest must visit foodie destinations and chef-tested tips and techniques for faster and more flavorful meals. Plus, get food & wine pairings from the pros and cocktail recipes that will add spirit to any gathering.

Wallkill Public Library subscribes to 30 different magazines, including Food & Wine. Magazines are available for 7-day loans with your library card.

Come on in, our air conditioners are on!

If you're looking for a place to cool down, swing by the library to relax in our AC. Read a book, magazine or the local newspapers. Use our public access computers. Or participate in one of our many great summer programs.

Summer reading for adults continues through the end of August!

Just read a book, ebook, magazine, listen to an audiobook, or participate in one of our great programs this summer. Each time you do, ask for a chance to win one of our amazing adult summer reading prizes. Prizes are on display (and there are some new ones!). Entering is fast and easy -- fill out your ticket with your name, phone number, and what you finished! The more books you read or programs you attend, the higher your chances are to win.

Adult summer reading is for readers ages 18+. Our program runs through August 31. Winners will be announced Tuesday, September 3rd. Good luck and keep on reading!

The Saturday Morning Book Club will have their next meeting on Saturday, August 24 at 10:30 a.m. They'll be discussing Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson.

Duty. Honor. Country. That’s West Point’s motto, and every cadet who passes through its stone gates vows to live it. But on the eve of 9/11, as Dani, Hannah and Avery face four grueling years ahead, they realize they’ll only survive if they do it together.

Everyone knows Dani is going places. With athletic talent and a brilliant mind, she navigates West Point’s predominantly male environment with wit and confidence, breaking stereotypes and embracing new friends.

Hannah’s grandfather, a legendary Army general, offers a stark warning about the dangers that lie ahead, but she moves forward anyway, letting faith guide her path. When she meets her soul mate at West Point, the future looks perfect, just as planned.

Wild child Avery moves fast and doesn’t mind breaking a few rules (and hearts) along the way. But she can’t outpace her self-doubt, and the harder she tries, the further it leads her down a treacherous path.

The world—of business, of love, and of war—awaits Dani, Hannah, and Avery beyond the gates of West Point. These three women know that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But soon, that adage no longer rings true—for their future, or their friendship. As they’re pulled in different directions, will their hard-forged bond prevail or shatter?

Beyond the Point is a heartfelt look at how our closest friends can become our fiercest battle buddies. After all, the greatest battles we fight rarely require a uniform.

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 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

Mahjong meet-ups

Every Wednesday at 1 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. 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!

Adult crafting

Grab a project and come enjoy the craft of your choice, whether it's knitting, crocheting, diamond painting, coloring, embroidery, or cross stitch!

Adult Crafting meets on Thursday afternoons between 2:00-5:00 PM in our Reading Room. No registration is required.

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!

Family Crafty Yarn Club

Mondays at 11 a.m.

Join us for our Family Crafty Yarn Club on Mondays at 11 a.m.! Bring your own project or learn the basics of crochet or knit. All levels of experience are welcome! This is a drop in style club - registration not required or needed. Great for homeschoolers! Age 8+. Contact Kim O'Sullivan with questions.

Start your summer reading adventure!

It's not too late to join the 2024 Tween/Teen Summer Reading program! Swing by the library to pick up a Summer Reading Program adventure log sheet. (You have two choices: one focused on time spent reading, and the other has reading and activity challenges). Those who participate will be in the running for swag and raffle prizes. The more you participate, the more chances you get to win. Stop by the library to learn more!

Join us at the library for a fun-filled pizza party on August 7 at 12:30 PM! Tweens and teens ages 11 and up are invited to come and socialize, enjoy delicious pizza, and share their progress with the summer reading program. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, discuss your favorite books, and celebrate your summer adventures. We can't wait to see you there! *Registration is required. Click on the button below to register on our online calendar. 

Paper Makers

Kids learned the paper making process on a small scale. They worked hard to mold lots of pulp into various shaped ornaments.

Friday Fun

It was fun in the sun for Adventure Afternoon's this summer! Lots of wet, wild fun with water on the library lawn!

Ribbit!

Workshop Wednesday's Frog & Toad Felting was a hopping success!

Back for an encore, Frog & Toad Felting will be offered again on Wednesday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m. Click on the button below to register on our online calendar.

Flutter by, butterfly!

Ephemera butterflies made into magnets or plant stakes with decorative paper, maps, book pages, and sheet music.

This Wednesday, July 31 at 4:00 PM, we will celebrate our Summer Reading Program Finale with the Traveling Lantern Theatre Company...with an Ice Cream Social to follow! This event is currently almost at capacity, but please feel free to join our waitlist by clicking on the button to link to our online calendar.

We hope that everyone enjoyed our summer programming season - our reading challenge will continue throughout August. Children ages 12 and under can hand in their reading challenge sheets on or after August 27 for a small prize... and chances to win our adventurous grand prizes! Prize winners will be announced around the first week of September.

Please note that Miss Michelle’s programming will be on vacation on 8/1 and during the week of 8/5. Regular programming will return the week of 8/12. Storytime will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 AM, Crafting Caboodles will be on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM, and STEM will be on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. We will also have take-and-make sign-ups again! Please click the button below to link to our online calendar to register for these programs.

A Basket of Stories with Karen Pillsworth

Karen shared classic tales and lore with us in her unique vision and tone. Our young audience members were thrilled to help bring these stories to life!

MogaWorks with Susan Clark

Susan's program, which blends music and yoga, is a fan-favorite at our library! The kids stretched, shimmied, and practiced mindfulness out in the fresh air on the library lawn.

Butterflies & Pollinators with Jerry Schneider

Jerry shared some stunning visuals of butterflies and other pollinators. We learned that we can help support their populations by doing things like planting local and pollinator-friendly flowers. Jerry capped off his visit by making really cool nature-inspired shirts with the kids.

Zoe the Therapy Dog

Zoe enjoyed summer storytime with us out in the shade... and even had a special story read to her by one of our young friends. Zoe will visit with us again in September (date TBD).

Bees & Beekeeping with Miss Jillian!

Join Miss Jillian from the Wallkill Public Library on August 31 at 11:00 AM as she discusses the importance of these amazing pollinators in nature and the art of beekeeping at this kid-friendly program (ages 12 and under).

Please click on the button to link to our online calendar to register.

Planning a long car trip this summer?

Audiobooks are available for all ages! We just added all five audiobooks for the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan:

• The Lightning Thief
• The Sea of Monsters
• The Titan’s Curse
• The Battle of Labyrinth
• The Last Olympian

• 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.
• Curbside delivery of pre-ordered items is available by request. Call the circulation desk at 845-895-3707 to make a pick-up appointment.
• Fine-free returns on everything, except museum/park passes.
• Inter-library loans are available between all RCLS libraries.
• Grab & GO projects with materials necessary for crafts available for pickup at the library.
• In-person programming for all ages!
• Museum passes are available to Wallkill Public Library patrons for Empire Pass, Mohonk Preserve, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, 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.