HARLEM VALLEY — With budgets squeezed, what could be better than a magical passport to all sorts of entertainment, all for the price of being absolutely free?
To take advantage of this great offer, just go to your local library — in person or online — fill out a simple form, provide a proof of residency and in the blink of an eye, you’ll have a free library card and all that goes along with it.
Each of the area libraries below have unique programs, but in general they also offer books, E-books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, computers, microfilm or microfiche, newsletters, curbside pickup, book clubs, interlibrary loans, movie streaming, online resources for everything from learning a foreign language to making auto repairs to preparing for job interviews, plus COVID tests. All for free.
Call or check your local library sites for listings of offerings, hours of operation, and mask requirements, but a sampling includes the following:
Amenia
Amenia Free Library, 3309 Route 343: LEGO Club, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays; Story Hour, 10:30 a.m., Monday and Thursday; Snack and Paint for kids on mini canvas and easels at 5 p.m. (after closing), Friday, Sept. 30; Book Club, 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Home Delivery is available. For coming attractions, go to www.amenialibrary.org or call 845-373-8273.
Millerton
NorthEast-Millerton Library, 75 Main St., Millerton: Rotating art exhibits monthly; Mahjong, 1 p.m., Tuesdays; Quilting, 10 a.m., third Thursdays; Book Group and Cookbook Group, rotating Saturdays and times; Sing, Play, Read, 11 a.m., Tuesday and Saturday; Teen Dungeon and Dragons, 4:30 p.m., Fridays; a newly-forming French speaking group TBA — reach out if interested; Little Free Walk in Grocery, 10 a.m., first Saturday of the month; Cookie Cook Off tasting, 2:30 to 3 p.m. (earlier drop off), Saturday, Oct. 1, at Eddie Collins Memorial Park; e-bikes 101, 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24; Annual Craft Fair, 10 a.m., to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8; Our Homes, Conversations about Housing Survey online; The senior Friendship Center, Monday thru Thursday, 10 a.m., to 2 p.m.; and computer and web hot spots for home use. Go to www.nemillertonlibrary.org or call 518-789-3340.
Pine Plains
Pine Plains Free Library, 7775 South Main St.: Maker Hour, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays; Toddler Story and Create Time, 10 a.m., Wednesdays; Play Hour, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Fridays; Gentle Yoga, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays; Tech Time, 2 to 6 p.m., Fridays.
Go to www.pineplainslibrary.org or call 518-398-1927.
Hillsdale
Roeliff Jansen Community Library, 9091 Route 22, Hillsdale: All skill levels are welcome to pick up a Mini Canvas and Easel to paint at home and return by Oct. 8 for Second Annual Mini Art Exhibit, through November; Homeschoolers are welcome to special stories and activities in the Children’s Room from 1 to 2 p.m., every Wednesday; Eribeth Chamber Players, 3 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25, Hilltop Barn at Roe Jan Park; Bird Form and Function, 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28; Full Circle: Washington Irving at Lindenwald Webinar, 6 to 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3; Hot Topics in Healthy Aging — Clearing up Common Questions: What’s Good For You? 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5 in person and online.
Go to www.roejanlibrary.org or call 518-325-4101.
Stanfordville
Stanford Free Library, 6035 Route 82, Stanfordville: Bridge, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Mondays; Scrabble, 6 to 8 p.m., fourth Mondays; Senior Brain Games, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursdays; Mahjong, 10 a.m. to noon, Fridays; Fiber Arts, 6 p.m., first and third Tuesdays; Knitting 7 to 8:30 p.m., first, third and fifth Thursdays; Watercolor Workshop, 1 to 4 p.m., first, third and fifth Tuesdays; and Preschool Storytime, Tuesdays, 10 to 10:45 a.m., for 3 to 4 year olds; 11 to 11:45 a.m., for 18 months to 2 years; New York State Park Passes and Pickleball equipment loans also are available at the library.
Go to www.stanfordlibrary.org or call 845-868-1341.
Millbrook
Finally, a special shout out to the Millbrook Library at 3 Friendly Lane, 845-677-3611, whose patrons and staff have managed to keep a positive attitude and robust program going throughout the summer’s record heat despite the loss of their air conditioning and heating system. Popular events include: the Monthly Library Jam, 6:30 p.m., first Wednesdays; Indoor Adult Movie Nights 6 p.m., second and fourth Thursdays; Family Movies on the lawn at various times; All Ages Game Night 6 p.m., the last Wednesdays; Open Mic Night for poets, writers and musicians, 6 p.m., third Wednesdays; Toddler Story Time, 11 a.m., Wednesdays; Older Children Story Time, 4 p.m., Wednesdays; Morning Qigong Classes, 10 a.m., the second and fourth Fridays; and a display of local artists that rotates every two months.
Look for coming events as the library works to raise the donations necessary to replace the entire HVAC System.
Go to www.millbrooklibrary.org or call 845-677-3611.
‘Square Quilting painting' by ransomeAlexander Wilburn
