Region’s libraries offer summer reading regimens

Region’s libraries offer summer reading regimens

Last year’s summer reading program visit by the Two-by-Two Animal Haven shown here proved to be so popular it was repeated on Tuesday, July 2 at 10 a.m. at the Millbrook Library at 3 Friendy Lane in Millbrook.

Submitted

As students through North East leave school behind for the summer, their teachers are hoping they will return in the fall with all their hard earned reading skills in tact.

But like most, NorthEast —Millerton Library Youth Services Director and retired Webutuck elementary school teacher Lynn Buckley knows that without some sort of intervention, the dreaded “Summer Slip” could take away some of that progress for too many students — particularly for those whose gains were hardest fought.

One solution? Enter the summer reading “Adventure Begins in Your Library,” a statewide effort, The Collaborative Summer Library Program, which provides suggestions and encouragement for local libraries. Although working around the central theme, local libraries put their own spins on the topic as they hope to lure both enthusiastic and reluctant readers into their stacks and through their pages.

Library events are free and open to all with no card required although one is needed in order to check out books, DVD’s and other material. Cards are free to residents of the areas served.

Details of all libraries including addresses, schedules and programs are available on their websites. Highlights of the summer are as follows.

Amenia

Amenia children will be keeping their reading accomplishments close to their hearts as they wear a lanyard with a punch card record of their summer reading attached. Saying they want the children to have flexibility in their choices of books, Library Director Victoria Herow says “ We’re not prioritizing numbers” but are suggesting various categories such as adventure, animals, and more with prizes given for books read. The high points of the summer will be several visits by “The Nutty Scientist” who will “teach science in a fun way.” In order to encourage more children to signup for the library, the staff will be visiting camps in the area. Go to amenialibrary.org or call 845-373-8273 for more information.

Millbrook

Summer reading at the Millbrook Library officially kicked off with a party on Friday, June 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. with an ice cream truck, live music, lawn games, face painting, and food. Patrons may register for the program and pick up season schedules at the library.

Children Literacy Coordinator Kate Anderson says that with special programs for every age group from babies on up, the library will keep its online calendar full as readers will win prizes their reading. For each book completed, they will also earn a token which will be added to a bucket at the main desk. At the end of the program, for each token counted, the library will donate a book to the United Way for distribution to families. Anderson says this is a way of “getting books into the hands of kids who don’t have books at home ... to encourage kids who normally do not read.” Go to Millbrooklibrary.org or call 845-677-3611 for more information.

Millerton

Buckley says shouts of BINGO will cap accomplishments of young readers at the NorthEast-Millerton Library as they complete their cards with boxes representing an accomplishment such as “reading a graphic novel or reading under your bed.” Bi-Lingual cards are available and readers may complete as many as they like, earning a prize for each one. As a bonus, Buckley has added a special “word games” section to the June children’s news letter which will keep participants of all ages occupied on even the rainiest day while building language skills. Throughout the six week session, there will be regular story times for a variety of ages mixed with music, backyard adventures, and outer space puppeteers. Kickoff for a pirate themed Adventures of the Sea will be on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a..m. to 12:30 p.m. with craft construction of a pirate hat or treasure map. Go to nemillertonlibrary.org or call 518-789-3340 for more information.

Pine Plains

With the goal of introducing more children to the Pine Plains Free Library, Assistant Director Amy Mallozzi said the library is partnering with the town summer camp, booking performers for the camp with the event open to the public. Campers will also visit the library on a weekly basis, both of which she says will “increase traffic.’” Mallozzi hopes those visits will show that the library is “more than just sitting quietly and looking at a book.” Prizes will be given for the number of minutes read not just the number of books because as children read at different rates, they want to give them credit for the time they put in. Program registration is either in person or by phone. Mallozzi says no cards are needed as the program is “open to all. We don’t check. We don’t ask, we just hope people will come and participate.” Go to pineplainslibrary.org or call 518-398-1927 for more information.

Stanford

Stanford Free Library Director Christa Cerul says they will “have something for everybody,” with reading logs as incentives leading to prizes including a raffle for four tickets to a Harlem Valley Renegades game with readers earning a ticket for each book read. Current focus is on story times for separate age groups: babies, toddlers, pre-school and kindergarten, and grades 1-3 with times posted online and a baby sitting class July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. Thinking of new patrons, Cerul says, “We always hope the summer reading draws them in.” Go to stanfordlibrary.org or call 845-868-1341 for more information.

Latest News

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wassaic Project opens new gallery space in historic Gridley Chapel
Samuelle Green turned paper, wire, and glue into a honeycombed hive at Wassaic Project’s Maxon Mills in Wassaic.
Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project started its 2026 season in style on Saturday, May 16, with an exhibition that featured 39 artists whose work was showcased at its flagship Maxon Mills location and plans for its new space at Gridley Chapel.

The chapel, which was erected in 1873 and is located across the street from Maxon Mills, is a recent addition to the Wassaic Project.

Keep ReadingShow less

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Last Week’s Question

What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Millbrook approves Thorne Building renovations
The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.
Archive photo

MILLBROOK — A long-vacant landmark in the center of the village is one step closer to a major transformation after the Planning Board unanimously approved renovation plans for the historic Thorne Building on Monday, May 18.

The project, proposed by the Millbrook Community Foundation, would convert the former school building — vacant for roughly two decades — into the new Thorne Center, a multi-use arts and community hub designed to host performances, educational programming, music instruction and public events.

Keep ReadingShow less
Memorial Day paraders brave wet weather

A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.

Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia to split rail trail maintenance with county
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — The Town of Amenia has approved a shared maintenance agreement for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail with Dutchess County and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.

Town Board members accepted the agreement by unanimous vote at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, May 21.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.