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In Memory of Peg Lotvin
November 17, 1942 - August 29, 2025 The Gardiner Library began in 1975 as the Book Exchange Club, housed in the Gardiner Reformed Church. Within just a few months, the small “Reading Center” had grown to 86 members and was run by three dedicated volunteers--one of whom was a young mother, Peg Lotvin. By the end of 1979, the Reading Center had moved into the old firehouse, operating five days a week with limited hours (and no heat!). By that time, Peg had become the Library Director, still serving entirely as a volunteer. Over the years, Peg oversaw the library’s steady growth, expanding its programs, services, and membership, and played a key role in its official designation as a public library serving the town of Gardiner. She retired in 2008 but remained a vital part of the library community, leading Peg’s Reading Circle, which began over 20 years ago as The Teeny Tiny Book Club. Peg was an avid gardener, a keeper of chickens, an egg-seller, a voracious reader, a lifelong learner, and so much more. Her warmth, dedication, and love of learning touched countless lives in Gardiner and beyond. As the current director of the Gardiner Library, I always admired Peg’s deep love for the library, her commitment to the community and her determination to ensure the library would continue to grow and serve future generations. That spirit continues to guide me in the work I do each day. A memory book is available at the library for those who wish to share their stories, thoughts, and photos of Peg. This book will be gifted to her husband and son. |
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New Generator @ the Library
The Gardiner Library now has a generator thanks to a grant from former Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, in recognition of Mike Kruglinski's contributions to the Gardiner community and Ulster County. Mike was also a devoted patron of the Gardiner Library. The library is now an official Cooling Center and a space to come to in the event of a power outage in your area. Pictured are Mike's wife and brother, Diane and Tom. |
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Library Board Member Wanted!To learn more, contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. ✦The Library Board assists the director with reviewing policies, budgeting, advocacy, fundraising, facilities & more
✦Finance/accounting background a plus ✦Your interests can dictate how you get involved ✦The Board meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5 PM ✦This is a great way to get involved with your community & meet new people
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Ulster County Food Fight - Let's Win!
September 2 - October 18
Drop-off at library during normal hours. As part of New York State's 2025 Great Give Back the Gardiner Library is participating in the 6th annual Ulster County Food Fight. Which Ulster County library can collect the most non-perishable (and unexpired) food items for their local food pantry? Let the games begin!! All donations will be given to Helping Hands Food Pantry. |
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NEW: Adult Yoga with Laura WallsWednesdays
10 - 11 AM
Cost: $60 for 8 classes (classes do not need to be taken consecutively)
Register on the online calendar here. The tradition of Hatha Yoga – creating balance and uniting opposites – informs Laura's teaching. A series of movements follows with cues for transitioning from one posture to the next. Postures may be seated, standing, or lying on the floor. Breath work is cued for the movements. There is flexibility in each posture and the expression of the posture is customized by the needs and comfort of each individual. Postures are explained, modeled and tailored to needs/desires of each person. There are many “correct” ways to tailor movement and posture for the individual. Laura has lived most of her life in Gardiner, and with her husband, raised her children here. Now retired, she loves sharing yoga. Laura received her Kripalu Yoga Teacher Certificate in 2013.
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Estate and Financial Planning: A Structured Approach to Achieve Your Goals with Patrick Fillette, CFP, ChFC and Dana WareTuesday, September 30
6:30 - 7:30 PM Join us for this lively discussion on estate and financial planning with two local experts. Learn about important tools for planning your estate, including: - Essential documents for wealth transfer (wills and trusts)
- Planning for incapacity and medical decision-making
- Strategies to avoid probate
- The role and importance of beneficiary designations
- Building financial literacy and family transparency
- Approaches to retirement income planning
Discover how combining smart financial strategies with critical estate planning tools can help create peace of mind for you and your family.
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NEW: New Paltz Quilters Club
Meets 2nd and 4th Fridays
1 - 4 PM The New Paltz Quilters is a group, open to all, to meet and share with other sewists/quilters and work on projects, have presentations, share knowledge, show and tell, and most of all to enjoy the hobby. |
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Treat yourself to a whole day of quilting and socializing with like-minded folks. Bring projects that you're working on or something new you have always wanted to do. We welcome beginners to experts. You do not need to participate the entire day - come and go as you please. Please bring your own sewing machine and know it well and lunch. We will supply:
Extension cords, iron, cutting board stations, and a bag pattern if interested (if interested, please email Nicole at nlane@rcls.org). |
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NEW: Art Club for Adults with Heather Kort
Fridays
11 - 1 PM
Coffee and tea will be served. All materials will be supplied. Join Heather in exploring a variety of art mediums, including pen and ink, pencil, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, and mixed media. Each class will include a simple, structured lesson, but you are also free to drop in with your own ideas, sketchbooks, art supplies and materials to work on alongside us. Topics explored may include still life, landscape, zendoodling, surface creation, perspectives and more. We may even sneak in stitching/embellishing on paper and canvas. This is a zero-pressure environment- no experience with art is necessary. Heather will be there making her own artwork, and will be ready to help those who want it. Sometimes all you need is an open table and a scheduled place to meet to get creating. Heather Kort has a Master's in Art Education from SUNY Oswego and an AAS in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She enjoys teaching art to students of all ages! |
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every week.
This weekly class is designed for people who have some knowledge of the Italian language and would like to improve their conversational skills.
Dr. Ornella Lepri Mazzuca is a native speaker of Italian and has been facilitating the conversational class at the Gardiner Library since 2016. She graduated from the University of Urbino, Italy, with a Doctorate in English, French and Italian. She later earned an MA in Spanish and Linguistics and a PhD in Spanish Literature from the University at Albany. |
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NEW: Employment & Digital Literacy Workshops: Ulster County Career Center @ the Library
Third Tuesdays
2 - 4 PM
Register here.
Hablamos español. Attend hands-on, instructor-led employment and digital literacy sessions. Job search skills include resume preparation, interview readiness, support for job seekers with disabilities and more. Digital literacy skills include basic computer and internet skills, email communication, microsoft office and online job search techniques. |
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Decorate a Styrofoam Book Character Pumpkin!
Now through October 24
Fun for all ages!
Pick up a pumpkin at the Gardiner Library to decorate (carve, paint, draw, glue!) as a favorite character from a children's, teen or adult book. Return your masterpiece by October 24 to display at the library. Get creative! |
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NEW: Drum and Song with Miss ElizabethSaturdays, 9/20, 10/18 and 11/22
11 - 11:45 AM
Ages 4+
No registration required. Elizabeth will share a variety of small percussion instruments as she leads call and response rhythms, encourages improvisation in a drum circle setting, and will teach an array of songs that everyone can play along to. Some songs learned will be simple African folk songs, others Brazilian and some that everyone will know from the United States. Elizabeth's style of facilitation is light, fun and festive. Her joy of sharing music with families is vital to her sense of community. Elizabeth Pupo-Walker has performed and/or recorded with numerous musicians including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Femi Kuti, and many others. She has performed in Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. Elizabeth has held many residencies as a teaching artist in NYC with the American Composers Orchestra, and JazzHouse Kids.
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Story Times with Miss AmyNo registration required.
Toddler/Preschool: Ages 2-5 Tuesdays 10:00 - 10:30 AM Enjoy picture books and songs. Take a craft to make at home. Bouncing Babies: 0-24 months Thursdays 9:30 - 9:50 AM Board books, songs, bounces, rhymes and more!
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NEW: Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Thursdays
5 - 7:30 PM
No registration required.
Ages: 13 - 18 Dungeons & Dragons is a table top role playing game utilizing books, paper, and the imagination. In this group we will be playing the game and through it developing our skills in collaboration, improvisation, and critical thinking. Nicholas St.George is a 16 year old senior at New Paltz High School that has been playing Dungeons & Dragons nearly his whole life. Nicholas wishes to bring the joys he finds in this game to his community. |
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Transplant: Art Show by Doug and Susan Hansen
Through November 3
Reception: Saturday, September 13 I 2 - 4 PM Susan, working in oils, finds inspiration in the landscape. She sees many colors in the shadows and uses the effects of sunlight in her impressionistic paintings. Susan is showing her landscapes of both valleys. As an illustrator Doug challenges himself to find beauty in everyday scenes. Doug enjoys drawing and his watercolors rely on careful delineation more than impressionistic applications of color. Susan and Doug each pursued careers in the arts before their move to the Hudson Valley. The couple are both aware of the artistic history of the Hudson Valley and are pleased to join the community of creative individuals in the area. Susan and Doug work together in their shared studio space. |
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In Her Words Writer's Group
Meets second Wednesdays
6:30 - 8 PM
No registration required.
A creative writing group exclusively for women, In Her Words is a supportive space to explore the power of storytelling. Whether you’re crafting fiction, poetry, memoirs, or essays, this group encourages women to connect, inspire, and grow as writers. With regular prompts, workshops, and opportunities to share your work, we’ll celebrate the unique voices and perspectives of every member. Beginners and seasoned writers alike are welcome—come as you are, and let your words take flight!
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Genealogy Live Help with Alexis GrahamFree 1 hour sessions available (up to 2 sessions per person)
Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org to schedule a virtual (phone or Zoom) appointment.
Whether you’re a beginner just getting started, have hit a brick wall, or interested in exploring additional free resources; check out the new service for our library patrons provided by Alexis Graham. Alexis has over twenty-five years of genealogy and family history experience and excels in the English language field, archival, and internet research. She is a Boston University Genealogy certificate recipient and has served on the board of the Capital District Genealogy Society.
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Meditation Circle with Anne Rogers
Mondays
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Email Anne Rogers at dancingmeadow@gmail.com with any questions.
Join in a circle of stillness and centering each Monday morning. This opportunity will allow for silence, breath work, guided meditation, moving meditation and more. The direction will come from all who participate.
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Classes do not need to be taken consecutively.
All ages and abilities welcome. For anyone looking to strengthen, relax, improve joint mobility, posture and balance. Whether you are interested in maintaining healthy movement without needing to get on the floor, or rehabbing an injury, chair work can help give you life long tools you can use for any anytime in your life. Anne Rogers has shared the beauty and benefits of yoga and movement for forty years. |
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Mah Jongg, Mexican Train and Scrabble Meet-Ups Wednesdays 1 - 3 PM Whether you are an experienced player or newbie, now is your chance to play Mah Jongg, Scrabble and Mexican Train at the library, meet new people and have fun! |
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Cookbook Book Club with Carolyn and Nicole
Meets second Wednesdays
3:30 - 4:30 PM
No registration required.
Bring a cooked dish and serving utensil. Everything else will be provided.
October theme: Any recipe from a Milk Street Cookbook
Themes are determined by the group for the following month. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org if you have questions. |
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Slow Stitch Club
Thursdays
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Any portable project qualifies: quilt, knit, crochet, felt, sew, embroider and more. Enjoy some "me time", a bit of socializing, and show and share while artfully stitching a favorite project. |
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Autumn Walks with Nick Martin
Fridays 8:30 - 10 AM Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Educator, for an approximately one mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park. We look at whatever natural curiosities intrigue the group, from birds to trees. |
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Peg's Reading Circle First Wednesdays
3 - 4 PMIn memory of Peg Lotvin, Peg's Reading Circle will continue to meet. Join us as we discuss a new book on the first Wednesday of every month.
| | October's book pick: The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn
November's book pick: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood |
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Community ReikiFirst Sundays
noon - 2 PM
First come, first served.
Free 20 minute reiki sessions.
Recipients sit in a chair or lie on a comfortable table, clothed, while the practitioner lightly places hands on or above the recipient. The effect is of peace and deep rest for the recipient. HV Community Reiki has been providing Reiki sessions at the Gardiner Library since 2017.
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Writing Workshop with Laurence Carr - Writing the Short Form: Flash Fiction, Micro-Essays, Prose Poems and Memoirs
First Saturdays
12 - 1:15 PM Writers will gather ideas and subject matter to create pieces of less than 600 words in length. Free-writes from prompts will be given in each session. Pieces will be drafted into finished works over the course of the workshops. Part of each class will also be devoted to specific elements of creative writing: structure, character, world of story, exposition, and other components. Discussions will continue about publishing possibilities.
Award winning author, Laurence Carr, is an editor and publisher of Lightwood Magazine, an online journal of arts and culture at Lightwoodpress.com |
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Live Virtual Author Talks with Bestselling and Award Winning Authors An ongoing series of virtual author talks, from New York Times bestselling authors and thought leaders representing a wide variety of genres and topics. Made possible by a generous donation from Stephanie and Greg Boyd. |
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Bluegrass Jam with Deb Murphy and Mark Carabetta
Meets second Thursdays
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Interested in playing bluegrass with other local musicians? All are welcome to share songs, learn new tunes and make new friends in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. |
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The Silver Strings Ukulele Group
Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
2 - 4 PM
The Silver Strings Ukulele Group will be having fun strum-a-longs. Bring your ukulele and come strum along with us. All music will be provided. All skill levels welcome from beginners to skilled players. The goal is to have fun, to learn, and to make music together. Limited ukuleles will be available for you to try. |
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Exploring Intuition: Facilitated by Susan Reeves
First Tuesdays
10:30 AM - 12 PM Everyone has intuition. This inner knowing is present when we have met the right partner, found the perfect home or have landed that dream job. Come share your intuitive experiences. Let's explore intuition together. As a RN for almost 40 years, Susan most recently has been working as a Nursing instructor at BOCES. For 22 years she has been a student of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and led NVC practice groups and workshops for 8 years. |
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Al-Anon Meetings
Sundays
6:30 - 7:30 PM Anyone who has been affected by someone else’s alcoholism is welcome to attend. Additional Al-Anon meetings are listed here. |
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Chess Club
First and third Wednesdays
6:30 - 8 PM Come one, come all! Open to all ages and all levels. This group meets without an instructor but everyone is welcome to come to learn from others or to find someone to play with. |
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Used Book Donations Books accepted on Saturdays only from 10 - 3:30 PM
The library does not accept: textbooks, reference books, magazines, moldy and dirty books, and VHS. We accept 2 boxes or bags at a time. Did you know that volunteers manage all of the library's book donations? Our volunteers are a dedicated group of community members who sort, display and manage all donations. Please respect their time by following our rules. |
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Recycling StationRecycling shed behind library. Open during normal library hours. Items accepted include:
Oral care products (empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes,
floss containers), eyeglasses, empty ink cartridges, empty pens/highlighters/markers, clean socks (singles or pairs), caps and pencils (mechanical and wooden), razors and outer packaging and crayons.
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Project Linus Initiative
Project Linus distributes handmade sewn, knitted or crocheted blankets to children in need. All blankets made for the Gardiner Library initiative will be donated within Ulster County. Go to the library to learn more or or contact Denise (deniseaumick@gmail.com) or Jackie (byjam@ix.netcom.com). |
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Museum & Attraction Passes "Pick up" passes and "print at home" passes are available.
Passes can be reserved in advance.
Learn more here. Passes are checked out for three days and provide free access to numerous museums and attractions in our area and NYC including Storm King Art Center, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, Mohonk Preserve and many more. |
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Library Board Meetings
Meets third Thursdays 5 PM
Open to the public.
Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org for more information. |
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The Friends of the Gardiner Library raise funds for the library, advocate for the library, and invite persons to join as Friends of the Gardiner Library. |
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Need More Information? Click here to visit us on Facebook. Click here for contact information. |
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