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Jewelry Donations Wanted
Drop off during regular library hours. The Friends of the Gardiner Library are accepting gently used and new jewelry. Sale to be held: Saturday November 7. Thank you for your support. |
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Used Book (and more) Donations: Now CollectingSaturdays and Sundays 10 - 3:30 PMSave the date: Booksale June 13 and 14Read the guidelines here.Now accepting used books and DVDs for our ongoing and annual book sale. Also accepting board games and puzzles for our annual book sale June 13 and 14. Your donations make our book sales possible - and those sales help support the library. |
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Get the New York Times access (yes, including games!) as a Gardiner Library patron. News, recipes, podcasts, the Wordle archive - it's all yours.
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Ridgelines to River Banks: Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographer Show
On view through May 28
Art sales benefit the Gardiner Library and local artists.
Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographers are a group of skilled photographers who capture high-quality images of the Preserve's landscape, flora, and fauna to support conservation and educational efforts. These volunteers document events, seasons, and natural features for the Preserve's marketing, publications and visitor center displays. |
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Fig Cultivation with Evan Panagiotopoulos
Sunday, May 17
2 - 4 PM Cost: $15
Register here. n this engaging workshop, you’ll dive into the fascinating history of figs and uncover the secrets to successfully growing these incredible trees. We’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating figs in pots versus planting them in the ground, delve into essential techniques like branch and root pruning, and discuss best practices for watering and caring for both potted and in-ground fig trees. Evan Panagiotopoulos, affectionately known as The Fig Tree Guy, is a devoted fig aficionado with a deep love for cultivating a diverse array of fig trees in his garden. |
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Bokashi Composting 101 Workshop with Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency Saturday, May 30
10:30 - 12:30 PM
Register here.Bokashi is a fermentation method that uses beneficial microbes to break down all food scraps—including meat, dairy, and bones—in a sealed kitchen container. After a few weeks, the resulting pre-compost finishes quickly in a backyard pile, providing a more biologically diverse compost product. Learn the science behind this method of managing food scraps, the tools you need for this system, step by step instructions on the process and a recipe for making your own bokashi bran. This class will be lead by Eva Barnett, UCRRA Recycling Educator.
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My Years as an Alzheimer's Caregiver: Transcending Loss by Nurturing Spirit - Local Author Lyla Yastion in ConversationSaturday, May 30
3 - 4 PMHow does one summon the courage and patience to care for a loved one who is terminally ill with Alzheimer’s disease? Lyla will present the struggles but also the bright moments she and her husband shared during the six years in which she was his sole caregiver. In relating valuable lessons learned, Lyla will single out the most important task of the caregiver: nurturing the spirit of the person afflicted with this disease. My Years as an Alzheimer's Caregiver: Transcending Loss by Nurturing Spirit, received an American Legacy Book Award as sole finalist in the category of Health & Aging. Dr. Lyla Yastion is a retired adjunct professor of anthropology, having taught at the college level for 18 years. She is also a reiki master and is certified in mindfulness-based-stress-reduction. Lyla has written three books. Her most recent, entitled My Years as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver: Transcending Loss by Nurturing Spirit, was the sole finalist in the category of Health/Aging in the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards competition. Learn more about Lyla’s work at her website, www.lylayastion.com.
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Quilting Retreat with Pam DukeSunday, May 31
9 - 4 PM
Register here. Limited space available.Free. Bring projects that you're working on or something new you have always wanted to do. We welcome experienced beginners to experts. You do not need to participate the entire day - come and go as you please. Treat yourself to a day of quilting and socializing with like-minded folks. What to bring: Sewing machine (you must know it well), small table iron, your projects, lunch – we will have coffee and water We will supply: Extension cords and plugs, iron and cutting board stations
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NEW: Crochet Club with Hands CondonFirst Sundays
10 - 11:30 AM Crochet is a versatile fiber art used to create garments, fabrics, and even three-dimensional forms like dolls, baskets, and models of coral reefs. Compared to knitting, it’s often easier to fix mistakes, and projects are highly portable—making it a great craft to take anywhere. Hands Condon has been crocheting for over two decades and enjoys teaching people of all ages, from beginners just getting started to more experienced crocheters looking to expand their skills and techniques. Join us to learn basic or intermediate stitches, explore techniques like spirals, granny squares, and crocheting in the round, or get help with a pattern you’re currently working on. The first 30 minutes are geared toward ages 5–10, with the final hour aimed at adults. All ages and skill levels are welcome to attend the full session.
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Music and movement class for children up to four years old with caregiver. Class will include movement, beat keeping, song time, instruments, puppets, and lots of fun! Gardiner Library children’s librarian, Amy Laber (“Miss Amy”) has been teaching early childhood music classes throughout the Hudson Valley for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Music Therapy and has also received NYS Certification in Music K-12. With positive energy and a love for her craft, Amy brings a special sense of warmth and patience to all her classes. |
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Read & Win Program - Ulster County FairApril 6 - June 14
Pre-K through 8th grade
Get all the information here.
We are so excited to be part of this program! Designed to encourage children throughout our community to discover the joy of reading. Pick up your official passport at the Gardiner Library, get it stamped for every book you read (or are read to), fill out the online form once you have 8 stamps (8 books read), and then get the following prizes: Free admission if over 10, free admission for a parent/guardian, coupon for half off unlimited ride bracelet, a UC Fair drawstring bag filled with goodies and be entered into a grand prize drawing. And get your passport stamped at any New York State Fair this summer and receive a special pin from each fair.
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Stories, Songs and Art in Spanish with Mariel SolSunday, May 17
In "Stories, Songs and Art in Spanish", Mariel weaves together music, language, and art to create playful spaces where children explore Spanish through imagination and creativity.
Mariel Sol is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and musician born and raised in Buenos Aires, who found her home in the Hudson Valley. She has worked for many years as a director, teacher and songleader in bilingual educational programs for children, teens, and adults.
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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 Pass: Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum https://mhdm.org/
Poughkeepsie
Admits up to 5 people (must include at least 1 adult)
Pass can be reserved in advance by calling or stopping by the library. The pass is available, first come, first served, when not on hold for another patron.
The MHDM gets kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, and discovering. The Hudson Valley's place of imagination and discovery for children up to age 12.
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Spring 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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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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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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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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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. Postures are explained, modeled and tailored to needs/desires of each person. 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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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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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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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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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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Live Virtual Author Talks with Bestselling and Award Winning Authors Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and human potential. He previously taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the international bestsellers Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, which have sold over 1 million copies in more than 30 languages. 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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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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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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Art Club for Adults with Heather Kort
Meets first and third Fridays
11 - 1 PM
Coffee and tea will be served. All materials will be supplied. Each class will include a simple, structured lesson, or 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. 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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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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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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Peg's Reading Circle First Wednesdays
3 - 4 PM
All are welcome.In 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.
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June's book pick: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
July's book pick: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty |
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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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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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Bluegrass Jam with Deb Murphy and Mark Carabetta
Meets 2nd Thursdays
6:30 - 8:30 PM Interested in playing bluegrass with other local musicians? Join us on the second Thursday of each month for a Bluegrass Jam. All are welcome to share songs, learn new tunes and make new friends in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. |
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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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Beat the winter blues and visit a museum. Passes are available to the Hudson River Maritime Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the FDR Library and Museum, the Catskill's Borscht Belt Museum, the Motorcycle Museum and many more. Passes provide free access to numerous museums and attractions in our area and NYC. |
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Library of ThingsOur Library of Things is a collection of useful items you can check out with your Gardiner Library card. Items will be added regularly.
More information here. As we build our collection, we are concentrating on items people do not need often, and consequently, do not want to necessarily purchase. Suggestions are always welcome. |
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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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Digital Navigator Technology Assistance
Free one-on-one technology assistance
Contact Nicole at 845-255-1255 or at nlane@rcls.org to schedule an appointment.
Free one-on-one sessions to help you reach your technology goals; whether it’s learning how to use your device, access medical records, pay bills online, complete government forms, find affordable internet, build a resume, or use programs like Word and Excel. If it involves technology, we are here to help |
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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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