Germantown Library

Special Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-06-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
The Germantown Library Board of Trustees will hold a meeting on June 24 at 7 pm.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a 414 petition to meet anticipated increases in our 2027 operating budget due to increased costs, determine next steps and any other business that may come before the board.

Quick Pet Portraits
2026-06-27 11:00 - 13:30 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Artist in Residence Cathleen Halloran will make a sketch of your pet.
She will be setting up outside in front of the library and will bring portable fencing to give your favorite creature room to move around.
Cost is $25 dollars, limit one pet per person.
Two Saturdays: June 27 and July 25, 2026
All proceeds go to the Columbia Greene Humane Society. Please RSVP

8th Annual Fiber Arts Display Kickoff
2026-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Do you enjoy seeing the annual fiber arts displays at the library and wonder who the artists are behind it? Stop in to see the 2026 Fine Art of Fiber Arts display, meet the creatives behind it, and learn more about the SEVEN upcoming fiber arts workshops!
Sunday, June 28, 10am-Noon in the main library
Our THANKS to the CREATE Council on the Arts team for their continued support of the Germantown Library Fiber Arts!

Proddy Confetti Rug Making
2026-06-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Proddy or prodded rugs are traditional floor coverings found in Northern Ireland and the north counties of England.
After hand woven clothing had no other use, it was cut into strips, usually by children in the evenings, and hand pulled
through rough hessian, or burlap for use through their cottages.
This class will cover the traditional technique and explore more modern approaches for students to explore.

All material will be provided as well as a handout of proddy maker websites and tools sources.
Recommended for teens and adults.
Space is limited, please RSVP.
If you find you cannot make it, please let us know so we can offer your space to someone else.

Quick Pet Portraits
2026-06-29 02:00 - 2026-07-25 08:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Artist in Residence Cathleen Halloran will make a sketch of your pet.
She will be setting up outside in front of the library and will bring portable fencing to give your favorite creature room to move around.
Cost is $25 dollars, limit one pet per person.
July 25, 2026
All proceeds go to the Columbia Greene Humane Society. Please RSVP as we only have three appointments available: 12:00, 12:20 and 12:40.

The Hudson River Schools of Art and Their Ice Age Origins
2026-06-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
The Hudson River Schools of Art and Their Ice Age Origins
Presented by Robert and Johanna Titus
During the 19th century there was something of a cultural Renaissance right here in the Hudson Valley region. America’s first worldclass literature appeared. We also saw the birth of American landscape architecture. Most importantly, led by Thomas Cole, we saw the appearance of the Hudson River School of Art. In short, our region became the center of a truly important cultural movement. None of this, we argue, would ever have happened if the Hudson Valley and Catskills had not been so heavily glaciated. We take our audience to see how the glaciers created the landscapes that so inspired the great artists of those times.
Recommended for general audiences
Space is limited, RSVP required

Town History Talk - German Camp: Revolution Along the Hudson
2026-07-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Germantown Library Hover Room, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Join us for another fascinating history talk with Germantown Town Historian, Tom Shannon!
German Camp: Revolution Along the Hudson will cover a multitude of story threads: the significance of the German Camp District created in 1775, clues about the political inclinations of various Palatine descendants, life in German Camp while Clermont burned next door, the perplexing presence of an Anglican Rector in German Camp during the war, a Loyalist raid, a public auction @hoverfarms that drew some famous names, and more!
Thursday, July 2, at 7 PM
Hybrid event: In-person or virtual via Zoom
Select RSVP to attend virtually (Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email) or select Ticket (free) to attend in-person

Library closed July 4th
2026-07-04 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
The library will be closed on Saturday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day. Happy 250th America!

Defensive Driving Point Reduction
2026-07-11 11:00 - 17:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Cancelled
This 6 hour class can save you 10% on your vehicle liability, collision and personal injury (PIP)
insurance premiums for THREE YEARS and may reduce up to FOUR POINTS on your driving record.
Only $40.00 Please RSVP and bring your checkbook to the class.

Summer Movie Night - National Treasure
2026-07-16 18:30 - 21:00 | Germantown Library Hover Room, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Movie Night at the Hover Room
Join the Adventure of hunting for a National Treasure
starring Nicholas Cage
July 16 6:30 PM
Movie is rated PG
Space is limited, RSVP required
Snacks will be available
Donations are welcome

Quick Pet Portraits
2026-07-25 11:00 - 13:30 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Artist in Residence Cathleen Halloran will make a sketch of your pet.
She will be setting up outside in front of the library and will bring portable fencing to give your favorite creature room to move around. Cost is $25 dollars, limit one pet per person.
Two Saturdays: June 27 and July 25, 2026
All proceeds go to the Columbia Greene Humane Society.
Please RSVP – only a few spaces between 12:00 and 1:00 are still available!
Stay after for the closing party for Cathleen’s art show in the library!

Sentient Closing Party
2026-07-25 13:30 - 15:30 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Please join us after the last “pet portrait session” to wrap up the SENTIENT SHOW!
There will be drinks and treats for humans and animals!
“Thank you Germantown for sharing your library with me and my art.” Cathleen Halloran

Cirkus Workshop with Bindlestiff Cirkus
2026-08-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Cirkus Workshop with Bindlestiff Cirkus

Participants will experience a hands-on introduction to circus props and skills, including juggling with balls, rings, and scarves, diabolo, flower sticks, wobble boards (balance skill, great for ages 4-6) hand-held stilts and bucket stilts, low tight-wire, rhythmic ribbons, lassos and more! The 1-hour session includes an ice-breaker, a gentle warm-up, and guided exploration of the equipment. Ages 4 -8 should have family member, 12 or older, to accompany them. Folks with mobility differences are welcome, as many of the skills can be adapted by the user. This workshop is provided courtesy of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors and the Columbia County Youth Bureau. For more information about Bindlestiff, please visit www.bindlestiff.org
In the Hover Room
Free – registration required – ages 4 and up

Branch Weaving
2026-08-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Learn to weave on nature’s loom, tree branches!
Led by Jocelyn Songco of Yarn Farm Kingston, all supplies will be provided for this beginner-friendly workshop but if you have a favorite (smaller) tree branch, bring it along.
Recommended for teens & adults
Space is limited, RSVP required
Our THANKS to the Walmart Spark Good grant team for funding this workshop!

Crochet Basket Workshop
2026-08-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Time for another popular basket-making workshop! Join us as we learn how to crochet a cotton cord basket from Jocelyn Songco of Yarn Farm Kingston! All supplies will be provided.
Basic crochet knowledge is required but beginners are welcome. Recommended for older teens and adults.
Sunday, August 30th, 10am-Noon in the Makerspace
Space is limited, RSVP required.

Escritura a partir de recuerdos/Writing From Memories online/en linea ZOOM
2026-09-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
WRITING FROM MEMORIES: A Bilingual Creative Writing Workshop (English/Spanish)
Free • Registration required
How do memories become stories? What can a photograph, a family object, a neighborhood, or a familiar smell reveal about who we are?
Join writer Mariana Graciano for a free bilingual creative writing workshop exploring personal and collective memory through storytelling, literature, and creative writing in English, Spanish, or both. Inspired by Latin American writers and artists, participants will write from photographs, personal objects, family stories, and sensory memories while experimenting with prose, poetry, and hybrid forms. Participants will also receive a bilingual anthology featuring excerpts by Latin American writers and artists in English and Spanish, created especially for the workshop as a source of inspiration and further reading.
Designed for writers of all levels, this workshop welcomes multilingual expression, code-switching, and writing across languages. Together we’ll explore themes such as migration, family history, childhood, place, and cultural identity in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Held during Hispanic Heritage Month, this workshop celebrates the richness of bilingual storytelling and invites participants to connect through memory, language, and community.
Schedule – choose Zoom or in person

Online (Zoom): Tuesdays, September 8 & 15, 5:00–6:30 PM

In person (Hover Room): Saturdays, September 12 & 19, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM

Free. Registration is required through the library website.

ESCRIBIR A PARTIR DE RECUERDOS: Taller bilingüe de escritura creativa (Español/Inglés)
Gratis • Inscripción requerida
¿Cómo se transforma un recuerdo en una historia? ¿Qué pueden contarnos una fotografía, un objeto familiar, un barrio o un aroma sobre quiénes somos?
Acompaña a la escritora Mariana Graciano en este taller gratuito de escritura creativa bilingüe para explorar la memoria personal y colectiva a través de la narración, la literatura y la escritura en español, inglés o ambos idiomas. Inspirado en escritoras y artistas latinoamericanas, el taller propone escribir a partir de fotografías, objetos personales, historias familiares y recuerdos sensoriales, experimentando con la prosa, la poesía y formas híbridas. Cada participante recibirá una antología bilingüe especialmente preparada para el taller, con una selección de textos de escritoras latinoamericanas en español e inglés.
Abierto a personas con o sin experiencia previa en escritura, el taller invita a escribir entre lenguas, explorar el bilingüismo como herramienta creativa y compartir historias en un espacio cálido e inclusivo. Trabajaremos temas como la migración, la infancia, la memoria familiar, el territorio y la identidad cultural.
Realizado durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, este taller celebra la riqueza de las historias bilingües y el poder de la memoria para conectar comunidades.
Fechas: Elige entre Zoom o presencial

En línea (Zoom): martes 8 y 15 de septiembre, de 5:00 a 6:30 PM

Presencial (Hover Room): sábados 12 y 19 de septiembre, de 10:30 a 12:00

Actividad gratuita. Es necesario inscribirse previamente a través del sitio web de la biblioteca.

WRITING FROM MEMORIES/ESCRIBIR A PARTIR DE RECUERDOS - ZOOM
2026-09-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States

WRITING FROM MEMORIES/ESCRIBIR A PARTIR DE RECUERDOS - in Hover Room
2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-09-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States

ESCRIBIR A PARTIR DE RECUERDOS/WRITING FROM MEMORIES - in the Hover Room
2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-09-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States

ESCRIBIR A PARTIR DE RECUERDOS/WRITING FROM MEMORIES - ZOOM
2026-09-15 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States

Visible Mending Workshop
2026-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Use sewing techniques to mend, beautify and sustain your garments and textile treasures!
This beginner-friendly class will step through these techniques: running stitch/darning patching (raw or with a neat edge), applique, and
embroidery. You’ll receive a materials kit with everything you need!
Bring some garments to mend and we’ll sew together!
Led by Jocelyn Songco of Yarn Farm Kingston
Recommended for teens & adults
Sunday, September 20th, 10am-Noon in the library Makerspace
Space is limited, RSVP required
Our THANKS to the CREATE Council on the Arts team for their continued support of the Germantown Library fiber arts!

Sashiko Stitching Workshop
2026-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library Makerspace, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Japanese sashiko embroidery is beautiful and fun! The foundation of sashiko is the rhythm of stitching, using a special plate thimble made of metal. In this class
Jocelyn Songco of Yarn Farm Kingston will share how to use this thimble and an overview of sashiko as taught by Atsushi Futatsuya, a third-generation master sashiko artist.
You will get a materials kit with everything you need including a sashiko thimble and needles.
Recommended for adults
Space is limited, RSVP required
Our THANKS to the CREATE Council on the Arts team for their continued support of the Germantown Library fiber arts!

8th Annual Germantown Library 5k
2026-10-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Germantown Library, 31 Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
8th Annual Germantown Library 5k
• Sunday, October 4 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Run, walk, skip and laugh with friends and neighbors as we celebrate our community! Your participation helps our library thrive!
Check in begins at 9 AM and the race begins at 10 AM.
Kids race
Be sure to arrive with plenty of time to check in and get ready to race!
Registration will open Spring 2026
