Adult Programs
On Display at the Library:
Paintings by Sue Arnholter
September 2nd through October 31st
Come check out the library’s newest exhibit featuring works by local artist Sue Arnholter. Sue’s paintings will be on exhibit at the library from September 2nd through the end of October.
“As a young teenager I dabbled a little with drawing and oil painting, not really knowing what I was doing. It wasn’t until I reached my 70’s that I picked up a paintbrush and a pan of watercolors in an attempt to improve my knowledge of color theory for making quilts. I still make quilts but most of my time is spent painting now because I enjoy it so much.”
On Display in ‘The Little Gallery’
Rail Trail: The Power of Place, Visual Meditations on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail by Peter N. Fritsch
October 1 through October 28
Repair Cafe
Saturday, October 3 | 11:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
Roe Jan Library invites you to bring clothing, bikes, knives that need sharpening, jewelry, lamps, furniture, and small appliances to be repaired by a team of local “fixers” at no cost.
What is a repair cafe? A repair cafe is a gathering of neighbors helping neighbors mend and repair household items in the spirit of sustainability and mutual aid.
Opening Reception
Rail Trail: The Power of Place, Visual Meditations on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail by Peter N. Fritsch
Saturday, October 3 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
October Film Series: The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Sunday, October 4 | 1:00 p.m – 2:30 p.m.
Join us on Sunday afternoons in October for three different takes on Frankenstein’s monster. Refreshments will be provided.
October 4th – The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
October 11th – Young Frankenstein (1974)
October 25th – Frankenweenie (2012)
Stronger Bones, Stronger You:
A Four-Week Yoga Therapy Workshop Series for Osteoporosis
Weekly on Thursdays | October 8 – October 29
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
This workshop series is for anyone living with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or those looking to protect their bone health.
Classes are beginner friendly and supportive for all levels. Led by Stephanie, of Roots Holistic Wellness.
You’ll learn:
- Bone strengthening yoga postures
- Breathing techniques to support energy & vitality
- Simple strategies for balance & fall prevention
- Mindful practices to carry into daily routines
Registration is required and is for all four sessions. Please call 518-325-4101 or email programs@roejanlibrary.org to register.
The Great Giveback presents…
Film Screening: Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat
Saturday, October 10 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
This year, the Roe Jan Library is participating in ‘The Great Giveback’ and supporting our local fire departments by screening a documentary film called Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat which highlights the heart of the volunteer fire service across the country.
Join us at the library on Saturday, October 10, at 1:00 p.m. for an hour-long look into the lives of the volunteer firefighters who serve our communities across the country. Heart-warming, humorous, and thrilling, this sweeping portrait of bravery will capture your heart and inspire.
The Great Give Back is a community service initiative adopted by many public libraries across the country, showing the power of public libraries to create resilient communities. The mission of The Great Give Back is to provide a day of opportunities for the patrons of the Public Libraries of New York State to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences.
October Film Series: Young Frankenstein (1974)
Sunday, October 11 | 1:00 p.m – 2:30 p.m.
Join us on Sunday afternoons in October for three different takes on Frankenstein’s monster. Refreshments will be provided.
October 4th – The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
October 11th – Young Frankenstein (1974)
October 25th – Frankenweenie (2012)
Healthcare Navigator Appointments
Tuesday, October 13 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL PROGRAM: History Webinar
Eleanor Roosevelt: Becoming Who She Was
Tuesday, October 13 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884, in New York City. Celebrate her birthday by joining us for the second in a series of history programs presented by Jeff Urbin, educator from the Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Library in Hyde Park, in which we will learn about this remarkable first lady.
This program is sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com to register.
Art Club
Wednesday, October 14 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
A monthly art club for all ages and all levels. Join us this month to make spooky cardboard tube lanterns. Materials will be provided.
*DATE CHANGE
‘Chapters & Chatter’ – Thriller Book Club
Thursday, October 14 | 6:00 p.m.
Join our thriller book club, Chapters & Chatter, led by Chelsea. This month, we’re reading Verity by Colleen Hoover. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby.
For more information email programs@roejanlibrary.org
‘Book Marks!’ – Nonfiction Book Club
Thursday, October 15 | 1:00 p.m.
Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month. This month, we’re reading Trash: A Garbageman’s Story by Simon Pare-Poupart. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby.
For more information email circulation@roejanlibrary.org
Columbia County Department of Health
Flu Shot Clinic
Friday, October 16 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The Great Giveback presents…
Roe Jan Library’s Pet Rescue Fair
Saturday, October 17 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
This year, the Roe Jan Library is participating in ‘The Great Giveback’ and advocating for our pet friends!
We will be welcoming several local rescue organizations who will be bringing along some adoptable animals, as well as the Columbia County Department of Health who will be administering free rabies shots to your furry friends. Registration is required for rabies vaccines – please register here. Organizations will be accepting donations of clean used pet supplies, towels and blankets, and unopened bags or cans of pet food.
The Great Give Back is a community service initiative adopted by many public libraries across the country, showing the power of public libraries to create resilient communities. The mission of The Great Give Back is to provide a day of opportunities for the patrons of the Public Libraries of New York State to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences.
Local Author Talk: Dan Haas
“The Deep History of the South Taconics”
Sunday, October 18 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Did you know the Taconics are some of the oldest mountains on the planet? Or that dire wolves and wooly mammoths may once have roamed there? Or that they were once hidden under a mile of ice? Come to the library October 18th to learn more about the deep history of these mountains in our backyard.
Dan Haas is the author of South Taconic Stories, a history of the mountains from 450 million years ago to the 20th century. He is a retired Special Ed teacher who has been living beside the South Taconics for 38 years, exploring them by foot and via years of research.
Tea Time at the Library presents…
Painting the Feeling of Nature: A Conversation on Charles Birchfield with Tia Maggio
Thursday, October 22 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us at the library each month to discuss fun and informative topics – each gathering will have a different theme: listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and some fresh baked goodies!
This month, we welcome our very own Tia Maggio for a conversation about a lesser known, but famous American artist, Charles Birchfield. Known for romantic, often fantastical landscapes and townscapes, Charles Burchfield (1893–1967) worked in watercolors and developed a unique style of painting that portrayed distinctly American subjects and a profound respect for nature. Join us on Thursday, October 22, at 2:30 pm to learn more!
October Film Series: Frankenweenie (2012)
Sunday, October 25 | 1:00 p.m – 2:30 p.m.
Join us on Sunday afternoons in October for three different takes on Frankenstein’s monster. Refreshments will be provided.
October 4th – The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
October 11th – Young Frankenstein (1974)
October 25th – Frankenweenie (2012)
Ancram Resilient Gardens & Farms present “Creating and Managing Sustainable Gardens & Farms in the 21st Century” with Jamie Purinton and Dr. Kim Tripp
Saturday, October 31 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Kim Tripp, DO, Phd, and past director of the New York Botanical Gardens, and Jamie Purinton, landscape architect and former chair/founder of the Ancram Conservation Advisory Council, will share their insights and expertise with a dual talk and power point presentation: “Creating and Managing Sustainable Gardens and Farms in the 21st Century: Regional Resources, Tools and Tips for Ancram Local Farms and Gardens.”
Part 1 Description of Local Resources
Dr. Kim Tripp will present the resources available to area gardeners and farmers to help them create and manage sustainable local farms and landscapes. She will share the Ancram Natural Resources Conservation Plan (NRCP) and The Ancram Significant Habitats Map, compiled and published over the last decade by the Ancram Conservation Advisory Council and Gretchen Stevens of Hudsonia. The maps and plans will be of interest to all area residents who are working with Natural Resource Conservation Plans or who are considering one for their own town.
Part 2 – Examples of Implementing Recommendations
Jamie Purinton will continue the program by presenting local examples that implement recommendations outlined in the Ancram Natural Resource Conservation Plan. These will be applicable to any landowner who is interested in enhancing the biodiversity and ecological health of their property. Examples will include ways to: reduce lawn, conserve and manage storm and groundwater, and manage land for the sake of our precious local flora and fauna.
Film Screening: The Extraordinary Caterpillar
Saturday, November 14 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Discover the overlooked role that caterpillars play in biodiversity, ecological food webs, and the survival of local wildlife with a film screening of ‘The Extraordinary Caterpillar’ at the Roe Jan Library on Saturday, November 14, at 2:00 p.m.
In every backyard and field lives an army of tiny superheroes more incredible than fiction. These master shape-shifters can perfectly mimic bird droppings, transform into miniature dragons, or disguise themselves as delicate leaves and branches. Through breathtaking macro videography, The Extraordinary Caterpillar reveals the astonishing abilities and hidden lives of these creatures, showing a world of wonder that has been right outside our doors all along. But these essential creatures face serious threats. Since 1970, insect populations have declined by 45% globally, and North America has lost three billion birds. A key culprit is the loss of native plants, replaced by lawns and non-native ornamentals that cannot support local food webs. From blooming meadows to bustling city parks and lush backyard gardens, ‘The Extraordinary Caterpillar’ takes viewers on a journey that celebrates the magic of nature while showing families practical ways to make a difference. Whether removing invasive plants or creating habitat with native species, the film demonstrates how every household can be part of the conservation solution. This inspiring documentary brings communities together and empowers families everywhere to become guardians of the natural world – proving that when we work together, even the smallest actions can create extraordinary change. For more information on the film and to watch a trailer, visit https://homegrownnationalpark.
This free film screening is sponsored by the Hillsdale Conservation Advisory Council and the Hillsdale Climate Smart Communities & Clean Energy Communities Task Force. We look forward to seeing all of you gardeners, nature-lovers, families, and neighbors at the library on Saturday, November 14, to celebrate this tiny superhero!
New Parent Meet-Up
Every Tuesday
10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Join our weekly meetup for parents with babies under 1 to connect, share experiences, and get out with your little ones!
Community Still Life
Every Tuesday
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Community Still Life offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where people come together to draw and observe. Enjoy the quiet energy of creating alongside others, slow down, and let simple objects spark inspiration. All levels welcome—just come to draw… or paint.
Some supplies are available or bring your own. There will be a different still life every week for inspiration. Led by Tia!
1:1 Tech Help Appointments
Every Wednesday
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Need help with your phone or email? Want to learn how to use Libby or Hoopla?
Call the library at 518-325-4101 or email programs@roejanlibrary.org to make an appointment.
Qigong & Tai Chi at the Library
Every Thursday
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Qigong and Tai Chi are approaches to movement that have been practiced for hundreds of years and are particularly helpful for dealing with stress, limited ability to move, those wishing to developing better balance and flexibility and can be practiced by nearly everyone young and old. Although Tai Chi is generally practiced standing, Qigong can be modified to allow participants to be seated.
This weekly drop-in class, open to all, is taught by David Haines, who has been a practitioner of Qigong, Tai Chi, and mindful movement for 50 years, a teacher for 40 years, and a certified Trager Movement practitioner for 35 years. Since moving into the area in 2006 he has taught at Omega Institute, Simon’s Rock college, Columbia-Greene Community College, as well as various libraries, senior centers, and school district community education classes.
Classes are held in the Roe Jan Library Community Room or outdoors, weather permitting. Wear comfortable clothes.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Job Search and Resume Help
Job search coaching, with an emphasis on resume writing and using online resources to find jobs, is offered by volunteer Career Coach, Beth Gordon. Beth provides help with finding career opportunities, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing preparation and reviewing job resources.
Career Coaching and Job Search Help sessions cover résumé and letter writing, skills assessments, career planning and Internet job search. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help people of all ages seeking career coaching, goal setting, or help updating and improving their professional profiles.
Job Help sessions are by appointment only and are typically conducted via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling or emailing the library or contacting Beth Gordon directly at bagordon323@gmail.com. In person help at the library can be provided with prior arrangements as well.
Senior Balance and Strength Class with Dr. Paul Spector on Zoom
Tuesdays | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION:
https://zoom.us/j/759916157
Meeting ID: 759 916 157
Passcode: 592902
To watch past recordings of Dr. Spector’s class, visit our YouTube channel playlist.