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Adirondacks Libraries Guide in Washington County

Libraries are a great resource for family friendly FREE activities!

By Andrea Kelley June 17, 2022

Local libraries are one of our favorite resources for family-friendly activities. My son, Liam has been going since he was a baby, and we love the variety of books, events, and activities to choose from.

Libraries aren't just for reading anymore!

Going to your local library is a great way to spend an afternoon (especially on a rainy day!) They often have fun, free events and programs for kids and adults!

So here is our guide on some of our favorite Libraries here in the Adirondacks, and what they have to offer!         


The Caldwell Library


Located in Lake George, the Caldwell runs a book club  that meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month, at 7pm. The Book Club reads a variety of fiction and non-fiction books that are hand picked by the members themselves.

The Caldwell offers a wide range of audio & E-books, that you can check out hereas well as large print options for those with vision difficulties.

You can check out their updated calendar on their website, that features a variety of events such as summer reading programs, monthly book sales, painting classes, and more!





You can visit the Caldwell at:
336 Canada St,
Lake George, NY 12845

Phone:(518) 668-2528

Email: lkg-director@sals.edu

Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-2
Visit their website for more info, and to help plan your next visit!


The Crandall Public Library



The Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls offers a HUGE variety of events, activities, and resources for the children (and adults) in our community!

Some of our favorites include:

-Infant/Toddler Storytime in City Park 
Every Wednseday from 10-10:20am, inclides stories, songs, and puppets for kids 0-3.
-Preschool Storytime in City Park
Every Tuesday 10:00-10:30 am. Stories, music, movement, and puppets for ages 3-5.  


-Programs for School-Age Children
"Shutter Squad" includes tweens ages 10-13 who can learn photography from professional photographers, and get to exhibit their photos in Crandall Library's Folklife Gallery.

-Take-Home Art Blast
Weekly, you can stop by the Children’s Desk to pick up the supplies for a new art project to create at home.  Projects suitable for kids entering 1st grade and up.  (Only while supplies last!)

-Take-Home Tween Club
Same idea, but these projects are suitable for ages 9-12 and include might include art, STEM, active challenges, and more.  Also available while supplies last.





They also offer Exhibits you can check out, like The Friend's Gallery, and The Folklife Gallery. Click their names to learn more about each of them.


As if that wasn't enough, Adults can have their own fun too with programs offered such as Craft groups,  Folklife Programs involving live music and performances,  and memory sharing groups!


Lastly, they recently redesigned the Family Focus Center, (below) which is a child-friendly room that is open during all library hours.  Toys and board books are available for imaginative play, as well as comfy chairs and parenting materials.


You can find the Crandall Public Library at:
251 Glen St
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Phone: (518)792-6508
Email: crandallinfo@sals.edu
Hours: Tues-Sat 9-7 CLOSED Sun-Mon
Follow them on Facebook, and check out their very resourceful website here.


The Richards Library




Self described as a "gateway to knowledge and adventure", you can find just that at The Richards Library in Warrensburg.
This Library, that has been part of the community since August 13, 1901, stays connected with visitors through a variety of events they share on Facebook, like Story time and crafts! You can check them out on our events calendar, or right on their Facebook.





The Richards Library has a large selection of Audio and E Books, DVDs, and more available to the public.

They provide free Tech help to the public, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-5 where adults and older kids can learn everything from sending emails, to Microsoft Excel. It’s a great educational resource. 

You can learn about the history of the library here, and you can check out their awesome archive list of books and documents hereDefinitely a great tool for research or school projects!

You'll find The Richards Library at:
36 Elm Street
Warrensburg, NY 12885
Phone: (518)623-3011
Email: war-director@sals.edu
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-12 CLOSED Sundays
Click here for their website.


The Pember Library and Museum of Natural History




The Pember Library’s focus is on more than just reading. They believe in providing information and technology, and connecting with the community of Granville through educational and exciting programs and events.

They provide just about every type of book, including E and Audio books, and history collections. They offer desk top computers as well for anyone’s use.





Some of their great kid's programs include:

-Pember Peapods
Meets every Tuesday at 10 AM. The stories, songs, and games are geared to preschool children. Parents / caregivers should stay with their children for this program.

-Lego Club
Meets after school on Fridays to build with Legos. There are books and magazines to inspire new ideas for building, or kids start from scratch and design their own

.-A Good Yarn
Meets on Wednesdays 3:00 -4:30 PM to work on  their current knit or crochet project and help each other learn new techniques.

-Learn with Linda
Meets Saturdays each month, Linda presents a program with crafts and stories.  This program usually begins at 11:00 AM. Check the events calendar on their website for more details.

-Summer Reading Program 
This program encourages school-aged children to continue reading by offering a NYS sponsored reading program.  There are programs for beginning readers through elementary school students and a separate program for teens. Each summer has a theme, with this year being "Oceas of Possibilities", and 2023's Summer Reading Program's theme will be "All Together Now", focusing on friendships and kindness.

They also offer other special programs throughout the year involving different performers and presenters.

And when you’re done with the library, you can head on up to The Pember Museum, on the 2nd floor, which has programs, exhibits to look at, and also offers lectures, field trips, environmental studies, tours, hikes, day camps, outreach, and many other special programs! Find out more about the Pember Museum here 






The Old Stone House Library



The Old Stone House Library in Fort Ann is a Historical treasure for community members.
Home of the Fort Ann Historical Society, visitors can learn all their is to know about town history, near-by landmarks, camps, churches, and more!

The Old Stone House Library also serves as a resource to local government buildings like the Town Clerk, Court, Dog control, Highway Department, and even some local employment opportunities!

While researching this library we found a full list of recreational buildings, restaurants, and lodges around the Fort Ann area! Check it out here.

Fort Ann is also the home of the Grumbellies Concert in the Park series, which take place every Monday, 6-8pm, at the Fort Ann Park on George st.  They have concerts every week until August 29th.

For more events having to do with just the library, we recommend checking out their Facebook page (linked below).





We suggest making a plan to spend the a Monday this summer in Historic Fort Ann, where you can check out Historical landmarks, Old Stone House Library, all it has to offer, and then end your day with a Concert in the park!


You can find The Old Stone House Library at:
36 George St,
Fort Ann Ny 12827
,
Phone: (518) 639-4071
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 1pm - 3pm
Visit them on Facebook and find out more info through the town of Fort  Ann website


Honorable Mentions:


Here are some more libraries in the Adirondacks/Washington County area that are worth looking into:

Click the name to go to their websites!

Agyle 

 Argyle Free Library 

Hudson Falls 
Hudson Falls Free Library 

Fort Edward 
Fort Edward Free Library

Bolton 
 
Bolton Free Library 

Brant Lake (Horicon) 
 Horicon Public Library

Whitehall 

 The Whitehall Free Library



Hopefully you can get some use out of this Library Guide this summer! :)




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