Subscribe to Amazon - then come to the library 
SRP participants make their own old-fashioned ice cream Tuesday in the community room.
What does a library have that Amazon doesn't?
In the wake of Amazon's recent announcement of a digital subscription service, some are wondering that. They see Amazon's offer (which gives subscribers access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks for a small monthly fee, à la Netflix) as yet another hurdle for libraries already beleaguered by shrinking budgets and digitized reading habits.
But anyone who visits a library regularly - and especially those who participate in offerings such as the Summer Reading Program - know that a subscription service is no substitute for places like the Wallkill Public Library.
In the past few weeks, so many participants have shown up for this summer's programs that the library has had to take over the community room next door at the Town Hall. And while kids are having fun and maintaining the social interactions that sometimes lag during the summer months, they're also learning: about science, architecture, photography, art, and more. They're cultivating hobbies that will last them throughout their lives, learning how to sew, knit, and crochet, and taking yoga classes
Laura Thorenz tries her hand at the violin during Thursday's Musical Petting Zoo.
with their peers. They're building with LEGOs, but also learning the principles of engineering and physics. They're enjoying Story Time, but also developing a love of books, an association between reading and a great time. They're reading as much as they can in an effort to earn tickets for prizes, and in the process discovering new authors that they actually like almost as much as Jeff Kinney.
Amazon is a company, a one-dimensional screenshot. The library is a place - for people to gather, learn, interact with one another, and do the things they love with the people they like.
And - oh, yeah - we also offer digital books and audiobooks. For free.
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Did you know you can make an igloo out of milk containers? Architecture Camp attendees learned how with the help of Patty Turner this week.
SRP participants - please remember to bring your reading logs back and put them in your folders. We want to keep counting up your books so we can give you more tickets for prizes!


Monday: Yoga for Kids is offered at 10:30 a.m. Digital Photography takes place from 1-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday: The Textile Program takes place at 10:30 a.m. School Crew gathers at 1 p.m. Knit and Crochet Lessons are offered at 3 p.m. Swing Dance Lessons for adults begin at 6:30 p.m. The Wallkill Schools Summer Band will perform on the library lawn at 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Mommy and Me meets at 10 a.m., followed by Toddler Story Time at 11 a.m. Kindergarten Story Time will be held at 1 p.m., with Book Buddies taking place at 2:15 p.m. Arts and Crafts are offered at 3:30 p.m. The Chess Club meets at 6 p.m., as does Adult/Family Craft Time. The Quilters' Circle will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall.
Thursday: Science Camp takes place at 10:30 a.m. Acting with Ana runs from 1-3 p.m. The Grade 2-6 Book Club meets at 3:30 p.m. Anime Movie Night will be held at 6 p.m. The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Friday: Life with an Artist meets at 12:30 p.m. Games on the Lawn are offered at 3 p.m. The SRP Art Show will be held at 6 p.m.
Library trustees wanted for new terms
This September, the library board of trustees will have a number of vacancies as well as positions coming up for re-election.
Trustees are instrumental to the future of the library - they're the ones who work toward designing it.
If you're interested in becoming a trustee, now is the time to start gathering the signatures you'll need to run for the post.
Petitions can be picked up at the circulation desk of the Wallkill Public Library. Potential candidates must get the signatures of 50 qualified voters (those who live in both the Wallkill Central School District and the town of Shawangunk) and return their petitions by 5 p.m. Sept. 10. The election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30.
New trustee terms begin Dec. 1. Expertise is particularly needed in areas such as finance, personnel, real estate, planning, and marketing in an effort to round out the talents of the current board.
Questions? Call the library at 895-3707.
Thus far, The Strain is living up to its name
Isn't this more interesting than a custody hearing?
Guillermo del Toro teamed with Chuck Hogan a few years back to pen The Strain, the first in a vampire trilogy that was a drastic departure from the soon-to-be released Twilight and already wildly popular True Blood. Though vampires, at the time, were all the rage, del Toro's creation wasn't the sharp-toothed hottie populating page and screen. Del Toro's creation was a monster of the first order, terrifying to behold, merciless, and deadly.
And now that monster has come to the small screen, appearing Sunday nights on FX. Thus far it's hard to say whether the series will be as scary as the books - only two episodes have aired and most of them have been devoted to developing the (pretty boring) back stories of the tale's human characters. The scenes that have featured the vampire king have been promisingly creepy, but the show could easily take a ratings plunge if the producers continue to mete out these spine-tingling parts so stingily. Honestly, we don't care about the hero's custody battle (and certainly aren't interested in listening to his 10-minute soliloquy at an AA meeting), or the street thug's home life, or any of the other tritely miserable conditions of humanity. This isn't Lost, by any stretch - this show's main characters don't pique the curiosity in any way, shape, or form. They're dull. Their problems have been recycled from a thousand other similarly plotted story lines. Bring on the vampires! That's why we're watching.
So far, at least.
Get your free Ren Faire tickets here! 
You can visit this year's New York Renaissance Faire for a lot less money, thanks to this special offer!
The Wallkill Public Library is handing out free children's Ren Faire tickets to all Summer Reading Program participants ages 17 and under. That adds up to a big savings!
The 37th annual festival in Tuxedo features more than 100 artisans, costumed performers, and attractions that include a Jousting Tournament and Living Chess Match. It's open Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Aug. 2 through Sept. 21. Get thee there and enjoy that olde-tyme staple, steak-on-a-stick!
Celebrate Christmas a little early this year
Modena's Hurds Family Farm will be celebrating Christmas in July today through Aug. 3!
Freshly cut or living evergreen trees will be on sale, as well as handmade wreaths, kissing balls, and holiday greenery. Shoppers can sip hot chocolate and nibble on S'mores as they enjoy a bonfire or hop on a hayride.
Other activities include fruit and vegetable picking, pony rides, paddle boats, fish feeding, and much more!
Cost is $7.50 per person - children under 3 are free. For more information, call 883-7825.
 
Quick Links