Gamification adds extra
incentive to book-logging 
We say it every year at about this time, but it bears repeating: reading is the easiest and most effective way of preventing the "summer slide."
Students who don't read during the summer months lose some of the proficiency they gained during the school year. This loss is cumulative, which means that by the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has snowballed into a two-year lag in reading achievement, according to studies.
On the other hand, reading as a leisure activity is the best predictor of success in comprehension, vocabulary, and reading speed.
If your child is less than enthusiastic about reading, this year's SRP can help!
Even if you won't be around for the many programs and activities included in the SRP this summer, your children can still log their books - all you need is a computer or portable device! Create accounts for your kids by signing them up via the link on the library's website, and start logging books June 30! As soon as your kids sign up, they get to choose which superhero character they want to call their own this season. Then each time they log their books, they get to watch their avatar come to life onscreen!
What's more, those who log their books will be able to attend special events in August! Ostrander students will also earn Paw Prints to use at the school store when they keep track of what they read.
Of course, signing up for the SRP also allows kids to register for this summer's exciting events and workshops, such as the Minecraft Challenge and Superhero Boot Camp. Registration for those individual programs begins June 22.
But whether you and your family will be around this summer or away for camp or vacation, this year's SRP will make the season extra special...and help keep your kids on track for the fall semester.
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Miss Pat held the final spring session of Story Time Wednesday on the library lawn!
Tuesday: Textile Tuesday members and the Quilters' Circle get together between 10 a.m.and 4 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. A Teen Volunteer Orientation Session will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the library.
Wednesday: The Quilters' Circle holds their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall.
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Teen volunteers needed this summer!
Whether you're looking for community service hours or just something fun to do this summer, the library could use your help!
Teen volunteers are being sought to lend a hand during the library's Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 30 to Aug. 6.
Assistance is needed with special events, games, programs, and more.
A teen volunteer orientation and information session will be offered from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the library.
Those interested in volunteering but unable to attend the orientation should stop in and get and an application. Call 895-3707 for more information.
Everyday heroes the focus of 3DS Club
Who's the hero in your life?
Superheroes aren't necessarily caped crusaders - most of the time they can be found right in our own communities!
This summer's 3DS StreetPass Club will use the game Animal Crossing: New Leaf as a launching pad to exploring community building and interaction. This family-friendly program is perfect for homeschoolers or anyone who wants to learn more about the everyday heroes in all our lives. Field trips to the Town Hall and firehouse will be included as participants use their own super powers to connect with each other and the community.
These sessions will be offered Thursdays at 11 a.m. during the SRP. Registration is required - you can sign up for this particular program June 22, and the SRP today!  
VOW offers photography/art contest
The Vision of Wallkill community improvement group wants to see who can capture the Beauty of Wallkill.
The Beauty of Wallkill Photography/Art Contest will be taking entries (either photos, drawings, or paintings) through Sept. 20 for $5 per piece to raise money for VOW.
The subject matter of the artwork or photos must be some sort of scenery found within the Town of Shawangunk. All entries will be displayed during the Oct. 2 Beauty of Wallkill Art Contest showing in the community room of Town Hall. Entries may be dropped off at the Wallkill Public Library
For more information, or to get an application to participate, stop by the library or call 895-3707.
Browsing at book store just got easier
Thanks to Mike DeMeo, who heads up the library's Friends' Used Book Shop, book-browsing is easier than ever before!
Readers can now peruse the shop's plentiful collection by visiting Collectorz.com. The site lists the store's many books and offers detailed plot summaries, as well. So instead of going in and combing through the aisles for that out-of-print novel you've been hunting down, you can visit the site and confirm the store has it before you even leave your house!
Much thanks to Mike for setting this feature up. You can access the link anytime from the library's website, as well.
The Friends' Used Book Shop is open from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
 
Congrats to Friends' raffle winners!
Helen Budington was the lucky ticket holder who won the iPad mini 2 4g May 30! And Roseanne Stockhofer won the second-place prize, a Coby LCD TV!
The Friends of the Library held the raffle earlier in the spring and drew the winning names during one of the Books Alive! performances May 30. Money raised from the proceeds will be put toward supporting library programs.
Congratulations to the winners!
Historical Society raffling handmade quilt
Freda Fenn of the Historical Society (holding the quilt at right) and Quilters' Circle members pose with the quilters' donation earlier this year.
The quilt the library's talented Quilters' Circle made can now be yours!
The quilters donated the item to the Historical Society of Shawangunk and Gardiner, who are now raffling it off to raise funds for their organization.
Raffle tickets are $5 for one and $20 for five and may be purchased by calling Freda at 895-3986.
The drawing for the raffle will be held during the Historical Society's annual tea on Nov. 14.
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