If you haven’t set foot in your local library in ages, give it a try this summer. Libraries have been and always will be about stories—and they are places to gather, to learn something new and to share what you know.
Want to learn local history from the experts? Try the library.
Want to knit, or experiment with 3D printing, or learn how to make the cat video of your dreams? Yes, your library can help.
And the books? They are endless. All the knowledge in the world, there for the taking.
Just ask your local librarian.
Here’s a partial list of your local libraries and some upcoming events. For more, visit riverreporter.com and look for Hello Summer 2025.

New York

Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
845/794-4660; epcpl.org
479 Broadway, Monticello
About:
“The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library is the community’s favorite place to meet, to learn and to discover. The Library daily connects people to each other and to the world.” The library is the home of Vera’s Story Garden, celebrating children’s author Vera B. Williams.
To learn more about the library and its upcoming events, visit its website.
Coming up:
Tuesday, June 3: Music on Broadway series, “Forever Ray,” a tribute to Ray Charles, 6:30 p.m. on the library’s outdoor stage.
Tuesday, June 17: “Meditation 101,” 6:30 p.m. in the Robert D. Norris Community Room
Thursday, June 26: Murder Mystery Party, 6 p.m. in the community room

Sunshine Hall Free Library
845/557-6258; sunshinehallfreelibrary.org
14 Proctor Road, Eldred
About:
The mission of the Sunshine Hall Free Library is to be a valuable resource, and a benefit, to everyone in our community.
Learn more about the library and its upcoming events on the website or Facebook.

Livingston Manor and Roscoe Libraries
Livingston Manor Branch
845/439-5440; https://livingstonmanorlibrary.org
92 Main St., Livingston Manor
Roscoe Branch
607/498-5574; roscoefreelibrary.org
85 Highland Ave., Roscoe
About:
With the merger of the school districts, the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Libraries have merged as well. The Livingston Manor Library has been serving the communities of Livingston Manor and Lew Beach since 1937; the Roscoe Library was chartered in 1921 and began as a small book-lending and reading group in a member’s home. Both offer books and other resources as well as community.
Coming up:
Thursday, June 5: Clay Working, Livingston Manor, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 7: Getting and Keeping the Real Dirt, Livingston Manor, 10 a.m. Birds of a Feature, Roscoe, 1 p.m.
Saturday, June 21: Water, Water Everywhere, Livingston Manor, 10 a.m.
Friday, June 27: Intro to 4-H Dairy Cows, Roscoe, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28: Raising Sheep 101, Livingston Manor, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, July 1: Townin’ Around Scavenger Hunt, Livingston Manor, 1 p.m.
Thursday, July 3: 3D Printing Workshop for Kids, Roscoe, 10 a.m.

Western Sullivan Public Library
wsplonline.org
Delaware Free Branch
845/887-4040; del@rcls.org
45 Lower Main St., Callicoon
Jeffersonville Branch
845/482-4350; jef@rcls.org
19 Center St., Jeffersonville
Tusten-Cochecton Branch
845/252-3360; nar@rcls.org
198 Bridge St., Narrowsburg
About:
The Western Sullivan Public Library offers an ocean of information and a chance to discover the world, both for kids and adults. Within the three branches are tools for lifelong learning, creativity and a chance to enrich your life. Not to mention time to connect with others and meet friends over books, crafts, board games, gardens and more.
The library is planning for the next five years. A Community Needs Assessment Survey can be found at the libraries, online at www.WSPLonline.org, and on the library’s social media during May through July 2025.
Coming up:
Friday, June 6: Open Mic First Fridays, 6 p.m. at the Delaware Free Branch. Tell your store, share a poem you wrote, and more.
Tuesday, June 24: Wills and Trusts with Martin Hersh, 6 p.m. at the Jeffersonville Branch. Planning for your future is very important, and here’s a chance to learn from an expert.
Tuesday, July 1: “Mr. Wonka’s WonderShow” kicks off summer reading at 10:30 a.m. at the Delaware Youth Center, 8 Creamery Road, Callicoon
Tuesdays, July 1-July 22: Watercolor workshop with Kit Sailer, 1 p.m. at the Jeffersonville Branch
Saturday, July 12: “Woodstock 1969: Tunes of Peace, Love and Music” with author, musician and historian Alex Prizgintas, 1 p.m. at the Delaware Free Branch
Wednesday, July 16: “History of the Narrowsburg Fire Department” with Art Hawker, 4 p.m. at the Tusten-Cochecton Branch. The department has saved lives for over a century, and the stories are fantastic!

Pennsylvania

Bethany Public Library
570/253-4349; www.waynelibraries.org/honesdale.html
8 Court St., Bethany
About:
The building that now houses the Bethany Public Library dates back to 1823; it was part of the University of Northeast Pennsylvania (yes, that was located in Bethany) and for decades was used by a variety of community groups, according to the history page on the library’s website. The building was restored in 1935 and was re-dedicated as a library.
Now you’ll find books there, and Mah-jongg, and crafts and of course story hour.
Coming up:
Saturday, June 21: The library will hold its Strawberry Festival from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Live music, activities for the kids and over 25 vendors of crafts and treasures. Not to mention the homemade shortcake!

Hawley Public Library
570/226-4620; www.hawleylibrary.org
103 Main Ave., Hawley
About:
The mission of the Hawley Public Library is grounded in a desire to educate, to offer materials that provide entertainment, to allow patrons to connect with the world at large, and to form lasting bonds with the members of the community. Activities include story time, a LEGO club, a fiber arts circle, open mic nights, games a book club and much more. Not to mention books, graphic novels, ebooks, etc.
All events are held at the library. For more happenings, visit the library’s website.
Coming up:
The Family Makerspace is located on the lower level of the library. Geared for children aged 14 and under and their families, it is fully stocked with educational toys, games, arts and craft supplies, STEM kits, computers to use, and even a Nintendo Switch console for in-library gaming. It is all free of charge.
Tuesdays: Lego Club, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Every fourth Saturday: Movie day, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17: Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the computer lab.
Saturday, July 12: Kids’ art club, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the community room.

Northern Wayne Community Library
570/798-2444; www.waynelibraries.org/lakewood.html
Facebook: NorthernWayneCommunityLibrary
11 Library Road, Lakewood
About:
The Northern Wayne Community Library offers books, magazines, movies and a whole summer full of activities. You’ll find computers and free wifi too.
For more events, visit the library’s website or Facebook page.
Coming up:
Saturday, June 7: Community Plant Swap. Did you start more plants than you needed? Bring them in to swap from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the library.
Saturday, June 21: Wildlife show at the Northern Wayne Fire Company, 1633 Crosstown Hwy., 11 a.m. Learn about rescue wildlife from the North Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Show. Sponsored by Camp Wayne.
Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20: Community Days at Preston Township Park, 1515 Crosstown Hwy.
Saturday, July 26: Ice Age Show at the Northern Wayne Fire Company, 11 a.m. Field paleontologists talk about mastodons, sabertooth tigers, cave bears and more. Sponsored by Camp Westmont.
Saturday, August 23: Cow Pie Bingo and a penny social/picnic at the library. Cash prizes for the first three cow pies to land on the winning squares. Cows from Eccles Family Farm.

Pike County Public Library
Milford Branch
570/296-8211; pikecountypubliclibrary.com
119 East Harford St.
Dingman Township
570/686-7045
100 Bond Court, Milford
About:
The mission of the Pike County Public Library is to grow and connect with the community by providing exceptional programs, services and resources to enrich the lives of all Pike County residents.
Programs for kids (even very young children), teens and adults encompass storytime, crafts and homeschool groups; a card-based trading-card game for book lovers and others; book clubs, gardening, yoga and more.
Coming up:
Monday, June 23: The library’s summer reading program kicks off with the Science Tellers, who will present “The Case of the Missing Color” at 11 a.m.
Wednesdays, July 2 to August 7: After that, keep kids’ love of books alive in programs on Wednesdays in Milford from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for ages from infants to three; programs for ages five to 12 take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursdays, July 2 to August 7: The same programs will run in Dingmans Township from 11 a.m. to noon for ages infant to three years and from noon to 1 p.m. for ages five to 12.
Programs offer plenty of activities and stories. Signups are available on the library’s website, and are free and open to all library patrons. Registration is required.

Wayne County Public Library
570/253-1220; www.waynelibraries.org/honesdale.html
1406 N. Main St., Honesdale
About:
The mission of the Wayne County Public Library is to support diverse community needs for information, education, inspiration and entertainment through print and electronic resources.
You’ll find tech help, information about Medicare, children’s programs and much more. Plus, of course, books both in print and electronic.
Visit the library’s website or call to learn more about what’s going on.