February 2026 Newsletter

News from Castleton Public Library - February 2026 View this email in your browser Notes from Our Director:  We're pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report with the community! The purpose of this report is to share some highlights about how Castleton Public Library performed last year. Check it out here:  Click here to see the report as an image. Click here to download the report as a PDF. Have any questions or comments about our Annual Report? Send an email to [email protected] or call the library at 518-732-0879.  Our Winter Reading Challenge is still going strong! There's still time to sign up, and all ages can participate. Simply visit the library to pick up your Bingo card, and be sure to turn it in by Sunday, February 22. The more you read, the more opportunities you have to win one of our great raffle prizes: - Nic's Trattoria Gift Card - East Greenbush Bowling Alley Gift Card - VIA Aquarium Passes - Bring on the Spectrum Play Gym Gift Card - My Place & Co. Gift Card - Regal Movie Passes - "Curl Up with a Book" Basket of cozy goodies Below is a complete listing of all of our events for the month of February, including the school break week. There's so many reasons this month to Love Your Library -- we're here to serve you! Best, Melissa Tacke, Library Director Download our February calendar as a PDF Our Take-Home Kits Take & Make Craft Kit: Cardboard Tube Snowman Pick up anytime from Sunday, February 1 through Saturday, February 28.The weather outside is frightful, but this craft is so delightful! Build a snowman that won't melt when the weather warms up! Weekly Events Learn & Play Storytime Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. - February 5, 12, 19, and 26. Children from birth to age 5 are invited to enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and movement! Our Other Events Winter Reading Challenge for All Ages   Continues through Sunday, February 22 Get a kickstart on your 2026 reading goals with our Winter Reading Challenge! All ages are welcome to participate. Stop in to the library anytime during the challenge to pick up your Bingo sheet. The more Bingos you complete, the more raffle tickets and chances to win you earn! Be sure to hand in your Bingo card by Sunday, February 22! Job Seeker Help with Rensselaer County Career Center Monday, February 2, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Looking for a new job or fresh career path? Rensselaer County Career Center is here to help! Professional career services include resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career assessment. After Dinner Book Club Monday, February 2, 7:00 p.m. Join us the first Monday of each month for a book discussion! This month's selection is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Books are available at the front desk. Teen Advisory Council   Wednesday, February 4, 4:30 p.m. Teen Advisory Council meets quarterly to discuss, plan, and implement teen events in the library. Interested in joining? Contact Melanie at [email protected] for more information. Drop-In Tech Help   Thursday, February 5, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Stop in anytime with tech questions that our on-site tech guru can help to answer. Take Your Child to the Library Storytime and Family Craft   Saturday, February 7, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thousands of libraries across the world celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day! Join us for a special storytime at 11:30 a.m. and then stay for a family craft available for drop-in all day to commemorate this special day. Legomania   Sunday, February 8, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We'll have our big bins of Legos out for this all-day build-a-thon! Fiber Arts Workshop   Monday, February 9, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. For adults and teens 16+. Join us for our monthly Fiber Arts Workshop! Whether you're new to knitting and crochet or a seasoned fiber artist, this is the perfect place to share and create in a friendly environment. All skill levels welcome! Yarn and hooks/needles are available to beginners. Teen Scene: Waffle Lab   Tuesday, February 10, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. For teens in 6th-12th grades. Design a delicious waffle creation using your best test kitchen skills! Open Mic Night   Wednesday, February 11, 6:00 p.m. Musicians & poets - come share your talents! All ages welcome to perform and to watch. Stuffed Animal Sleepover Friday, February 13, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Drop Off: Friday, February 13, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Pick Up: Saturday, February 14, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Send your stuffed animal on an overnight adventure at the library! Drop your furry friend off anytime between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 2/13. Catch a special storytime at 4:00 p.m. before saying goodbye! Then, come back to pick up your furry friend and their goodie bag anytime between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 2/14! STEAM Lab: Sink or Float Candy Hearts Saturday, February 14, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Discover whether candy hearts will sink or float in different liquids and observe the science behind buoyancy in this sweet, hands-on experiment! Spin and Spiral Art Sunday, February 15, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Explore a world of color with our Spin Art and Spirograph tools! Recommended for ages 5 and up; younger children welcome with an adult's help.  Tweens and Teens Beginner Sewing Class: Zipper Pouch Tuesday, February 17, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tweens and teens ages 10-18 are invited to join us for a hands-on sewing workshop! Participants will learn the basics of using a sewing machine and create their very own zipper pouch to take home. No experience needed—just bring your creativity! All materials provided. CPL Board of Trustees Meeting   Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m. Monthly meeting of the library's Board of Trustees. Members of the public are welcome to attend.  Library Scavenger Hunt   Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. For all ages! Embark on a fun-filled library scavenger hunt where you’ll explore the stacks, solve clues, and discover hidden surprises along the way! Afternoon Book Club   Wednesday, February 18, 1:00 p.m. Join us the third Wednesday of each month for a book discussion! This month's selection is First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Books are available at the front desk. Aviation Program with the NY Capital Region 99s   Wednesday, February 18, 3:00 p.m. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Have you ever dreamt of taking flight? Learn all about aviation concepts, careers, and opportunities with the NY Capital Region 99s in this high-flying event! Pajamas & Cocoa Storytime   Thursday, February 19, 10:30 a.m. Wear your PJs to this special edition of Learn & Play Storytime and stay for hot cocoa with fun toppings afterward!  Paper Bag Luminaries   Thursday, February 19, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Get creative while designing a glowing paper bag luminary to light up the night! Bookmark Design Challenge   Friday, February 20, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We'll provide the supplies, you bring the creativity! Design a bookmark on our blank template and new designs will be used throughout the year at our circulation desk! Saturday Stories   Saturday, February 21, 11:30 a.m. Stop by for a weekend storytime and activity geared toward families with young children (ages birth-8) featuring crafts, music and movement, books, and fun! Cook with Me: Two-Ingredient Dough Bagels   Saturday, February 21, held on the hour at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00.  Join us for a guided child-and-caregiver cooking class! This month, we'll be making bagels using only two ingredients! Kaleidoscopes   Sunday, February 22, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Drop in to make your own homemade kaleidoscope! All ages welcome. Adult Sewing Class Series: Sew a T-shirt Quilt (1 of 4)   Monday, February 23, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Turn your favorite shirts into a cozy, one-of-a-kind quilt! Join us for a four-part adult sewing series where you’ll learn how to prepare, cut, arrange, and stitch together a memory-filled T-shirt quilt. Whether you’re a seasoned sewist or a complete beginner, this hands-on class will guide you through each step—from stabilizing fabric to assembling your finished quilt top. All materials provided; bring your own beloved T-shirts to transform. Taxpayer Assistance Program with NYS Department of Taxation and Finance   Tuesday, February 24, 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. Get tax help and file for free! Tax Department employees will guide you step-by-step as you complete your own tax returns at no charge. We'll help you prepare and e-file your income tax returns using safe and secure online tax software. It's quick and easy! If you qualify, you can even request the software link and file your own return without assistance. To register, visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/tap/calendars/bookings-castleton-public-library.htm Paws to Read   Wednesday, February 25, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Join us for some reading practice with a certified therapy dog! Our friendly pup creates a calm, happy space for young readers. Practice reading aloud and enjoy furry encouragement! Registration is encouraged but walk-ins will be accepted if time permits. Register at https://tinyurl.com/PawstoReadCPL Write Your Life: Memoir Writing for Adults Wednesday, February 25, 6:30 p.m. In this monthly workshop-style class, we will complete writing exercises that spark creativity and share our own pieces with the group in an effort to hone the craft of storytelling. Little Ones Playtime   Saturday, February 28, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Little ones ages birth to 5 years are invited to drop in any time on Saturday or Sunday to play with a special assortment of fun toys geared toward young children. Job Seeker Help with Rensselaer County Career Center Monday, March 2, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Looking for a new job or fresh career path? Rensselaer County Career Center is here to help! Professional career services include resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career assessment. After Dinner Book Club Monday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. Join us the first Monday of each month for a book discussion! This month's selection is Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made us Who We Are by Rebecca Boyle. Books are available at the front desk. Digital Library Resources Check Out Our Digital Collections! The Upper Hudson Library System hosts a great collection of ebooks, digital audiobooks, digital magazines, and streaming video, resources for research, and more! Click here to visit our page about digital resources.  Borrow a WiFi Hotspot Did you know that we loan WiFi hotspots? They can be borrowed for 14 days -- all you need is your library card! Hotspots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be checked out and returned at CPL. Call 518-732-0879 or email [email protected] for more information.  WiFi Inside & Outside Our Building Our WiFi is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can access the public WiFi on the front lawn, or alongside the building on Stimpson Avenue (the signal is strongest near the front of the building). Just look for the network called "Castleton Public Library." There's no password to connect!  Copyright © 2026 Castleton Public Library, All rights reserved.