March 2026 Newsletter

News from Castleton Public Library - March 2026 View this email in your browser Notes from Our Director:  Spring is almost here! Stave away cabin fever during the next few weeks by visiting us to borrow a book or movie, stop in for our fun activities for kids, or attend one of our events for adults. We're here to serve you! Starting this month, we will be hosting our first-ever art exhibit in the library's Community Room! Works of art from K-12 students will be on display in our Art Collective with Schodack Central Schools exhibit from March 6 through May 31. The art gallery will be open on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Call the library at 518-732-0879 to inquire about other times you can stop in to see the exhibit. We hope you will join us on Saturday, March 21 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for an opening reception. Please stop in to check out the amazing artwork being created by children and teens in our community! Did you know that the Friends of Castleton Public Library are currently seeking volunteers? Some of the Friends' current volunteer opportunities are:     *Baking for the Friends' bake sales at Music at Schodack Town Park.     *Helping to create/update a Friends Facebook page, website, and database.     *Calling donors to support Friends events.     *Serving as a chair or co-chair to assist in planning Friends events.     *Assisting during Friends events.    *Helping to plan during Friends meetings. Interested in volunteering with the Friends of CPL? Call Friends of CPL President Theresa Scandurra at 518-466-8051 or email [email protected]. Best, Melissa Tacke, Library Director Download our March calendar as a PDF Our Take-Home Kits Take & Make Craft Kit: Torn Paper Rainbow Pick up anytime from Sunday, March 1 through Saturday, April 4. Use torn paper art to make your own rainbow replica! Weekly Events Learn & Play Storytime Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. - March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2.  Children from birth to age 5 are invited to enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and movement! Our Other Events Art Collective with Schodack Central Schools - Gallery Hours Friday, March 6 through Sunday, May 31 Join us in celebrating student artwork as it's showcased gallery-style in our Community Room! Gallery hours include Fridays from 10:00am-6:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am-4:00pm. Call the library at 518-732-0879 anytime for other availability to view the Art Collective. 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. Adult Sewing Class Series: Sew a T-shirt Quilt (1 of 4)   Monday, March 2, 5:00 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. 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. Shape Art   Tuesday, March 3, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. We have the shapes, you bring the creativity! Create your own design using fun shape cut-outs. Drop-In Tech Help   Thursday, March 5, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Stop in anytime with tech questions that our on-site tech guru can help to answer. Shrinky Dinks   Saturday, March 7, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Remember Shrinky Dinks? The magical mystery material you color, cook, and create into something special! Join us for Shrinky Dink creativity and make a trinket, jewelry, or fob to take home. Giant Connect Four   Sunday, March 8, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Bring a friend or family member to play a game of Connect Four using our giant set. Fiber Arts Workshop   Monday, March 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. Taxpayer Assistance Program with NYS Department of Taxation and Finance   Tuesday, March 10, 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. To make an appointment, visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/tap/calendars/bookings-castleton-public-library.htm Open Mic Night   Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 p.m. Musicians & poets - come share your talents! All ages welcome to perform and to watch. STEAM Lab: Rainbow in a Jar Friday, March 13. Starts on the hour at 11:00 a.m., 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Learn about the colors of the rainbow and water density in this fun experiment! Make Your Own Puzzle Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Stop in to color your own design on a blank puzzle you can take home and put together! Spring Paint and Sip Sunday, March 15, 12:00 p.m. For ages 16 and up. Create a spring scene with acrylics on canvas while sipping sparkling punch. Bring your creativity, but all other materials are provided!  CPL Board of Trustees Meeting   Monday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. Monthly meeting of the library's Board of Trustees. Members of the public are welcome to attend.  Afternoon Book Club   Wednesday, March 18, 1:00 p.m. Join us the third Wednesday of each month for a book discussion! Books available at the front desk. This month's selection is Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa. Paws to Read   Wednesday, March 18, 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. Registration opens on March 2nd at https://tinyurl.com/PawstoReadCPL Friends of CPL Meeting   Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. Want to help support and raise funds for the library? Come join the Friends! All are welcome. Make a Suncatcher   Friday, March 20, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. As the days get longer (and sunnier!), enjoy a colorful view through your window with your very own homemade suncatcher! Special Visitor Storytime: The Leprechaun Who Stayed for the Day   Saturday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. Families are invited to meet local author Cydney Gregware and enjoy a reading of her children's book, The Leprechaun Who Stayed for the Day! Art Collective Gallery Reception   Saturday, March 21, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Celebrate local student talent at our gallery reception! Enjoy light refreshments and take in the artwork created by students in Schodack Central Schools. Build with Cardboard Bricks   Sunday, March 22, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. See what you can create out of our large cardboard bricks that are perfect for building! Adult Sewing Class Series: Sew a T-shirt Quilt (2 of 4)   Monday, March 23, 5:00 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. Write Your Life: Memoir Writing for Adults Wednesday, March 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. Color By Number   Friday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Join us for a relaxing day of color by number! No experience is needed to create your own work of art. Little Ones Playtime   Saturday, March 28, 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. Perler Bead Crafts   Sunday, March 29, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Use your imagination to make awesome creations with Perler beads! All ages welcome. Teen Scene: Bingo   Monday, March 30, 4:00 p.m. For teens in grade 6 and up. Play a few fun rounds of Bingo and win prizes! Cook with Me: English Muffin Pizzas   Tuesday, March 31, held on the hour at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00.  Join us for our monthly caregiver and child cooking class featuring an easy but fun recipe with only a handful of ingredients! Drop-In Tech Help   Thursday, April 2, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Stop in anytime with tech questions that our on-site tech guru can help to answer. April Showers Umbrella Craft Friday, April 3, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Prepare for April showers with a fun and colorful folded paper umbrella craft! Candy Sushi Saturday, April 4, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Unleash your inner sushi chef and craft candy into edible art! Recommended for ages 8 and up. 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.