“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”
It’s June so the library is ready for a fun summer season. Highlights include the Summer Reading Program and various programs celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial. Whether stopping in for books, programs, music, or summer fun, there’s something for everyone at the library.
Our 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” has an exciting lineup for readers of all ages. From creative drop-in craft projects to engaging programs and workshops, there will be something for everyone. Children and teens can sign up during the Summer Reading Kickoff: Adopt a Reading Buddy. Adults can join the fun - stop by the library and take part in a special interactive summer challenge starting Tuesday, June 30. Be sure to check our social media, sign up for our newsletter and browse our website calendar for updates on the summer fun.
Library Events
Sensory Playgroup - Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. An engaging, hands-on play session designed for little ones. Each week features themed free play, creative activities, and sensory-rich materials to spark curiosity and support early learning - a wonderful opportunity for preschoolers to play, explore, and grow in a fun, welcoming environment. The last Sensory Playgroup until school starts in the fall is Tuesday, June 23. There will be no Sensory Playgroup Tuesday, June 30 - Sept. 1.
Knit & Crochet Group - Tuesdays, 3-4:45 p.m. Community members gather weekly for yarn crafts and conversation. Bring the project you are working on and enjoy friendly conversation as you knit or crochet.
Mahjong - Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Everyone who loves Mahjong or wants to learn is welcome. Bring a friend or come alone; all skill levels welcome.
Preschool Storytime - Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Join us on the lower level for songs, rhymes, stories, and crafts sure to entertain your littles.
Mobile Office Hours: Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) - Thursday, June 18, 1-3 p.m. Members of Congressman Josh Riley’s team will be at the library. Get one-on-one help from Congressional staff with Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, passport delays, or any other issue involving a federal agency. No question is too small; no appointment needed.
Community Social Care Assistance Drop-In Hours - Wednesday, June 24, 4-6 p.m. Need help accessing community resources? A Social Care Navigator from Delaware
Opportunities will be at the library to help and answer questions. This is a drop-in event, and no appointment is needed. The Social Care Program may help you access nutrition services, find safe housing, receive help with rent or utilities, arrange transportation assistance, and connect with other social care services. These enhanced social care services are complimentary and will not affect your existing Medicaid benefits. Stop by to learn more or contact Leslie at Delaware Opportunities for a screening at 607-746-1793.
Bingo Night - Wednesday, June 17, 6-7:45 p.m. This free event is for adults and teens 16+. We’ll play a variety of traditional game layouts for a total of 10 games. Each round will have a prize for the winner and door prizes between the rounds. Enjoy a free night out full of entertainment, friends, and prizes. Space is limited so sign up - call the library at 607-865-5929.
A World War II Naval History Program: The Capture of U-Boat 505 - Thursday, June 18, 6-7 p.m., presented by a volunteer from the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum: USS Slater (DE-766) of Albany. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, step back in time and imagine the courage and uncertainty faced by American sailors during wartime service at sea. This engaging presentation will explore the vital role of Destroyer Escorts in World War II and highlight the extraordinary June 1944 mission in which five Destroyer Escorts successfully captured the German U-Boat 505. This achievement proved to be a major turning point in the war, giving the United States access to crucial intelligence and technology, including an Enigma Machine, an acoustic torpedo, and the submarine for study. History enthusiasts and World War II buffs will not want to miss this special evening.
Book Club Discussion - Wednesday, June 24, 7-8 p.m. This month’s book is “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid ©2025. Copies can be reserved through interlibrary loan by calling the library at 607.865.5929 or visiting www.4cls.org Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane. As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.
Summer Reading Kickoff: Adopt a Reading Buddy - Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Families - kickoff a summer full of reading and discovery with our 2026 Summer Reading Program “Unearth a Story.” Join us for this special sign-up event and get registered for a season filled with books, prizes, and engaging activities for all ages. Children can celebrate by adopting their very own stuffed animal reading buddy to take home and read to each day, complete with an adoption certificate, materials to create a custom collar, and a carrier to decorate. Most importantly, signing up opens the door to earning prizes just for reading and participating in the programs planned throughout the summer. If you’re unable to attend the kick-off event stop at the library during the following week to sign up.
Summer Reading Sign-Up Week - Tuesday, June 29 - Friday, July 3. If you missed the Summer Reading Kickoff event you can still register for our 2026 Summer Reading Program. Come into the library during open hours this week to get started.
Library News
Fishing Poles Available The library has five fishing poles available for public checkout through our partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s I FISH NY Program. Borrow a pole for up to two weeks and enjoy the great outdoors. Remember, individuals 16 years or older must have a valid freshwater fishing license—but this is a fantastic way to cast a line without the cost of buying gear.
Digital Archive The library’s digital archives have recently gotten an important upgrade—making it easier than ever to explore Walton’s rich local history. In the past weeks, the archive platform, hosted by Advantage Archives, was updated to meet ADA Title II accessibility standards, improving navigation, readability, and overall usability for users. For those who may not yet be familiar with this valuable resource, the Digital Archives provide access to a remarkable collection of Walton-area newspapers spanning nearly 170 years! Titles include the Walton Blade, Walton Chronicle, Walton Cyclone, Walton Journal, and Walton Reporter, offering a window into community life from 1856 through today. Patrons can search and browse historic newspapers from 1856–1976 online at: https://ogden.advantage-preservation.com More recent editions, covering 1977–2025, are available for in-library use. Whether you are researching family history, exploring local events, or simply curious about the past, these enhanced digital archives make discovering Walton’s story more accessible than ever.
Change in Library Hours The library will be closed Friday, June 19 and Saturday, July 4.
