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Friday Night Films June 20 7:00 PM

Friday night movies continue with classic musicals, hosted by David Tisdale.
On June 20, David will be showing Guys and Dolls and will share a bit of his extensive knowledge about the movie before the show.

The program is free and all are welcome.

Meet Your Neighbors Series Continues with Johnny Gray and Christine Burke – September 4 at 7:00 PM

Johnny Gray and Christine Burke first met in 2018 in Austin, TX, and quickly knew they’d found something special. Eager to share their lives, they spent their first year together meeting each other’s families—one of the earliest and most memorable trips was to Essex, NY, to visit Johnny’s parents, Nick and Carol Muehller, who many of you know as beloved members of the Essex community.

It was over that Fourth of July weekend that Christine first crossed the ferry and fell in love with Essex. The flowers were in full bloom, the lake sparkled, and the small-town charm left a lasting impression. Johnny, a seasoned residential architect, has spent his career designing homes with a deep understanding of how people truly live and interact in their spaces. He’s led architectural teams and contributed to many home designs seen across the country.

Christine, meanwhile, has built a dynamic career in technology sales and consulting, holding leadership roles at IBM, CA Technologies, and Salesforce. She currently leads the Healthcare Delivery Organization for North America at Armis, a cybersecurity company.

Together, Johnny and Christine share a passion for thoughtful design and community. They recently completed the renovation and launch of Lady on the Lake, a collection of six beautifully restored short-term rental cottages right here in Essex. Summers in Essex have become a cherished tradition, full of meaningful friendships and local adventures.

During the winter months, they live in Neptune Beach, Florida, where they enjoy the warm weather and coastal lifestyle while staying connected to their work and passions. Animal lovers through and through, they share their lives with their dogs Travis and Pancho, and Christine—who grew up with horses and was a collegiate barrel racer at Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to enjoy equestrian life. When winter rolls around, you’ll likely find them on the slopes enjoying their other shared passion: snow skiing.

Johnny and Christine are thrilled to be part of the Essex community and look forward to many more summers filled with beauty, connection, and a touch of adventure.


Light refreshments will be served following the program. There is a suggested doantion of $5.00 to help support the library.

Haunted Hamlet Activities at the Library Stories, Scavenger Hunt and Trivia Saturday, October 26 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Find the pumpkins that are hidden around the library!   Rinda the Good Witch (no guarantees!) and her familiar, Petey the pet snake will be here to read spooky stories at selected intervals between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.    
Halloween Trivia
Saturday, October 26
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Come with a pre-made team of 3-5 people or join a team once here.  We need at least two teams of 2-4 adult contestants to play.  Call the library at (518) 963-8079 or send send us an email for details.  We’re racking our brains all week to come up with questions, so pre-registration is appreciated but not required.

Short Story Book Club

November’s short story book club pick is Night of the Living Rez (2022) by Morgan Talty.  In 12 linked stories, all narrated by a character named David, Talty’s debut collection provides an unsparing perspective on the harsh reality of life in the Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation of Maine. Ranging from grim to tender, these stories reveal the hardships facing a young Native American in contemporary America. This collection has won awards that are too numerous to list, and was named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, NPR, Esquire, Oprah Daily, and more.  
    The short story book club is perfect for busy people, especially at this time of the year. There’s no need to attend a meeting or make snacks for anyone other than yourself. Stop in for a copy of the book and enjoy reading the chapter(s) you have time for. When you return the book, shareyour impressions and recommendations or December in a notebook at the desk if you choose.We would love to hear what you think!

Join The Club – Help Celebrate our 125th Anniversary

2024 marks 125 years of service to the Essex community!  Join the $125 Club and help us celebrate this milestone with your donation of $125.  Your support will help launch us into another 125 years of service.   

You’ll receive our thanks and a special tote bag, designed  with a drawing of the library by Jim Van Hoven. This is an ongoing effort throughout our anniversary year. Donors will be gratefully acknowledged in our Fall newsletter.

New! Empire Pass available to borrow

Fall is a great time to get outdoors and explore  with our new Empire Parks Pass! The pass permits vehicle access to most facilities operated by the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
The pass may be borrowed for up to three days and must be presented upon entry to the facility. Without the pass, you will be required to pay the vehicle entry fee.  The pass is good for free admission to the parks listed on the NYS Parks website and day use areas listed on the NYS DEC website.  For more information and a list of our local borrowing rules, stop in or visit our web site.

Loteria Scavenger Hunt, Hispanic Heritage Month, September 28 – October 12

This October, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage  with a Loteria themed scavenger hunt. Loteria, Spanish for lottery, is a traditional Mexican board game similar to Bingo.  

We have hidden the Loteria card deck all over the first floor of the library.  Search, find, and win a small prize.  Children and caregivers are welcome to join us in this self-directed activity.  The scavenger hunt will be available from September 28 – October 12.

Drop -In Lego Club for Kids Saturday, October 5 & 19 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Come in for brick-snapping fun!  We’ll supply the Legos – you bring the creativity!  Each session will include “free” and “themed” builds that will be announced during the program.   

Kids age 6-12 can let their imaginations run wild on Saturday, October 5 and Saturday,  October 19 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  A themed build will start at 3:30. 

Duplos and/or The Lego movie will be available for children under six.  Please note that adult supervision is required for children under six.  All ages are welcome. 

Note:  Are you looking to lighten your Lego load? We can use a few new-to-us Legos, including people (“minifigs”) and parts (wheels, bases, etc.).  Email us  call (518) 963-8079, or stop in to arrange a time to bring them in.

Meet Libby – the Reading App Saturday, October 5 by appointment

Did You Know? Your library card is your golden ticket to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, and now digital magazines.  It’s easy to use the Libby free library reading app on a phone or tablet, access in a web browser (libbyapp.com), listen with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, transfer to an e-reader, and more. 

Learn how to get started or get a refresher on Saturday, October 5.  Individual appointments will be available from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  Call the library at (518) 963-8079 or send us an email (beldennoblelibrary@gmail.com) for more details and to book a spot.