Mamakating Library

We want to know what ALL our neighbors think. Would you help us serve you all better? Please click this link: https://forms.gle/bFihD2Mvc1sfGhgG6, a short survey to help us know how we can better serve EVERYBODY. You can also visit us and get a paper copy at the circulation desk. Our hours - Monday 10-5, Tuesday 10-7, Wednesday 10-5, Thursday 10-7, Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-4, Sunday closed.
Text on picture reads: Sprout says, Hey there neighbor! Do you have an opinion about the library? We want to know Tell us in this survey (word is hyperlinked with survey). It will help us serve you better! Are you in the Mamakating Library district? Please help us by taking this short survey: https://forms.gle/bFihD2Mvc1sfGhgG6 It will only take about five to ten minutes. It will help us with serving you all better!

Meet Sullivan County’s New Poet Laureate, Kim Thai

Kim Thai is stepping into the role, succeeding Kevin Scot Graham, and bringing with her a background in journalism, poetry, community-building and storytelling.

Thai’s work has appeared in AP, Fortune, USA Today, MTV and the Discovery Channel, and she says a central focus of her work is amplifying voices that often go unheard.

After moving to Sullivan County with her wife following the pandemic, Thai says she hopes to use the role to connect with residents through monthly open mics and other events across the county.

For Thai, poetry is not just about writing. It is also about creating space for people to come together, be heard and build community.

Read and Listen for more:
https://wjffradio.org/meet-sullivan-countys-new-poet-laureate-kim-thai/

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and asking for help is one of the strongest things a man can do.
Too many men are told to push through, stay quiet, or figure it out alone. But struggling with addiction or mental health isn't a sign of weakness. It's a health issue, and it deserves real care.
At Ideal Option, we meet you where you are. No judgment. No shame. Just support.
If you or someone you love is ready to take that first step, we're here.
Looking for more resources? NAMI Sullivan can help -- namisullivan.org (845) 794-1029

Equality 📚 🌈

Credit: The Literacy J***y

CPR classes, Lifeguarding classes, Lifeguard Management classes, and Recertifications classes offered by Anthony in Wurtsboro, NY .....please call 845-978-1104

On this last day of Wild Turtle Week, we want to remind you that wild turtles belong in the wild, and pet turtles belong in responsible homes (aka NOT in the wild)!

Did you know it's illegal in New York to A) collect turtles from the wild or B) to release pet turtles into natural habitats? Taking wild turtles can harm native turtle populations, especially because many species reproduce slowly and are already facing many threats, such as habitat loss.

Releasing pet turtles is also a problem. Turtles have very complex needs and a long lifespan, which can lead to people abandoning them when they outgrow their small tanks. Releasing a pet turtle, or "setting it free," can do more harm than good for the animal and for the area it was released into. Many dumped pets don’t survive, and those that do can introduce diseases, compete with native wildlife, and disrupt local ecosystems. For example, the red-eared slider turtle (pictured here) is a popular pet and is now invasive on every continent except Antarctica!

If you or someone you know can no longer care for a pet turtle, contact a local reptile rescue, animal shelter, or wildlife agency for guidance. And if you see a turtle in the wild, the best thing you can do is admire it from a distance and leave it right where you found it.

📷: Melissa Fadden

Are you interested in being our Friend? The Friends of Mamakating Library are meeting Saturday, June 13 at 10am in the community room at the library. All are invited to attend the meetings. The Friends will be discussing Bike Safety Day, Founder's Day, and Book Fairies events.