Mid-Hudson Library System
Public libraries of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam and Ulster Counties
Below are libraries from the Mid-Hudson Library System that will be participating in The Great Give Back 2022! Check back often for updates; details about programs will begin to be shared around the beginning of September. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
Beekmman Library & The Great Give Back
October 15 from 12:00-2:00 pm
For all ages
The Beekman Library will collect in-demand items for the Dutches County SPCA and the DCSPCA will be at the Beekman Library talking all about pets and how to adopt!
No registration required and no restrictions.
Coat Drive
September 15-October 15
Winter coat drive. Drop off clean, new or gently-used coats and winter wear (hats,gloves, scarves) at your Columbia County Library for distribution to local charities.
Clinton Community Library
Clinton Community Gives Back
October 1-15
This year Clinton Community Library has partnered with The Town of Clinton Food Pantry. We kindly ask all community members to donate non-perishables such as canned goods, nut butters, dried fruits and vegetables, grains, granola and protein bars. We also ask for donations of baby food, baby formula and children’s lunch box snacks. Additionally, please donate toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary products, deodorant etc.) As the colder months approach, it is important that all people, in our community and outside, have access to warm meals, nutrition and comfort. Please bring your donations to Clinton Community Library between October 1st and October 15th.
*Please only donate items are unopened and not expired.
Donations for KidsPeace Foster Care
October 1-15
The Desmond-Fish Public Library invites our community back to participate in The Great Give Back! This year we are collecting new or “like new” suitcases, and duffle bags. They will go to KidsPeace Foster Care, a non-profit, therapeutic organization dedicated to helping provide services to children in need. With the community’s generosity, these children will enter into this care with their belongings in an item that gives them a sense of dignity and that they are cared for.
Operation Gratitude Card Making
October 1 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm
For all ages
Stop by our Community Room for this card making event to thank our first responders and members of the military. We will have lots of fun decorating supplies to help you create heartfelt greetings. Supplies will also be available through October 12th for pick up. Operation Gratitude will distribute the cards for us on October 15th.
No registration required.
East Fishkill Community Library
Pet Care Supply Drive
October 1-31
East Fishkill is home to many animal rescue organizations; we’ll be a donation collection center for all of October, so bring pet care items and food any time we’re open and we’ll distribute it to the groups in need. From pups to parakeets, hamsters to horses, your donations can help care for the rescue and shelter animals in our area!
Columbia County Libraries Association Winter Coat Drive
September 15 – October 15
Drop off clean and gently-used coats and winter wear (hats, gloves, scarves) at your Columbia County library for distribution to local charities.
Green County Library Association
Toiletries Collection for Hudson Valley Castle Point
September 30 – October 15
We will be collecting toiletries for the VA Hudson Valley Castle Point Campus. Donations will be accepted during the library’s operating hours.
Stichin’ for the Kitchen
October 1 – November 18
Howland Public Library is collecting handmade hats and scarves to be distributed to neighbors in need through Fareground and Beacon Community Kitchen. Contact community@beaconlibrary.org for more information.
Prison Library Wish List
October 17 – November 18
The Howland Public Library is also collecting books for NY State prison libraries. For this pilot program, we have received a wish list from a Hudson Valley correctional facility for specific in-demand books needed in their library. Through this program we hope to support prison libraries and ensure that all our community members have access to quality resources that they want to read.
A link to the wish list will be available at beaconlibrary.org starting Monday, Oct.17th. For those who prefer to support our local bookstores, a local wish list will also be available at the Library. Please note that the Library will only be accepting books from the wish list created by our prison library partners. For more information about the Prison Library Wish List, contact Michelle at community@beaconlibrary.org.
Columbia County Libraries Association Coat Drive
September 15 – October 29
As part of this year’s Great Give Back, all eleven Columbia County Libraries are partnering together to collect coats and winter outerwear (hats, mittens, scarves) to donate to local charities. Clean and gently-used donations can be dropped off at each of the County libraries starting Friday, September 15th through Saturday, October 15th. The Hudson Area Library will be extending their collection of coats and winter outerwear through October 29th in partnership with the Hudson Lion’s Club.
Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library
Vet2Vet Card Making
October 3-5 from 3:00-5:00 pm
For teens & adults
Drop by the Kent Library and make a handmade card to thank Veterans. No registration required!
Collecting Snacks and Toiletries for United for the Troops
October 7-31
The Kent Public Library will be collecting snacks, toiletries and other sundries to send in care packages to deployed military members.
Hudson River Housing Donation Drive
October 1-15
The LaGrange Association Library invites our community once again to participate in The Great Give Back! This year we are collecting a variety of items for Hudson River Housing, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing everyone with a good place to live in dignity. We will collect these donations inside of the library throughout the month of October during regular hours.
Columbia County Libraries Association Winter Coat Drive
September 15 – October 15
This is a joint collaboration of the Columbia County Libraries Association to collect winter coats to be distributed throughout Columbia County where they are needed.
Volunteer Fair
October 22 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
For ages 12 & up
Learn how to get involved in local organizations from the arts groups to environmental nonprofits, from food pantries to animal shelters, and more! This event is good for conscientious teens and adults who want to make a difference in the community and help their neighbors. Stop by the library front lawn and gallery space to chat with local organizations and learn how to help out. No registration required!
River Haven Donation Drive
September 1 – October 15
One of the many opportunities that will be available to patrons of the Millbrook Library, is to offer donations and time to help the River Haven Youth Shelter of Poughkeepsie. This organization offers temporary, emergency shelter to children and teens ages 10 to 17.
They are in need of toiletry & hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, brushes, combs, shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, feminine hygiene products, towels, washcloths, and caddies. Also, they will need cold weather items, like blankets, hats, gloves, pajamas, and small toys, like fidget gadgets.
Please drop off any of these items at the Millbrook Library! We will be collecting donations until October 14th.
Then, on October 15th, bring the whole family and help us pack everything up into kits that can be given to kids as they arrive at the shelter. It’s a great way to have young hands involved in helping out a really important service organization in our local community!
And! one more way to get involved: stop by when you have time and decorate a bag that will be used for packaging the kits!
Grace Immigrant Outreach Food Drive
October 1-31
The library is partnering with Grace Immigrant Outreach for a food drive to benefit the La Mesa Food Distribution site that primarily serves our Hispanic community. We will be collecting donations throughout the month. This is a culturally-informed food drive so please review the list of needed foods below and bring them by the library for collection! Thanks for giving back to the community!
Food List: Maseca, Dry beans, Canned beans, Fruits (canned and fresh), Vegetables (Canned and Fresh), Rice, Pasta:, Vegetable oil, Cereal (cold and hot), Oatmeal, Soup, Juice (Canned and Frozen), Herbs/Spices
Stars of Hope
October 17 at 3:00 pm
For ages 12-19
Bring positivity into the world by painting an inspiring star. As part of the Great Give Back, Millbrook Library is partnering with the organization Stars of Hope to use art to bring messages of hope to communities and places where tragedies and disasters have happened. Paint a star which will be then shared with others who need some inspiration and positivity.
Craft for a Cause
October 7 Or October 21
5:00 pm
For ages 12 and up
Learn a new skill and make something for someone in need! Beginners and skilled fiber artists are invited to join us to make hats, scarves, and blankets. We will donate completed projects to local organizations that need them. No experience is necessary. This is an intergenerational program for ages 12 and up! Registration is not required.
Morton Memorial Library (Pine Hill)
Great Give Back with Winnakee Land Trust, Pollinator Patrol, Staatsburg and Morton Libraries – Milkweed Release
October 15 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
At Drayton Grant Park at Burger Hill
For all ages
Join Morton and Staatsburg Libraries as we partner with the Pollinator Patrol and Winnakee Land Trust at Burger Hill for a morning of identifying milkweed, talking about monarchs, spreading seed, and having kiddos help put some milkweed packets together to give away.
Can’t join us that day, we will have seed packets after the event to share, these can be picked up at Morton or Staatsburg Libraries.
This event is free and open to all. Register at this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-give-back-milkweed-release-and-fun-at-burger-hill-tickets-418211641277
GCLA takes action for Community Action of Greene County!
Greene County Library Association will be collecting donations the first two weeks in October, of non-perishable food pantry items and personal hygiene products for the organization ‘Community Action of Greene County’. Items may be dropped off at any one of the participating Libraries in Greene County! Drop off at any participating Greene County Library. Call your local Greene County NY Library for more details!
Coat Drive
September 15-October 15
Columbia County Libraries Coat Drive
September 15 – October 15
Libraries throughout Columbia County
Columbia County Libraries will be collecting new and gently used winter coats to distribute through partner organizations to individuals and families in need in Columbia County. Coats will be distributed by local partner organizations.
Food Fight Food Drive
September 1 – October 15
Community members are invited to bring unexpired non-perishable goods to the library for local food banks.
DCSPCA – How To Care For Your New Pet
October 15
From 11:00 am-12:30 pm
For families and patrons of all ages
Learn how to best care for your new furry family member as Jean Epting of the Dutchess County SPCA presents this exciting and informative program for new pet parents!
Registration is required – please visit pleasantvalleylibrary.org
We will also have a Pet Supplies Donation Drive for DCSPCA throughout the month of October (Oct. 1 -31)
Roeliff Jansen Community Library
Columbia County Libraries Coat Drive
September 15 – October 15
Libraries throughout Columbia County
Columbia County Libraries will be collecting new and gently used winter coats to distribute through partner organizations to individuals and families in need in Columbia County.
Rye Free Reading Room and the Great Give Back!
October 1-31
RFRR will be participating in The Great Give Back, a statewide community service initiative, by being a drop-off location for the Carter’s Baby & Kid Clothing Free Recycling Program through TerraCycle.
Clothes will be collected October 1-31 in the Children’s Room
Bring to library collection bins during business hours
Clean and dry baby and kid clothing of any brand accepted
Clearly used but thoroughly cleaned clothing is fine (holes and stains happen)
No accessories or shoes
Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1 – October 15
Ulster County Libraries are holding a food collection contest. The common goal is to fill up the shelves of local food pantries!
Donation Drive for Stanford Grange #808 Little Food Pantry
October 1-31
The Stanford Free Library will be collecting needed non-perishable food items and supplies for the Stanford Grange #808’s Little Food Pantry.
The Great Giveback: Coat Drive
October 15-22
The Great Giveback is a day of service at public libraries across New York. Drop off clean, new or gently-used coats, hats, gloves, scarves at Starr during the week of October 15-22.
Autumn Centerpieces
October 4-15
For 3 years old – adult
Create Autumn centerpieces for the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Brain Injury. The children will be creating multiple Fall-themed decorations. The adults will be making painted pumpkins made from reused corks. Both will come together to produce festive centerpieces to brighten up the common areas of the Center.
All are welcome to help with this project.
Winter Coat Drive
September 15 – October 15
The Valatie Free Library will be collecting gently used, clean winter coats to be given to people who need them.
Woodstock Public Library District
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1-October 15
Woodstock Library will be accepting non-perishable food donations September 1 – October 15. Help us fight food insecurity in our community!
As part of the Great Give Back, Ulster County libraries are holding a food collection contest. The common goal is to fill up the shelves of local food pantries and to put an end to hunger in our communities. Non-perishable items can be dropped off in our collecting bin during our open hours. Thank you!
Click here to view past GGB events from the Mid-Hudson Library System.