Afternoon Activities Program
Recently graduated senior Koral-Jean Carpenter is leading the afternoon kids’ program at Bancroft Public Library. This summer come to the library between 2:30 and 4:00 pm for a fun craft, game, legos, STEAM project, and more. Kids are welcome to come down after the Lunch, Learn, and Play summer program at the Courthouse Community Center.
Tai Chi with Lila Brown at Bancroft
| Date | Thursdays |
| Time | 3:15- 4:30 pm |
| Description | Instructor Lila Brown offers Tai Chi to the Salem community at the library, free of charge. We start with gentle, healing Qi Gong warm-ups and dip in to the beginning of the Yang Style Short Form. Improve your flexibility, balance, breathing, strength, and posture while developing focus, patience and awareness; mental, spiritual, and physical. Enjoy the flow of movement and mindfulness. Perfect for all ages and conditions. No previous experience necessary. Space generally limited to 8 participants. Drop-ins are welcome when space allows. |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | To register for your spot, and for more information, contact Lila at LilaRBrown@gmail.com. |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu for questions |
Seed Library is Now Open!
| Date | Spring- Summer 2026 |
| Time | during library hours |
| Description | Bancroft Public Library’s seed library is now available. Stop by the library to pick out your seeds for this season. Cornell Cooperative Extension has offered great resources on gardening, and Bentley Seeds from Cambridge has provided the packets. (Thank you to Beth DellaRocco for coordinating this opportunity) |
| Location | Library |
| Registration | stop by anytime |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu |
Bancroft Library at Salem Art Work’s Last Sunday Artisan Bazaar
| Date | Last Sunday of the Month (June 28, July 26, August 30) |
| Time | 10 am – 2 pm |
| Description | This summer, Salem Art Works is hosting an amazing artisan market and bazaar the last Sundays of June, July, and August. Bancroft Library will be in attendance with a tent. Stop by our booth to learn more about the library, check out books, get a library card, and check out this truly awesome community event at SAW. More details will be available on SAW’s website soon. https://www.salemartworks.org/ |
| Location | 9 Cary Lane, Salem, NY |
| Registration | No registration needed – FREE Program |
| Contact | mcarll@sals.edu or 518-854-7463 |
I Bird NY Challenge – Take out the Birding Backpack
| Date | Now – November 2026 |
| Time | Anytime! |
| Description | The annual I BIRD NY Challenge is back! Use your observation skills and take the Challenge by identifying any 10 bird species of your choosing in New York State. Participants who successfully complete this fun challenge will be awarded a commemorative patch, completion certificate, and be entered into a drawing for great birding prizes!* The challenge is open from March 1 through November 1, open to participants of all ages and abilities. Participants may also earn a bonus entry into the prize giveaway by submitting a photo documenting their experience completing the I BIRD NY Challenge. Please, check out the library’s birding backpack (at the circulation desk) to help you on your quest! The backpack was provided by Southern Adirondack Audubon Society. To participate in the I BIRD NY Challenge, complete a Challenge Log online or download the I BIRD NY Challenge form (PDF) See DEC website for more info: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/birding/i-bird-ny |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | No registration needed – FREE Program |
| Contact | mcarll@sals.edu or 518-854-7463 |
Voter Registration Information Table
| Date | Wednesday, August 5 (2 – 4 pm) Saturday, August 15 (noon – 2 pm) Wednesday, August 26 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm) |
| Time | see above |
| Description | Washington County Board of Elections will have an info table in Proudfit Hall on select days in August and September 2026. Stop by Proudfit to learn about absentee ballots, voter eligibility, and more! |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | No registration needed. |
| Contact | Washington County Board of Elections for more information: 518-746-2180 |
Video Screening: Living with New York Black Bears
| Date | Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30 pm and Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:30 – 1:30 pm |
| Time | see above |
| Description | Many people in our area have seen black bears. And, as these wonderful creatures are part of our community, Bancroft is showing the NYS DEC’s movie on living with black bears in NY. This video talks about bears and how we can be good neighbors to them. |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | No registration needed! |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu |
Make Your Own Blockprint!
| Date | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 |
| Time | 5:00 – 8:00 pm |
| Description | Local artist Heather Bellanca will lead this class on creating your own block print. Participants will use tools to create their own prints. More information coming soon! |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | Yes, registration is required |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu for questions |
Read with Bianca the Therapy Dog
| Date | Thursday, August 20, 2026 |
| Time | 2 pm – 4 pm |
| Description | Salem Central School students are familiar with Bianca the Therapy Dog, and this summer she is coming to Bancroft for a Thursday afternoon. Kids of any age are welcome to come and read a book to Bianca. Along with her owner, Kiki Perkins, Bianca stops by to spread joy, and reduce stress, and support kids. She especially loves reading with children and makes a wonderful, encouraging reading buddy! |
| Location | Bancroft Library Children’s Area |
| Registration | No registration necessary! |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu |
LARAC Grant Information Session
| Date | Tuesday, September 15, 2026 |
| Time | 4:00 pm |
| Description | Director of Grants, Kori Albrecht, will be at Bancroft Library this September to talk about arts grants that are available and how to apply for them. More information is coming soon! |
| Location | Reading Room |
| Registration | Yes, registration is required. |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu for questions |
Wellness Series: Part One – Setting a Wellness Vision
| Date | Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| Time | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Description | A Wellness Vision is a compelling statement of who you want to be and what health-promoting, life-giving behaviors you want to do regularly. To create your wellness vision, you must look at your values, motivators, best past experiences, strengths, challenges, supports, approaches and confidence. This is part one of a series by Washington County Public Health. Come to one, two, or all three of these classes. Please register. |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | mcarll@sals.edu or 518-854-7463 |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu for questions |
Wellness Series: Part Two – Setting and Attaining Personal Goals
| Date | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| Time | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Description | We usually know more about “What” we want than about how we are going to get there. For effective behavior change, we need “Behavioral Goals” to help us change our behavior to reach our desired outcome, or vision. Using the “SMART” Goal process, you learn how to set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. This is part two of a series by Washington County Public Health. Come to one, two, or all three of these classes. Please register. |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | mcarll@sals.edu or 518-854-7463 |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu for questions |
Wellness Series: Part Three – Making Positive Behavior Changes
| Date | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
| Time | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Description | It’s easier than you think! Stages of Change, formally known as the “transtheoretical model” of behavior change, gauges a person’s readiness to act on a new healthier behavior, and provides strategies, or processes of change to guide the person through the stages of change. That sounds hard, but once someone knows where they are in the stages, they have a better idea of how to move through to action. This is part three of a series by Washington County Public Health. Come to one, two, or all three of these classes. Please register. |
| Location | Proudfit Hall |
| Registration | mcarll@sals.edu or 518-854-7463 |
| Contact | 518-854-7463 or mcarll@sals.edu for questions |