Adult Programs
For more information on previous programming and projects, including videos of recorded programs please visit our
Previous Programs and Projects page.
New On Display at the Library:
“Clair de Lune” – Traditional Ink on Paper Drawings
by Edwing Gomez Flores
November & December
Artist’s Statement: Black because it creates depth, contrast, and blends absence with presence. White because it enhances visibility, transition, and gives a sense of hope. Red because it emphasizes energy, passion, and yearns for attention. Gold because it embraces wisdom, good fortune, and is viewed as absolute.
Edwing Gomez Flores was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and currently resides in upstate New York. Having no formal education in the visual arts, this sub-discipline has and continues to bring Edwing fulfillment through its concepts and processes to express emotion, point of view, and critical thinking. Many of his creations reflect fond memories, dreams, and stories shared by others. When words become meaningless, it is through the visual arts that Edwing can showcase his perception of the world.
Digital Navigator Office Hours
Every Wednesday
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Struggling to get online? Finding it hard to job hunt, find housing, pay bills, or schedule appointments without internet access? The Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley are here to help! Join Kate, our Communications Manager and Digital Navigator of the Hudson Valley, for free tech assistance. She can help you with:
- Setting up and using email
- Navigating websites for job applications
- Accessing online government services
- Scheduling online appointments
- Basic troubleshooting for personal devices
- And much more!
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated! Email communications@roejanlibrary.org or call 518-325-4101 to reserve your spot with Kate.
Qigong & Tai Chi at the Library
Every Thursday
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Qigong and Tai Chi are approaches to movement that have been practiced for hundreds of years and are particularly helpful for dealing with stress, limited ability to move, those wishing to developing better balance and flexibility and can be practiced by nearly everyone young and old. Although Tai Chi is generally practiced standing, Qigong can be modified to allow participants to be seated.
This weekly drop-in class, open to all, is taught by David Haines, who has been a practitioner of Qigong, Tai Chi, and mindful movement for 50 years, a teacher for 40 years, and a certified Trager Movement practitioner for 35 years. Since moving into the area in 2006 he has taught at Omega Institute, Simon’s Rock college, Columbia-Greene Community College, as well as various libraries, senior centers, and school district community education classes.
Classes are held in the Roe Jan Library Community Room or outdoors, weather permitting. Wear comfortable clothes.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Free English-Language Tutoring // Tutoría del Idioma Inglés Gratuito
Thursdays // jueves
6:00 – 7:30pm
by appointment // con cita previa
Free English-language tutoring will be available at Roeliff Jansen Community Library between 6:00 and 7:30pm. This tutoring program is intended primarily for adults. Instruction will be one-on-one or in small groups with Yvonne Acevedo and will be geared toward everyday conversational needs. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and up. Please e-mail director@roejanlibrary.org or call 518-325-4101 to schedule an appointment.
La biblioteca ofrecerá tutoría del idioma Inglés gratuito, los jueves entre las 6:00 pm hasta 7:30pm, con cita previa. Estas lecciones están diseñadas principalmente para adultos. Las lecciones serán dadas individualmente ó en grupos pequeños por Yvonne Acevedo y estarán orientadas a fomentar fluidez en el lenguage coloquial cotidiano. Ofreceremos servicio para el cuidado de niños(as) de 3 años de edad y mayores. Por favor, comuníquese por correo electrónico con la director@roejanlibrary.org ó marque el 518-325-4101 para reservar una cita.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Friends Cookies & Books Sale
Friday & Saturday, December 13-14
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Stop by the Library and enjoy baked goods and a book sale! All proceeds go to the Friends of Roe Jan Library.
Back to Nature: Holiday Centerpiece Workshop
Sunday, December 15
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Get ready for the holidays by creating your own natural seasonal centerpiece. The workshop will be led by Master Gardener Linda Levitt from CCE Columbia-Greene. You will be able to take home a seasonal table arrangement designed by you using evergreen branches, pine cones, berries and whatever you might like to add. All necessary supplies will be provided, but you can also feel free to bring your own special items to decorate the arrangement.
Linda is not a stranger to this area. Many family members owned property here in Copake and Craryville as far back as the 1930s. She spent many days here visiting her Grandparents and extended family. She bought property in Copake in 2003 and moved up here full time in in 2014 after retiring from the insurance industry. She owned her own insurance agency for 30 years with a specialty in employee benefits. She always loved gardening and in 2014 became a Master Gardner Volunteer with CCE Columbia-Greene. She has also earned an advanced certification in horticulture and landscape design from Berkshire Community College in conjunction with the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA. She is a member of the Germantown Garden Club. She has designed containers and gardens for clients here in the Hudson Valley.
Space is limited to 15 and registration is required. Register by emailing director@roejanlibrary.org.
Cookbook Club
Saturday, December 21
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Cookbook Club meets the third Saturday of the month, now meeting from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Led by local volunteers Monique Rinere & Rita Jakubowski.
Members select a recipe, prepare the dish, and bring it to the next meeting, where we’ll discuss the cookbook and enjoy a shared meal. Don’t forget to bring copies of your recipe to share with fellow food enthusiasts!
For Saturday December 21st, the theme will be “Holiday” and everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish to share for whatever holiday they celebrate.
Everyone is welcome—more members mean more delicious dishes! For more information, please contact Rita at rlj304@gmail.com
Tea Time at the Library
Every Fourth Thursday of the Month
Next Meeting: December 26
2:30 p.m.
Plan to visit the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. to discuss fun and informative topics. Each month’s gathering will have a different theme; listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s your preference!), and sometimes a fun activity. There will also be plenty of time to chat, get to know your neighbors, and wind down.
For our December gathering, we’re excited to welcome Franny Alexander, a local yoga teacher and former nurse practitioner, for a discussion on health entitled, “Drink, Sleep, Love: A Simple Strategy to Manage Chronic Pain.”
Come join the discussion and enjoy a cup of Harney’s Tea (or coffee) and some fresh baked goods on the house.
Film Screening: Little Women (2019)
Thursday, December 26
5:30 p.m.
Looking for something fun to do during the school winter break? Join us for a cozy afternoon at the library as we screen the beloved 2019 adaptation of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig.
Settle in with friends and family for this heartwarming tale of the March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery during and after the Civil War. Rated PG, this film is perfect for teens and adults alike.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided by the library. No registration is required—just drop in and enjoy! We hope to see you there!
Keeping Columbia County History Alive
Monday, January 6
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Join Ghent Town Historian Gregg Berninger for this Zoom program to learn about the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s support of historic preservation and education in Columbia County. Special guests include Germantown Historian Tom Shannon, Hendrick Hudson Chapter DAR Regent Virginia Martin, Edgar Masters and Deb Cohen of the Copake Iron Works, and Austerlitz Town Historian Emeritus Tom Moreland. Come along to learn about the people and places of our county’s past and how they live on thanks to the Pomeroy Foundation.
This program is sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com to register.
Healthcare Navigator Appointments
Monday, January 13
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
A Navigator from the Healthcare Consortium will be available the second Monday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Navigators can assist individuals and families in Columbia and Greene Counties with shopping for, comparing, and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan, through the New York State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace. Navigators can also assist with applying for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Navigator services are free of charge. You can make an appointment by calling (518) 822-9600.
Roe Jan’s Fiction Book Club
First Meeting: Wednesday, January 15
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Calling all fiction lovers! Roeliff Jansen Community Library is launching a brand-new book club! The club will meet every third Wednesday at 6:00 PM.
At our first meeting, we’ll discuss North Woods by Daniel Mason, a hauntingly beautiful novel that weaves together stories spanning centuries, all centered on one Western Massachussetts house. Whether you’ve read the book or just want to learn more, come join the conversation!
The book club will be led by Kate, our Communications Manager, and Fran, our Outreach Associate. No registration is required, and all are welcome! Help us brainstorm a name for the club at the first meeting—we’d love your input!
Job Search and Resume Help
Job search coaching, with an emphasis on resume writing and using online resources to find jobs, is offered by volunteer Career Coach, Beth Gordon. Beth provides help with finding career opportunities, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing preparation and reviewing job resources.
Career Coaching and Job Search Help sessions cover résumé and letter writing, skills assessments, career planning and Internet job search. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help people of all ages seeking career coaching, goal setting, or help updating and improving their professional profiles.
Job Help sessions are by appointment only and are typically conducted via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling or emailing the library or contacting Beth Gordon directly at bagordon323@gmail.com. In person help at the library can be provided with prior arrangements as well.
Senior Balance and Strength Class with Dr. Paul Spector on Zoom
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION:
https://zoom.us/j/759916157
Meeting ID: 759 916 157
Passcode: 592902
*Please note the start date has been moved from January 12th to January 19th.*
To watch past recordings of Dr. Spector’s class, visit our YouTube channel playlist.
