Eastern Monroe Public Library

Drop-In Fly-Tying Demo & Practice with Trout Unlimited
2026-01-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-12 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Drop-In Fly-Tying Demo & Practice with Trout Unlimited (Mondays)
Watch fly-tying demonstrations and try your hand at this traditional craft with John from Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited! Drop by the Hughes Library lobby most Mondays, 1-4pm (see calendar for dates) to admire both classic and unique examples of fly tying patterns, learn techniques, and practice tying. All flies created will be donated to VALOR to support veterans with fly fishing. No experience or registration required.

New Year Wellness Health Booth
2026-01-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
New Year Wellness Health Booth
Monday, January 26th, 1pm-4pm (drop-in) – Hughes Lobby
Celebrate International Quality of Life Month by stopping in to explore simple ways to start the year feeling your best. A PA Department of Health representative will be available to chat about topics such as building healthier routines or thinking about yearly wellness goals. We welcome anyone looking for a fresh start! Drop in anytime—no appointment or registration needed.

Healthy Eating Beyond the Scale: Guidance from GIANT’s Registered Dietitian
2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Healthy Eating Beyond the Scale: Guidance from GIANT’s Registered Dietitian
This event has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Monday, January 26th, 11am – Eisemann Room
Discover smart strategies for weight wellness that go beyond the numbers. This in-person presentation by GIANT’s registered dietitian offers practical tips to help you build sustainable habits, boost energy, and feel your best—without fixating on the scale. Registration required. Call 570-421-0800 ext. 317. Register by Monday, January 19th, 2026.

Weather Closure
2026-01-26, 2026-01-25
❄️ Winter Weather Closure – Access EMPL Online!
Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, all Eastern Monroe Public Library locations — including the Hughes Library, Library of the Smithfields, and Bookmobile services — will be closed Sunday 1/25 & Monday 1/26 for the safety of our community and staff. All library programs and community meetings scheduled for today are also cancelled.
Even though our buildings are closed, EMPL is always open online!
Here are some great ways to stay informed, entertained, and connected from home:
📚 Borrow eBooks & Audiobooks
Access thousands of titles through Libby / OverDrive. All you need is your library card to download books, audiobooks, and magazines instantly.
🎥 Stream Movies & TV
Use Hoopla to enjoy films, documentaries, kids’ shows, and more—free with your library card.
🧠 Online Learning & Research
Explore our digital resources for tutorials, language learning, genealogy, homework help, and research databases. Perfect for students and lifelong learners.
👧 Learning Tools for Kids
Access Brainfuse, BookFlix, and additional digital resources that support reading and learning for kids.
❓ Need Help?
Email the reference desk at reference@monroepl.org to reach out with any questions about your account or our digital resources. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy exploring everything EMPL has to offer—right from home!

(FULL) Winter Seed Sowing Workshop (for adults)
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Winter Seed Sowing Workshop
Thursday, January 22nd, 2pm — Community Room
*Please note this was incorrectly advertised as starting at 11am earlier. The correct starting time is 2pm. We apologize for the inconvenience.*
Join us to plant seeds that thrive with cold stratification! Led by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Monroe County, this beginner-friendly workshop teaches you how to start native plants and cool-weather veggies using simple materials—like recycled gallon jugs—to create small seed-starting containers that function as “mini greenhouses.” You’ll learn what cold stratification is, why certain seeds need it, and how to use this technique at home to jump-start your spring gardening. All materials are provided, and you’ll take home a prepared seed-starting container to continue the process outdoors. For adults ages 18+ only. Registration required. Registration opens 12/29/25. Limited spots. Call 570-421-0800 ext. 317 to register.

(FULL) Computer Confidence Class: A Beginner’s Guide to Computers & the Internet
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Computer Confidence Class: A Beginner’s Guide to Computers & the Internet
Thursday, 1/22/2026, 2pm.
New to computers—or feeling out of practice? Build confidence with the essential skills you need to navigate today’s digital world. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to use a computer, browse the internet safely, search effectively, and get familiar with key digital tools. Perfect for true beginners or anyone wanting a friendly refresher. Laptops and mice are provided for guided practice. Registration required – space is limited. To register, call 570-421-0800 ext. 317 or visit the Hughes Library Information Desk.

Color Yourself Calm: Adult Coloring
2026-01-21 12:30 - 15:00, 2026-01-14 12:30 - 15:00, 2026-01-07 12:30 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Color Yourself Calm: Adult Coloring (Wednesdays)
Every Wednesday, 12:30pm-3:00pm (drop-in) — Pullen Room
Join us for Color Yourself Calm, a relaxing, self-guided coloring session for adults of all abilities. All materials are provided—including colored pencils, crayons, markers, and a variety of coloring sheets—though you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Drop in anytime during the session and stay for as long as you like. Settle in for peaceful solitude or connect with others in a calm, creative atmosphere. Unwind, recharge, and enjoy a soothing break in your day!

Teen DND: The Forests of Time Series (grades 6-12)
2026-01-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 5:30-7:00pm. The Campaign continues! New and experienced players welcome? Dungeonmaster Kelsey will guide you through The Forests of Time! Registration begins Monday, Jan. 5.
Call Youth Services at 570-421-0800 x 305.

Create Valentine’s Day Cards for Seniors (adult program)
2026-01-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Create Valentine’s Day Cards for Seniors: Share Some Love!
Friday, January 16th, 2-4pm (drop-in) — Eisemann Room
Tuesday, January 20th, 2-4pm (drop-in) – Eisemann Room
Brighten a senior’s day this Valentine’s by making handmade cards (self-guided) filled with love and cheer. Your creations will be delivered along our Bookmobile route to bring smiles to local seniors. We’ll provide plenty of supplies—blank cards, colorful paper, coloring utensils, stickers, ribbon, glue sticks, and more—but feel free to bring your own supplies. This is a self-guided program for adults, but all ages are welcome with adult assistance.
Can’t attend in person or want to make extra cards at home? You can drop off completed cards at the second-floor Reference Desk at Hughes Library. Please do not seal envelopes, and do not sign your card personally—use “Your Library Friend” or a similar message. All cards must be dropped off by 5 PM on Friday, January 23rd.

CLOSED - All EMPL Branches
2026-01-19 | All LibrarIes, United States
Eastern Monroe Public Library (Hughes Library, Library of the Smithfields, and Bookmobile Services) will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day.

Red Cross Blood Drive
2026-01-17 09:30 - 14:30 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, January 17th, 9:30am-2:30pm — Community Room
Your lifesaving donation is needed now! Join us at Hughes Library for an American Red Cross blood drive, accepting Whole Blood and Power Red donations. Winter weather has caused a severe drop in donations, creating an emergency need for type O blood. Your Whole Blood or Power Red donation can help patients battling cancer, facing trauma or surgery, living with sickle cell disease, recovering from burns, or managing chronic illnesses. Registration is strongly recommended—schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcross.org/rapidpass. Your donation can help save lives.

Chair Cardio/Movement
2026-01-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Chair Cardio/Movement (Fridays)
Every Friday, 2:00pm (unless otherwise specified) — Community Room
January: No class 01/02, 01/23, 01/30
Join our Chair Cardio sessions for a heart-pumping, full-body movement class open to all levels. Each week features different exercises and movement styles—mixing it up between boxing, tai chi, balletone, strength/balance work and more. It will get your blood flowing and make you break a sweat, even from the chair! All movements are adaptable—Luz demonstrates modifications for different abilities, so you can participate fully on the chair, partially supported, or off the chair if comfortable. Bring water, a towel (optional), and a yoga mat if you plan to move partially or fully off the chair. Class is limited to 50 participants, first-come, first-served. Arrive early—doors close promptly at 2:00 PM, and no late entries are allowed.

Kaleidoscope Book Club
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Kaleidoscope Book Club
Thursday, January 15th, 6:00pm — Pullen Room/Zoom
New book club alert! January’s Theme: Fresh Starts & First Chapters. A choose-your-own-read adult book club on third Thursdays celebrating LGBTQ+ authors, characters, and stories across all genres with a different suggested theme each month. January’s theme invites books about new beginnings—coming-of-age journeys, self-discovery, transformation, or characters stepping into a new chapter of life. Choose any title that fits the theme, whether from our suggested list or your own pick. All are welcome—LGBTQ+ readers, allies, and the curious. Questions or want the Zoom link? Call 570-421-0800 ext. 317 or email programming@monroepl.org. For additional theme details and suggested reads, visit monroepl.org/kaleidoscope-book-club.

Genealogy Resources Class: Explore Free Library Tools for Tracing Your Family History
2026-01-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Genealogy Resources Class: Explore Free Library Tools for Tracing Your Family History
Thursday, 1/15/2026, 2pm.
Uncover your family’s story using powerful research tools—all free through the library. This class introduces resources such as Ancestry Library Edition, Newspapers.com Library Edition, and additional digital archives. Learn which tools you can access from home, which are available only in the library, and how to begin or advance your genealogy research with confidence. Basic computer or smartphone/tablet skills recommended. You’re welcome to bring your own device—tablet, smartphone, or laptop. Registration required – space is limited. To register, call 570-421-0800 ext. 317 or visit the Hughes Library Information Desk.

The BookTalk Book Club
2026-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
This book club meets at our flagship Hughes branch on the second Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm. Members attend in-person in our 1st-floor Board Room. This month’s selection of the BookTalk Book Club is Allison Pataki’s The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post.

Free Film: The Apartment (1960)
2026-01-13 14:00 - 16:30 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Free Weekday Matinee Film: The Apartment (1960)
Tuesday, January 13th, 2:00pm-4:15pm — Community Room
Start the new year with a classic! This month’s feature is The Apartment (1960), Billy Wilder’s bittersweet, tragi-comic tale of ambition and unexpected connection in wintertime Manhattan. Jack Lemmon stars as C.C. Baxter, an insurance clerk who lends his apartment to company executives for their secret affairs—until his feelings for elevator operator Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine) complicate everything. Feel free to bring a chair cushion or pillow for extra comfort! Rated TV-PG (parental guidance advised). Shown with closed captions/English subtitles.

Chair Yoga
2026-01-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Chair Yoga (Mondays)
January: No class 01/19
Mondays, 2pm-Community Room
Join our Chair Yoga sessions for a yoga-focused class suitable for all levels. Yoga classes include breathing exercises, movement exercises, meditation, and more. All movements are adaptable—Luz provides instructions and modifications for different abilities, so you can participate entirely on the chair, partially off, or fully off the chair if comfortable. Please bring water, a towel (optional), and a yoga mat if you plan to move partially or fully off the chair. Bringing yoga blocks or straps, if you have them, is recommended. Space is limited to 50 participants, first-come, first-served. Arrive early—doors close promptly at 2:00 PM, and no late entries are allowed.

Sunday Sit & Stitch
2026-01-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Sunday Sit & Stitch
Sunday, January 11th, 1pm-3pm – Eisemann Room
NOTE! New times for 2026: Mondays (1st and 3rd), 3:00–4:30 p.m., and Sundays (2nd Sundays), 1:00–3:00 p.m., all in the Eisemann Room. Join a friendly, come-as-you-are gathering of fellow makers where you can bring your current project, chat, share ideas, and enjoy a relaxed creative atmosphere. This is a social meet-up, not a class, but you may find others who practice the same craft and are happy to lend an ear, offer a hand, or swap tips. All crafts are welcome—just bring your own supplies. No registration needed; drop in anytime.

Smithfields Omnivorous Readers Book Club (ORB) via Zoom
2026-01-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Online, United States
Our Smithfields Library Branch’s Omnivorous Readers Book Club (ORB) provides a unique and fun book club experience. Rather than everyone reading the same book, each member chooses your OWN selection related to the month’s theme (which is chosen by the previous meeting’s attending members)! Sharing what we all read is an excellent way to find out about books you may be interested in reading on your own! The book theme for this month is: I’ve Been Meaning To Get To That Book.
An email invitation with the Zoom link will be sent out before the meeting. If you are not currently a member of the club but would like to join us, call 570-223-1881 or send an email to smf@monroepl.org and you will be sent some information. New members are always warmly welcomed!

Reading Tracker Class: Using StoryGraph & Goodreads to Start Your Reading Year Strong
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Reading Tracker Class: Using StoryGraph & Goodreads to Start Your Reading Year Strong
Thursday, 1/8/2026, 2pm.
Begin the new year with digital tools that help you track your reading, set goals, and connect with other book lovers. This class introduces you to StoryGraph and Goodreads (and maybe some other bookish social media options!), showing you how to log books, explore recommendations, join challenges, and build your own bookish social community. Perfect for readers who want to stay organized, discover new titles, or make online friends with similar reading tastes. Basic computer or smartphone/tablet skills recommended. You’re welcome to bring your own device—tablet, smartphone, or laptop. Registration required – space is limited. To register, call 570-421-0800 ext. 317 or visit the Hughes Library Information Desk.

Hughes United Book Club (HUB)
2026-01-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Our flagship branch’s book club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. We offer hybrid meetings, so for your convenience you can attend in person on our 2nd floor or on your device via Zoom. This month’s selection of the Hughes United Book Club (HUB) is Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl.
An invitation to join the Zoom portion of our hybrid meeting will be emailed to you beforehand. If you are not currently a member of the club but would like to join us, call 570-421-0800 x.311 and ask for Jason, or send an email to jvigorito@monroepl.org. New members are always warmly welcomed. Check out our past & future schedule!

Monday Sit & Stitch
2026-01-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Hughes Library, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA, 18360, United States
Monday Sit & Stitch Sessions
Monday, January 5th, 3pm-4:30pm – Eisemann Room
No session Monday, January 19th due to the holiday (MLK Day)
NOTE! New times for 2026: Mondays (1st and 3rd), 3:00–4:30 p.m., and Sundays (2nd Sundays), 1:00–3:00 p.m., all in the Eisemann Room. Join a friendly, come-as-you-are gathering of fellow makers where you can bring your current project, chat, share ideas, and enjoy a relaxed creative atmosphere. This is a social meet-up, not a class, but you may find others who practice the same craft and are happy to lend an ear, offer a hand, or swap tips. All crafts are welcome—just bring your own supplies. No registration needed; drop in anytime.

Drop-In Fly-Tying Demo & Practice with Trout Unlimited (Mondays)
2026-01-05 13:00 - 16:00
