Volunteers needed!
By definition, volunteering means “to freely offer to do something.” The Pember could really use your help!
Volunteering can take many forms. We have opportunities for you to volunteer in many ways. We are hoping one of these opportunities will be something you’d love to do and it would be so helpful to us. We have possibilities at three locations. The library, the museum and the nature preserve located in Hebron.
The day to day operations sometimes are all the employees can handle so other things that we would like to have happen, get postponed. If you are looking for something to occupy your spare time, if you want to make a difference in the world and you aren’t sure how, if you want to expand your horizons or take a leap out of your comfort zone, now is the time!!
Between the three entities there are many opportunities. The library needs help with shelving books, perhaps some cleaning that might now happen on nearly an often enough basis, assistance with programs and gatherings, decorating for holidays, working in the flower bed out front…all worthwhile jobs. We range from mindless opportunities to mind blowing ones.
The museum needs volunteers to man the exhibit on weekends or other times we are open and need extra people. The animals don’t need to be fed or cleaned up after but you can learn a lot about them and appreciate Franklin Pember’s passion for them. You will receive basic training to be knowledgeable about the museum and you automatically get a title!! You will be a “docent”. (a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or a zoo.
The Pember preserve is located on Route 22 in Hebron NY. The schoolhouse needs to be manned on occasion, there is miles of trail work that can be done, a garden of native flowers that can be maintained and weeded, programs that are put on could always use more hands. And you are enjoying nature at the same time.
If have been inspired by this story, please contact the Pember Library at 518-642-2525 or the Museum at 518-642-1515. You can email maryj.pember@gmail.com. We will be happy to further enlighten you on these opportunities.
A volunteer meeting will be held in the near future for those who have committed to this or are still on the fence.
Saturday Museum Volunteers
We are looking for a volunteer (16 & older) to cover the museum on Saturday, August 27 from 10am to 1pm. Duties include answering the phone, greeting visitors, and managing the gift shop. Stop in Tues-Fri 1-5 or Sat 10-1 to pick up a volunteer registration form. We’ll also need Saturday volunteers for September and every month thereafter. If you are willing to donate your time one Saturday a month, that would be great! THANKS!
Naturalist position open
The Pember Museum of Natural History is seeking a part-time NATURALIST
to create and run educational programs at the Pember Nature Preserve in Hebron, for children and adults. Programs will consist of classes, presentations, seminars, demonstrations, workshops, nature walks or “safaris”, focused on a particular theme – plant, animal or insect species, ecosystem dynamics or ecology.
The ideal candidate will have educational or employment experience in some capacity involving the natural world, preferably including both plants and animals, and have enthusiasm for this field of discovery. Being fluent in concerns of the natural world, species of plants and animals that are native to our area, work independently with good organizational skills, an ability to research, write, and create compelling nature programs, being able to speak to small groups of people and interact with them, are necessary for the job and will be a big plus for any applicant. The office work portion of this job will take place at the Pember Museum in Granville, and the programs will be delivered at the Pember Nature Preserve in Hebron.
The job is 20 hours per week; schedule to be determined. Salary $13.20/hr.
Please mail or drop off a cover letter indicating your interest in this position, together with your resume/CV to the Pember Museum – Attention: Bernadette Hoffman. Email: Pember_edu@roadrunner.com
See What’s Happening in August
Events at the Pember Library: Check out the Pember Library’s website and Facebook page for more information
Friends of the Pember Meeting, Next meeting August 4 @5pm
Children’s Summer Reading Program on Water Testing Ages 6-11 August 3 at 3pm
Children’s Summer Reading Program on Octopus Ages 6-11 August 10 at 3pm
Children’s Summer Reading Program on Ocean Floor Ages 6-11 August 17 at 3pm.
Pember Board of Trustees, August 18, 6PM
Popup Luncheon ~Thursday August 25th at 12pm – Washington County Office for the Aging Lunch and Presentation Suggested price for over 60 is $3.00 and under is $5.00. Lunch is Roast Pork Loin with potatoes, Collard greens, and Chocolate Oatmeal cookies. Reserve your meal at least 24 hours in advance.
Weekly Events
Book Sale ~ Saturday 10 AM- Noon
Sudoku ~ With Barb Wednesday 2pm
Lego Club – Fridays 3-4:30pm
Pember’s Afternoon Game Time – Tuesdays 3-4:30pm come down have a snack and play a board game.
Preview for Events in September
Read it and Eat Book Club, September 8 @ 5PM Book- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Potluck style dinner. To join email Pember.library@gmail.com.
Popup Luncheon ~Wednesday, September 28th at 12pm – Washington County Office for the Aging Lunch and Presentation Suggested price for over 60 is $3.00 and under is $5.00. Lunch is Asian style sweet & sour pork over brown rice with veggie blend. Reserve your meal at least 24 hours in advance.
Pember Peapod’s preschool crafts & story -time – to return for an eight week session in September. Tuesdays new time @ 10:30
Museum Events: Check out the Museums Website and Facebook page for more information
Pember’s Nature Preserve Programs –
Registration required for all programs call Museum 518-642-1515
Insects~ August 7, 1pm- 2pm
Skulls Investigation~ August 14, 1pm-2pm
Ferns of NY~ August 21, 1pm-2pm
Reptiles of NY~ August 28, 1pm-2pm
Preserve Programs – July
July 17 – 1-2pm Birds & Bees Pollinators
Did you know that there are over 4,000 species of native bees in the U.S.? Come discover bees and their roles. What human impacts are there relating to bees? What do bees need? Our craft will be creating a Mason Bee house to take home.
July 31 – 1-2pm Mosses & Fungi
Join us for a program about identifying mosses and fungi. Our craft will be creating clay mushrooms.
Program kits are available for past programs. Stop in!
Pember Library and Museum will be closed
The Pember library and Museum will be closed on Saturday July 2. We will reopen on Tuesday July 5.
Nature Preserve Program Packets
Program packets with crafts are available at the Pember Nature Preserve schoolhouse. Educator Bernie is on vacation but will be there on 6/30, 7/7 & 7/8 from 9-1. Packets available are Nature Journaling with a premade 7-day journal (4), Bird Migration with a Whimsical bird (4), Butterfly Pollinator with a butterfly feeder (5), NY Mammals with a premade clay bobcat track (6) and Edible & Ornamental Plants with (4) kitty gourds and (1) mini pumpkin. Gourds are plain and can be painted at the schoolhouse or taken home to use your own paints. First come, first serve!
Memorial Day
The Library and Museum will be closed on Saturday, May 28 for Memorial Day weekend.
Pember Library and Museum Will be Closed
Pember Library and Museum will be closed Saturday April, 30. We will reopen for our normal hours on Tuesday May 3rd.
Thank you
Migration of our Library Server
There will be migration of our library server tonight 9:00pm into the early morning hours of Wednesday April 27th. During that time access to our online catalog will be unavailable. Also some features (checkout, download and renewal) for digital resources including overdrive and Libby will also be unavailable.
Nature Programs 2022
Sunday, March 20; 1-2pm – Welcome Spring!
Stop by the Pember Nature Center, also known as the Porter Schoolhouse to pick up a Spring kit and take a self-guided walk. We have 7 kits available. There is information regarding the March Equinox. What signs of spring will you find on your walk? We welcome you to sit down and work the program with us but remember, there’s no heat in the schoolhouse or you can take your kit home.
Sunday, April 24; 1-2pm – Bird Migration
Join us at the Pember Nature Center, aka Porter Schoolhouse for a bird migration program. Let’s discover what birds have returned and which ones will be returning to the nature preserve. We’ll be making a whimsical bird and there will be a book giveaway. The hardbound book is Birds, Their Life, Their Ways, Their World. Space is limited and preregistration is required by calling the museum at 518-642-1515, emailing or sending a private message from the Museum or Preserve’s Facebook page. Deadline for registration is Friday, April 22 at 4pm.
Saturday, May 14; 8-10am – Spring Bird Count Walk
Join us at the Pember Nature Center/Porter Schoolhouse on route 22 for a bird count walk. Joel Tilley will lead the group. Bring binoculars, if you have them or we can loan you a pair. All are welcome! Parking is limited, so please call the museum at 518-642-1515 or messenger to reserve your spot no later than Friday, 5/14 at 4pm.
Weekly programs to come beginning in June. Stay tuned.
The Pember will be closed Friday, February 4
We will reopen Saturday, February 5, 10-1.
Trails Update
The South Loop and South Marsh trails at the Pember Nature Preserve are CLOSED due to multiple trees down and flooding from the most recent winter storm. We will post when they are assessable. Thank you for your patience.
#1 Museum
Thank you to everyone who voted for the Pember making us the #1 museum in Washington County, NY!
Labor Day
The Library and Museum will be closed on Saturday, September 4th for Labor Day weekend. We will be back to normal hours on Tuesday – Library 10-5 and Museum 1-5.
Also, the Nature Center/Schoolhouse at the Pember Nature Preserve will be closed on Sunday, 9/5. The schoolhouse will be back open on Tuesday 9-12:30.
Rail-Trail Hiking Back Pack
NEW: Available for checkout. Rail-Trail Hiking Back Pack
Ask at the desk.
Map, 8 brochures, 4 books, 1 first aid kit, 1 binoculars, 1 compass, 1 flashlight.
Kit includes: Laminated D&H Rails to Trails map, Mammals of New York brochure, Frogs & Toads of New York brochure, Raptors of New York brochure, Salamanders of New York State brochure, Birds of New York brochure, Turtles of New York brochure, Backyard Bugs brochure, Freshwater Sportfish of New York brochure, Track Pack (animal tracks in full life size) book, Birds of the Northeast book, A Golden Guide Flowers book ,Tracks Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides) book, binoculars, first aid kit, compass, and flashlight.
This kit is a backpack to loan out to hikers, walkers, and bikers exploring the Rail-Trail.
Ancestry Library Edition can be accessed from home
The library edition of Ancestry.com is offering remote access to its product through the end of 2021. Just log in here to get started. The site will ask for your library card number. This link will only work with cards issued by the Pember Library.
The Genius of Birds
Story time is for everyone! As part of our summer reading program, Tails and Tales, we invite adults to the Pember Library for a bird-themed read-aloud Thursday, July 29 at noon. Bring your own bag lunch and eat while Bernie and Ardyce read out loud.
Participants will have the option to color bird coloring sheets. We will have bird-watching handouts, app recommendations, website suggestions, and several books for you to look at while there or to check out and take home. The Pember Nature Preserve is a great place to try bird-watching.
All participants will be entered into a drawing for the book “Backyard Bird Lover’s Field Guide.
Saturday hours
This week only, we (Library & Museum) will close at noon on Saturday (7-10-2021)
Pember Board Meeting rescheduled to July 22, 6PM
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Pember Library and Museum will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the Pember. This is a regular meeting and open to the public. See Upcoming Events Calendar for dates of meetings.
Sudoku with Barb
We are moving this popular program to Wednesday, 2:00 PM. We meet every week. Registration is not required.
Summer Reading bingo for teens and adults
2021 summer reading bingo for teens and adults. Stop in at the library to pick up your bingo form. This runs July 1-August 31.
Pat Oathout
The Pember is saddened by the death of Patricia Oathout yesterday. She volunteered at the Pember for many years and in many ways. Many of us learned the art of quilling through Pat’s amazing tutelage. She did craft projects with the children and she was a longstanding member of the Friends of the Library working at the book sales and any other project they needed her for. She be will missed but forever in our memories with every quilling project we do. Rest in Peace Pat.
This photo is from a 2018 quilling class.
Board Meeting changed
The board meeting originally scheduled for 6PM on June 17 has been changed to 5PM on the same day.
Pember Board Meeting June 17, 6PM
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Pember Library and Museum will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the Pember. The meeting will be conducted following social distancing guidelines. To attend the meeting virtually, please contact the library by 9 AM on the meeting day at pember.library@gmail.com for the log-in information.
Learn Sudoku with Barb
Join us June 10 at 2PM to learn some basic techniques for solving these intriguing number puzzles.
New library hours
2021 Summer Fun!
Nature Preserve programs and walks have been scheduled. For more information visit the Nature Programs page.
Board Meeting, May 20, 6PM
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Pember Library and Museum will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the Pember. The meeting will be conducted following social distancing guidelines. To attend the meeting virtually, please contact the library by 9 AM on the meeting day at pember.library@gmail.com for the log-in information.