Best way to innovate?
Read a book, any book 
An article in the Nov. 18 edition of Time magazine delved into the challenges facing China and its economy, which has rapidly grown into the second largest in the world but now faces hurtles such as skyrocketing wages (which translate into not-so-cheap labor) and - notably - a lack of innovation.
Why is this notable?
Because, according to the article, "China's schools may excel at infusing students with strong skills, but they have been widely criticized for failing to foster the creative thinking crucial to innovative research."
Neil Gaiman recently explored this very issue in an article that appeared in The Guardian, explaining that China's first party-approved science fiction and fantasy convention was only just held in 2007. Why? Because, according to an official, though the "Chinese were brilliant at making things if other people brought them the plans...they did not invent. They did not imagine." Chinese officials sent delegates to U.S. companies like Apple and Google on a fishing expedition to see what they could learn about the creative thinkers who worked there. And they discovered one thing every major innovator had in common - they all read science fiction as kids.
So this is a long-winded way of saying (yet again) read, read, read. Read to your kids or get them audiobooks or let them tune in to TumbleBooks or make them read to you while you cook dinner or fold laundry. Let them read what you deem to be rubbish. They'll like it more than standardized testing (probably), and they may just benefit from it, too.
Mtn. Laurel puppets come to Story Time
Wednesday's the last day of the fall Story Time session, and to mark the occasion, representatives from Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz will be at the library hosting one of their famous puppet shows! Join us at 10:30 a.m. for "The Giant Turnip"- all ages are welcome.
Because all Story Timers are invited to the puppet show, there will be no Mommy and Me or Toddler Story Time meeting that day. Afternoon Story Time will meet at 1 p.m., as usual.
The winter Story Time session will begin in January.
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Monday: The Library Board of Trustees meet at 7 p.m. at the library.
Tuesday: Book Buddies meet at 10:30 a.m. The Library Club meets at 3:30 p.m. for Teen Movie Time in the community room of Town Hall. The Adult Nonfiction Club meets at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Sandy Tolan's The Lemon Tree.
Wednesday: Mountain Laurel Waldorf School will be putting on a Puppet Show at 10:30 a.m. for all Story Timers and ages. Morning Story Times will not be held. Afternoon Story Time will still meet at 1 p.m., followed by Kinder Art at 2 p.m. The Quilters' Circle meets at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall, as does the Family Card-Making Party. Smocking with Susan will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the library. 
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m. The Fiction Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Mary Beth Keane's Fever.
 
Teen Movie Night happens Tuesday
Looking to unwind after a hectic day of classes?
Wallkill Public Library will be showing a hot new release at 3:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall Tuesday. Complimentary snacks and a raffle will be included in the festivities. Call the library for more information - 895-3707.
 
Join us Wednesday for crafts, programs
Wednesday night is going to be a busy one at the library, with crafts and programs for every age.
Part 1 of of the adult program Smocking with Susan will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Learn the fine art of smocking (gathering material into pleats) while creating your own Christmas ornament. Kits are $5 each and must be bought in advance. Part 2 of the program will be held Dec. 4.
A Family Card-Making Party will also be offered that night. This will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. Enjoy some refreshments as you and yours get creative making your own holiday cards. Registration is required by Nov. 18.
The Quilters' Circle will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. in a different section of the community room of Town Hall that night. If you've got a passion for quilting and want to join a community of like-minded talent, stop by and get acquainted.
Holiday activities coming in December
Ready for the holidays?
Ready or not, they're coming fast, and to help celebrate the season the Wallkill Public Library will be hosting two events:
Polar Express Story Time will be pulling into the station at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. Enjoy the story along with some hot chocolate, then have a look at the o gauge train that will be passing through downstairs!
December 18, children of all ages are invited to hear a story read by Mrs. Claus from 5:30-6 p.m. Elves will also be on hand to give out candy canes and help attendees through a Cookie Walk!
Santa's elves are really busy making toys this time of year, as you can imagine, so anyone who'd like to donate a dish of cookies for this event is more than welcome!
Registration is required for both programs. Happy holidays!
Can't get enough Downton? Read this...
Isabel Colegate's The Shooting Party has been acknowledged by Downton Abbey mastermind Julian Fellowes as an influence on the wildly popular show, recently renewed for a fifth season. According to an article in The Guardian, Fellowes was first inspired by the film adaptation of Colegate's novel when he was writing Gosford Park. It wasn't until later that he got around to actually reading the book, however, and the result was more brilliant inspiration in the form of Downton Abbey.
Published in 1980, The Shooting Party is a fictional glimpse of one day in the life of a 1913 English country house. What Colegate did that many others hadn't before her was portray both the aristocracy and those who worked below stairs as human beings with both strengths and faults, rather than two groups of different stereotypes. In doing so, she created a truer representation of the sometimes tangled lives of the classes.
Those interested in reading Colegate's book can reserve it through Wallkill Public Library's catalog.
  
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