Reads hit the big screen 
It's awards season in Hollywood, and while everyone's gearing  up to celebrate the best in film from 2013, you can prepare for the new and future releases of 2014! BuzzFeed recently posted a list of 16 books being adapted for the big screen. These are the highlights:
  Labor Day, by Joyce Maynard: Depressed mom and 13-year-old son harbor a fugitive who fills a void for both of them, despite being hunted by the police. Sound predictable? Allegedly (the book, at least) isn't.
Winter's Tale, by Mark Helprin: Middle-aged robber falls in love with fatally ill rich girl while attempting to rip off her father's mansion. Who needs Match.com?
The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green: Blockbuster YA novel features relationship between two young cancer patients.
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn: For those two or so people who haven't read it, this one's about the mysterious disappearance of Nick Dunne's beautiful wife. Though the book's ending was a surprise, don't stroll into the upcoming Ben Affleck film thinking you're ready for what's coming - Flynn herself totally reworked the finale for the big screen. Stay tuned also for another of Flynn's novels, Dark Places, to hit the theaters in the fall.
This is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper: A funny book is hard to find, especially one that revolves around sitting Shiva for the main character's father, but this one was a rare laugh-out-loud gem. Hopefully the movie will match up (with Tina Fey in a leading role, it stands a decent chance)!
 For the complete list of upcoming books-turned-films, check out the BuzzFeed article.
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Tomorrow: The Vision of Wallkill Placemaking Workshop will take place from 1-4 p.m.in the community room of Town Hall
Monday: School's closed, but the library's open! Come in and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a Dreamcatcher craft at 1 p.m.
Tuesday: Textile Tuesdays take place in the community room of Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Book Buddies meets at 10:30 a.m. The Library Club meets at 3:30 p.m. There will be a Books Alive! rehearsal at 3:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Wallkill Reformed Church.
Wednesday: Mommy and Me meets at 10 a.m., followed by Toddler Story Time at 11 a.m. Kinder Art Club takes place at 2:15 p.m. Homework Lab is open from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the children's room. Today's Books Alive! rehearsal is at 3:30 p.m. in fellowship hall of the Wallkill Reformed Church. The Teen Anime Club meets at 3:30 p.m. The Quilters' Circle meets at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m. The Fiction Club meets at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Julia Alvarez' How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents.
Saturday: Birds of Prey and Reptiles will Bill Robinson will be offered at 11 a.m.
 
Library needs volunteers for project
If you're handy with tools or have a pickup truck and/or trailer, the library could use your help!
Volunteers are needed to assemble furniture and/or help us move it by the end of the month. About 10-15 hours of time would be asked of anyone able to give it. The library recently received grant money and has put it towards a much-needed updating of the furniture upstairs and in the children's room. The old stuff needs to be moved out and the new items assembled and brought in.
If you or anyone you know is interested in lending us a hand, please call us as soon as possible at 895-3707, or email Mary Lou at [email protected]. Thank you for your help!!
Placemaking workshop set for tomorrow
The first in a series of Vision of Wallkill placemaking workshops will take place tomorrow, from 1-4 p.m., in the community room of Town Hall.
The community forum will focus on ways in which public spaces in the hamlet can be transformed into attractive gathering areas that promote cultural enrichment, connection, and enjoyment.
About 20 people are already expected to attend this workshop, which is being facilitated by library director Mary Lou Carolan. Though this is not a library program, the library is acting as the creative catalyst to ignite conversation.
During this first workshop (three others will follow in the coming months), Mary Lou will be leading attendees through a series of exercises created by the Project for Public Spaces, which uses these methods in community development efforts all over the world. Those who want an example of what the process entails can take a look at the guide that the city of Chicago devised.
Participants are welcome to bring refreshments to share. Questions? Call 895-3707, or email Mary Lou at [email protected].
 
Find a new home for your holiday cards
Are those holiday cards you had on display now sitting in a pile, gathering dust?
Instead of throwing them out, you're welcome to donate them to the Wallkill Public Library for our card recycling workshop.
Join us for a free demonstration during Take Your Child to the Library Day, at 1 p.m. Feb. 1. You'll learn the basics of re-purposing your yearly greetings into gift tags, ornaments, small boxes, and more!
Other activities being offered that day will include a Chinese New Year Celebration with Ms. Carolyn at 11 a.m. (which will include a story, snacks, and a Year of the Horse project), and a LEGO Build-a-Thon from 12:30-2 p.m.!  It'll be the perfect day to bring your child (and yourself) to the library!
 
Help available for ACA enrollment
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act comes to a close March 31. Those who do not enroll in an insurance plan that meets the ACA's minimum coverage criteria by this date will face a penalty.
If you've yet to enroll and need some guidance doing so, don't forget to check out the library's link to guides and resources  that might help you through the process. Wallkill's website also has a link to a Navigator Agency and Site Schedule if you need to speak to someone about your options.
Support your local biz (and have fun, too)
 The hamlet's Sugar Rush Cupcakes is offering a "Free Sample Saturday," tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!
Stop by the 34 Wallkill Ave. shop and try a free taste of their most popular cupcakes, including Cookies and Cream, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Cup, Cookie Dough, and more.
Sugar Rush Cupcakes creates beautiful treats for every occasion, including weddings and graduations. The "Cupcake Takeout Shop" allows customers to order online 24/7. Emails with requests and photos can be exchanged until your order is customized to fit your celebration perfectly.
 Walk-ins are also welcome, though usually a limited variety of pastries will be available at the store itself. Stop in and support a unique and creative local business!
Wallkill library patron will be missed
One of the wonderful aspects of working in a small community library is the people you meet along the way. Creative, inquisitive, energetic, and generous people....who make coming to work a joy. On January 10, our library family lost one of its best, Mr. Nicholas Lupoli. Nick kept our circulation numbers high with his almost weekly orders of books on every subject imaginable from libraries all over the system. He seemed to have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, how things are made, design concepts, and innovation. As a teacher, he inspired so many kids over the years with his upbeat personality, wisdom, and ready smile, and his tales, told memorably, through his thick Long Island accent. Nick was the kind of guy who used libraries well and soaked up all of the knowledge he could in his time, all too short, on this amazing earth.
We were honored that he selected the Wallkill Public Library as the recipient of gifts in his name upon his passing. We intend to target these gifts toward our innovative "Idea Lab" concept for this summer - a hands-on, "learn-by-doing" workshop space for people of all ages to design and build projects together. Just like Nick loved to do. Safe travels, "Captain Lu," you will be missed, but your inspiration lives on in all of the lives you touched.

- Mary Lou Carolan
Director, Wallkill Public Library
 
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