New board brings enthusiasm to the table 

Some weeks come to an end and I am amazed at everything that occurred at the library in a few short days. We began the week with our annual meeting of the board of trustees, welcoming back two reelected members and five skilled and energetic new members. The swell of enthusiasm and optimism from our new leadership for the direction and future of our little library was refreshing....dare I say, exhilarating?

Carolyn Thorenz leads a discussion during one of three field trips from Ostrander Elementary Tuesday. Below, Mary Lou Carolan discusses Borden history with the class. 

You see, we have one of the smallest operating budgets in RCLS and yet we are on level with some of the larger libraries with the number of programs we offer to the community. Yet the number of programs can't compare with the quality. I watched this week as Carolyn Thorenz and Christine Adams welcomed three Ostrander field trips in one day, one right after another, to walk them through local history with tales of the Borden family, the invention of condensed milk and its impact, their philanthropy and how it has grown this hamlet, and - most challenging, perhaps - the correct pronunciation of "Shawangunk" and its origin and meaning. The kids were engaged, enthusiastic, asking questions and learning in a fun and investigative way as Carolyn and Christine make every program an adventure in discovery.

The staff at our library has rich and diverse backgrounds, experience and education. Their talents go far beyond our ability to truly compensate them for what they are worth, but they are here because they love what they do, and it shows. We all feel it is a privilege to serve this community. We ask for your financial support each year to continue to grow and develop our programs, collections, and services...and you always come through for us. We are grateful and appreciative of your faith in us.

Our new and seasoned board members understand the tremendous responsibility they have accepted to be good stewards of your tax dollars and responsive to the interests of the community. Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. just finished a complete independent internal audit of our financial policies and procedures and our management of funds. The findings show that we are in excellent financial standing and our policies and procedures are sound. A copy of this full audit report is available on our website under, Library Information.

As this year comes to a close, I remain honored to work with such wonderful staff. I am excited about moving forward with our board of trustees. Mostly, I thank our community for the privilege of serving you and hearing your kind comments of support and appreciation for what we do. Our tag line for our library is "....where good things happen." So very true. Thank you!

 

- Mary Lou Carolan

Director, Wallkill Public Library 

Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Julie Moussot (with some help from Lori Mullooly) created this beautiful holiday display featured in the library's picture window.

The Friends of the Wallkill Public Library are looking for holiday-themed empty popcorn tins to decorate the Friends' Used Book Shop. If you have one to donate, you can either bring it to the library or drop it at the book shop during business hours.

Tuesday: Textile Tuesdays/Quilters' Circle meet between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. Sewing machines are available for those who need them. The Teen Book Club meets at 3:30 p.m. to discuss The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
Wednesday: Toddler Story Time meets at 10 :15 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m. A Family Card-Making Party will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall.
Thursday: The Hour of Code will be offered from 4-5:15 p.m. The Adult Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Friday: Ages 8 and up are invited to come and make Felted Snowmen at 4 p.m. Cost is $2 per person.

 

Software will improve PAC service
The library will soon be installing software on the public access computers that will make time management and printing more user-friendly for our patrons!
EnvisionWare sets time limits for each computer session, so even on days when all the desktops are being used, incoming patrons can be assured they won't have long to wait before one will become available to them. The software will also work in conjunction with the library's new coin-operated printer/scanner, so patrons will be able to easily create black and white or color print-outs directly from the computer they're using.
EnvisionWare is due to be installed later in the month, and will likely launch in January.
Library card registration now online
Those who need a new or replacement library card no longer have to stop at the circulation desk to fill out an application - they can just visit the library's website!
Click on the Need a Library Card? link on the Library Information page and you'll be able to fill out an online application and email it directly to the circ desk. We'll have the card ready for you when you come in to pick it up - all you'll need to do is show us the required ID.
And don't forget that online registration for library  programs is also available now. Simply click on the register button located next to the program listing on the homepage calendar.
 
Wimpy Kid fans will love Timmy Failure
New York Times best-selling cartoonist Stephan Pastis' series featuring "detective" Timmy Failure is now available at Wallkill Public Library!
Those who can't get enough Diary of a Wimpy Kid will devour the Timmy Failure books, whose main character details his adventures as the "founder, president, and CEO of the best detective agency in town" and complements them with his own illustrations.
The three books in the series are Mistakes Were Make, Now Look What You've Done, and We Meet Again. Keep a lookout for them in the children's room!
Holiday decorating contest in full swing
Already a number of local businesses have signed up to take part in the Vision of Wallkill's holiday decorating contest!
Sparkle Wallkill is a town-wide competition to see who can do the best job decking out their business for the holiday. Those who  live in town can also participate by decorating their homes for VOW's Shine Wallkill competition.
Voting will be open from Dec. 8-Dec. 23, with voting boxes located at the Town Hall, Wallkill Public Library, Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan, and Key Bank. For a list of participating businesses, click here. Good luck to all!
 
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