WPL's Year in Review 
It's always hard to believe that another year has come to an end, especially when looking back at all that's taken place at the library.
The past twelve months have seen an evolution in everything from the layout of the library to the members of the board of trustees. Among the major milestones that have taken place:
  • The Vision of Wallkill community improvement group got off the ground with the first of their placemaking sessions in January.
  • The library and community lost a beloved leader and friend when trustee Stewart Crowell passed away in February. We miss him every day.
  • The library underwent a reorganization (of sorts) last winter, closing for two days as the staff worked to switch the fiction and nonfiction rooms and weed out some older material in the process.
  •  Adrienne and Jim Perine brought season 9 of Books Alive! to the stage with a packed performance of Magic and Mayhem in March. Adaptations of such popular stories as Alice in Wonderland and Where the Wild Things Are were performed by their troupe of 29 talented children ages 7 and up.
  • The Summer Reading Program was another whirlwind of activity, with programs like Knit and Crochet for Kids, Yoga, Science Camp, Acting with Ana, and more not only packing the library, but spilling over into the community room. 
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  • VOW's Weekend of Wallkill topped off a busy summer season with events that included an art show, the Harvest Faire, a free outdoor movie night, live music, Plein Air Painting instruction by the Wallkill River School, and much more.
  • The library's board of trustees got a makeover with the addition of four new, forward-thinking members - Melissa Flickenschild, Todd Craner, Kathy Goulden, and Lynne Diener.
  • Staff members Lori Mullooly and Carolyn Thorenz kicked the usual fall programming up a notch with techy events like the Minecraft Building Challenge and Hour of Code.
  • Carolyn Thorenz made great use of grant money the library received from Target by introducing the Magic Tree House Book Club to Ostrander Elementary, a program which will resume again this month.
Thanks to our patrons for making 2014 such a success! Happy New Year!
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Library staff members enjoy some revelry after their training the week before Christmas.
Monday: The Library Board of Trustees meet at 7 p.m. at the library.
Tuesday: Textile Tuesday and the Quilters' Circle get together between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. Bring a project and come and go as you please! Sewing machines are available for those who need them.
Wednesday: Toddler Story Time is offered at 10 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m. The Chess Club meets from 6-7 p.m.
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Friday: Ages 8 and up are invited to craft their own felted penguins from 4-5 p.m. A fee of $2 per person is required.
Visually impaired get new tool at library
For those whose sight has been impacted by macular degeneration, or for anyone who might be visually impaired, the library will soon have equipment that will make reading much easier!
Jean Phillips has kindly donated a ClearView magnification system and desktop closed-circuit TV. This will allow low-vision users to place a book, newspaper, magazine, or other printed material on a tray beneath a magnifier, which will transmit a larger image to a TV screen that faces the reader.
The CCTV should be available next week. Our heartfelt thanks to Jean!
American Legion donates new flags
Some may have noticed that the flags that adorned the pole on the front lawn of the library had seen better days, recently. The wear and tear of last year's rough winter weather left them in tatters.
But thanks to the American Legion, those flags have been replaced by new ones. Our appreciation goes out to Bill West of the American Legion and Ray Dobbins (left), who braved the cold and drizzly day before Christmas Eve to replace the flags - and for pausing to pose for a picture afterward!
Books Alive! registration under way now 
Part of last year's Books Alive! cast take five during rehearsals.
Those interested in participating in season 10 of the Books Alive! children's theater project should register soon.
Rehearsals begin March 24 for the production, with performances scheduled for Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23. Play practices will take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and some Saturdays up until the show dates.
Ages 8-14 are welcome to participate! Cost is $100, which includes drama and musical workshops, snacks and drinks, two complimentary tickets to the show, a complimentary Broadway ticket, and more. Pick up your registration form at the library.
Once upon a time, there was no Google
Back in the days before the Internet was around to consult about everything from movie times to that strange growth on your lower back, it was librarians who answered the questions of the curious, inquisitive, and - okay - neurotic.
So says a recent NPR story that details the discovery of a box of questions posed to the New York Public Library from the 1940s to the '80s, back in the days when answers weren't yet a point and click away. What's remarkable, says an NYPL librarian, is that despite technology, people still call the library with literally about 100 questions a day. And the librarians still answer them.
If you have a question, we hope you won't hesitate to call us for the answer. In the meantime, you can check out the NYPL's posting of archived questions of days gone by on their Instagram account each Monday.
 
Winners announced for VOW contest 
The Vision of Wallkill community improvement group announced the winners of their Sparkle and Shine Holiday Decorating contest this week.
Rob's Pizza won first place in the business category, while Steve and Elizabeth Tuthill of 90 Cooper Road won for being the best-decorated home.
Thanks to all who participated and came out to vote! For a complete list of winners, click here.
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