Hour of Code addresses future comp sci shortage 
Participants stay focused during WPL's Hour of Code. 
Nationally, there will be more than a million computer science jobs by 2020. But less than 2.4% of students graduate with a degree in the field. Perhaps because just 10 percent of U.S. schools teach computer science, and only a small fraction of those offer Advanced Placement computer science courses, according to Code.org.
Last week's Hour of Code at Wallkill Public Library was part of a worldwide effort to promote computer science to students whose knowledge countries will literally depend on to keep them ahead of the game in the future.
Library technician Lori Mullooly worked hard (with help from children's coordinator Carolyn Thorenz) to put the program together, and their effort paid off. Twelve programmers, ages 10-13, successfully wrote code for Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies. Half the participants were girls, which was exciting, since currently women make up just 12 percent of all computer science graduates, down from 37 percent in 1984, according to a recent CBS story about Girls Who Code.
The participants worked collaboratively and - most importantly - had a great time learning code!
Stay tuned for more coding programs in 2015! 
Tech teacher brings 3D printer to book club
Adam Seelig shows off the 3D printer he brought to the Magic Tree House Book Club last week.
Magic Tree House Book Club members got a special treat last week when Adam Seelig, technology teacher at John G. Borden Middle School, visited with a 3D printer!
Since the book club's participants were learning about Leonardo da Vinci (who appears in the Magic Tree House selection they were reading - Monday with a Mad Genius), the focus of Mr. Seelig's visit was on inventions and innovations. He not only showed the students how the 3D printer works, but explained how it can be used to greatly improve the quality of life for some. Because of 3D printing, Mr. Seelig explained, for the first time high quality prosthetic limbs are cheaper and easier to obtain than ever before. 
By learning about tools such as the 3D printer, students are being prepared for jobs that haven't even been created yet, Mr. Seelig said. We thank him for his visit!
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
The library will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for the Christmas holiday.
Next week, the library will be closed Wednesday and Thursday as well, for New Year's Eve and Jan. 1. Happy holidays!

Dec. 23 and Dec. 30: Textile Tuesdays and the Quilters' Circle meet in the community room of Town Hall between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Teen Creative Writing Club meets at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Bestselling eBooks purchased for Wallkill
Those who prefer snuggling up with a good eBook to the old-fashioned type will be pleased to find out that the library recently purchased 18 of the hottest bestsellers to add to our eCollection.
These titles are available for Wallkill patrons only, so even if the waiting list for, say, Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies numbers in the hundreds, those who have a Wallkill library card go to the top of the queue for that selection.
The library's new additions are:
An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green
Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty
Carnal Curiosity, by Stuart Woods
Choke, by Stuart Woods
The Collector, by Nora Roberts
Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn
The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
Fear Nothing, by Lisa Gardner
Giving In, by Maya Banks
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn
Gray Mountain, by John Grisham
The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty
If I stay, by Gayle Forman
The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd
Joyland, by Stephen King
Top Secret Twenty-One, by Janet Evanovich
Wicked Ways, by Lisa Jackson
Story Time registration now open!
The winter session of Toddler Story Time will begin Jan. 7.
Ages 2-3 are welcome to join Miss Pat for either the 10 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. programs each Wednesday, where they'll enjoy stories, music, and activities.
Registration is available online, or you can pick up a form at the library.
Books Alive's season 10 coming soon
Registration is now open for the Books Alive! children's theater project, now in its tenth year!
Once again Adrienne and Jim Perine will direct the production, with Barbara Ganin composing the music for the show.
May 22nd and 23rd are set for the performance dates, with rehearsals taking place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and some Saturdays beginning March 24. Ages 8-14 are welcome to participate - cost is $100, to be paid in full or in two installments.
Registration forms are available at the library. For more information, call or email Adrienne at 917-656-7945 or dramapearl@aol.com.
Vote now or forever hold your peace
Your chance to toast your favorite decorated house and business is almost up!
Voting for the Sparkle and Shine Wallkill decorating contest ends Dec. 23.
Until then, you can still visit either the Wallkill Public Library, Town Hall, Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan, or Key Bank and vote for the best-decorated business and home in Shawangunk. For a list of participating businesses, click here. Good luck to all!
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