Author: Chris Fisher

Hopefully, we all recognize the vital function public libraries serve in our society. Libraries are priceless in the role they play in fostering community, promoting democracy, and equalizing access to information. It is contrary to the very nature of collectivity to itemize and price out library services this way. Nonetheless, there is one fun way to assign a monetary value to the library: total up the full retail cost of all the items and services you use through the library. While it is hardly a true and accurate measure of what the library provides, it is fun to see how much you would pay to get the same level of access without a library around to provide shared resources. The New York Library Association has a handy library value calculator. Try it for yourself and post your results to social media.

  Oh no, it looks your local library has been Lego-ized! This is terrible – the Pawling Library is an essential part of this community that your neighbors rely on for more than just books! Just look at everything going on at the library. Can you find all the essential services listed below in this Lego version of the Pawling Library? 1.Families exploring scientific concepts together. 2. 3d Printer. 3. A dog helping a kid learn to read. 4. Someone finding a new job. 5. Access and Help with a computer. 6. Children learning to love literacy and learning. 7. Neighbors sharing their skills with each other. 8. Generous community members. 9. Access to 2.5 Million items. 10. Teens helping kids read. 11. Teens giving time and resources to people in need. 12. Big Savings for families. 13. Digital Magazines. 14. Telecommuters and students. Thanks to Joshua Pandolfo, Harper Befus, Ivan Vertiz, Jenifer Vertiz, and Jack Johannesen for helping bring our Lego Library to life!

The literacy event of the year is here! Come in to the library and fill out your star to show everyone in Pawling that literacy is important to you. While you’re here, grab a Rally Strip, and start recording the time you spend reading. We’ll add your reading time to your team’s total and you can see which team is in the lead. The Red Hot Kid Readers, the Teen Green Dragons, and the Title Wave Adult Readers are competing head-to-head-to-head to see who can spend the most time reading this summer.  On September 10th, all participants are invited to our Summer Literacy Sundae Party.   Get started or find more info on the Pawling Reading Rally.

It is with deep regret that the Pawling Free Library acknowledges the passing of Dr. George M. Coulter, on May 15, 2016. Dr. Coulter, as President of the Library Board of Trustees in the early 1960’s, was instrumental in the library’s expansion. It was under Dr. Coulter’s dedicated leadership that the Library building at its present location came to fruition, making this essential community asset a lasting legacy to lifelong learning. He will be greatly missed. To honor Dr. Coulter’s memory, and allow library staff time to attend his funeral, we will closing the library at 12 pm on Saturday, May 21. Obituary, Dr. George M Coulter

Click Here for the Dutchess County Board of Elections’ list of polling places and sample ballots. Click Here for an online Polling Place Lookup tool.