Living it up at the library

Narrowsburg’s hometown branch a treasure trove of resources

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — A group of children listens with rapt attention to an eye-widening story before romping around the room with rhythm instruments. Poets pronounce their words with precision and passion before an appreciative crowd that fills the main room to capacity. Staff members transform themselves into characters from the Harry Potter books on the eve of a new release. The young, the not-so-young and everyone in between pops in and out to access computers, pick up books, tapes, CDs and DVDs.

Just inside the door of the Tusten-Cochecton Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL), a familiar face smiles from behind the desk. Might be branch manager Mary Paige or senior library clerk Irma Schilling, library clerk Penelope Lohr or one of the many volunteers who lend a hand. No matter who, patrons are bound to find friendly support from the library’s staff.

Because the WSPL is a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System, members may borrow books and other materials from its network of 47 libraries throughout Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Rockland counties. Members also take advantage of various online services such as using research aids, accessing community links, viewing library events and programs and obtaining tax forms. They can renew, reserve and search for materials through the library’s website.

The Tusten-Cochecton branch offers four public computers with Internet access and word processing capabilities. A fifth computer is specially modified for use by children between the ages of three and seven.

Also available to children are the Storytime Backpacks, which contain books, a video and songs, rhymes or a finger play, along with craft ideas. Themes include such diverse topics as the changing seasons, families, bears and growing up. The backpacks were designed to enhance a child’s language development while enriching learning experiences and providing educational tools that families can use together.

Children can also participate in Story Time, held every other Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The activity is open to pre-school-aged children, who enjoy stories followed by recreational time spent playing rhythm instruments and parading around the children’s room.

A summer reading program is conducted and other special programming changes throughout the year. Such events might include hikes and educational workshops led by employees of the National Park Service, “Chalk It Up” outdoor chalk art competitions and classes led by local authors and illustrators like Vera B. Williams, whose children’s books have earned two Caldecott Honors.

Adults are offered a variety of opportunities to interact, learn new skills and experience performances like those given during the “First Fridays” poetry events, which feature poets of renown, while providing an opportunity to local poets to share their work.

A Book Discussion Group meets on the third Thursday of the month, at 4:30 p.m. during winter months (November through March) and 7:00 p.m. through the rest of the year. Titles discussed during 2007 included non-fiction such as Geraldine Brooks’ “Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women,” fiction like Dorothy Allison’s “Bastard Out of Carolina” and Nicholas Sparks’ biography “Three Weeks with my Brother.”

A holiday book sale, featuring new and used books, is ongoing through December 31.

The Tusten-Cochecton Branch of the WSPL is located at 198 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg. Additional information is available at www.rcls.org/wspl or by calling 845/252-3360. Branches are also located in Callicoon and Jeffersonville. All branches offer reference materials, interlibrary loan, public access computers, large print books, best sellers, videos, audio books, newspapers and a children’s room.