Library to honor its ‘champions'

Warwick — On Sunday, May 21, the Albert Wisner Public Library will host an Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. to honor its many champions. “Champion” is defined as an ardent defender or supporter of a cause. The library can count over 250 residents of the area who have championed the library through monetary gifts and donation of their time. These volunteers and donors are considered vital to the library’s services and collection. The library will also honor Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt and state Sen. Thomas Morahan, as their efforts at the state level helped to fund the planning for a new library, the Warwick Children’s Book Festival, and the $21 million increase in state aid for libraries in New York State in 2006. Library donor “champions” contributed over $17,000 to the library’s second Annual Appeal, nearly twice as much as last year. The funds will continue efforts to increase the collection, enhance and add programs, and make technological improvements that support the library’s mission as the community’s connection to reading, life long learning, and personal enrichment. Donations have already made wireless internet a reality at the library, as patrons may bring their laptop and connect now. Another gift enabled the library to enhance the classics collection. Future plans include expanded programming and events for all ages, and increasing the audio-visual collection. The appeal also gave donors the option to donate $150 for a new oak chair, to replace one of the library’s 34 current well-worn ones. The response was gratifying, as 34 new chairs now grace the library. In addition, the children’s department now has 24 new maple chairs. The Bellvale Bruderhof, recognizing the need for new comfortable chairs in the children’s room, donated 24 maple, molded, plywood chairs which they manufactured. Library volunteer “champions” logged hundreds of hours working in the library, or at events sponsored by the Friends of the Library, or serving on the board of the Friends, or on the newly constituted Albert Wisner Public Library Foundation. These volunteers made the Friends’ Plant and Used Book Sale and The Moonlight Over Warwick Gala a success. Through volunteer efforts, the library offers local newspapers on tape for the visually impaired. Teen and adult volunteers help keep the library’s collection in order by shelving and shelf reading, and maintaining the library’s used book sale in the entry way. Volunteers also assist with the annual patron count and library election. Last summer, teen volunteers ran films for senior citizens. Over the year, volunteer presenters offered a wide variety of book discussions and programs at a professional level. The library, at 2 Colonial Ave. in Warwick, invites patrons to attend the open house, and thank the “champions” for all that they do. Refreshments will be served. For information, call 986-1047.