HYDE PARK LIBRARY NEWS -- DECEMBER 2018

WISHING ALL OUR PATRONS A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON

December 5, 2018

Dear Hyde Park Library Patrons,

2018 gave us the first "White Thanksgiving" we've seen in a while...who knows what Christmas will be

like though in this ever changeable climate. We do know, however, that in this season of giving, we in

the library community do indeed have much to be grateful for.

Our patrons show us their appreciation of library services in a great many ways. Whether it's casting a

ballot in our annual board election and budget vote, making private donations, coming to our book sales

and/or quilt raffles, our community unflaggingly demonstrates its support for their library. It is deeply

appreciated.

As in previous years, we are including a form in our year-end newsletter for an "annual appeal." For

those who are in a position of making a seasonal donation to our library, we ask that you consider doing

so at this time. You can print out the attached form at the bottom of

this newsletter if you like...or simply make whatever donation you

can on your next visit to the library (perhaps noting on any check

written that your donation is for the annual appeal).

Many people are legitimately confused about the deductibility of

their charitable giving this year, and it is certainly advisable to do

some research (or to consult with a professional) about how the

changes approved by Congress late 2017 will affect one's own

situation. Some of the online sources we've consulted do suggest

that such donations will be deductible for those who will continue

to itemize, but given the uncertainty out there, it likely would still

be wise to seek professional advice in this matter.

However one slices it, fundraising remains a significant part of our budget (and goes a long way in

keeping down our tax levy each year), and so any voluntary financial contribution by our patrons is

deeply appreciated at any time of the year. Many of our patrons may have already made a significant

donation during other fundraising events held this year, and we cannot thank you enough for your

support. But this year-end campaign affords patrons one more opportunity to demonstrate their support,

and as always, we remain deeply grateful for whatever donations you can make.

Of course, there are many ways of

contributing to your library, and if

giving of your time and talents is an

option for you, you might consider

joining our volunteer Friends of the

Hyde Park Library group. These

dedicated volunteers have been a

library mainstay for well over a decade

now and have run a wide variety of

programs and activities, as well as

doing a good deal of fundraising.

The Friends are always in search of

new members, you can find out more

about the group by visiting their

homepage:

www.hydeparklibrary.org/friends.html

(or better yet, stop by and say hello at their next scheduled meeting on December 18 at 6:30 pm in the

HPFL Annex). In fact, that's a great time to drop by since we'll also be hosting an open house in the

Annex on the same day. There'll be cake--and cookies, coffee and punch. But most importantly, you'll

get to make the acquaintance of a truly great group of volunteers. We really could use the help. The

Friends have many members who support the group financially, but 2019 is a time when we can use

help with programming and events--as well as folks to serve on the Friends' board. If you can lend a

hand, we'd love to hear from you.

NEWS FROM THE CHILDREN'S ROOM

Mrs. B. reminds us to join

her for a special

Gingerbread House craft

session on Thursday, Dec.

13 at 4:15. This craft

session is for children in

1st grade and above. Call

Mrs. B. at 229-7791 to

register. Space is always

limited for this popular

event, so call early. See

you at the (gingerbread)

house!

Also coming up is our monthly

Legos/Ozobot session on

Thursday, Dec. 20th at

4:15. This event is open to

children of all ages who enjoy

Legos and/or Ozobots. Our

Friends of the Library group

has donated a goodly supply of

Legos, so there's no shortage

of possibilities. Hope you can

make it!

And for older students, we also

have our Teen Book Discussion on

the 20th at 6:30 p.m. This month

focuses on the book Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. It's not too late to sign up for this book club,

which also serves (for those who would like to participate) as a launch pad for next year's Battle

of the Books competition.

Mrs. B. also reminds us that the regular weekly story times are subject to variability over the

holiday period. It's always helpful to check our on-line calendar (for December and January) to

determine when story hours and other children's events will be held.

Adult lovers of illustrated

children books may also be

interested in attending our

remaining sessions of our

annual "Mock Caldecott"

event. (No, we don't sit

around and make fun of

Caldecotts! We vote for our

own favorite selections of the

year--and then compare our

selections to the actual results

when they're announced in

January. Our track record has

been pretty good, if we do say

so ourselves). It's somewhat

late notice, but there is a

session on December 6th and

you're still invited. You may not have much time to read our selections, but you will meet some

great folks...and there'll be time to read all the selections before the "grand finale" in January.

Music At the Annex...And More Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? Well, Greg Callahan's CD, Long Overdue, will once again be on sale at the circulation desk this holiday season. Cost is just $10.00--with all proceeds going to the Pleasant Valley Library. Or you may want to pick up a "Friends of the Hyde Park Library tote bag" for just $15.00--buy one for yourself and one for Santa, who could probably use an extra this Christmas Eve. Oh, wait, this is the music section of the newsletter, not the commercial pitch. Then again, the CD is music (and fine music it is, if we do say so ourselves. And you can carry it out in the tote bag, so there.)

Anyway, our next Open Mic will take place on Sunday, December 30th at 1:30 p.m. Our featured act will be Kevin and Carol Becker with bassist extraordinaire Rich Keyes. Kevin and Carol have a vast array of material on which to draw--and even though this date is (technically) post-holiday, they may choose to do some of their classic holiday repertoire. Sign-up for open mic begins at 1:30 p.m. (along with a pre-show, featuring Maureen and Don Black). Open mic performances begin at 2:00 p.m. The Beckers and Rich will take the stage at 3:15. And, as we are wont to say, all times are approximate, but a darn good time is guaranteed!

Book Club News

Admittedly, we're a bit biased, but we think we run a pretty mean book club, and the fact that at our peak, we had

close to 30 active members would suggest that there may be some truth to that assertion, if we say so ourselves.

But you know, there's always room for more. If one of your New Year's resolutions is to read a bit more, then

joining a book club can give you just the right incentive to do so. Call it the "book buddy system."

"OK," you say, "But do I really want someone else telling me what to read?" Well, one of the great things about

our club is that we decide what we'll be reading the democratic way and hold a vote every November for the

upcoming year.

Suggestions for our ballot are made throughout the year and as the year winds down, we compile a roster of titles

and an information packet pertaining to those selections, so that our members can decide what they would (and

would not) like to tackle for the next year.

It works pretty well, and a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction titles are included every year. And we try to

achieve a balance between current popular titles and some literary (although mostly 20th century) classics. We're

still tallying next year's results. (Still awaiting some ballots from Broward County, I'm told).

Some off the titles that are polling well so far include: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance; House of Mirth by Edith

Wharton; Mr. Monkey by Francine Prose; Arcadia by Lauren Groff; Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn

Ward; World's End by T.C. Boyle; and A Prayer For Owen Meaney by John Irving. More info on next year's

actual selections to come, but as you can see, it's a pretty diverse roster.

One of the other nice things about the group is that there is an afternoon session (usually the third Friday of the

month at noon) and an evening one as well (usually the third Monday at 6:30 pm). So it accommodates almost

everyone's schedule. And if you miss one, well, you can always come to the other. Hey, if you're really

dedicated, you could even attend both. (It's been known to happen.)

The best compliment we've received about our group (and it's stated fairly often) is when a member says, "You

know, I never would have picked up that book on my own, but I'm so glad to have read it." A little horizon-

broadening is always good. Why not resolve to check out our library's book club in the new year. And consider

picking up a ballot at our circulation desk today?

********************************************************************************************

If you lean more in the genre-specific direction, you may want to sample our mystery club, which meets the first

or second Friday of each month (depending on how early that first Friday comes). Although we limit ourselves to

the mystery and thriller genre, we do cover all the sub-genres, and read everything from classics like Agatha

Christie to contemporary thrillers. On the docket for next year are such titles as the recent thriller Before the

Fall by Noah Hawley; a mid-20th century classic like Patricia Highsmith's Ripley's Game; cozies like M.C.

Beaton's Death of A Dustman and Diane Mott Davidson's The Whole Enchilada. In other words, we offer the

whole enchilada too. Well worth checking out.

And check out December's selections for both groups below...

More Library News: Holiday Open House, Writers' Group, Great

Decisions Discussion Group, Knitting Groups, Job Counseling

********************************************WRITERS WANTED************************************************* We're always on the lookout for members for our writers' group. While we have traditionally focused on

shorter prose and poetry, there is always room for authors of longer works (fiction or non-) to present individual chapters (or even shorter sections) of a work on a given evening. We meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. College and high school age writers are also welcome.

Our next meeting is December 11th at 6:30 p.m. (We decided against meeting on the 25th for obvious reasons, but we will resume our twice-monthly schedule in the new year.)

*********************************GREAT DECISIONS DISCUSSION GROUP********************************* And speaking of the new year, 2019 will mark the third year that our Great Decisions discussion group will be meeting, and new members would certainly be welcome to attend these intellectually stimulating

sessions. The Great Decisions Program is a grass roots discussion about foreign policy issues.

Based on materials from the Foreign Policy Association, the format of each session includes a well-researched article on each topic along with a quality-produced video that also addresses the theme. The combination culminates in a lively discussion, often relating to overlapping themes addressed in

previous sessions.

The eight selected topics for 2019 include:

Refugees and Global Migration • Cyber Conflicts and Geopolitics The Middle East: Regional Disorder • United States and Mexico: Partnership Tested Nuclear negotiations: Back to the Future? • State of the State Department and Diplomacy The Rise of Populism in Europe Decoding U.S.-China Trade

Additionally, we add two other topics determined by the group for the months of May and September. We do not hold sessions in August or December.

The intent of the program is to bring together individuals who want to learn more about vital international issues. Actual expertise on the topic is not a requirement. All prospective members need

is an inquiring mind and an enjoyment of discussion.

We have found that these topics overlap frequently with the latest events and add to our understanding of how the world is addressing important issues. We meet on the second Monday of each month at

6:30 p.m. in the Hyde Park Free Library annex. We hope you will join us.

********************************DUTCHESS ONE-STOP JOB COUNSELING******************************

While the headlines are full of stories about "full employment," the truth is that many people are still seeking new and/or better jobs. The professional counseling provided by the staff at Dutchess One-

Stop is still a much needed service and we are delighted to continue this valuable service for the foreseeable future. Our next session is on Thursday, December 20th. To schedule an appointment,

please call Meghan Lambert at the number listed on the flier below.

***********************************FABRIC ARTISTS WELCOME**************************************

Do you knit or crochet? Consider joining the "Woolsevelts." Meetings are twice weekly. For more information on any of these groups or activities, call Greg at 229-7791 ext.205.

Annual Appeal 2018

As we have done in previous years, we are including a Year-end Fundraising Appeal form in this newsletter. In this time of limited government support and mandated tax caps, the voluntary contributions of library patrons are especially welcome. Many library supporters have already contributed to fundraisers designated to sponsor specialized programming or to help us meet the costs of book delivery. We're very grateful for that support and definitely want to thank all those who contributed to our recent campaign for support of the delivery services that help make the collections of the entire Mid-Hudson Library System membership available to us all. Our Year End Appeal is an opportunity for all patrons and supporters of the Hyde Park Free Library to help the library meet its overall financial objectives before we close out our books for the year. This annual outreach to our patrons and supporters is an ideal way for library users to support our efforts at whatever level of funding best suits them. Your year-end donation will go great lengths to help the library meet its funding goals and to enhance the services we offer to all our patrons. Please consider checking with an accountant or tax professional regarding this and any other tax deductions you may have made during 2018.

For your convenience, we are including a copy of the Appeal Donation Form below. You may find it useful to cut it out to attach with your gift. It is, of course, not absolutely necessary to enclose this document with any gift. You may simply note on your check's memo line that you are making a contribution toward the Year End Appeal or otherwise indicate the nature of your gift, as you prefer. Donations can be dropped off at the circulation desk on your next visit--or mailed directly to The Hyde Park Free Library, 2 Main St., Hyde Park, NY 12538. Thank you in advance for your generous support.

ANNUAL APPEAL FORM

Attached is my gift to help support the Hyde Park Free Library (Please Circle Amount):

$250 $100 $50 $25 $10 Other

Please keep my gift anonymous.

________________________________________________________________________________

Name

________________________________________________________________________________

Address

Hyde Park Free Library | (845) 229-7791 | director@hydeparkfreelibrary.org