Program at Moore-Leland

Moore-Leland Librarian Emeritus, Myrtha Gale and many others browse items and documents relating to the history of North Orange and Tully on March 14, 2010.  Tools and equipment used by village farmers and dairymen were featured.

New Web Site Content

Walt Owens, director of the Wheeler Memorial Library, announced that two new sections of the library's web site have been made available to the public.
The first new historical section of the library's site, "Library Archives," includes numerous vintage postcards of Orange and the surrounding area, information about the Grout automobile and historical information about the library and the town.
The images from the 1900 book titled "General Views of Orange," which includes many photographs of current and past Orange residences, are a real treasure.
Owens said that this bicentennial year was a logical time to organize and preserve some of the older items in the library's collections.
Due to the foresight of former library director Janice Lanou and her predecessors, the library has an impressive collection of historical images.
The other new web site area, "Support Your Local Library," is intended to help bring in alternative funds and assistance that can be used to maintain library services.
"These difficult economic times result in an increased demand for library services, while at the same time diminishing the revenues available to fund them," remarked Owens. The slogan of the effort is "Support Your Local Library" and clicking on an image on the library's home page at www.orangelib.org/ will direct the public to the section that explains a variety of ways that citizens can help.
Options include volunteering to assist with routine tasks at the library, purchasing items for the library through an Amazon.com wish list, joining the Friends of the Orange Public Libraries, donating items in memory or in honor of loved ones, and arranging planned giving through trusts or estate plans. Citizens may also donate funds online to the Friends of the Orange Public Libraries and receive potential tax benefits.
"Many Orange residents have contributed time and money to support the library over the years," said Owens.
The Wheeler Memorial Library is using funds from state aid and bequests to supplement town revenues, but those funds are limited. The library also aggressively pursues grant funding for programs that would otherwise be unaffordable.
"The library is interested in creative ways to bring in additional revenues to preserve and expand the library's collections and services for the benefit of Orange residents," said Owens.
The library's web site continues to offer access to the library catalog, research tools, and local information. The library offers a wide variety of informative and entertaining resources and all residents are encouraged to take advantage of the library's free programs and services, including books and media for all ages.

Trustees Re-organize, Welcome New Member

At their most recent meeting, the Wheeler Memorial Library Trustees welcomed their newest member, Marcia LaRocque.  Marcia was elected trustee March 1, 2010 and attended her first meeting on March 11th. She succeeds former trustee, Lisa Vaughan, who had served the Library faithfully for a number of years.  Marcia brings her years of experience with the Library and with the Orange and Mahar School Committees to the Library Board.

The Trustees held their annual election of officers at the March 11th meeting.  Kathy Reinig was elected to her first term as Chair, Rev. Jean Thompson was elected Vice-Chair, and Richard Senier was chosen to be Secretary for the group.

North Orange History

NORTH ORANGE -- An exhibit of North Orange History, Part II, will be held at the Moore-Leland Library on Sunday, March 14, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Long time North Orange and Tully residents will share pictures, objects and other mementos as well as conversation about the history of the village. Among the objects on display will be wooden butter churns, a belt loom and medicine bottles.
The event takes place exactly 10 years after newly hired Moore-Leland Librarian Dianne Salcedo organized a similar event with help from retired Moore-Leland Librarian Myrtha Gale, and coincides with Orange's bicentennial celebration.
Maggie Rouleau, Glenn Johnson, True B. Rice and Janice Denno Nicoliello, who helped organize the event, are native-born North Orange residents. They will all be present to answer questions and share memories.
The exhibit will be followed by another event in the village. The Dana Vespers will perform a concert at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully at 3 p.m.