Big City Services at Our Small Town Library
By Susan Stone
The Pawling Library’s intimate interior space belies the remarkable number of services and opportunities available to a wide array of readers, learners, and entertainment consumers of every age and stage. Modern libraries are more than just book depositories, though the Pawling Library has an astonishing wealth of these. Libraries are also places where communities gather and, through modern technology, the vast universe of knowledge and wealth of information is now available to peak and/or satisfy the interests and curiosity of anyone who holds a library card. So, take the time to read a little further about all that the Pawling Free Library offers…and prepare to be amazed!
The Pawling Library is one of 66 public libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. You can use your card at other MHLS libraries or have items from those libraries sent to Pawling. Additionally, they are able to obtain many items from libraries around the state or even around the country. Through our library, you can reserve passes for admission to several local museums, like the American Museum of Natural History or the Danbury Railway Museum!
Their local history collection contains a wide range of materials pertaining to the history of Pawling and the Harlem Valley area. The collection contains old newspapers, yearbooks, oral histories and genealogical resources.
You can also use your card to check out a collection of fun items including a birding backpack, an Ozobot coding robot, American Girl dolls, as well as video games. They offer games for 3DS, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Wii, and Wii U.
The library has a laptop computer and desktop PCs available for public use. All of their public computers have high -speed internet and the Microsoft Office suite. The library is also equipped with free WiFi access for use by patrons with their own devices.
Your card gives you up -to- date access to all articles from the New York Times. You can search and read every article from 1985 all the way up to today ’s paper. In addition to the New York Times, you can access over 1,000 other newspapers from across the country. The Library also offers Health Reference Center, a database that contains current information on a wide range of health and wellness topics.
With the addition of some new and upgraded services, card holders can now access Overdrive to check out eBooks and audiobooks. Items can be downloaded to a computer, mobile device, or eReader. Kanopy is a free streaming video service. Library card holders can stream films from any computer, TV, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku. RBdigital allows you to borrow digital magazines with your library card. You can access current or back issues, and even subscribe to automatic delivery of future issues. Choose from over 150 popular titles like Better Homes and Gardens, GQ, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and US Weekly. Hoopla is home to over 500,000 items. Your library card gives you access to movies, TV shows, eBooks, audiobooks, comics, and music.
The Pawling Free Library offers printing, scanning, and faxing of black and white or color documents. Printing can be done from any of the public computers. The copier is self -service, while 3 -D printing, scanning and faxing services are offered at the main circulation desk.
Further, the library offers free delivery of materials to persons who are physically unable to visit the library. They can deliver to retirement communities, senior centers, and private residences. You can request books of your choice, or have a staff member select titles according to your interests.
On top of all of the above, the library offers a wide range of programs and events for people of all ages. From story time to game night to yoga classes, there is something for everyone.
The Pawling Free Library may be small in square footage but it is mighty in services and offerings. Step through the door, and a whole world of information, learning and fun is waiting to be accessed… and all you need is your free library card!
For information about services, programming and events, log onto their web site at www.pawlinglibrary.org.
