Next Meeting of the Board of Trustees:
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 (Annual Meeting) at 7:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public.
Board of Trustees: Marjorie Galen, President; Beverly Warwick, Vice-President; Christopher Keywork, Treasurer; Jen Citrolo, Secretary; Natalie Barak; Margaret Cook; Suzanna Frosch; John Guzewich; Sarah Buterbaugh; Library Director: Maria Gagliardi

LIBRARY REDISTRICTING EXPLORATION UPDATE:
At a special meeting on Wednesday, October 30, the Palisades Free Library Board of Trustees voted to move forward in the process to form a special district library with the Tappan and Orangeburg Libraries. The trustees came to this decision after several meetings with experts in the library field over the past 18 months, a recent briefing on the forthcoming Pattern for Progress study and the rejection of our request for increased FY2020 funding from the Town of Orangetown for much-needed library repairs.

Two fundamental conditions of the study are that we will NOT consider the closure of a library or staff lay- offs. However, a merged library may use facilities and staff differently, in order to better serve the public and achieve savings through efficiencies. It will also allow taxpayers to vote directly on the library budget and en- able the merged library to bond, with voter approval, for capital projects.

This is only the first step forward in the process. Next steps include a Pattern for Progress presentation to the Orangetown Town Board, approval from the town board, and the passage of legislation by the state legislature and approval of the legislation by the governor. If legislation is passed and approved, our community will vote on the issue and have the final say of whether or not to unify.

The library Trustees would like to hear from residents with concerns or questions. Board meetings are open to the public, or feel free to contact the director or a trustee. The next meeting is Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 pm at the Library. Meeting dates are posted on our website.

PALISADES FREE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNUAL MEETING
The public is invited to the Board of Trustees Annual Meeting, during which this year’s Trustee vote will be certified. Current Board President Marjorie Galen is running for re-election (term 2020-2024), and Paul Riccobono is running for an open seat (term 2020-2024). Thursday, December 12, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (vote), 7:30 pm (meeting)

ON EXHIBIT Paintings by Salvatore Bracco On display in the Marie H. Firestone Community Room. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, December 14, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. The public is invited. December 3-23

SPECIAL EVENT
Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries? A Performance by the Maturely Motivated Players A humorous look at our everyday lives, based on selections adapted from the writings of Erma Bombeck, Nora and Delia Ephron, Jerry Seinfeld and Judith Viorst. This collaborative event of the Palisades, Tappan and Orangeburg Libraries will be held at the Orangeburg Library. Please register through the Orangeburg Library.
Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 pm

ADULT PROGRAMS
Fourth Annual Bad Art Night Sometimes it’s good to be bad. Let your creativity run wild and don’t be afraid to fail. Use our supplies to create something wonderfully horrible (or something not so terrible in time for holi- day gift giving). Winner of the most hideous piece will win a tacky trophy, a prize and the glory of being the worst of them all! Registration required. Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 pm

Gentle Yoga This class will include meditation, breathing exercises, and overall attention to, and focus on, the body and mind. Practitioners will be guided through gentle movements while seated, standing and lying down. The class suits all body types and ranges of movement. Instructor: Laura Zaino. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one. Registration required. Space is limited to 10 participants.
Friday, December 13 at 11:00 am

Esplanade Book Club A librarian-led book discussion meeting every month at The Esplanade at Palisades. Contact the library for this month’s book selection.
Friday, December 20 at 11:30 am

Chair Yoga This one hour class will include pranayama (breath work), guided meditation, and/or mindfulness practice as well as gentle arm and leg movements while seated, opening up the joints and activating the muscles. A portion of the class will be spent standing, using a chair as a prop for safety and balance. The class suits all body types and ranges of movement. Instructor: Laura Zaino. Registration required. Space is limited to 10 participants. Friday, December 27 at 11:00 am

Open Play Mah Jongg Advanced beginners and experienced players welcome for casual, non-competitive play. No instruction is provided.
Tuesdays in December (except December 24), 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Open Play Canasta All players welcome for casual, non-competitive play. No instruction is provided.
Wednesdays in December (except December 25), 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm

CHILDRENS' PROGRAMS
Baby Story Time Lap sit program with Kate. Nursery rhymes, short, simple stories, song and bubbles. A great way to spend special time with your baby and to meet other new parents. Ages 3 through 18 months with adult caregiver.
Fridays, December 6 and December 20 at 11:30 am

Paws for Reading Children read one-on-one with a specially trained Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) and its handler. 15-minute time slot per child. Ages 4 and up. Registration required. Monday, December 9 at 4:00 pm

Paper Heart Puppets Presents: I LOVE TACOS! Join White Nosed Coati and a cast of amazing Mexican wildlife in three original stories celebrating tacos and the place they were created. Each story is packed with exuberant humor and colorful characters. So get ready for magical Qeutzal birds, taco monsters and the mystery of the volcano rabbit and his ultimate salsa! Ages 3 through 12. Registration required. Saturday, December 14 at 11:30 am

Kids' Drop-In Building Session Come by our community room and check out our building toys! We’ll have LEGOs, Brain Flakes, Magna-Tiles, good old-fashioned blocks and much more!
Sunday, December 15, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Gingerbread House Decorating Join Ms. Carolyn for this gingerbread house-decorating event! Ages 5 and up. Space is limited. Registration required.
Tuesday, December 17 at 4:30 pm

CALLING ALL KINDERGARTNERS (AND PARENTS)!
Is your Kindergartner ready for their very own library card? Stop by the Library’s front desk to sign up for one today!

Unless otherwise noted, registration for all events is open in the library, by phone, or online. For the most up-to-date program information, please check the library’s online calendar. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and Meetup.com.