Hours:
Monday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone:
(973) 875-3940

Friends of the Sussex-Wantage Library, 69 Route 639, Wantage, NJ 07461
973-875-3940| E-mail the Friends: nhelmer@sussexcountylibrary.org

Please stop by the library for a membership form and join our thriving community organization!

Next Meeting of the Friends of the Library at 7 p.m. in the Sussex-Wantage Library small Conference Room. Date TBA

Programs – The Friends of the Library sponsor a variety of programs at the library. New programs are listed below. Registration is required for all programs. Programs are held in the community room at the Sussex-Wantage Library.

Showcase — There has been good feedback and much interest in our display case. We plan to add a new display each month drawing on community organizations with a history in the area. It is a good way for groups to publicize their past and present activities. Please let Barbara Young (973-875-7864) know if you have contact with such a group – 2008 plans are being made. We appreciate the recent displays and thank the Sussex United Methodist Church, DAR, Doris Wallerius – Gail Havens – and the Dyer family. Thank you!

Technology Upgrade at the Library We are happy to pass on the news that the Sussex County Library System recently upgraded both the computer connection and equipment at the Sussex-Wantage Branch. Internet service is now much faster!

Celebrate the Grand Opening  Of Our Outdoor Theater!

The Friends of the Sussex-Wantage Library are excited to announce the completion of our beautiful outdoor theater in the back of the library.  This exciting community project has been realized through a bequest from the estate of the late Agnes Kefer Philblad of Hopatcong, with engineering and landscape work generously provided by the County.

To celebrate the theater’s grand opening, the Sussex-Wantage Library Association is sponsoring two concerts in September.  You can pick up your free ticket at the main desk at the library.  Tickets and seating are limited so we urge you to get your tickets early and plan to arrive 30 minutes prior for seating.  Please bring a chair or blanket and join us for great music and entertainment on the lawn!

Teen Concert:  Reverse Order
Sunday, September 6, Opening acts 4 p.m. (Rain date 9/13, 4p.m.)
Local teen bands will join New Jersey's Reverse Order for an afternoon concert.  Reverse Order competed with over 300 bands in The Break Battle of The Bands and won a spot to play at BAMBOOZLE 2008.  My9 News says Reverse Order is, "taking the music world by storm," playing originals as well as a long list of covers.  They're seasoned musicians and singers that rock.  Tickets available at the library starting Wednesday, August 27.

Patrick Fitzsimmons in Concert
Sunday, September 21, 2 p.m. (Rain date 9/22, 6 p.m.)
Patrick Fitzsimmons returns to his native New Jersey to help the Friends celebrate the grand opening with his captivating music.  Fitzsimmon's heartfelt and often rhythmic songs are the focal point.  His delicate vocals make him one of the most captivating, if understated, songwriters around today. And New Jersey's Daily Record wrote, "Perhaps the most beautiful sounding album of the year… poetic lyrics, hauntingly beautiful melodies, while also getting down right funky at times." Tickets available beginning on Friday, September 5th.

Children's Knitting
Saturday, November 15 beginning 10 a.m.
Library Community Room
Lisa Lombardo and other experienced knitters will teach you the basics of knitting and help you start your own small project.  Please bring one set of size 8 knitting needles and a ball of worsted weight yarn in a color you like.  This free program is open to children age 9- 15.  Sign-up at the library beginning Saturday, November 1.

Teen Concert:  Reverse Order
Sunday, September 6, Opening acts 4 p.m. (Rain date 9/13, 4 p.m.)
Local teen bands will join New Jersey's Reverse Order for an afternoon concert.  Reverse Order competed with over 300 bands in The Break Battle of The Bands and won a spot to play at BAMBOOZLE 2008.  My9 News says Reverse Order is, "taking the music world by storm," playing originals as well as a long list of covers.  They're seasoned musicians and singers that rock.  Tickets available at the library starting Wednesday, August 27.

Teen Open Mic and Poetry Coffeehouse
Next date TBA.

Teen Art Studio
Create fun projects with local artist Lisa Hirkaler. Open to middle and high school students only. Registration is required for this FREE program. Next date TBA.

Next one TBA

Thanksgiving Topiaries
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m.
Library Community Room
Floral designer Rosemary Wood will lead the class step by step in creating a beautiful autumnal tablescape of fresh flowers. The program is open everyone age 5 and older. Young children must be assisted by an adult. A $4 fee will be collected for supplies.  Sign up at the library beginning Saturday, November 8.

An Invitation to Amateur Artists
Monday afternoons, 1-3 p.m.,
Have you been wanting to paint/model/sketch, etc., but can't seem to get around to it? Would you enjoy getting together with others for informal artistic afternoons? Please join us on Monday afternoons in the library’s community room. Bring whatever materials you need for your chosen media. If you have any questions, please call Barbara Young at 973-875-7864.

Fall Used Book Sale
Friday, October 17, 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday, October 18, 10 am – 3 pm
Bag Sale: $2/bag, Saturday 1 - 3 pm
Donation drop-off dates: Saturday, October 11th through Thursday, October 16th, during regular library hours
For further information, call the library at 875-3940.

Evening Book Discussion Group –
All adults are welcome to attend, 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the community room. Meetings are usually on the second Monday of the month. All are welcome. No sign-ups required. Next meeting TBA. For more information, please call the library at 875-3940.

The #1 language-learning software in the world, the Rosetta Stone program presents sight, sound, and the written word to give the learner a “multimedia” experience that makes learning interesting and fun. This program will help users to improve their English skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Anyone is welcome to use this software on the dedicated computer. The software is free to use. Sign in at the library’s Circulation Desk before using the computer, and then go back and sign out when you are done. (The purpose of doing this is to track the number of users and total time spent – not individual information – to report on the grant that funded this entire project.)

At the computer workstation there is a sheet explaining how to open the program, how to use the listening devices (for the listening exercises) and the microphone (for the speaking exercises), and how to get started using the program. There are also Frequently Asked Questions for your reference.

Whether the learner wants to improve his or her basic literacy skills or English (ESL) skills, the software has great activities ranging from beginner-level through advanced. Learners can customize their learning experience, each taking a different “path” through the program, to focus only on those skills they would like to improve or those areas which appeal most to them. There are hundreds of exercises, so it is not expected that someone would complete each and every one. We hope you will check it out and see all that Rosetta Stone has to offer!