Friends of the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society

Breaking news! As of Monday, April 12, the Friends’ Bookstore will be open five days a week! The hours will be 10 4, Monday through Thursday and 11 3 on Friday. We are excited to welcome back our loyal patrons and volunteers. We’ve all missed the camaraderie the store seems to generate. Oh, and the books. The available selections are plentiful and varied. For the safety of all, we’re adhering to the same protocols currently in effect in the library, plus some spe...cifically put in place for the bookstore. These guidelines will be clearly posted at the store. Due to the ongoing Covid threat, book donations continue to be suspended. See you at the store!

In case any of you have ever had an overdue book, here's a good one: https://www.nytimes.com//nyr/nyc-overdue-library-book.html

At long last...we are able to showcase, in the library, the book of names of the wonderful donors who helped make our new library possible! This had been planne...d for early 2020, but then, guess what, the pandemic forced us to close our doors. Happily we are open again, with certain guidelines for our patrons, and this book has now been placed in the atrium/lobby on a podium so that you can peruse it when you next visit. Thanks again to the generous people of the Goshen area who have made this dream come true! See more

CABBAGE PATCH DOLL COLLECTION NOW AT THE LIBRARY! The latest example of a local collection is now on display in the Collections Case in the Lobby of the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society. Norma Fives has generously showcased some of her treasured Cabbage Patch Dolls. If you too young to be familiar with Cabbage Patch Dolls, here is the story. Xavier Roberts, a Georgia artist, sold the rights to his unique dolls in 1982 to a company named Coleco. Little did he k...now --or anyone else for that matter--that his cuddly dolls would start a national mania! In spite of efforts to keep up with sales in 1983, there were shortages as the Christmas season approached. Parents panicked. Lines formed in front of stores when a shipment arrived. Some canny operatives bought as many as they could get their hands on and sold them to frantic mothers and fathers at double or triple the price. Over three million Cabbage Patch Dolls were sold that year! Since then other companies have had the franchise, with Wicked Cool Toys owning it since 2015. Some of the earlier examples sell on ETSY for hundreds of dollars, but there are not many of the children who received them, children who are now adults, who are willing to part with them. Remember to wear your mask when you come to take a look. If you have a collection that you would like to share with the community, contact Jim Tarvin at [email protected]

This is classed under the heading "best laid plans"! The snow undercut the library's plan to reopen today, so let's see what tomorrow brings. One way/day or another, we'll open again, but Mother Nature is in charge.

Good news! Starting Monday February 1st the library will return to a modified operation, allowing limited in person visits. This means that browsing and computer usage will be available once again. To maintain the safety of patrons and staff alike, the pre-existing guidelines of mandatory mask usage, distancing, glove usage when handling books, and limitation of numbers of patrons in the building at one time will be in place. And, for those patrons who prefer to use the pick up window, this will continue to be operational. We are so happy to share this good news with you! Included here is the post from the library webpage.

We need a local public library in our community...We need this institution for books, computer access, and a whole lot more for the poor, the group of intelligents, and those who have a body and soul. #LibraryLife #LibraryFact #LibrariesInAmerica

Our library has set aside a number of parking spaces for use by patrons who need to connect to wi-fi. These spaces are situated to the LEFT as you come in the driveway from Main Street and were originally designated for employee parking. They are also quite convenient to the new location of the pick-up window, which is just to the right of the book drop off receptacle. Great idea!

A more convenient pick-up window at the library starting Friday! Just a bit to the right of the book drop off receptacle.

Unfortunately, given the surging numbers of COVID infections and the outlook for the future, the library has made the difficult decision to revert to window-only service once again; during this period the building will be closed to visitors. The notice from the library follows. Stay strong--and safe!--Goshen, and we will see you again, soon: "In light of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout Orange County and the region along with the likelihood of a surge foll...owing Thanksgiving, we have made the decision to temporarily pivot back to curbside service only. Our hours will remain unchanged, and materials will be conveniently available for pick up at a window located within feet from our book drop. The safety of our staff and community is our highest concern, and we hope to open our doors to our patrons again as quickly as is safely possible. This will begin on Friday, November 27th. We at the Goshen Library wish all of you a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving." See more

Tea Time! It is November and it's getting cold. Therefore, it's Tea Time or actually it's time to look at Tea sets at the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society. For November, the Community Collections Display Cabinet in the Lobby of the new library on Main Street has a display from three contributors. On the bottom shelf are cups and saucers and sugars and creamers from a collection Liz Tarvin enjoyed over the years. The dark Prussian Blue pieces were part of a set... of dishes belonging to her parents, probably a wedding present from the 1930's. On the third shelf above on the left is a lighter blue tea set given to Liz by her husband Jim on one of their wedding anniversaries--he can't recall which one. (Can you guess what Liz's favorite color was?) On the same shelf is another tea set of Liz's. One the second shelf and also the top shelf is a collection of various tea cups that Norma Nunez-Langlois has gathered together over the years, spotting little treasures at estate or yard sales or in antique shops. What fun! And don't miss a delightful miniature tea set on the right side of the second shelf from Bernie Marone's home. It looks like the fairies have decided to party! Each month a local resident (or two) can display a collection. Children's collections are especially desired. If you are interested, email Jim Tarvin at [email protected]. And stay tuned for a special Holiday Collection in December.

Some of you may have noticed a display case located just off the main lobby, outside the Pomares Community Room. This case is used to display collections that are on loan from our patrons. This Collections Cabinet now has a new display: wonderful assorted antique boxes collected over the years by Marjorie and Jerry Jaffe. They will be on display until the end of October. Many were acquired in Europe from little shops that Marjorie and Jerry investigated while on vacation. This display is one of a series by local people who have items they want to share with the community. If you have such a collection, please email Jim Tarvin at [email protected]. Children's collections are especially welcomed!

A number of library patrons have inquired about the Friends Bookstore reopening. We love your enthusiasm and are equally eager to be up and running. However, the store must abide by the same restrictions as the library. It is not possible to operate our little space and maintain safe guidelines. We regret having to keep our doors closed for the time being. In the meantime, if you've been to the library, you've seen the carts we've placed in the lobby. They are doing quite well. Clearly, folks are reading voraciously! We hope to be in back in touch soon, when we are ready to open. We so look forward to seeing you all, up close and personal. Be well!

Well, although we can't open the bookstore yet, how about the next best thing: book carts! We've set up 2 carts just outside the bookstore with a variety of books in different categories. Come on in and see if anything catches your fancy. And, just like the old days when we used to have our book sales "on the lawn", we are accepting good faith donations to support the work of the Friends (just look for the donation boxes on the carts). Also take note of the "bookstore guardian" that will be watching over your shoulder! (see photo)

These are great!