Library Trustee Election and Annual Library Budget Vote 2021

Annual Library Budget Vote

The vote for the Cornwall Public Library’s annual operating budget will be held in the Library on

Tuesday, April 20 from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Click here to view the Proposed 2021/2022 Library Operating Budget.

Click here to view the Absentee Ballot Application

Click here to view the public presentation of the proposed budget from April 6.

Trustee Candidates

Tom Dames:

I am a 50 year resident of Cornwall. My wife, Margaret, and I have been very involved in the community for all those years. I previously served on the CPL Board for four years. I am glad to see the CPL as the center of this community’s life and activities, and I look forward to helping continue that commitment.

Stephanie Wolf:

Stephanie Wolf has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit community. Until recently, she ran her own consulting business in Cornwall. Stephanie holds a BA from Dickinson College and a MA from Penn State. Currently a member of the Cornwall Public Library’s Board of Trustees, she has spent the past year serving as its President. Stephanie is a member of the Friends of the Cornwall Library, has volunteered at the Cornwall United Methodist Church, served as an adult literacy volunteer tutor, and is involved with her children’s activities in the Cornwall Schools and Boy Scouts of America. She also enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband, David Reel, and their children, Allison and Spencer.

Stephanie feels the pandemic has reinforced the library’s importance, as people continued to use the library’s virtual programs, “grab and go” activities, and in-person services. She believes the Cornwall Public Library is a very important component of our community, contributing to our residents’ quality of life. The library offers activities and learning opportunities for all ages regardless of income. Stephanie and her family use the library’s services weekly and appreciate the friendly and helpful staff and feel the library offers a wide selection of material and activities for all ages. Stephanie would like the library to continue to be a valued resource in our community and be flexible in responding to our community’s needs while maintaining financial integrity.

Melissa Greaves:

My name is Melissa Greaves. I was born and raised in Cornwall. I graduated from CCHS and studied at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. My relevant experience began with employment at the Cornwall Public Library as a clerk and in Children’s Programming. During this period, I discovered that working in a library was my calling.

Although I loved my job in Cornwall, I got married and relocated to be closer to family, and unfortunately, the commute was too far to be viable for very long. During my time away from Cornwall, I owned and operated a vintage clothing and furniture boutique, which had its lessons and challenges. Still, I ultimately ended up moving back to the area to find myself employed in another library. I started as a clerk in Newburgh Free Library and became Principal Library Clerk before coming home to be a full-time mom. During my time as a Principal Clerk at NFL, I led staff towards improving library access to the community and strengthening their approach to customer service.

I believe that I have a unique perspective to offer, having been both a patron and an employee of public libraries. My previous experience as a clerk and in Children’s Programming positions me to help develop a bridge of communication between the board, the library, and the community it serves.

A library needs representatives to guide it through adaptations of its goals while keeping pace with technology and remaining accessible to all. A library needs to support diversity and inclusion. Its mission should include serving even those patrons who feel hesitant about the ever-changing modern library environment.

If elected, I will be an effective advocate for this library because I truly believe in its power to serve the community.