Category: Friends News

Children’s Room Tree Mural

The Friends funded a reading mural as part of the national program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.

Local artist Toni Miraldi of Mural Envy created the mural, which features a variety of animals and plants. The Children’s Room is a popular spot for children of all ages, and the new mural adds to the inviting atmosphere of the room. The Friends of the Library are grateful to Ms. Miraldi for her beautiful work and to the library staff for their help in installing the mural.

The reading mural is tucked into a cozy corner of the Children’s Room, complete with cushions to provide a comfortable reading experience. If you peer closely at the tree, you will see apples. Every child that completes 1,000 books before kindergarten will be able to place a personalized apple on the tree. 

Estate gift from Jeannette Kordiak used to refresh the Woodbridge Room

Jeannette Kordiak, who passed away in 2019, was a gracious, long-time library supporter and left a bequest in her estate to the Friends.

Using this gift, in consultation with Library Director Eric Werthmann and the Library Commission, the Friends refreshed existing furniture and purchased new items for the beautiful Woodbridge Room, a section of the original library. 

The Woodbridge Room is ideal for studying, reading, or gathering. The Friends purchased new reading chairs, a round table suitable for scrabble or card playing, and two moveable laptop desks. Richard Falco, a local artist from West Haven, reinforced and beautifully restored twelve hardwood maple chairs.

Below and right: scenes from the updated and refreshed Woodbridge Room, complete with patrons enjoying library products AND the new additions to the decor. 

Please consider following Mrs. Kordiak’s example and remember the Friends of the Woodbridge Library in your estate planning. 

The Friends’ next project is to update some furnishings in the Children’s Department. If you are interested in contributing to this project, perhaps by donating the funds for a new piece of furniture or equipment, please contact the Friends.

Richard Blackwell Volunteer Scholarships

The Friends of the Woodbridge Town Library are saddened by the passing in April 2024 of our great friend and supporter, Dick Blackwell. Dick was a kind and generous man with contagious enthusiasm. His vision for the Woodbridge Town Library aligned with the Friends’ mission to enhance the library’s collections, programs, and services. Dick was intrigued that the Friends have a team of high school volunteers and set up a scholarship fund for volunteers graduating from Amity High School. On May 9, 2024, a presentation of scholarships was held. Members of the Friends, as well as Eric Werthmann, Library Director, were present, and students who had been faithful volunteers received the Richard Blackwell scholarships. Statements about the volunteers’ experience are included here:  Richard Blackwell Volunteer Statements 2024

The Richard Blackwell Scholarships for graduating volunteers will continue. Students who have volunteered a significant number of hours to the Friends are eligible. If you are a high school student and are interested in volunteering, contact the Friends for details: woodbridgectfriends@gmail.com

Dick Blackwell was instilled with the spirit of volunteerism by his mother, Mary, and is pleased to see high school students in our community learning the value of volunteerism. Mr. Blackwell is excited to fund this project as he believes our town library is a community treasure.

Pictured in the Woodbridge Room, from left: Friends of the Library Co-Treasurer Cathy Austin, Library Director Eric Werthmann,  Donor and Library Commission member Dick Blackwell, and  FOL Co-Treasurer Donna Lehman.