National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025, is a celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. The first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!”

Presenting…

Motown! With The Pettets.  Sing along with some of your favorite songs from the 60s as we highlight some of the most prominent names of this incredible era in American music, from the Temptations to the Supremes. Join us as we visit Hitsville USA!

The Pettets have distinguished careers that brought them to Broadway, film, radio, and television. They have performed at The White House and travel the country with their original variety show. They perform nostalgic favorites and popular music enjoyed by all. Music by The Pettets is entertaining, uplifting, and sure to bring a smile to your face!

Calling all seniors!  Join us for Tea Party Bingo, brought to you by our Youth Advisory Klub, on Monday, April 7th, from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.  Tea, biscuits, and prizes are included.  This program is free and open to all seniors.  Sign up today!

PARP is back! That is Pick A Reading Partner- a wonderful program put together by our South Orangetown Community Elementary Schools PTA. Ages 4 and up, come join in the PARP fun with Ms. Nancy this Thursday at 4:30 pm and make a Despereaux craft while enjoying a discussion about the book and snacks.

Stop by the library anytime to view our Art Show of the Month- Margaret Dowling- Murphy: Finding a Happy Medium.  The show will be on display throughout the month of April.

Finding A Happy Medium 

This show will feature the work I’ve created after an extended hiatus from the creative endeavors of my earlier life.  I made a homecoming to art in recent years, revisiting familiar mediums, such as acrylic and oil, and exploring new ones, which viewers will witness in this exhibit.  Rejecting the presumption that an artist needs to be one thing, I have allowed myself to explore multiple styles and subject matters in pursuit of the fullest range of artistic expression.   

Following a non-linear path, my personal pursuit has exposed me to different places, professions, and people, all of which have formed my overall experience and unique perspective. As I have gotten older and started to let life show me the way, I have broken out of prescribed plans in order to embrace beautiful chaos and uncertainty in an effort to let go and let life unfold for the purpose of finding that happy medium. While my work is often nature-inspired, I aim to capture beauty in several forms bringing together elements of both realism and abstraction.  As a result, I have embraced a range of subject matter and styles in order to create an eclectic body of work featuring ocean art, landscapes, and abstract pieces. 

Artist Bio 

Margaret Dowling-Murphy is a lifelong art enthusiast, creating artwork using a wide range of styles and mediums including oil, acrylic, woodburning, resin, watercolor, digital, & mixed media.  Often drawing inspiration from nature and the places she’s been along her travels, she enjoys combining elements of realism and abstraction.

A native of Orangetown, she graduated from Siena College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and later earned her Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University.  She taught at Tappan Zee High School for over ten years before starting her own business. She currently lives with her husband, Kevin, and their three children in Pearl River, NY.

Margaret and Kevin established Murphy Wood Art in March of 2020 where they work both individually and collaboratively. Their work and story have been featured by News12 Hudson Valley, Rockland County Times, Hudson Valley Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, Shoutout Colorado, Irish Star, Irish Echo, and Redfin.  

As a member of the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR), her work has been featured as part of the “Women of ACOR” exhibit at the New City Library and at their Hidden Treasure Galleries at both the Rockland County Courthouse as well as the Palisades Center.  She has held exhibits at the West Nyack Library, Pearl River Library, and is looking forward to her upcoming exhibits at the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Library (April 2025) and Nyack Library (July-August 2025).