5 Things: Pearl River Public Library Offers Variety in Upcoming Events

Pearl River Public Library will be making some changes to its computer system in the next week, but that is far from the only thing going on.

Health Care Reform

Insurance expert Jim Farnham will host "Getting to Know the ABC's & D's of Medicare & How the New Health Care Reform Affects Your Coverage" 3 p.m. Sunday. Farnham will focus on impending changes in medicare and their impact on seniors.

Self Defense for Teens

A martial arts master will teach teans basic self-defense techniques from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. Registration is required. Call 735-4084 ext. 115 to register or for more information.

System Replacement

The library is replacing its catalog and circulation system Dec. 5-8. The library will be open its normal hours and for most of its normal activities, with some limitations.

• Library catalogs will not display current status
• The system will not be able to generate new hold requests
• The library will not collect fines or payments for lost materials
• The library will not be able to create new borrower cards.

"My Discoveries" lists should be saved elsewhere before Dec. 5. They will not be transferred to the new system. The new system will have different functions as well as a new look, such as the ability to pay fines online through PayPal.

This is just part of the technological upgrade going on at the library. Logging on to Wi-Fi no longer requires a library card and e-books are available for Kindle users. The library's teen tech tutors will hold a training session for downloading e-books Dec. 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Holiday Concert

The Rockland County Concert Band will play in the library's community room 3 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Pearl River Library's annual holiday concert.

Teen Band Festival

Looking farther down the road, the Teen Band Festival: End of the World Party is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 13. Tickets are currently available at the library information desk.

The festival is open to Pearl River residents ages 15 to 25. For more information, cal teen librarian Christine Linder at (845) 735-4084.

Among the local bands that will perform are:

• The Perception
• Your World on Fire
• Silence in Screaming
• Lost in Thought
• Tonight Will Fall
• The Rise & Fall