Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College Opens

“The building you are standing in now had undergone extensive renovations and had been reimagined as a hub for student services and a gateway for the community,” said Berkeley College President Diane Recinos, EdD. “Today, the vision comes full circle. Libraries symbolize empowerment, knowledge, and lifelong learning. All ideas that align with our mission.”

Berkeley College welcomed the Alfred Baumann Public Library to its Woodland Park campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Woodland Park Public Library (WPPL) at Berkeley College, as it will be known during its estimated two-year stay, will offer all materials, services, and programming on campus while the Borough embarks on the construction of a new, state-of-the-art library facility.

The "grand partnership" event featured tours of the campus and Library facilities, live music, refreshments, and the kickoff to the WPPL Summer Reading Program.

“This partnership reaffirms our commitment to fostering a culture of learning, discovery, and innovation where minds are nurtured, ideas are exchanged, and futures are shaped,” said Library Director Linda Hoffman. “It is a remarkable chapter in our pursuit to continue to give access to our patrons while we undergo construction.”

The Library is located inside Renaissance Hall on campus, 44 Rifle Camp Rd., on the second floor, with easy access off the main road and ample parking.

Hours are: Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, closed (programming will be held in Municipal Building Community Room); and Sunday, closed.

Veterans Mental Health Initiative

The Borough of Woodland Park announced a mental health initiative for veterans, which is a partnership between the Borough, the American Legion Post 238, and Intervention Strategies, the employee assistance provider for the town.

Veterans now have free access to comprehensive mental health assistance services. Intervention Strategies offers 24-hour imme- diate access to medical professionals for confidential and caring consultation, referrals, conflict resolution, problem-solving, coaching, critical incident intervention, and more.

“We send them there and when they come home, we don't take care of them. We just forget about them,”

Councilwoman Christine Tiseo said. “Not here in Woodland Park. We're not going to forget about our veterans. We are going to take care of them in any way that we can.”

Any veteran that needs assistance can call 1-800663-0404. Help is available with such topics as: medical questions/concerns, mental health issues, addictive behaviors, substance abuse, legal/financial consultation, family issues, employment issues, and personal wellness.