The Cornwall Public Library Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Laura Wolven as the library’s new director.

Wolven brings more than 30 years of public library experience in the Hudson Valley, including 13 years as a library director. Most recently, she served as director of the Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley, where she led a staff of more than 100 and managed a $10 million annual budget.

She’s very familiar with Cornwall, having lived here while earning her master’s degree in library and information science from Rutgers University. With a 90-minute commute to Rutgers, she often turned to the Cornwall Public Library as a place to study and complete her coursework.

During her time at Finkelstein, Wolven oversaw planning for a 15,000-square-foot expansion that will include classrooms for English language learning and workforce development, a multicultural study center, mental health counseling offices and a large community program space. The $10 million project is being funded entirely through grants and fundraising. She also developed partnerships that brought new services directly into the library, including free and low-cost mental health care through the Volunteer Counseling Service of Rockland and a pilot program with the New York State court system that provides space and technology for virtual court appearances.

Before joining Finkelstein as director, Wolven led the Orangeburg Library and The Field Library in Peekskill. She began her career in adult, reference and youth services and later supervised one of the busiest children’s departments in the region.

Throughout the search process, the Board was impressed not only by the depth of Wolven’s experience, but also by her genuine belief in what a public library can mean to a community.

“Laura understands that a library is more than a building or a collection of books. It is a place where people come to learn, connect and feel welcome,” said Christopher DeFilippi, president of the Board of Trustees. “She has the experience to lead a strong organization, but she also brings warmth, curiosity and a real enthusiasm for Cornwall. We are so excited to have her here.”

Wolven plans to spend her first several months getting to know the library’s staff, patrons and community partners. She will build on the library’s existing strengths while looking for new ways to respond to the changing needs of Cornwall residents.

She succeeds longtime director Charlotte Dunaief, who retired in May after many years of service to the library and the Cornwall community. Wolven began her new role on September 8. Community members are encouraged to stop by the library, introduce themselves and welcome her back to Cornwall.