CITY OF NEWBURGH - Newburgh Free Library Director Chuck Thomas believes everyone should take the time to reinvent themselves at least once in their life.
After 22 years of working at the library in different capacities, Thomas, 68, plans to retire from his post on Dec. 30 to do just that - take a breath and focus on his health and varying interests. I just wish I could travel, Thomas said with a laugh.
His successor has not yet been determined, Thomas said, noting the Newburgh school board will make that decision in the new year. The Newburgh Free Library has its own public operating budget, but is governed by the school district. It s one of two public libraries in the state that operates this way. The library first opened in 1852 in a schoolroom at Newburgh Academy.