A Week for FSTL Grants and Simple Approaches

The Foundation was established in 2011 by residents within the Southern Tier Library System to raise funds and provide support to member library initiatives. The Foundation granted $10,285 to member libraries in 2015. The funding will aid projects ranging from technology upgrades to summer reading programs.

The most memorable moment for me was watching library representatives receive their awards and discuss their initiatives. Each recipient spoke with excitement and passion about the potential outcomes of their efforts. I think one of the most innovative and simple projects to take place this year will be at Penn Yan Public Library.

Alex Andrasik, adult services librarian at PYPL, will create home energy conservation kits for library patrons. These kits will be available for checkout, and contain resources to help community members make their homes more energy efficient. What I particularly liked about this project was its originality and simplicity. These are the first to be offered through a public library in our region and they don’t require much staff time or energy to develop. They represent the value and efficiencies libraries afford.

The other great takeaway this week was hearing about Hope Decker’s recent presentation at the Regional Conference for the Western New York Library Resources Council. Hope, who serves as library director at Cohocton Public Library, was asked to present on her continual engagement with the rural communities she serves.

The conference title was, “Tough Conversations: The Future of the Library Profession”. All library types, academic, public, school and special, were present. Hope, along with representatives from Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System (CCLS) highlighted library experiences from the realm of local communities. In addition to STLS and CCLS representation, institutions such as Niagara University, University of Buffalo and Erie BOCES participated.

Hope’s presentation focused on, “Transforming Libraries through Innovation and Collaboration.” This was not Hope’s first program at the state or even national level. Hope has also presented multiple times at the Conference for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. These programs, for which she received scholarships, addressed the need for rural libraries to connect with their communities by means of active engagement.

I have been fortunate to work with Hope for several years, both as a member library director and System director. Her efforts and accomplishments are certainly worth noting. She has taken a rural library from a place of little funding and marginal engagement; and turned it into a thriving community center with financial means and highly active programming. The Cohocton Public Library is an organization member libraries could positively use as a benchmark.

As a final reminder, the registration deadline for the Spring CE is today. Member librarians can register online until the end of the day.
Have a great weekend everyone. As always, thank you for your continued support and many efforts. Please call or write with questions.