Volunteering is Patriotic
NYS Libraries Across New York take part in The Great Give Back
(Dansville, NY) – What could we accomplish if we all worked together? Find out during The Great Give Back, a statewide volunteer initiative led by public libraries each October. This year, The Great Give Back is partnering with the New York State Library as part of NY250 to encourage libraries across the state to connect their communities with meaningful volunteer opportunities in support of America Gives.
The Dansville Public Library is pleased to announce a collaboration with several local organizations to provide dignity care supplies to community members.
What: laundry detergent, dryer sheets, diapers (child/adult), wipes (baby/body), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, bed protector pads, disposable gloves, small trash bags, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletry bags, hair combs, nail clippers, razors
When: October 1 – October 31, 2026
Where: Dansville Public Library near the Circulation Desk
But the library can’t do it alone. You can help by donating new, unused items to our collection bin at the library, located near our Circulation Desk.
“The America Gives initiative encourages volunteerism and calls on each of us to step up and help. We’re delighted to see libraries organize opportunities for people to take action in their communities,” said Lauren Moore, New York State Librarian. “By working together, we build social connections and community resilience, a fitting way to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
For the past 10 years, New York State’s public libraries have been organizing volunteer projects to benefit the communities they serve. The Great Give Back was launched by the Suffolk Cooperative Library System in 2017. From assembling and sending packages to U.S. Troops overseas to upcycling animal feed bags into fashionable totes to cleaning up beaches on Long Island, New Yorkers have shown up to have fun, meet their neighbors, and give back to their communities.
New York libraries will support the national America Gives initiative by logging Great Give Back volunteer hours, demonstrating public libraries’ dedication to building resilient communities.
To get involved or if you have questions, contact Megan Clement, Youth Coordinator, at mclement@owwl.org.
The New York State Library’s services, programs, and collections are made possible through federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please visit nysl.nysed.gov.
As summer continues, I’m excited to share some of the many ways the library is growing and evolving this year. While some changes are easy to spot and others may seem small, each one is designed to make the library more welcoming, convenient, and useful for our community.
Summer is wrapping up already in the library. If you stop in, you’ll find features on back-to-school alongside our dinosaurs and archaeology. You and your littles can practice letters and colors with our latest coloring sheets and StickTogether mosaic. Older kids can enjoy an analog weekend with our Giant Jenga, record player, and Polaroid camera, all available in our Library of Things collection. Or, break up the boredom of summer doldrums by borrowing our new pass to 
July 18 is also the midpoint of our summer programs. These programs wouldn’t be possible without our community partners, and we’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Dansville Rotary Club’s generous support this year. Their financial donation has allowed us to bring in outside programs like Dinosaurs from Rochester Museum & Science Center, Fossils of the Finger Lakes from Cumming Nature Center, and REPCO’s Unearth a Story reptile show. We’re also able to provide pizza dinner at our two weekly evening events for families. We hope that you have a chance to join us in enjoying these experiences!
Summer reading is coming, and this year we’re wild about dinosaurs, archaeology, and paleontology! Be on the lookout for reading challenge registration starting next week, and our full, all-ages summer reading program calendar coming soon as we feature weekly storytimes, movie nights, teen book club & crafts, family meetups, and special events.
