“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.” – Emily Brontë
Much like the nature blooming around us, many of the projects we’ve been working on at the Library are now out and available to the public! Stop in to see our refreshed fishing and outdoor rack that includes several new materials for checkout as well as the updated NYS fishing regulations handbook.
From the Director
May is an important month for the Dansville Public Library, as it brings our annual Budget Vote and Trustee Election. This vote determines the level of funding the library receives through the community tax levy. This year, we are requesting a total increase of $23,240. For most residents, the estimated impact is minimal—roughly the cost of a single cup of coffee over the course of the year for a home assessed at $100,000. While the library’s levy appears on your school tax bill, it’s important to remember that the library operates as an independent entity, governed by its own Board of Trustees.
We will also see a transition on the Board, as Rhea Walker concludes her term and will not be seeking reelection. One trustee seat will be filled through a write-in vote. All registered voters residing within the Dansville School District are eligible to participate. Voting is open Tuesday, May 12 from 12:00 PM through 8:00 PM.
To learn more, I encourage you to attend our Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 5 at 5:30 PM, visit the library, or see our Annual Budget Vote & Trustee Election website page for details.
This May is also a time of reflection. Each year, New York State requires libraries to complete a comprehensive annual report, offering a detailed look at our collections, programs, usage, and financial health. Highlights from this report are available in our Annual Report to the Community, providing a snapshot of how your library continues to grow, adapt, and serve.
Youth Services Updates
May’s programming will focus on our regular events with one special highlight at the beginning of the month: a celebration of the Kentucky Derby’s 150th anniversary. Check out our calendar for information.
This time of year is a great chance to stop in and be inspired! Whether you check out our Pollinators poster exhibit from Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Services, or play with our latest dramatic play set in the Enrichment Room, there’s always something new to the lending collection to take home with you to keep the fun and learning going. If you need any help navigating the new stuff in the children’s room, please don’t hesitate to ask our staff!
April is a season of renewal, as signs of spring begin to appear and new things start to bloom. It’s a time of fresh beginnings, and at the Library, we’re embracing that spirit with a full calendar of programs and activities for all ages.
April 8 10a-1p
We are deeply grateful for our ongoing partnerships with Dansville Central Schools. Whether we’re visiting classrooms and lunch periods, participating in school events, or collaborating on projects here at the library, this relationship is part of our foundation within the community.
In response to an increased demand for study space, we’ve reconfigured some areas to better meet the quiet study needs of our patrons. We moved the study corrals to the front of the nonfiction section, in the area recently dedicated to retired director Terry Dearing.
When newspapers and periodicals were relocated last year, we also planned to add a new seating area for patrons to read and browse. This has now been accomplished, creating a seating area that is both comfortable and spacious for patrons to enjoy.
Our Local History Room has seen a recent revitalization. Library Clerk Amanda organized the collection, we eliminated outdated equipment, and Maintenance Technician Chuck relocated the former research counter to the mezzanine, where it mirrors the popular seating in the YA area.
Another significant project involved moving cabinets from the upstairs Conklin Board Room to join other historical materials in the Local History Room. As you can see from the number of helpers it took to move these cabinets, this was no small task.
Moving these cabinets has also created an opportunity to improve public awareness of and access to some of the library’s unique archival materials, including original editions of newspapers from Dansville’s history.
At the Library, we’re proud of the wide range of programs, events, and services we offer for all ages. But the library doesn’t exist in a vacuum—our programs and services can only make a difference if people know about them.
This spring we’re seeing several projects come to fruition in the children’s area. Our seasonal toy rotation currently features a dramatic play diner, the LEGO table, and a solar system activity station. New to our STEM/Kit collection is a Super Smile Dentist Kit, perfect for teaching littles about brushing habits or acclimating them to visiting the dentist. Stop in today to check out what’s new to borrow and to enjoy our evolving physical space!
Have you already signed up for this year’s Summer Reading program, or are you interested in signing up, but you’re not sure what to expect? Learn more here, or stop by to talk to Library staff!