Says Old Man Winter, “What’s the use?
The March wind’s rarin’, tearin’ loose,
Storming my citadel of snow
And warning me it’s time to go.
The sun is stronger–bolder, too,
Jeering an ancient almost through,
But still tho’ feeble grown, I’ll fling
A punch or two before it’s spring.
– “March” by Dansville poet Raymond Fedder (1964)

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From the Director

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.

That’s why the Library is working to strengthen our community engagement and communication efforts. Additional hands on this initiative will ensure more community members are aware of, and able to benefit from what the library offers. It will also give us additional opportunities to listen and learn about our communities wants and needs.

This investment in our future will help us connect more effectively with the people and make sure our programs and services continue to reflect what matters most to our community. We’re looking forward to a bright future of continuing to serve you in new and meaningful ways.

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Youth Services News

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!

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We want to hear from you! Take a quick minute to complete this survey to let us know what you would like to see this year.

Learn more about each event by visiting bit.ly/DansvilleLibraryCalendar.

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February is for lovers!

Stop by to color something delightful for your Valentine. While here, write what you love about our library on a heart for Library Lovers’ Month. Can’t pick just one thing to love about the library? Visit on Saturday, February 7 for Take Your Child to the Library Day to learn about services like borrowable phonics games, new rotating dramatic play sets, and our growing collection of Read-Aloud books that read to you!

What programs would you love to have at the library? Take a quick minute to complete this survey to let us know what you would like to see this year.

Holiday Hours
February 16 – closed all day

Learn more about each event by visiting bit.ly/DansvilleLibraryCalendar.

Whether you’re welcoming the new year with open arms or a wary side-eye, we hope you’ll welcome it with us! The date may have changed, but we’re still warm, resourceful, and occasionally surprising.

When you come by the library this month, be sure to welcome our new library clerk, Shelby!

Holiday Hours
January 1 – closed all day
January 19 – closed all day

You can learn more about each of our events by visiting bit.ly/DansvilleLibraryCalendar.

 

Calling all artists! Dansville Public Library has organized a (nearly) all-ages coloring contest in honor of the balloons! 

Coloring aficionados ages 4yo to 100yo+ are welcome to compete for top talent in our 6 age categories (4yo-6yo, 7yo-9yo, 10yo-12yo, 13yo-25yo, 26yo-49yo, 50yo+). The winner in each category will receive a gift certificate to a local business. Winners will be selected by local art experts and announced during Rally weekend.

• Artists can pick up a coloring sheet in person at the Library, or download it here.
• All entries must be returned to the Library by 1p on August 16 to be considered.
• All entries will be displayed in the Library windows from August 16 through Rally wknd.

     

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!

Registration/Sign-ups
Anyone can register online or in person until June 21. Our Summer Reading is all-ages, and we encourage parents and grandparents to participate with their littles! If you’re an adult flying solo, that’s okay too! Seriously– everyone is welcome to join us in some Summer Reading fun.

When to attend
We welcome everyone to join us on June 21 from 10a-12p to launch this year’s Summer Reading. In addition to picking up their program materials (tracker and swag), there will be program-themed activities to enjoy (& beat the heat!). If you can’t make it, however, you can pick up your materials from Library staff anytime after June 21.

After the launch, it’s up to you when you want to participate in on-site activities. The program is designed so that you can do it all at your pace and on your time if you’d like, or you can take advantage of the many events we have planned throughout the summer. For example, we’ll have weekly multi-activity storytime sessions on most Tuesdays (10a-10:30a for Tiny Tots, 10:30a-11:15a for Toddlers, & 11:30a-12:15p for Youth), but we’ll also have evening programs like Masked Karaoke for teens and paint-pour portraits for youth.

To stay up-to-date, be sure to visit our online calendar frequently, and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Rewards
Everyone wins for participating in Summer Reading at DPL. There are special weekly prizes for the under-5yo kids, a different set of weekly prizes for 6yo-12yo (and teens who elect weekly prizes) who meet their weekly goals, and drawing tickets for adults (and teens who elect drawing tickets). You can see more about how it works by clicking here.

Don’t miss out: join us today!

UPDATE 05/13/25 @ 4:50p: Due to potential rain and storm conditions, we will postpone the showcase until Thursday, May 15 at 6:00p.

The Library is hosting a special Youth Kite Showcase for this year’s Dogwood Festival! In a callback to earlier years in Dansville, young patrons are invited to build their own kites and fly them at Babcock Park for the chance to earn glory and an award.

Kite flyers must complete an entry form prior to the showcase. They will be available at the Library from May 1-May 12, or on the youth football field at Babcock on May 13 from 5:00p-6:00p.

Please be sure to read the complete showcase guidelines prior to entering. If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Coordinator, Megan Clement.

Whether you do it for fame or glory, be sure to do it for fun!

The Library is sponsoring a coloring contest for youth up through age 18!

• Coloring sheets can be downloaded from this post, picked up at the Library, or picked up from any of the DCS Main Offices.
• They are available May 1 through May 14, and must be returned to DPL in person by 8:00p on May 14.
• Awards will be presented on the Library lawn at 4:45p on May 17 before the parade.
• Be sure to read the full contest rules to understand the entry categories and awards. Please contact the Youth Coordinator, Megan Clement, if you have any questions.