August 2026 Happenings

“If June was the beginning of a hopeful summer, and July the juicy middle, August was suddenly feeling like the bitter end.” —Sarah Dessen


From the Director

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.

One of our most exciting additions is the continued expansion of our Library of Things. Along with our growing collection of nontraditional items, we’ve recently added cake pans that patrons can borrow for birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations. It’s another fun way we’re helping our community save money while trying something new.

We’re also making improvements throughout the building to enhance your library experience. If you’ve visited recently, you may have noticed our bike rack has been relocated to the alley side of the main entrance, providing a more convenient and accessible place for cyclists to park. Inside the library, we will be adding a new book return slot directly into the circulation desk, making it quicker and easier to return materials while visiting.

We’re also looking for new ways to grow our programming by tapping into one of our greatest resources – our community. Do you have a hobby, talent, skill, or passion that you’d be willing to share with others? Whether you’re an experienced crafter, gardener, photographer, musician, technology enthusiast, or simply enjoy teaching others, we’d love to hear from you. Our best programs often come from the interests and expertise of community members, and we’re always looking for new ideas that bring people together to learn, create, and connect.

These updates are just a few examples of how we’re continually looking for ways to better serve our community. We look forward to seeing you soon!


From the Youth Coordinator

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 Museum of the Earth outside of Ithaca.

As the school year returns and your schedule gets back to normal, be sure to schedule in stops to the library! Join an activity to connect with others, borrow a book to enrich your knowledge, or let your imagination run wild with the latest dramatic play items in our Enrichment Room. You can also let us know about programs you’d like to see, or books you think we should consider for purchase.


We’re Hiring: Part-time Clerk

Dansville Public Library is seeking an organized, detail-oriented Part-time Clerk to provide excellent customer service at the circulation desk and assist with the day-to-day operations of the library. This position performs a variety of clerical and customer service duties that contribute to an efficient, welcoming library environment.

  • Immediate start
  • 15-17 hours/week (days, evenings, & rotating Saturdays)
  • $18-$19/hour
  • NY State Retirement eligible
  • Paid Holidays & Paid Sick Leave

The ideal candidate enjoys working with the public, is comfortable managing multiple priorities, and demonstrates professionalism, accuracy, and discretion when handling confidential information.

For full position description, please see the Part-time Clerk Position Description

TO APPLY

Complete an Employment Application Form, available online and at the Dansville Public Library main desk. Email completed application to Margo Prak, Library Director at dansvillelibrarydirector@owwl.org.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 22, 2026.

July 2026 Happenings

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” —Oscar Wilde


From the Director

As our country celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation, Dansville Public Library is here to help you celebrate your freedom to read. We strive to continuously grow our collection with a variety of topics and sources. If there is a title that you would like to suggest, please let us know!

Speaking of anniversaries, the Library’s 152nd anniversary is this year on July 18. Stop by to see us when you’re next door for the ArtWorks community mural painting day. One important resource our Library continues to offer our community is a collection of local history. As the mural develops this summer, we will be selecting pieces of our castle collection to display during the mural’s dedication day. We hope that they will spark memories that visitors will share to be saved and added as part of our local history collection.

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!


Youth Services Updates

Two of our teen volunteers are busy preparing different features for around the library.

We’re deep into summer reading on the youth side of the library. From dinosaur toys to dinosaur events, it’s a trip through the past once you pass the children’s room doors. Spend some time searching for treasure with our pirate cove play house and ship. Prepare for your archeological expedition on the work bench, and test your discoveries on the science station. Practice your letters and colors, or find your moment of zen, with our newest StickTogether mosaic. If reading dinosaur stories is more your speed, look for our special purple dot spine labels to help you find them faster.



FOR YOUTH (11YO AND YOUNGER)


FOR TWEENS AND TEENS


FOR FAMILIES


FOR ADULTS

 

Summer Library Programs for All

Summer is officially here, and so are our summer library programs for all! Whether you choose to join our reading challenge, only want to attend special events, or decide to do it all, we have something for everyone!

This year’s summer programs are largely made possible by a donation from the Dansville Rotary Club. Because of their generosity in supporting early literacy and our children’s programs, we are able to offer our special events as well as meals during our evening programs.

View our summer programs brochure to see everything at a glance.

Additional information about all of our programs and their registration can be found on our online calendar.

 

Summer Reading Programs 2026

Are you ready to Unearth a Story this summer??

Summer Reading Challenge Sign-ups have begun! If you’d like to read and participate for rewards, do so soon: the challenge and events begin June 27 with a summer programs launch party on the lawn.

How do I register?
You can register by using our online form, or completing a physical form in the library or by printing it and bringing it in.

How do I participate?
You can take part in the reading challenge for rewards by completing 5 or more reading tasks or side quest tasks each week. Rewards are earned for participating and completing your weekly goals.

Do I have to do the reading challenge to do the other summer programs?
You don’t have to be part of the challenge to take part in the many programs we’re offering this summer (although it will make our librarian hearts a little sad). We want you to celebrate summer at the library in whatever works best for you! Everyone has their own story to unearth at their own pace.

What are the rewards? 
They vary by age group, but we have something for everyone! We’ll share more information about the rewards at the summer reading programs launch party on June 27; reading challenge participants can pick up their program info, and anyone can join in on all the dinosaur fun we have planned!

June 2026 Happenings

Dinosaurs didn’t read, and look what happened to them…

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.


From the Director

The end of June will bring the 2025-2026 fiscal year to a close. The 2026-2027 levy was approved by voters: this increased support will allow the Library to continue the highest level of service to our community while investing in the building and resources that allow us to do so.

We will also say goodbye to current Board President and long time trustee, Rhea Walker, as her current term ends at the end of June. She will have served the Library as a trustee for many years.  Her departure enables us to say hello to new trustee Drew Baker, who was elected by write-in votes to serve on the board for five years. He and his family have been active supporters of the Library.


Youth Services Updates

The youth side of the library continues to evolve! Some of our materials have physically moved to allow for expansion: kids’ DVDs are on a rack, kids’ audiobooks are below the glass wall and case, and beginner books are where DVD and audio have been.

The biggest change you’ll see in the Junior collection is bins within the sections. Some of our most popular books and characters are written by different authors, so we’ve put them together to make them easier to find.
>> Picture books have bins for Bluey, the Chicka Chicka series, Curious George, I Spy, Pete the Cat, Splat the Cat, and Sesame Street.
>> Beginner bins are still in progress.
>> Chapter books have bins for the A-Z Mysteries, American Girl series, DC comics, Encyclopedia Brown, My Weird School, Pokemon, Puppy Place, R.L. Stine’s Rotten School, Time Warp Trio, Unicorn Diaries.
>> Fiction books have bins for Dear America and Minecraft.
>> Graphic novels have bins for Babysitters’ Club and Babysitters’ Club – Little Sisters, DC Comics, the Far Out series, and Marvel.

We’re working on developing our selection of Playaway audiobooks and Wonderbooks, so be sure to stop by the spinners in the youth section to see what’s new!


2026-2027 Budget Vote & Trustee Election Results

A public budget vote and trustee election was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Dansville Public Library, 200 Main St. Dansville, NY 14437 between the hours of 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm in Study Room #114 at the Library.

Residents of the Dansville Central School District voted to approve a $23,240 increase to the tax levy for a total levy of $632,240 to support the Dansville Public Library in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Library’s projected 2026-2027 budget is $701,990.

The proposition passed with a final vote tally of 56 yes to 7 no. 

The increased support will allow the Library to continue the highest level of service to our community while investing in the building and resources that allow us to do so.

Voters also selected a candidate to fill one trustee seat for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2026. Drew Baker was elected to serve with 23 write-in votes. 

The Dansville Public Library Board of Trustees and staff extend their heartfelt appreciation to the community for its ongoing support.

Dogwood Week at DPL

We have plenty happening at the Library during this year’s Dogwood Festival!

  1. The Friends of the Dansville Public Library annual book sale runs Monday through Saturday during regular Library hours. Stop in to browse the books, and then check out all the new options to borrow from our collection. Proceeds from the book sale help fund programming and more at the Library.
  2. Our coloring contest for ages 4yo-18yo runs Monday through Friday (5p). Coloring sheets can be picked up from the Library or any DCS front office. They may be returned to either DPL or Ms. Friday at DHS.
  3. Tuesday is super busy with CCE providing AARP’s CarFit program in the AM, Rube Goldberg machines during STEAM session in the afternoon, and a history scavenger hunt provided by the DAR for storytime in the evening. Our annual budget vote and trustee election runs from 12p-8p inside the Library.
  4. Wednesday has our regular weekly Adults’ Afternoon Cards and Magic: The Multiverse meetup.
  5. On Saturday, you can catch us outside the library as well as inside: we’ll be at the Church Park Lawn Fete and in the Dogwood Parade.

May 2026 Happenings

“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!