News

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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Dansville Public Library welcomed Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey for a visit on Friday, February 20, 2026, to tour the library, meet with staff, and learn more about the programs and services we provide for our community.

Assemblywoman Bailey met with Library Director Margo Prak, staff, and Board Members to discuss the library’s ongoing initiatives and an upcoming project to reinforce the floor structure in the more than 200-year-old portion of our library—the original Shepard Homestead. The project will help protect and preserve this historic space while ensuring it remains safe and accessible for future generations. The library will receive New York State Aid for Library Construction to help fund this important work.

We appreciate Assemblywoman Bailey’s support of libraries and her visit to learn more about how our library serves the residents of Dansville, NY.

 

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.

The Dansville Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 26 due to the winter weather.
It’s a great day to stay inside with a hot beverage and a good book. Our Digital Library is always open: go to owwl.overdrive.com or on the Libby app.

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.

     

**All positions have been filled as of 8/14/2025**

The Dansville Public Library is seeking a friendly, detail-oriented individual for the position of part-time Library Page. This position is scheduled for 9–14 hours per week, with regular shifts on:

• • • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Alternating Saturdays, 8:45 AM – 1:00 PM
    • Alternating Fridays, as available

Applicants should enjoy working with people of all ages and possess strong communication and computer skills. A positive attitude, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are essential.

The anticipated start date is August 5, 2025.

For full position description, please see the Library Page Job Description.

TO APPLY

Complete a Employment Application, available at the Dansville Public Library main desk or online. Submit completed application by:

Mail or In Person:

Margo Prak, Library Director
Dansville Public Library
200 Main St., Dansville, NY 14437

Email:

dansvillelibrarydirector@owwl.org

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 20, 2025.

 

 

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!