News

Smithsonian poster exhibit at DPL

Dansville Public Library to Present Smithsonian Poster Exhibit/
Public
Program Encouraging Dialogue on Positive Social Change

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead (1901-1978), anthropologist

As the world has become more interconnected, it is more important than ever to inspire people of all ages to create positive social change. The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) has partnered with the educational organization Facing History and Ourselves to dramatically increase access to the themes and content presented in its national initiative “Choosing to Participate” with poster exhibition designed to encourage dialogue, engagement, respect, and participation in classrooms and communities.

The posters will be on view at Dansville Public Library’s Shepard Foyer from October 1 through November 5.

Developed for middle school and high school students, the posters are intended to inspire people of all ages to create positive social change. The posters present the experiences of individuals and communities, explore the impact of cultural differences, and encourage viewers to consider the consequences of everyday choices—to discover how “little things are big”—and to make a difference in their own communities.

These graphically compelling colorful posters are being distributed at no cost to schools, libraries, museums, and community organizations through partnerships including Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the American Library Association.

Founded in 1976, Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical development of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide, students make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives. For more information, visit www.facinghistory.org.

SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 70 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science, and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For exhibition descriptions and tour schedules, visit www.sites.si.edu.

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The Choosing to Participate poster exhibition at the Dansville Public Library was made possible through the support of the Dansville Women’s Civic Club.

DPL participates with OWWL in annual Great Give Back

OWWL Libraries Helping to Give Back This Fall

(Friday, September 20, 2024) Canandaigua, NY — This fall OWWL Libraries will once again take part in The Great Give Back, an annual opportunity for patrons to engage in meaningful, service-oriented experiences. What began as a local initiative on Long Island in 2017, The Great Give Back has expanded across New York State with over 300 libraries expected to participate in 2024.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 2 families in the United States struggles to afford diapers. To address this critical need, twenty-six libraries across Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties have elected to host diaper drives for this year’s Great Give Back project. Collections begin Saturday, September 23 and conclude on Saturday, October 19. Donated items should be new and can include disposable diapers, reusable and cloth diapers, pull-ups, training pants, wipes, and diaper creams.

The Livonia Public Library has participated in The Great Give Back for several years and is particularly excited about this year’s project. According to library director Shamika Fusco, “We understand the importance of serving our community and providing opportunities for those facing life’s challenges to get ahead. This year‘s focus on diapering supplies is particularly heartwarming, and we are thrilled to join together to make a meaningful difference!”

Marion Public Library director Tracy Whitney agrees. “This year we will be collecting donations of new diapers and diapering supplies to help area families in need. While efforts are always on serving our community and building relationships, the exciting thing about this initiative is that it invites our patrons to help us make a difference with kindness and generosity, strengthening our caring community spirit.”

Each library will choose a local organization to give the donated items to, such as food banks, shelters, child care centers, or health clinics to best support local families in need. For more information, visit http://owwl.org/tggb.

Press release information from OWWL. [https://owwl.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-The-Great-Give-Back-Press-Release.pdf]

News Media: For more information, contact Suzanne Macaulay, Program Director, OWWL Library System, at 585-394-8260 x1106 or communications@owwl.org

Building Maintenance Person Position Open

The Dansville Public Library is hiring a Building Maintenance Person.

The Building Maintenance Person is responsible for providing general maintenance to the Library building. Their main duties involve responding to maintenance requests, performing general regular maintenance duties,  and attending to fundamentally all parts of the building and grounds, including the flooring, ceiling, walls, and systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring.

For more information, please see the Building Maintenance Person Position Description

Employment Application Form – also available at the Dansville Public Library circulation desk.

To Apply
Send cover letter, resume, and application to the attention of Margo Prak, Library Director: dansvillelibrarydirector@owwl.org or deliver to:
200 Main Street
Dansville, NY 14437

Preference will be given to applications received before October 18, 2024.

We are Hiring: Library Page

The Dansville Public Library has an opening for a Library Page.

Part-time Library Page is a 12-15 hour per week position. Applicants should be personable, enjoy working with people of all ages, have an interest in books and reading, and have excellent written, verbal, & computer skills. Applicants also need to be able to stand for long periods, to reach and bend, and must have a flexible schedule, with readiness to work evenings and weekends.

For more information, please see the Library Page Job Description

Employment Application Form – also available at the Dansville Public Library main desk.

To Apply
Send application to Margo Prak, Library Director: dansvillelibrarydirector@owwl.org or deliver to:
200 Main Street
Dansville, NY 14437

Preference will be given to applications received before September 9, 2024.

 

Happy Birthday Dansville Public Library!

July 18, 2024 is a special day for the Dansville Public Library. It marks 100 years since Shepard Memorial was dedicated as the Library for Dansville, on July 18, 1924. It is also 150 years since the first Library room was opened on the second floor of the Maxwell Block on Main Street, on July 18, 1874. This year also marks 200 years after the completion of the Shepard homestead, in 1824.

It’s our Bi-Sesqui-Centennial! 

On July 18, 2024, the Library will host the following events in celebration of our big day:

10:30am – “A Treasure Trove of Magic” Show: Central New York magician Ron Cain will take children on an imaginary treasure hunt at the Dansville Public Library. No registration necessary.

12:00pm-6:00pm – Building Tours: A guided tours of the Library building will run every half hour.

6:00pm-7:30pm – Ice Cream Social and Lawn Fête: Join us for a delicious frozen treat and to share delightful memories of our beloved institution. Listen to music, play lawn games, and enter a basket drawing. *In the event of rain, the Ice Cream Social will be moved inside the Library.

100 Ways to Celebrate the Library in 100 Days!

Something this momentous is too special to celebrate with just one day! June 18, 2024 is just the beginning of our 100 Ways to Celebrate the Library in 100 Days. Stay tuned and check out the Library Calendar for more information on how you can help us celebrate the Dansville Public Library.

June News & Events

Check out our Online Calendar for details & to register for events:

Special Events for June

  • Second Saturday – Fairy Fest – Saturday, June 8, 11:00am-1:00pm – Stop at the Library to create your own magical fairy wand!
  • Exam Cram – June 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, & 19; 3:00pm-8:00pm – The Library is offering a quiet study space for Regents students to get in last minute prep for exams. We’ll have snacks, study materials, and de-stress opportunities.
  • Summer Plant Share – Wednesday, June 19 at 6:00pm – This spring’s Plant Exchange returns as our Summer Plant Share! Once again, all cuttings, seeds, or starters are welcome. All community members are encouraged to participate; you do not need to bring anything to take something. Come to share, learn, and network with other local gardeners. Any leftovers will be added to our seed & clippings library.

Regular Programming

The following activities occur monthly, are open to all community members.

  • Sit & Stitch – Every Wednesday at 6:00pm – All skill levels welcome!
  • Magic: The Meetup – Every Thursday @ 5:30pm, ANY tabletop gamers welcome!
  • Homeschool Lego Meetup – Second Tuesdays @1:00pm (6/11), registration is required
  • Storytime – Alternating Tuesdays at 10:30am (6/11, 6/25) & Thursdays at 6:00pm (6/20; no Storytime on 6/6)
  • Ravenous Readers: Adult Book Club – Second Thursdays @ 6:30pm (6/13): The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (Zevin)
  • Homeschool Meetup – Third Thursdays at 1:00pm (6/20), registration is required
  • Tech Time – Final Mondays by individual appointment (6/24) Contact the library to schedule.

SUMMER READING BEGINS!!

Dansville Public Library’s Summer Reading Program sign-up starts during Fairy Fest on June 8, but the real action will kick-off at our Summer Reading Launch Party on June 29, complete with design-your-own bags, lawn games, treats, and more!

Everyone is encouraged to participate in this year’s Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library! From the young to the young at heart, everyone can have an adventure at the library this summer!


 

Get your adventure started now – and we don’t mean just in a book! Dansville Public Library offers:

  • Fishing pole lending (sponsored by the NYSDEC & Dansville Fish & Game Club),
  • Empire Pass borrowing: Entrance to NY State Parks without the vehicle use fee, and
  • Corning Museum of Glass passes: Complimentary admission to the museum for 2 adults

The Library will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in honor of Independence Day.

Friends of the Library – Annual Used Book Sale

May 13 – 18

The Friends of the Dansville Public Library are excited to announce the Annual Used Book Sale will be held Dogwood Week: Monday, May 13 through Saturday, May 18, during the Library’s regular hours of operation.

Huge variety of Books, Puzzles, and DVDs available!

Funds raised support the Library.

Don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bags!

2024-2025 Library Trustee Election

A Public Vote for one Trustee Position will be held May 7, 2024 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at Dansville Public Library, 200 Main Street, for qualified voters of the Dansville School District.

Dansville Public Library is not seeking an increase to the tax levy for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and a financial proposition will not be included on this year’s ballot.

One seat is open on the Dansville Public Library Board of Trustees. The candidate elected to the Board during the May 7, 2024 Board Election will serve a five-year term. On the election ballot, there will be one candidate named and the option to write-in an alternate candidate.

Meet the candidate, Suzanne Boor:

Since August of 2023, I have been serving as a Trustee on the Dansville Public Library Board to complete the unfinished term of a prior Trustee. During this time I have gained some experience and learned much from my fellow trustees, the Trustee Handbooks and online resources through Trustee Education Opportunities put together by OWWL. At this time, I ask to be elected to serve a full five year term. 

I am a lifelong village resident and patron of the Dansville Library, as well as a longstanding “Friend of the Library.” Now as a retiree, I have the time to devote in my interests in being of service to my community, and the Library in particular. 

I retired from SUNY Geneseo as Director of Donor Relations, where I was able to hone my organizational, communication and interpersonal skills which I would bring to the Trustee role. 

I am extremely proud of our beautiful Library, and have engaged my children and grandchildren in programs through this fine institution. I would be excited to contribute my strengths and background to the Library so that community members continue to enjoy the wonderful opportunities and experiences for which I will be eternally grateful. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of my candidacy.

Additional information can be found in the 2024-2025 Budget & Trustee Election Presentation and the Board approved 2024-2025 Dansville Public Library Budget.