News

Dansville Public Library has received a $100,000 grant from Senator Catharine Young. The funds will be used for planning costs associated with a proposed 7195 square foot addition to the existing Library. The addition, designed by LaBella Associates PC of Rochester, NY, includes expanded collection space, a meeting room, additional computer workstations, small study rooms, quiet spaces for study and research, as well as a dedicated local history center. The expansion will provide room for students and adults to research, work together in groups, or read quietly and will provide collections that support of the brisk pace of advances in education. A more spacious area for the children’s collection as well as for children’s programming needs will also be included. The scope of the Dansville Public Library expansion is in direct proportion to meet increased demand for community library services in the Dansville and surrounding region.

Dansville Public Library is a community center dedicated to providing a place for residents to explore study, learn and connect. The expansion will improve the quality of service through better access to print, non-print, and electronic resources and new, much needed space for collections and programming. The Library provides materials for the literacy needs of students, families and seniors, as well as offering technology resources and a community gathering space.

Project costs will total $2.7 million. The funds will be secured through a combination of public and private sources. Private, tax-deductible gifts to support the expansion will help ensure that the community will have a Library that supports lifelong learning for decades to come. In rural communities, libraries play a distinctly important role. Access to the full spectrum of resources, books, DVD’s, periodicals, and technology are not available through any other source.

The Dansville Public Library circulates more than 61,800 items every year. Since 2006, circulation has increased by 8%. The library is chartered to serve more than 10,000 people in the area, with more than 5,300 borrowers registered.

As part of this year’s Summer Arts at the Library, young authors have written these wonderful poems and short fiction pieces. Several of the pieces also are accompanied by a recorded reading by the author that you can listen to right on our website.

Local teacher and writer Dan Folts led the writers in their creative endevours. Please visit the Writing Barefoot page and enjoy these original stories and poetry.

From the Introduction:

The Comprehensive Plan Work Group (CPWG) was formed for the purposes of reviewing Dansville’s existing Comprehensive Plan, assessing Dansville’s current conditions, identifying objectives. That assessment was used to guide our future growth and writing a new Comprehensive Plan.

The CPWG first met in October, 2001. In January 2003, a Community Survey was conducted and the results were prepared and released in May 2003.

Since the completion of the survey, the CPWG has determined the format for the Plan, met with guests in Focus Group discussions, collected resources, identified community objectives and developed methods to pursue those goals. The CPWG, in 2005, was adopted by the Planning Board as a standing subcommittee to facilitate the implementation of this Plan and assist in future updates.

A Comprehensive Plan, or Master Plan, is a municipal tool that has several uses. A Plan may be used as a management and financial tool for local government. Economic and industrial development specialists might use the Plan for marketing Dansville to new businesses. A Comprehensive Plan:
1) contains planned development and objectives for all elements of a community,
2) is a timely and responsive part of the continuous planning process,
3) is the legal basis for land use regulations, and
4) is a guide for budgeting and scheduling capital improvement projects and other fiscal decisions.

The full document (25 MB) is available here:
http://www.dansvillelibrary.org/pdf/MasterCompPlanComplete.pdf

Dansville Public Library is one of 4000 libraries selected to receive the We the People "Picturing America" Bookshelf awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association.

As a grant recipient, the Library received 19 brand new books about American history and the American experience. In addition, the Library is required to present four unique programs during the year in celebration of our United States.
The first program features Memorial Day, and the public is invited to the Memorial Day Open House at the Library on May 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors can see the books on display and pick up a form to participate in an essay/poem contest on "What Memorial Day Means to Me."

The three best entries in the essay/poem contest will be presented with a flag of the United States of America. Presentations will be made on June 15th, the day after Flag Day. The Library Board of Trustees is especially grateful to the Dansville American Legion Post #87 for the gift of the flags for this special event.

On Saturday February 28, 2009 Dr. Tony Witte received a Senate Resolution from Senator Catharine Young in recognition of his volunteerism at the Library. Dr. Witte was named Library Volunteer of the Year at the library’s Volunteer Luncheon this past September.

Our community has always been a priority for Dr. Tony, and his efforts on behalf of Dansville Public Library were what brought new technology to library patrons in 1995. He helped select computers for public Internet use, and soon after those efforts, he created the library’s website. Then, in the fall of 2005, Tony was the ‘push’ behind wireless service for the Dansville Public Library. The Library became the first library in the Pioneer Library System to have a ‘Wi-Fi hotspot.’

Today, Dr. Tony continues to maintain the library’s website, monitors its use, works to ‘debug’ the system, and helps staff with a variety of Internet and database needs. His support and help make him one of Dansville Public Library’s most valuable Volunteers.

The Dansville Public Library held its 4th Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Thursday, September 11th, recognizing the contributions of the nearly 200 volunteers who serve the Library.

Dr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Witte was named as ‘Volunteer of the Year.’ The award was presented by Library Director Teresa Dearing and Mrs. Nancy Leven, representing State Senator Catharine M. Young. Witte was recognized for his many years of service and dedication to creating and improving the vital computer and electronic resources of the Library. Witte conducted fundraising efforts leading to the purchase of the Library’s first public access computers in 1995. At the same time, he taught himself the networking and programming languages necessary to create and launch the Library’s website. In 2004, Witte co-authored a grant for Noyes Memorial Hospital which provided a Health Information computer with touch screen for Dansville Public Library users. And in 2005, Witte installed ‘wireless,’ making the Library the first Wi-Fi hotspot in the Dansville community. Witte performs as the Library’s ‘webmaster’ and assists staff with online issues.

The luncheon was attended by 60 volunteers and guests. Mary Ann Holden, secretary to the Library Board of Trustees, warmly thanked all those present for their commitment to the Library. ‘Due to the generosity of volunteers like you,’ said Holden, ‘we are able to do so much more for our community.’ Volunteers include ‘Friends’ who assist at events, current and former Trustees, and individuals who offer special talents or resources to the Library.

The Dansville Public Library, housed in the historic Shepard Memorial building at 200 Main Street, serves 10,419 people from Dansville and the surrounding nine towns and villages. With annual circulations in excess of 65,000, the Library is a community center dedicated to providing a gathering place for residents to explore, to meet, to learn and to relax. For more information about the Library and its services and ways that you can help, or to take a tour of the library, contact Teresa Dearing, Director, Dansville Public Library all 585-335-6720. Or visit us on the web at www.dansvillelibrary.org.

The Dansville Public Library advanced its fundraising efforts in the library’s planned expansion project when it formed a Strategic Planning Committee in May. Members of the committee were chosen from a list of community leaders who have expressed a strong interest in the future of the library.

Danforth Development of Rochester conducted several meetings with the library’s new Strategic Planning Committee over several weeks. The Committee was charged with the responsibility of determining the next steps in a time-limited process involving only four meetings.

The library’s earlier fundraising plans were briefly reviewed and the outline of a new plan was developed. Fundraising will be led by "Divisions" in the months ahead. The following community members assisted in the revision of the plan: Bill Bacon, Jim Bennett, Linda Brokaw, Richard deAsis, Gay Frame, Tammy Ingram, Keith Petti of Mayor Bill Dixon’s office, Jon Shay, Trustees Mary Ann Holden and David Reinholtz, and Library Director Teresa Dearing.

The Dansville Public Library, housed in the historic Shepard Memorial building at 200 Main Street, serves 10,419 people from Dansville and the surrounding nine towns and villages. With annual circulations in excess of 61,000, the Library’s mission is to help the community meet its educational, cultural and recreational needs. For more information about the Library and its services, or to take a tour of the library, call 585-335-6720, or visit us on the web at http://www.dansvillelibrary.org.

Dansville Public Library announced that it has been awarded an $8,450 ‘Online Opportunity Grant’ from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dansville is one of 421 public libraries in high need communities that will be able to purchase new computers through the $4.1 million grant. Dansville Public Library will purchase 5 computers over the next two years.

The grants will be administered through the New York State Library. Libraries are required to provide matching funds to be eligible for the grants. The grant period runs through December 31, 2009.

‘Dansville benefited from the earlier round of Gates Foundation Grants in 2001,’ said Director Terry Dearing. ‘Now, as then, these funds appear at a crucial time. Two of the library’s current public access computers are in dire need of replacement with a third workstation nearly as serious. We’re extremely thankful to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for these funds.’
Many libraries struggle to keep pace with technology and rapidly increasing community demand for these services. A recent national survey revealed that four out of five public libraries say they do not have enough computers to meet their community’s needs. Sixty percent of libraries report they have no plans to add public computers in the coming year, citing cost and space as major limiting factors. With nearly half of the nation’s public libraries reporting decreased or flat public funding in 2006, inadequate technology services persist in many libraries.

Libraries receiving grants are located in all 62 of New York’s counties. For a list of recipients go to http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/gateslib/hardware/eligible.htm

On Saturday, February 28th the Friends of the Dansville Public Library sponsored a ‘Children’s Tea Party’. Each girl brought a guest and enjoyed a sandwich menu of chicken salad, egg salad, peanut butter & jelly, and cucumber as well as a wide variety of cookies, punch, and, of course, hot tea. Tickets were required and names were placed in a special drawing for 4 miniature Tea Sets. The winners of the Tea Sets were Meghan Maker, Kendra Evans, Donna Bargar, and Dixie Carmody. A total of 30 children and adults were in attendance.

The Dansville Public Library has contracted with Danforth Development of Rochester as the new fundraising consultants for the Library’s planned expansion. Dana Kimberly, CFRE, will be lead consultant as the Capital Campaign moves forward.

Danforth Development, founded in November 2001, provides fundraising support services to non-profit organizations. Danforth is a regional leader in the provision of board and leadership development processes and solicitation strategies. The practical and beneficial effects of enhancing a development program through expert consultation are far-reaching and long-lasting.

During the last seven years, Danforth Development has attracted and built a substantial roster of not-for-profit clients in the upstate region. Working in collaboration with voluntary and administrative leadership, each client is handled personally and professionally to meet financial goals and achieve a new standard of philanthropic excellence.

In addition, Danforth is a member of The Giving Institute, leading consultants to non-profits. Since 1935, the Giving Institute member firms have served clients of every size and purpose, from local institutions to international organizations, and embraced the highest ethical standards while maintaining a strict code of fair practices.

"Philanthropy offers individuals a way to communicate their personal values and beliefs to others," states Ms. Kimberly. "Understanding what unique motivation each person (or constituency) has for making a gift to a particular organization, and encouraging that response, is the differentiating mark of Danforth Development."

The Board of Trustees expresses its appreciation to Bobbie Dillon for the initial phases of planning and development of the building expansion project.

The Dansville Public Library, housed in the historic Shepard Memorial building at 200 Main Street, serves 10,419 people from Dansville and the surrounding nine towns and villages. With annual circulations in excess of 60,000, the Library is a community center dedicated to providing a gathering place for residents to explore, to meet, to learn and to relax. For more information about the Library and its services and ways that you can help, or to take a tour of the library, contact Teresa Dearing, Director, Dansville Public Library all 585-335-6720.