Springfield Library

Director’s Report

3^rd Quarter 2024

July

· The library was open as a “Cooling Station” for the 4^th of July Parade. Over 120 people came into the library. A cool place and water were available for them to escape the heat. While doing so they browsed through the library’s collections and spoke with staff about the library’s resources. Many gave thanks for the library providing this service.

· As part of the Summer Reading Program; four programs were provided for youth and their families in addition to the weekly Story Time lead by JoAnn Fralick who incorporated the SRP theme: ‘Adventure Begins in Your Library” and this year’s “Smokey Bear Reading Challenge” into the stories and activities each week. All of the programs were well attended by those who normally attend Story Time, youth from the Town of Springfield’s Summer Program and members of the general public who learned of the programs through our advertising in the Pennysaver, Flyers and the website.

o July 10 – Ron Cain Magic Show – “A Treasure Trove of Magic”.

o July 16 – Children’s Author Lori Sullivan presented reading and craft activities from her book “Murray’s First Plane Ride”.

o July 24 – The Van Hornesville D.E.C. Fish Hatchery presented a program and games educating youth and their families about the hatchery and the fish raised there.

o July 31 – The New York State Police K9 Unit gave a demonstration of K9 Skinner’s abilities and training information.

· Total Attendance for the month: 407

· Total Program Attendance” 239

August

As the Summer Reading Program began to wind down by to it’s completion and deliverance of participant certificates and prizes on August 14^th, the programming once again focused on adult presentations.

o Beginning in August, each second Tuesday of the month Alicia Chase from the Office of the Aging is providing in person information and answers to questions regarding Medicaid and Medicare at the library.

o August 22 – Ms. Chase from the Office of the Aging arranged a presentation by local attorney Loren Glynn on Estate Planning. It was well attended and provided a wealth of information.

o On August 29 – Brian Lee from the Four County Library System gave a presentation on using the Library Edition of Ancestry.com as well as other sources for “Beginning Genealogy” research.

· On Friday, August 16^th Library Manager, Melinda Supp attended the 4cls “User’s Group” meeting as required by membership in 4cls.

· Total Attendance for the month: 308

· Total Program attendance: 50

September

· Submission of the NYSED LDA grant was made on September 6, however it was lacking the letter of approval from SHPO. The following week SHPO requested more information. The construction committee with advice from the Director of the Four County Library System worked on a response.

· Alicia Chase from the Office of the Aging again provided access to Medicaid/Medicare information on Sept. 10^th.

· Sept. 14 -SHPO has requested more details regarding the LDA construction grant.

· Sept. 17 - Received communication from 4cls regarding LDA grant application. Due to incomplete application submission and conflicts with the Town’s Approval Letter contingencies as well as SHPO not yet approving the application it is recommended that we only apply for the security system, ADA entrance, book drop and heating/cooling system.

· Sept. 19 – Further communication with 4cls states that the 4cls Board of Trustees will approve up to $63,035 allocation for LDA construction contingent upon SHPO approval.

· The Library Manager attended webinar training on BARC which is the out of system materials ordering process on Sept. 24^th.

· After several back and forth negotiations with 4cls and SHPO acceptable terms were reached, SHPO gave approval after the terms were adjusted, 4cls made some calculation adjustments and the Construction grant was submitted on Sept. 29^th. 4cls gave the final approval and sent the application to New York State on Sept. 30^th. The final total for the grant was $66,917 with a 90% request of funding at $60,225.

· Total attendance for the month was 166

· Total Program attendance for the month was 49