The Friends of the Irondequoit Public Library
Fall Newsletter
2015 Edition
Friends of the Irondequoit Public Library Board Members: Terri Dalton, President
Carolyn Hamil, Vice President
Chris Finger, Treasurer
Bonnie Arnold, Secretary
Ann Bayley
Annmarie Carter
Sophie Ferenc
Diane Stark
Steve Tolle*NEW!*
Our Mission: The purpose of the Friends of the Irondequoit Library is to advocate for the Irondequoit Public Library by
bringing the services of the Library to the attention of the public and by raising money to sponsor programs and
otherwise assist the library. The Friends of the Irondequoit Public Library is an independent, all-volunteer, 501(C) 3, taxexempt, non-profit organization.
News about the Friends of the Irondequoit Library
Question: What is the most often asked question in Irondequoit this fall? Answer: Have you seen the new library?!!!
The answer to the question above is most often followed by something to effect of “Isn’t it wonderful!” “I just love it!”
or “I love all the meeting room places!” We hope you are as thrilled with the new library as we are!
The new library offers our community the opportunity to do so much more in terms of programs and activities than the
Evans or McGraw libraries could ever hope to do. We know you will want to see the new spaces and capabilities the
library can offer you! Please make the time to stop in and look at the new “Maker’s Space,” the Used Book Store, and all
the new meeting rooms, in sizes for one or two people all the way to a large space that can hold about 150 people!
We plan to work with the library staff to offer new programs to take advantage of all the many technologies and spaces
that are possible now. We will tell you about some of the new resources available at your library in this newsletter.
Thanks to you, our Friends members, we were able to donate a scooter
to the library for those patrons with mobility issues. The scooter can be
brought into the elevator for access to the second floor, and will enable
many more people to use the meeting rooms, computer work stations,
and other new technologies in the new library. Many other people and
businesses have donated funding for specific items or spaces in the
library. Look at the recognitions outside the entrances to meeting rooms,
and on other items throughout the building.
The Giving Tree, located in the entry area of the new library, has a leaf
on it to recognize the financial and other contributions of the Friends to
the new library. Do you have leaf there too? Contributions of $1,000 or
more to the library will be recognized by addition of new leaves to the
Giving Tree. Local Irondequoit sculptor Craig Wilson created the Giving
Tree and will make new leaves and branches to recognize the many
people and businesses in our community who have come together to
support our library. There are hundreds of leaves on the tree now, and
your leaf can be added too. Donation forms are available at the library.
The “Wish List” for items to have in the new library continues to grow as patrons tell us about what they would like to
see and use in their library. As new technologies become available, we will work with the library staff to identify what
resources will benefit our town residents. An example is the new 3-D printer. The Friends will always support ongoing
needs that focus on programming needs and helping our patrons to maximize their use of all the library has to offer.
Have you used the new drive-up book drop to return your books to the new
library? There is a driveway loop to the book drop immediately to the left as
you turn into the library parking lot, off King’s Highway. You don’t have to get
out of your car to make returns any day of the week, day or night!
Pat Wayne, our Town Historian,
has worked with the big new
display case at the library to show
patrons some great items from
the archived collections focused
on the town’s past. How times
have changed! (See photo to right)
The Friends helped with the
official Opening Day ceremonies and activities for the new library on Saturday
September 12. We hosted kid’s activities for the many children who were
welcomed to their space in the new library. The Friends supplied coloring pages
and crayons for our youngest patrons. Did you know that there are heated
floors in the story room, so even our youngest library members can be
comfortable all year round, no matter what the weather is outside? The photos
above and to the left were taken during the opening day festivities.
Did you see us at the Friends information table again this year? We have been at
the Irondequoit Farmer’s Market every week on Thursdays, at the Town Hall,
starting at 4 pm. The market for this year started the last week in May, and runs
through October 22. We hope you had the chance to talk with Board members
Diane Stark and Bonnie Arnold about the many summer activities for kids and adults
at the libraries. Programs included summer Story Time readings right at the Market,
starting at 4:30 pm, with our Children’s Librarians reading for babies and kids. We
appreciated help from Friends volunteer member Ebeth Merkle for working with us.
The K-12 Summer Reading Program we help to fund started early this year because the library needed time to merge
the collections from both our old branches into the new building. The theme for the program this year was “Every Hero
Has a Story!” Participation Statistics: 894 kids, 216 teens, 279 adult readers and 107 volunteers! Teachers have told us
every year how the kids enjoy the prizes they win while reading through the summer. It is a great help in maintaining
learning and reading skills. We are very grateful to the many teens who volunteered to make this program work so well!
Did you get to come to our 2nd Annual Fun Fest on 5/9? We had a great day, filled with activities. The Trunk Sale and
raffle baskets generated lots of interest, and helped us raise funds for many programs we presented this year. Kids had
a great time with face-painting and other activities planned just for them. The 2016 Fun Fest tentative date is 5/7, from
10 am until 3 pm. You can sign up now for your Trunk Sale spot at the 2016 Fun Fest. Just contact our Friends
President Terri Dalton, at 461-2672, or at email address teresadalton09@yahoo.com. The photos below are from the
event this year.
Have you missed librarian Karen Hultz? After 30+ years of service as a librarian in our community, Karen retired at the
end of September. The Friends honored her dedication with a card and a gift certificate we hope she will enjoy!
We are planning to have a Friends Christmas tree displayed again at the George Eastman Museum this holiday season.
If you would like to help decorate our tree, and raise funds for this nationally recognized visual arts institution, please let
us know! We would love to hear your ideas for a theme for our tree this year! Volunteers to trim the tree are welcome!
We also support the annual Children’s Book Fair, to be held on 11/7 at MCC. Look for Diane Stark and Chris Finger
from our board to be staffing our table at the festival. Did you go the 10th annual Teen Book Festival event on
Saturday May 16, from 9-5? Go to the website at http://www.teenbookfestival.org/ for more details, including a list of
authors who will be here in 2016. The list is growing for the many famous authors you could meet! Irondequoit’s own
Stephanie the Librarian, who plans this event each year, is excited that this event has gotten bigger and more well
attended every year! This great event is FREE!!! The date for next year is Saturday May 14, from 9 am until 5 pm.
We hosted a joint Staff Appreciation Breakfast on 6/9. Library staff from both branches met to get better acquainted.
Our Annual Meeting was on June 23.We had our best attendance ever, in part
because of all the new Friends members who recently joined and wanted to get a
sneak peek at the new library before it opened! Four groups of about 30 Friends
members each were given a tour of the library by project leaders including John
Perticone, Town Board liaison for the project; Stephanie Squicciarini, Library Board
President; the architect for building; and the Project Manager from LeCesse. The
meeting was held in the Broderick Room, at the Town Hall. Our guest speaker was
Lisa Wemett, of the Local Friends Council. Her talk highlighted many aspects of
modern libraries, and mixed great visuals with humor and facts.
National Friends Week 2015: October 19 – 25! Have you encouraged a friend to join
the Friends? It’s never too late to join! The Friends of the Irondequoit Library were
honored with a proclamation honoring Friends Week presented by Town Supervisor
Adam Bello at the Town Board meeting on Thursday 10/15. The proclamation notes
the many ways that the Friends support our community through the work we do to
advocate for the library and to present programs of interest to all town residents.
This is the second year in a row that Supervisor Bello has taken the time to
personally present a proclamation for recognizing the work of the Irondequoit
Friends for our annual Friends Week celebration.
Upcoming Friends of the Irondequoit Library Events
On Wednesday 11/4, members of the Monroe County Friends Council from all over our area will meet at our new
library to discuss issues that impact all our libraries. This group works for better support from our government at all
levels, locally and nationally. Our Irondequoit Friends President Terri Dalton will speak about our 30 year journey to
make our new library a reality, and Amy Holland, one of our Children’s librarians, will speak on the topic of “What’s New
in the Children’s Area.” All the members who attend will be welcome to tour our new library before the main meeting.
The Irondequoit Rotary‘s annual Pasta Dinner is Sunday 11/8. We will have a Friends information table there. Come
to Bishop Kearney High School from 1-7 pm, have a great meal, and support the many good works the Rotary members
do in our community. You can get your dinner to eat right there, or for take-out. Don’t miss the many great desserts!
Your Friends Board will help to present a “Breakfast With Santa” event at the library on Sunday 12/13. There will be
time for each child who attends to meet with Santa, have a great breakfast, and get a keepsake picture from the photo
booth that will be ready to provide a great memory of this event. Amy Holland, from the Children’s Dept. is planning
this event and the Friends are helping with funding and volunteers for this occasion. There will be 3 hours scheduled for
this program, and more details will be available soon. Don’t delay in placing your reservation as seating will be limited.
Be sure to pick up your copy of the library events listing each month at the check-out stations in the library. You will
see many programs and events listed that you, the Friends of the Irondequoit Library, helped to fund. Thank you!
1290 Titus Ave.
Rochester NY 14617
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Rochester, NY
Permit No. 74
We encourage you to support us as a Friends member! Our renewal letter for 2016 is enclosed. I f you have recently
joined us, or renewed your membership, you may disregard this request. For questions, call Diane Stark at 482-1624.
Membership information brochures are available at the main desk in the library. Do pick up one to give to someone you
know that uses the library. Help us keep your information up to date. Do let us know if you move or get a new email
address. We would welcome your support as a volunteer for Friends activities. Membership forms are available on
line at: http://www.irondequoitlibrary.org/welcome-to-the-irondequoit-public-library/friends-of-the-library/
Look at our blog site for the Friends, and Facebook and Twitter accounts too! Check us out at the following web
addresses! http://www.irondequoitlibrary.org/category/friends/
www.twitter.com/friendsirondlib; and www.facebook.com/friendsofipl
Memorial donations are also welcome, to honor a loved one or other individual. Please contact us regarding your gift.
The Friends organization is registered as not-for-profit and may be designated by families for memorial donations in lieu
of flowers. Celebrate births, graduations and other special events with a donation to the Friends in his/her name.
Did you know that programs for the Irondequoit Public Library are listed in each weekly edition of the Irondequoit
Post? Each issue has a listing for events and programs at the library. Free copies of the Post are available at the library.
Meeting dates for the Friends of the Irondequoit Public Library: We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month, at 7 pm.
Meetings will now be held at the new library. Friends members are always welcome to attend Board meetings. Do let
President Terri Dalton know if you are coming to a meeting. You can leave a message for her at the library, in the
Friends mailbox. Ask the library clerk at the check-out counter to put your message in our Friends mailbox. Upcoming
Meetings: 10/27, 11/24, and 12/22.
Call the library at 336-6060 with your reference questions, to reserve a book, or schedule your group’s next meeting!
Library hours: 10 am until 9 pm Monday through Thursday, Friday until 6 pm, Saturday 10-5; Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.