Groton, NY – Assemblymember Anna Kelles visited the Groton Public Library today to celebrate an allocation of $66,900 from her office to the Finger Lakes Library System, which will directly benefit eight local libraries:

Cortland Free Library: $10,800 (Community programs, mental health, community reading)

Newfield Public Library: $4,000 (Security cameras)

Groton Public Library: $18,000 (Increased food programing)

Ulysses Philomathic Library: $15,000 (accessible furnishings)

Lamont Memorial Free Library, McGraw: $3,000 (expand senior programs in the library)

Lansing Community Library, Lansing- $2,600 (teen programing)

Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca- $8,000 (staff professional development)

Southworth Library Association, $5,500 (continue existing programing)

The $66,900 2023 Library Bullet Aid Package in the state budget was secured by Assemblymember Kelles with Senator Lea Webb supplementing the awards to three libraries, providing $2,000 in aid to help them meet their requests. Those were Southworth Library, Tompkins Public Library and Lamont Free Library.

The celebration took place at Groton Public Library, which received the largest grant. The $18,000 in funding will directly benefit community members through expanding the library’s food pantry offerings and cooking programs.

Groton Public Library Director Sara Knobel has made it a priority of the library to address food insecurity in Groton. Knobel wanted to give community members the skills they need to cook healthy meals, so the library used these funds to purchase a variety of high end kitchen equipment, and tools for participants to keep like knives, cookbooks and crockpots. The funds will also pay a professional chef who offers community cooking classes along with free community meals. The community cooking classes will be cross generational, she said, bringing all ages together to learn, support and teach each other. People who are interested in partaking in these should call the library at (607) 898-5055. The money will also expand the stock of food pantry items, frozen foods, produce and shelf stable items. Knobel said the library pantry complements the local community pantry as community members can access this pantry during the hours the library is open. Knobel aims to help people have the ingredients to make 3 meals a week.

In Cortland, the funds will enable the library to expand its digitization and archiving of microfilm into a statewide database, according to Cortland Free Library Director Jessica Magelaner. The library will also be updating its collection of e-content (books and databases) and updating its collection of test study materials.

The Ulysses Philomathic Library will use the funds to replace the tables and chairs in the library’s community room. This is important for a space that accommodates upwards of 50 people for community programs like after-school activities, senior meetings and community meetings, according to Ulysses Philomathic Library Director, Laura Mielenhausen.

Newfield Public Library will use the funds to relocate its current book drop from the entrance space to a nook that won’t interfere with patrons entering the library during business hours. The funds will also purchase security cameras, according to Newfield Public Library Director Sue Chaffee. Chaffee indicated that this added security is important for her staff’s safety as the library is often staffed by one person into the evening hours. Additionally, since the library now occupies space next door for the Newfield Historical Archive, cameras outside will enable staff to monitor entrances to both buildings.

The Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) used the funds to train staff on how to use the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system-which will enhance operations at the library, allowing for faster checkout and tracking of materials. The new RFID system brings TCPL up to date with modern library technology and will allow for more efficient operations at the library, as staff will be able to check out materials more rapidly through the use of special radio frequency emitting tags.

In Dryden, the funds will help the library to afford to retain skilled staff and keep up with the cost of materials and technology. “This will enable the rural library to continue to play its crucial role in fostering literacy, lifelong learning and community engagement.” said Diane Pamel, Library Director at Southworth Library. Rural libraries often serve as the only accessible source of free educational resources and internet, as is the case in Dryden. The programs, events and resources provide for all ages and socio-economic levels in the community, whether with printed or digital materials, technology resources or through the mobile hotspot lending resources.

“Our public libraries offer our communities free resources and opportunities that cannot be accessed anywhere else. They provide children with a vital space to read, learn, and play, friends with a place to connect, community members with a location to access the internet, and the public with a safe and supportive environment designed for all. I am overjoyed to see the creative ways our librarians and library administrators are making use of this funding, from expanding food access, to improving programmatic offerings, to helping patrons enjoy more accessible spaces. When our public libraries are properly supported, they enable entire communities to flourish and thrive. It is my distinct honor to direct $66,900 in grant funding to libraries across the 125th District,” said Assemblymember Kelles.

“At UPL we were fortunate to receive generous Bullet Aid from Anna Kelles’s office. We will be using the money to replace our aging meeting room furniture with modern, accessible tables and chairs that can be used by all patrons. Our Melvin Community Meeting Room is a popular multi-purpose space in the community and it’s important to us that we provide updated features, including tables and chairs that are accessible and easier for folks to move around to meet their needs. Thank you, Assemblymember Kelles, for your ongoing support of libraries!” said Laura Mielenhausen, Library Director Ulysses Philomathic Library.

“Assemblymember Kelles is an enormous supporter, beloved community member and a huge library user, which was made clear to me when I first arrived and we received bullet aid from AM Kelles and Lea Webb. This allowed staff to attend in-state and out-of-state conferences and hold in-service sessions with professional librarians to learn more about programming, customer services and best practices.” said Leslie Tabor, Director of Tompkins County Public Library.

“Having the funding that AM Kelles was able to get us now allows me the freedom to get healthier and more variety of food in and expand the teaching classes, and have free meals for our patrons,” said Sara Knobel, Groton Public Library Director.

“We are very grateful for the funding Assemblywoman Kelles obtained for the Southworth Library. Costs for materials have increased over 7 percent over the past few years, as has the demand for technology resources and the costs to retain skilled staff and provide for the rising cost of living. The $5500 legislative aid has enabled us to help work towards closing that gap and rise to these challenges and continue to provide excellent services for our community,” Diane Pamel, Library Director, Southworth Library.

“Currently we offer “senior Social” twice a month. The funding from Assemblymember Kelles will allow the library to offer “Senior Social” each week. Providing the seniors with more opportunities to socialize and keep active. We at the Lamont Memorial Free Library are grateful for the support of Assemblymember Kelles,” said Heather Cobb, Director Lamont Memorial Free Library.

“With the funds we are able to expand into the fall, winter and spring- an arts and literature program for tweens and teens where they can come and do journaling. We also have a family therapist on hand to help with the program because we saw there is so much stress in that population and a lot can come out when journaling. The funding is very helpful to allow for the flexibility to add the mental health support to the teen and tween programming,” said Susie Gutenberger, Director Lansing Community Library.