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August 5, 2018
Issue No. 31
www.westsidenewsny.com
SOUTH EDITION
Distributed
to
Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Spencerport-Ogden
Friends of Seymour Library support wide-ranging library needs By Doug Hickerson In visits to Seymour Library in Brockport, my striking impression is that, of all our local events or institutions, this must be the most concentrated gathering of a crosssection of our community, all enjoying a wide variety of educational and entertaining pursuits. I see a steady stream of diverse people in great numbers when I enter or leave, around 400 daily recorded, and more during summer programs. They are adults of all ages, teens, and parents or grandparents with kids in tow. Wandering the library’s many sections on any day, I may come upon kids’ structured activities such as crafts, Legos, and electronic gadgets. Teens and adult activities are also abundant. Behind this delightful display of wholesome happenings are the Friends of Seymour Library. They are a group of volunteers who raise funds for library materials, services, staff development, equipment and programs. Some of the programs include Children and Teen Book Festivals, Children’s Summer Reading Program, Teens’ Summer Programs, and Adult Reading Programs, to name only a few. Friends and their work The Friends group consists of anyone who contributes as little as $10 a year to be a member, now numbering about 100. The amount of direct involvement is up to the individual. Many are involved in fundraising such as the membership drive, the twice-yearly used book sales and the yearly fabric sales. Some help out with the many library programs. In the Friends’ monthly meetings, Director Carl Gouveia’s contribution includes updates on library activity and where funds are most needed. Officers of the Friends have deep roots in the organization and they all affirm Seymour Library’s great value to the community. Past President Charlotte Wright – Behind organizational foundation and growth Charlotte “Char” Wright served as president of Friends for 16 years, starting in 2000. Under her long tenure, the Friends organization evolved to what it is today. Her name is always spoken with respect, including from the current president, Lynne Gardner: “I am very proud of the Friends, and I give credit to Charlotte who laid the foundation over her administration.” Several directors came and left Seymour Library during Wright’s term in office. One thing she established early on was the inclusion of the director in Friends meetings “so we would work as a team,” she said. Friends became more active, moving beyond sorting magazines and washing books, she reflects. Funds originally supported summer programs, but expanded to causes like reading incentives for adults, plus staff development and staff appreciation events. The yearly book sale went to twice a year and the annual fabric sale began. And, reorganization and revised by-laws occurred in 2015 with staggered terms for officers. Wright said Friends had been supporting children’s programs, led by librarian Natalie Burch, and teen’s programs for years. The teens programs had thrived under Chris Daily who retired in 2017 after 26 years of service. Carl Gouveia became the library’s director
Attending the May 21 Friends of Seymour Library meeting were (l to r) - seated: Charlotte Wright, Debbie Cody, Carolyn Mundy, Linda Sanford, and Mary Marone. Standing: Dan Burns, Lynne Gardner and Karen Sweeting. The photo was taken in the Seymour Library Duryea Room against a background of art work by Mrs. Della Buzard’s art students at the Cornerstone Christian Academy in Brockport. Art work from the community is often displayed here, contributing to the library’s unofficial identity as a “community center.” Photo by Dianne Hickerson in 2013. He hired a librarian, Abby DeVuyst, who created the first adult programs, now receiving Friends’ support, too. He also hired a teen librarian, Stephanie Blando. Wright noted that all three librarians have degrees in library science. Wright reflected on today’s Seymour Library. “It’s a wonderful place with great programs for our youth and adults. The staff is friendly and helpful, including some trained in computer technology who are available to help those using our many computers,” she said. President Lynne Gardner – Sees fundraisers as added benefit for the community Lynne Gardner has been president of the group for two years. A Brockport resident for 30 years, she started bringing her kids to the original library site in the Seymour mansion. Now serving about 15 years with the Friends, she joined because, “We spent a lot of time in the library and I decided I wanted to give back to this wonderful place.” She sees a wider benefit to raising funds in the book sales. Beyond the money raised, “I love the whole idea of passing on books already read to somebody who has not read them,” she said. “It encourages reading and is a community event. People look forward to it twice a year.” She also
likes the recycling of fabric and yarn in the annual fabric sale. After the sale, left-overs get good use by being offered free to organizations making Dresses for Girls Around the World, knit caps for babies, lap rugs for vets, and comforters for the homeless.
Continued on page 6
The annual fabric sale took place in the library’s Duryea Room on June 9. Tables were filled with fabric, yarn, thread, buttons, ribbon and other sewing materials contributed by people in the wider Brockport area. This sale and the used book sales held twice a year are the primary fundraising activity of the Friends of Seymour Library. Photo by Dianne Hickerson