Library Lion Award
The award, to be given annually by the Foundation for Southern Tier Library, provides $500 to the recipient’s Library of choice in the Southern Tier Library System region, as well as a recognition trophy with this Lion insignia. Any individual or group of individuals demonstrating a passion for and ongoing commitment to a library or libraries in the Southern Tier Library System with efforts extending to broader public advocacy is eligible.
The Foundation Board was delighted to award the 2025 Library Lion tribute to Faith Stewart,, highlighting her amazing work to strengthen Cuba Circulating Library’s service to the community. Her guidance through Covid, a 2021 flood, successful campaigns to increase library funding beyond tax caps, and remodeling of the children’s area, demonstrate Faith’s leadership. During this time of increasing efforts to remove books from libraries, Faith led a community meeting to discuss a very public book challenge. Over 240 people attended with a wide range of opinions expressed. Faith brought the community together by creating a respectful environment where everyone could be heard. Faith is truly a lion for libraries!
Faith Stewart: I recently watched the movie, Free For All: the Public Library which presented the history of libraries in America. It helped me realize that we are part of a movement that matters, something that is bigger than our circulation numbers and the programs we’re offering in our libraries, although those things matter. It’s bigger than dealing with the rowdy teens in the corner or the man who tends to smell bad and want to sleep in the library chairs, although those things need to be dealt with
Libraries are about democracy, about making information available to everyone, about respecting everyone. We defend the right to access information, even if we don’t agree with it.
Recently, there has been a movement to restrict and censure information, to decrease rights for ALL people. We are standing up to those movements. Strong libraries are necessary in a democracy and what we do makes a difference in our society.
2025 Grants Awarded
Foundation Awards $19,181 in 2025 Grants to Local Libraries
Back Row: Erica Moses, Belmont; Jess Westlake, Montour Falls; Barbara Radigan, Pulteney; Ristiina Wigg, Foundation President; Elisabeth Cowley, Wayland; Marshal Hyde, Corning; Kelly Povero, Watkins Glen Middle Row: Lindsie Meese, Arkport; Melanie Miller, Alfred; Mairi Bontorno, Dundee; Karen Smith, Whitesville; Sally Jacoby-Murphy, Hammondsport Kneeling Row: Karin Thomas, Odessa; Raeanne Smith, Little Genesee and Scio; Molly Wilkinson, Cohocton; Tina Dalton, Cuba
Funding for 2026 grants will be contributed by YOU and other generous donors; as well as from events being planned.
