Foundation Awards $18,514 in 2023 Grants to Libraries
Foundation’s amazingly fantastic online auction September 2021!
There was fierce bidding over items such as
- Cases and assorted gift baskets of wine
- Two-night weekend stay at the Corning Radisson
- Canon copier
- Clemens Center box seats for “An Officer and a Gentleman”
Thank you to our generous donors
- Kitty Erlacher, Corning NY
- Staples, Big Flats
- Dale/Kathleen Wexell, Corning
- Van Etten Antiques and Collectibles, Corning
- Pat Selwood, Penn Yan
- Collectibles Emporium, Corning,
- Corning Radisson, Corning
- Vitrix Glass Works, Corning
- Richard Kurchey, Corning
- Connors Mercantile, Corning
- Park View Wine and Spirits, Hammondsport
- Soul Ease Medical Massage, 55 Ferris St., Corning
- Hesselson’s, Elmira Heights
- Turtle Leaf Café, Elmira
- Hilltop Inn, Elmira
- Swain Ski Resort, Swain
- Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
- Antique Revival, Big Flats
- Alise Irwin, Penn Yan
- This and That, Corning
- GCP Discount, Horseheads
- Amy Griffith, Big Flats
- Clemens Center, Elmira
- Rye Bar and Restaurant, Elmira
- Ageless Spa, Corning
- AJ’s Hair Salon, Corning
Thank you to our generous donors
- William & Bonnie Weber.Branchport
- Mengel, Metzger and Barr, Elmira
- Bakers Bridge Antiques, Alfred Station
- Alco Federal Credit Union. Wellsville
- Walker Business and Staffing Services, Wellsville
- Wilson Beef Farms. Canaseraga,
- Allegany First Federal Credit Union, Fillmore
- Arthur & Nicole Weber, Canton
- Meier Family Foundation, Elmira
2020 Annual Foundation Meeting
On Thursday, September 10ththe Foundation for Southern Tier Libraries held its Annual Meeting online. The virtual Annual Meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by President Sherry Collins. Present were: Bonnie Weber, Denise King, Paul Webster, Peter Gamba, Dale Wexell, Rusty Wigg, and guests Barbara Radigan (Pulteney), Kathy Fuller (Bolivar), Candy Wilson (Savona), Chris Gallmann (Angelica), Tracy Savard (Watkins Glen) and Rayanne Smith, (Genesee). Brian Hildreth, Executive Director of STLS was moderator.
Sherry welcomed the participants, and put in an urgent plea for libraries to help recruit new board members for the Foundation.
The 2019 minutes were approved.
The 2019-2020 Financial report was approved
New Business: Because of the pandemic, the Board was unable to hold the Annual Meeting in May, as per the By-Laws, and no election of Board members was held. Therefore, the Board Members whose terms are expiring in 2020 will be appointed for another one-year term. Suspension of Article III, Section 3 of the By-laws was unanimously approved, for this extension of terms.
Grantees presented brief summaries of the programs supported by 2019 and 2020 grants. Barb Radigan had purchased a laptop for patron use, and was able to have STLS install WorkFlows on it, so she could continue library work from home. Kathy Fuller was able to have a remote Summer Reading Program.
Candy Wilson had parking lot lighting installed with the 2019 grant and was able to purchase public computers in 2020. Chris Gallmann was able to purchase and circulate 4 mobile hotspots to patrons with the 2020 grant.
Tracy Savard was able to broadcast Summer Reading Program live on Facebook, with 30 participants plus support from village merchants. RaeAnne Smith was able to purchase a book drop with the 2019 grant, and this year was able to make ADA compliant upgrades.
President’s Report: Sherry asked that librarians help recruit new Board Members for the Foundation. Now that the meetings will be mostly virtual, it will be much easier for members to participate long distance.
Meeting adjourned 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sherry Collins, President
2019 Annual Meeting
Meeting Minutes – April 30, 2019
Board Members and Staff Present: Sherry Collins, Peter Gamba, Bonnie Weber, Dale Wexell, Ristiina Wigg. Brian Hildreth
Guests: Justin Zeh, Director, Avoca and Prattsburgh; Michael Fay, Addison; Melanie Miller, Director, Alfred; Lynn Fulmer and Marsha Long, Trustees, Cuba; Amy Fleet, Youth Services and Sheryl L. Lamontai, Dundee; Michelle Hill, Director, Kathy Schumann, Mary Handy, Friendship; Raeanne Smith, Director and Konnica Sowers, Genesee; Kari Thomas, staff, Montour Falls; Angela Gonzales, Director, Penn Yan; Barb Radigan, Director, Pulteney; Judy Johnson, Director and Robin Lee Putnam, Richburg; Candy Wilson, Director, and Trustee Bill Fiske, Savona; Stephen Salino, Director, Watkins Glen; Kate Miller, Youth Services, Wellsville; Karen Smith, Director and Mike Smith, Whitesville
President Peter Gamba called the meeting to order at 5:05pm
Brief summary of 2018 Annual Meeting of the Foundation: “As President I welcomed everyone. Grant recipients received their awards and discussed their projects. We enjoyed an excellent dinner arranged by Vice-President Wexell. Then I made closing remarks and the meeting adjourned.” President Peter Gamba
Election of Trustees: Dale Wexell, Nomination Committee, introduced the following slate of trustees to be re-elected for three-year terms:
- Judy Phillips
- Denise King
- Dale Wexell
The slate was adopted unanimously.
Election of Officers: Dale Wexell, Nomination Committee, introduced the following slate of officers for two-year terms:
- Sheryl Collins, President
- Ristiina Wigg, Vice-President
- Paul Webster, Treasurer
The slate was adopted unanimously.
President’s 2019 Report: President Gamba discussed the Foundation’s 2018 achievements and plans for 2019:
- Through 2018, the Foundation has awarded a total of $49,980 in 54 grants to 26 libraries.
- During the 2018-2019 fundraising year, the Foundation held its first annual wine gathering and silent auction in September at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. In addition to raising funds, the event increased awareness of the Foundation, and connected with potential donors.
- As a result of this event, the Foundation was able to award the largest grant total in its history. Total 2019 awards were $12,440, a 25% increase over 2018.
President Gamba ended by inviting the audience to join the Board, or become an event volunteer. Ristiina Wigg then invited representatives from the eleven recipient libraries to describe their completed grants.
The 2019 grants were announced as President Gamba presented checks to attending libraries:
- Addison Public Library $1,500 Replace all fluorescent lighting with energy efficient LED models
- Alfred Box of Books Library $1,260 Allegany Directors Association – support literacy in at-risk families throughout the county by creating and distributing 200 literacy packets
- Avoca Free Library $1,500 Expand after school programs by purchasing special tables for use with legos
- Bolivar Free Library $400 Provide summer craft programs
- Cuba Circulating Library $600 Create kits for use in story times
- Dundee Library $750 Purchase lap-top to use for off-site and on-site library programs
- Friendship Free Library $830 Take children on summer field trips to outdoor locations
- Genesee Library $700 Purchase and install book-drop
- Montour Falls/Watkins Glen Public Libraries $1,000 Provide teen programs in both libraries
- Penn Yan Public Library $500 Purchase virtual reality equipment to provide a variety of community programs
- Prattsburg Free Library $1,500 Purchase book shelves
- Pulteney Free Library $600 Expand computer access by purchasing a lap-top for use by patrons in the library
- Benedek Memorial Library, Savona $1,000 Improve safety by installing lightiing in the parking lot
- Whitesville Public Library $300 Expand summer reading with music programs
Next everyone was invited to a dinner buffet organized by Vice-President Dale Wexell and much enjoyed by all!
Peter Gamba made closing remarks and adjourned the meeting at 6:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ristiina Wigg
In 2013 the Foundation for Southern Tier Libraries sponsored the STLS “I Geek Libraries” Adult Writing Contest.
