2022-2023 Outreach Mini-Grant Recipients Announced
Thank you to everyone who applied for our 2022-2023 Outreach Mini-Grant cycle! Once again, it was difficult for our COSAC team this year as there were 16 applicants with limited available grant funds. We were able to fund the following projects:
Berkshire Free Library
Project: Creamery Road Senior Apartments
Berkshire Free Library will provide books, large print books and books on CD to the Creamery Hill Senior Apartments in Richford, NY. These books will be used for individual reading as well as reading clubs.
Awarded: $850
Candor Free Library
Project: Herbs and Spices
This project will share and promote the uses the herbs and spices for cooking and healing through a Make and Take “Spice of the Month Club” and a class on creating herbal salves.
Awarded: $540
Southworth Library Association – Dryden
Project: Art with The Masters Classes for Lifelong Learners
Art with The Masters Classes for Lifelong Learners: Exploration and instruction in the style of the Impressionists with Raymond Crognale. We will explore a variety of techniques in classes designed to encourage beginning and experienced artists to gain new skills and create their own artwork. A final art exhibit of finished works by the participants and other community members will be the culmination of the project.
Awarded: $1,150
Groton Public Library
Project: Back to Basics – Learn to Sew
The Groton Public Library is offering Back to Basics — Learn to Sew! This program is for all ages with particular attention given to connecting our elder population with our youth. Participants will learn a valued skill in a safe and comfortable environment at the monthly sessions. Beyond the monthly, we will have the machines available for use anytime we are open (with instruction available) or to borrow. The Library will provide sewing machines, fabric and thread, along with skilled instruction — all for free.
Awarded: $1,650
Interlaken Public Library
Project: Love Your Library for Life
Join us in celebrating early literacy for both children and caregivers at the Interlaken Public Library. Participants enjoy a weekly program that includes reading, song, repetition, play, snacks and support for caregivers, as well as fun “Ted’s Troupe” materials including a sturdy, custom tote bag to take home books and materials, an early literacy toolkit for caregivers, and a keepsake (and very functional) My First Library Card for our youngest participants, usable at any of the 33 Finger Lakes Libraries for checkout of materials.
Awarded: $743
Lansing Community Library
Project: Tween Advisory Group and Book Club
Based on the success of our 2019 STEAM after school program and 2020/2021 virtual tween book club programming, the Lansing Library seeks to add much needed free, educational, and engaging regular after school programming for tweens grades 4th- 7th. The biweekly program will include a tween advisory group and book club. After school programming, held at the library, will support school curriculum, provide academic support, help to improve social skills, build self confidence, and make learning fun!
Awarded: $1,650
Lodi Whittier Library
Project: Artist Led Classes for Adults
Artist Led Classes for Adults offered by the Lodi Whittier Library will provide community connection, social interaction, and library involvement in a creative and
supportive atmosphere. These artists will encourage participants to discover their own individual creative self and use the skills taught to express themselves. Everyone goes home with a wonderful finished product and many happy memories!
Awarded: $1,439
Peck Memorial Library – Marathon
Project: Oceans of Possibilities 2022
Peck Memorial Library will be reaching the community of Marathon by helping the village and the town with the summer recreation program. This is a way where we can reach more community members than just our patrons to connect them to reading and our local library. We endeavor to have a variety of programs so that all age levels can be reached through our programs and activities.
Awarded: $980
Powers Library – Moravia
Project: A Hand-Up Pantry
The Hand-Up Food Pantry at Powers Library provides not only food and personal care items but also a good book to share with the family. We are here to support our community with a little extra sustenance and the love of reading!
Awarded: $400
Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library – Newark Valley
Project: LEGO Night
LEGO Night is an enrichment program offered by the Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library to engage children grades 1-4 in activities related to Science, Technology,
Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. We will offer a local monthly event that gives our children the opportunity to experiment and explore S.T.E.A.M. subjects through the fun of LEGOs in a fun way.
Awarded: $550
Newfield Public Library
Project: NPL at the Food Pantry
The Newfield Public Library brings the library to the food pantry! By attending a pantry event twice per month, the library is building relationships with patrons that
may not otherwise visit the library. They joined forces with the Newfield Kitchen Cupboard to provide free books, DVDs, magazines and puzzles and recently
introduced the Meal of the Month program. Each month they select a recipe and create a meal kit with the ingredients for community members to prepare, enjoy, and share a fun, culinary experience!
Awarded: $840
Coburn Free Library – Owego
Project: Teen Outreach: They asked, we listened
Coburn Free Library of Owego, New York will build on the success of their current teen spaces by providing new and exciting local resources to Tioga County young adults. Our teens asked and we listened. This teen outreach program will address the need for updated materials and will provide new programs emphasizing life-long skills, connection, literacy, fun, and learning.
Awarded: $1,000
Seneca Falls Library
Project: Building Life Skills Outside the Box
The Seneca Falls Library Life Skills Boxes are an inventive way to help individuals with disabilities develop, practice, or enhance their life skills in order to lead a
happier, healthier and/or more independent lifestyle. Our partner, the Mozaic organization, will use these boxes (one every other month) with their individual
day hab units. Each box will have a particular life skill theme, including a story and a variety of hands-on, interactive activities (most materials provided).
Awarded: $1,560
Waterloo Library & Historical Society
Project: Integrated Crafts
The Waterloo Library & Historical Society will be providing take and make crafts and art kits to residents of group homes, seniors and living facilities. Participants will need to register for the programs in advance due to limited space and supplies. Take and make kits may include painting, vinyl and wood projects, sewing and other creative arts and crafts.
Awarded: $1,200
Weedsport Free Library
Project: Digital Inclusion
Weedsport Free Library will increase digital inclusion in our community by providing a mobile hotspot and Kindle e-readers for borrowing. This project will increase
accessibility to digital resources and internet connection for rural community members, job seekers, seniors, and students. The project additionally aims to serve our visually impaired community by greatly increasing access to Large Type reading materials through Kindle’s accessibility features.
Awarded: $671
Information about the Outreach Mini Grant
The review team is made up of our 6 member Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC). The role of COSAC is to advise the Finger Lakes Library System’s Outreach Department, assist in the evaluations of its coordinated outreach activities, and to promote collaborative efforts and partnerships. The Council is comprised of a mix of library directors and representatives from local human service agencies and institutions who serve our targeted outreach populations. We are always looking for new members. Please contact Jenny Shonk at jshonk@flls.org for more information on joining the council.
Funding was made possible for these grants through the New York State Library’s Coordinated Outreach Services Program. Under New York State Education Law, §273 (1) (h) (1), and Commissioner’s Regulations §90.3, Public Library Systems provide Coordinated Outreach Library Services directly and through their member libraries to New Yorkers who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. More information about the program can be found at www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/outreach.