2025-2026 Outreach Mini-Grant Recipients Announced
Thank you to everyone who applied for our 2025-2026 Outreach Mini-Grant cycle! We had 20 applicants and our COSAC team selected 17 recipients! We will be funding the following projects:
Apalachin Library
Project: Summer Reading Reimagined
The Apalachin Library’s project “Summer Reading Reimagined” will embark on a mission to get books into the hands of local children who may not already be coming to the library and may not already have access to such materials during the summer months. This undertaking is a departure from the standard public library summer reading model, which caters largely to the same children who come to the library throughout the year. The requested funds would provide 300 books to 150 targeted students (2 books per student) in one preschool and two elementary school classrooms at the end of the school year for the children’s use throughout the summer and beyond.
Awarded: $989
Seymour Public Library District – Auburn
Project: Intergenerational Outreach Programming
Our Intergenerational Outreach Programming will focus on outreach to the residents of Westminster Manor Assisted Living as well as to families currently living in the local Rescue Mission’s temporary housing complex. The outreach at Westminster Manor will include an eight-part “Wisdom and Wonder” Intergenerational Stories and Crafts program as well as a StoryWalk® and a First Friday community event. Outreach at the Rescue Mission will consist of an eight-part Family Literacy “Book to STEAM” program.
Awarded: $1,300
Aurora Free Library
Project: Feeding our Bodies and Minds in Southern Cayuga
The “Feeding our Bodies and Minds in Southern Cayuga” Outreach Mini-Grant will support the Aurora and Hazard Libraries in their outreach to the King Ferry Food Pantry families. The grant will provide funding for Take and Make activity kits, family engagement activities, books and a quarterly cooking magazine called “Chop Chop”.
Awarded: $3,000
Berkshire Free Library
Project: Story Time / Summer Learning
Story Time and Summer Learning enrich children and young adults in our community by fostering lifelong learning for all. Story Time, for younger children teaches about the world around them and prepares them for the challenge of beginning school. Letter and number recognition are important skills for this age of children. For older children and teens Summer Learning keeps their minds active and engaged throughout the summer.
Awarded: $2,450
The Southworth Library Association – Dryden
Project: Color Your World Art Classes with Raymond Crognale
Color Your World Art Classes for Lifelong Learners: Exploration and instruction in the world of color and abstract art 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: $1,170
Phillips Free Library – Homer
Project: Sweet sixty (and up!)
The Sweet Sixty (and up!) program is a social event for seniors to connect with community members. It is a carefree afternoon with a fun craft, a wellness activity, and live music by local performers to sing along with if they wish to do so.
Awarded: $800
Lansing Community Library
Project: Fall and Winter Programming at the Lansing Community Library
The Lansing Community Library will offer fun, engaging, and dynamic programs to the greater Lansing area, with a focus on art, community inclusion, tolerance, and enjoyment! These programs will serve all ages and provide a safe space for personal expression and creative exploration. Programs will provide a chance to foster local community connections, building self-confidence and creative exploration.
Awarded: $2,000
Peck Memorial Library – Marathon
Project: Family Enrichment Nights 2025
Peck Memorial Library is supplying a group of programs called Family Enrichment Nights. These programs are designed for families of all kinds that are unable to attend the afternoon programs because of summer school or work. They will be able to create, explore and enjoy activities as a family.
Awarded: $575
Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library – Newark Valley
Project: Adult Summer Reading Program
Our Adult Summer Reading Program’s goal is to provide a fun spin on reading for the adults in our community. Adults will get to join in activities like tracking their reading minutes to win prize baskets and completing reading bingo challenges to win free books. During this program, we will also provide a couple of events like author readings or a craft night to further our goals of promoting lifelong learning and building connections in our community.
Awarded: $1,200
George P. & Susan Platt Cady Library – Nichols
Project: Artsy Craftsy: A Pre-Teen & Teen Arts & Crafts Program Series
Artsy-Craftsy is a monthly arts & crafts program series geared towards pre-teens and teens. This series focuses on the fun of arts & crafts, while also taking the opportunity to teach new skills and methods.
Awarded: $500
Edith B. Ford Memorial Library – Ovid
Project: Operation Reading Trail Facelift
By giving our reading trail this much needed facelift, we will be able to offer more outdoor themed programs, and offer outdoor reading areas for all age groups. This will also provide a place for groups and organizations to meet, that isn’t indoors.
Awarded: $2,917
Coburn Free Library – Owego
Project: Owego Historical District Architecture Kids Adventure Backpacks
In collaboration with the Tioga County Historical Society the Coburn Free Library presents the Owego Historical District Architecture Adventure Backpacks! Four back packs each containing, a map, house I.D. cards, a kid’s architecture books and art supplies will be available to checkout to take patrons on a scavenger hunt for historical architecture in the village of Owego’s historical district. The goal of this project is to provide a fun educational alternative for potentially expensive guided tours and museum fees for low-income families and at-risk youth in our community. This project further works to highlight the educational opportunities at local organizations and to explore the art of architecture and history on Front Street in Owego!
Awarded: $350
Hazard Library Association – Poplar Ridge
Project: Summer Reading Academy
The Summer Reading Academy will target students currently in 2nd grade who need the greatest assistance in maintaining and building upon their blossoming literacy skills. These students have been found to be at or below the 25th percentile in Oral Reading Fluency. Students will attend a 3-hour program each week for 6 weeks during July and August. They will receive tutoring within the Southern Cayuga school and end their days with a walk to the library to participate in ongoing summer reading science programs and to get books.
Awarded: $1,600
Seneca Falls Library
Project: Tech-Talk Life Long Learning Project
The Tech-Talk project will bridge the digital divide in Seneca County by providing accessible online resources for job seekers, lifelong learners, and geographically isolated individuals. Through live webinars, on-demand training, and targeted resources covering essential technology and career skills, this initiative empowers residents to enhance their employability and digital literacy. By offering flexible, remote access, Tech-Talk ensures equitable access to critical resources, fostering economic growth and community resilience. This project aims to engage over 10,000 residents, equipping them with the tools necessary to thrive in today’s digital landscape.
Awarded: $674
Tompkins County Public Library
Project: CARS Book Discussion Groups
The CARS Book Club Project will bring the library’s love of literature and books to patrons in recovery at the Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services. This outreach is an important part of showing our patrons that the library is for everyone and that community-building and a love of literature and reading are important parts of our lives, especially when we are engaged in the very challenging process that is recovery.
Awarded: $794
Waterloo Library & Historical Society
Project: Take & Make Craft Kits
The Waterloo Library & Historical Society will be providing take and make crafts kits for the residents of group homes, seniors, and living facilities. Take and make kits may include painting, vinyl, and wood projects, sewing, and other creative arts and crafts, complete with easy to follow instructions. Participation in this program is strictly through registration.
Awarded: $2,376
Waverly Free Library
Project: Color Our Library with Education
Each summer, the Waverly Free Library participates in a 6–8-week summer reading event. Our theme for 2025 is “Color Our World” where we provide instructional resources that correspond with the theme. Our performers are essential to this program in which they bring families into the library and to our events. As Waverly, NY has a high poverty level, many of these families do not have access to personal transportation and rely on walking, bicycling, and local bus transportation. Out of town trips and vacations may not be obtainable for much of our community, and this is where are summer reading programs are crucial for bringing academic programming to our patrons.
Awarded: $940
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 staff 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.