Walworth seely Public Library, (Part II)

Walworth-Seely Public Library (part II) The Walworth-Seely Public Library: Our Gateway To Knowledge A Time-line of Growth – Part II Here are a few more bits and bites of history in our series about our Walworth-Seely Public Library. 1970: An addition was made to the Seely building, increasing square footage to 1940, of which 1266 sq. ft. was designated as public space. January 26, 1972: Absolute Charter #10,698 was granted by the University of the State of New York Education Department. December 6, 1989: the library endorse the service plan of the Pioneer Library System . The Geneva Free Library is the central point of the system. Talk of a new building was prompted by increased circulation and population growth which caused a space crunch and was compounded by extensive necessary building repairs. A parking lot separated the Seely building from the small town hall, so it was decided to include both facilities in a new complex. November 16, 1992: The town hall/library complex opened at 3600 Lorraine Drive on fifty-eight acres near Ginegaw Park between Sherburne and Walworth-Penfield Roads. Residents were invited to submit names for the road that would connect Scherburne and Walworth-Penfield roads. The name Lorraine is in honor of Loraine Finley, who also became the Walworth Historical Society’s Community Service Award recipient in 2007. The library was allocated approxamately 3,600 sq. ft. of space, of which appx. 3,200 sq. feet was designated for public use. A 1962 report by the American Library Association (“Interim Standards for Small Public Libraries”) recommended a guideline of 3,500 sq ft. for a library serving a population between 5,000 and 9,999; Walworth’s population in 1990 was 6,945. The Circulation was 35,162 (1993 figures, first full year at new site)serving a population of 6,945 (1990 figures). By 1994 42,600 items were checked out. This represents a 55% increase during the previous 5 years. If you’re into trivia, here’s an interesting item: The Slowest day was January 4, 1994, when only 23 items were checked out and then they closed because of a bad snow storm! At that time, the library holdings were 16,541 items of which 1,770 weree books, 105 magazine titles, as well as a multi-media computer featuring the Encarta Encyclopedia and color printer. There was also an Ellison letter maker for patron’s use. The card catalogue was replaced in 1994 with a computer keyboard system that uses a light wand to scan information into its files. As of December 31, 1994, there were 3,139 registered borrowers. April 1, 2002: WSPL was one of the first libraries to begin circulating on the OWWL Access from Pioneer Library System, providing on-line access to a potential of 42 libraries in the PLS System. April 14, 2002: WSPL celebrated its 40th anniversary with an open house. Guests were former library directors and trustees, representatives from local organizations and Pioneer Library System, and area residents. November 14, 2003: The charter was amended (#23,656) to allow WSPL to apply for 501c3 status, which would establish the library as a non-profit organization. January 16, 2004: 501c3 was received for non-profit status, which means that the library may accept donations and the donor may claim the donation on his/her IRS forms. . Currently: Space constraints and population growth are again forcing the library to look at alternatives for expansion. Circulation for 2006 was a record 100,688! The Board of Trustees has begun to investigate expansion options. Although Walworth’s population has grown to approxametly 10,000, the library still has the original 3,200 square feet. The generally accepted size standard for public libraries is 1 – 2 sq. ft. per capita. A feasibility study was conducted in December 2002. Due to economic conditions and the recent September 11, 2001, tragedies, the response to a completely new facility was negative. However, it was noted space for materials and programs is cramped. In 2006the Circulation was 107,688serving a population of 10,000. These patrons had access to 1,106,698 items available through the OWWL System, which encompasses Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties. The population projection for 2020 is 15,000. The Walworth-Seely Public Library has 3,200 square feet. New York State Standards for Public Libraries recommends 1 sq. ft. per capita. In the fall of 2006, the board adopted a long range plan that was developed by a group of community folks. Based on the community’s responses to a survey, the task force found that what the library should do and concentrate on are 1. A Commons, a library where people can gather for a variety of reasons, 2. Current Titles and Topics, best sellers, information on new “stuff”, and 3. Life-long Learning, such as materials for people to continue to grow in their knowledge and understanding of whatever they would like to pursue. As our population grows, our knowledge grows; as our storage and retrieval of knowledge grows, our facility must also grow. June 15, 2007 The Library Board and support members are Kristina Burnmeister, Trustee; Richard Crooks, Vice-President;, Ellen Dietterick, President; Dorothy French, Trustee; Maretta Kingsley, Trustee and Corresponding Secretary; Sheryl Ledelfa, Treasurer; Allison Lee, Trustee; Donna Stalker, Recording Secretary; Jane Cala, Friends of the Library Co-Representative; Suzie Mance, Town Board Liason; Mary Zingarella, Library Director. As with most institutions, it is the people that make it go and grow. If you have worked in the library, give me a call. Let’s chat In September, the library hours are: Monday-Thursday, 10-8; Friday, 10-6; Saturday, 10-2; Sunday, 1-3. Location: WALWORTH-SEELY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 3600 Lorraine Drive, Walworth, New York 14568; Telephone: (315) 986-1511; FAX: (315) 986-5917; Director, Mrs. Mary Zingerella.