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| Several members of the Falconer Public Library Staff: from left to right, Betty Palmer, Polly Cimino, Laurie Becker and Sue Seamans. (Photo by Jason Sample) |
For the second time in as many years, a Chautauqua County library has received some prestigious recognition from a national publication. The Library Journal has selected the Falconer Public Library at 101 W. Main St. in Falconer as one the top libraries of its size in the country, giving it a 5-star rating. In fact, the library ranked first among libraries in the $100,000-$199,999 Expenditure Category.
“This is a compliment to the patrons that use us,” says library director Sue Seamans. “It’s an indirect award to them to say ‘thank you for using your library.’ I’m proud of them.” The rating is based on what libraries deliver to their users with the money they have available. The information used to compile the ratings not only includes data from circulation and visits, but also from program attendance and public Internet computer use. Seamans say it’s a combination of factors that has helped the library receive national attention, and it starts with the village board and library board working with one another in a positive way.
“They work well together,” Seamans explains. “You hear about a lot of libraries with a budget crisis and closings. But our village board has made a commitment that the library is a big part of the service they provide to the community and that is a large part of our success.” As a result of the proactivity, Seamans says the library has been able to establish a variety of programs for the community and surrounding areas. Those include a bookmobile that visits area nursing and retirement homes, art exhibits from local artists, and even a summer concert series that draws over 3,000 people on an annual basis. Seamans says the library also works with several local organizations, including Rotary, the Lyons Club and Kiwanis. The library also has one of the most successful and popular youth programs in the area. “We have a story-hour program that is amazing,” Seamans says. “(Director) Lori Becker has a master’s degree and runs a phenomenal program where we actually have to turn people away.” Seamans also credits a staff of four other employees and several volunteers for making the library a destination for so many people in and around the village. Of course, everyday use is also a key reason why the library was selected. Seamans says it recently received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates fund for six new computers for public use and the facility also has extensive hours of operation every week. “We’re open 52 hours a week and the consistency of hours is key. That has been huge because people know they can use the library because they know when it’s going to be open.” Part of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, the Falconer Public Library is located at 101 W. Main St. in the heart of the Village of Falconer. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening hours of 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. It’s also open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, go online to www.cclslib.org/falconer or call 665-3504.
She adds that the library board and its members have also been very proactive. “We have to be realistic and know that the economy can change things… you have to be proactive with a plan that works in times of economic stress.”
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