Richmond Memorial Libary

Members of the "Tale for Three Counties" committee were presented with the Richmond Memorial Library's 2012 "Friend of the Year" award today at a public reception in the library's Gallery Room.

This award is given each year in recognition of a person or group that has gone above and beyond in support of the Richmond library. According to Paula Haven, Teen Services librarian and staff liaison to the Friends of the Library, "A Tale for Three Counties" met the criteria.

"This is their 10th anniversary," Haven said. "Not all library programs enjoy such longevity."

"A Tale for Three Counties" began when a group of public librarians from Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties got together and proposed an idea for an area-wide book discussion program. Over the years, they have garnered the support of such organizations as Genesee Community College, GoArt!, the Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System, Wal-Mart and Time Warner.

Each year, participants read and discuss books that meet the following guidelines (taken from the program's website): 

• It must be a work of fiction
• It must appeal to both adult and teen readers
• It must have literary merit as evidenced by professional reviews or awards
• It must present the theme of rural family life or local history
• It must have issues or topics to discuss
• It must introduce a new or relatively unknown author to readers

Another perk of this program is that the authors come to the area to give talks every year (click to read an article on the Garth Stein visit in 2010).

Here are some quotes from authors who have visited Genesee County for this program:

"Call: My agent on the phone telling me that my book 'The Call' had been chosen as the one book for 'A Tale for Three Counties.'

"Action: Cheered and then gladly accepted.

"Result: Was greeted so warmly by all involved with the Tale I considered that the place was possibly enchanted and I had crossed over into a better world."

-Yannick Murphy, author of "The Call"

"I really had the sense, during the three days I participated in the Tale for Three Counties, that the program was reaching all sorts of people who otherwise would not be reading literature, opening their minds to its possibilities and encouraging future explorations of books while also uniting the community. It was a great honor to participate in such a worthy program."

- Hillary Jordan, author of "Mudbound" 

Press release:

New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has announced that Richmond Memorial Library will receive $3,500 in funding from the Public Library Construction Grant Program for a replacement window in the Children’s Room. 

“This grant will serve as a reinvestment in Richmond Memorial Library in the City of Batavia and will ultimately allow existing patrons and future generations to enjoy all the services the library has to offer,” Senator Ranzenhofer said.

The grant funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2010 State Budget. Grants can pay up to a maximum of 50 percent of total eligible project costs and libraries must provide funds to pay for the remaining costs of the project. 

New York’s public libraries are in need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.5 billion. More than 40 percent of the public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, are energy inefficient, cannot provide internet and computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring. 

Project activities and expenditures eligible for grants from the $14 million Public Library Construction Grant Program include the renovation and/or rehabilitation of existing space, including roof replacement, purchase and installation of alternative energy resources and new HVAC systems, windows, doors, and lighting systems, electrical upgrades, and construction of new or replacement of old walkways and parking lots.

The Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, will hold its budget vote and Board of Trustees election tomorrow from noon until 9 p.m.

All residents of the Batavia City School District are eligible to vote. Voting will take place in the library's Gallery Room.

The results of the election will be posted tomorrow. Call the library at 343-9550 for more information.

On Friday afternoon, Nancy Mortellaro was honored at the Richmond Memorial Library as the 2011 Friend of the Library.

Mortellaro praised her fellow friends and called them her "virtual Facebook," noting that unlike the real Facebook, she gets to see her friends face-to-face every day.

Mortellaro was honored for her diligent and long-standing support of the library.

Sandy Gillard, center, hasn't not worked in 38 years.

She has worked at Batavia's Richmond Memorial Library since 1972, went back to school for her bachelor's and MLS (Master of Library Science) degrees while raising three sons about 20 years ago, and has worked very hard to make the library a fun and welcoming place for kids and their families. 

Gillard is retiring this year, and Tuesday of next week will be her last day as children's librarian at Richmond.

On Wednesday, families and friends gathered at a reception -- held in the library's Children's Room -- to express their appreciation for her years of service.

The Richmond Memorial Library's trustee election will continue until 9 tonight in the library's Gallery Room, 19 Ross St. in Batavia. Anyone who lives in the Batavia City School District and is registered to vote may participate.

NOTES

• Rosemary Surowka is seeking re-election as a trustee
• Due to the absence of a proposed tax increase for the library this year, there is no budget proposition