Yates Community Library to celebrate new Book House and storage space

Provided photo: The new Yates book house is shown in this photo. The garbage can is at a spot where the electric hook-up would later go.

Press Release, Yates Community Library

LYNDONVILLE – As part of a grant titled “From Shore to Sky: Supplying Our Communities Outdoor Explorers,” the Yates Community Library has increased its storage space allowing things like binoculars, fishing poles, and stream ecology kits to be added to the library collection.

A ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Thursday will officially open the new Book House to the public, a small space in the front of the building reserved to sell used books. Local residents are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting and show their support for this much-needed expansion at 15 North Main St.

Tom Wenhold, president of the Yates Community Library Board of Trustees, will open the event supported by other library trustees. A check will be presented from The Rural Library Grant powered by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and coordinated by the Western New York Library Resources Council and Rochester Regional Library Council.

Presentations will be made by Assemblyman Steve Hawley of the 139th District and Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. Frank Sykes, executive director, and Gretchen Schweigart, member libraries consultant, will be in attendance to represent the Nioga Library System.

All those in attendance will be allowed to tour both sections of the new building, enjoy snacks, and enter a drawing for prizes.

With Johnson Creek only a few feet away, Yates Community Library is also proud to partner with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to provide free fishing rod loans through “I Fish NY” and backpacks with binoculars and birding reference materials through “I Bird NY” initiatives.

Funds from the WNY Rural Library Grant will allow teachers, scout leaders, and other educators to check out sets of binoculars, fishing and birding resources, and other nature exploration kits that are geared to be used for larger groups.

As a birder herself, Library Director Heather Rutherford, is excited to start taking patrons on bird walks with the new supplies.

“The WNY Rural Library Grant has allowed us the space to purchase resources and materials that will allow us to provide programs for our patrons to learn, experience, and appreciate the nature that is right here in our backyard,” Rutherford said. “Over time, the library will continue to purchase more active lifestyle materials to investigate bugs, test stream water quality, or create nature journals. All of these items promote the library’s mission to provide current materials for education, enjoyment, enrichment, and lifelong learning to local residents.”

The book house will be open when the library is open: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library is closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Donations of gently used books will again be accepted after the official opening.