Community Survey

Standard #3 Community Report

Dear Red Creek Community,

We are thrilled to share the successes and offerings of the Red Creek Free Library in 2023. This year, we welcomed 6,276 visitors to our library and proudly issued 79 new library cards. 

Our collection now boasts 10,420 fiction and non-fiction books, which are available to all patrons across our library system. Through OWWL interlibrary loan we received 1,574 materials and provided 1,984 books and DVDs to patrons from other OWWL libraries.

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Finger Lakes Library System and the Southern Tier Library system, allowing us to expand our electronic materials offerings. With your library card, you now have access to KANOPY, Ancestry, and Mango Languages, broadening the resources available to you.

Our programing continues to be a cornerstone of our community engagement. This year 52 students from the community sign up for our Summer Reading program. Every Wednesday, we offered Story Hour, featuring Community Guest readers such as Mr. Taylor (Principal at Cuyler Elementary School), Mrs. Johnson (School Librarian), and Mr. Palermo (Mayor of Red Creek). We also had a visit from the Red Creek Fire Department with one of the fire trucks for the children to see and ask questions. Summer Reading offered programs on coding, crocheting, painting, and book club for teens. We had visits from G&G Animals from Oswego, Derrick Pratt from the Erie Canal Museum, and Author Susan Peterson Gately. Our successful Summer Reading program was made possible through the donations of prizes from our Community members. We want to thank Johnson Forestry Management, Fuller’s and the Opera House Cafe, the Dates Family, the Alexander Family, Ms. Jodi Rogers, and Bass Pro for their donations of prizes for Summer Reading. Without their support the Summer Reading program would not have been as successful.

We were able to partner with Rochester Regional Health to offer the mobile mammogram screening to community members. Additionally, we visited the Red Creek Central School District for their Open House, Health Fair, and Summer Reading Kickoff event. 

The Library was very active in fundraising to secure funds for programming. We had a very successful Book, Bake, and Basket raffle in November. Board Members and Volunteers scooped ice cream at the Olfactory Lavender Festival. We were able to secure funding for new bookshelves and a children’s computer from the New York State Assembly with the help of Assemblyman Brian Manktelow.

The library did not see any physical changes in 2023. There are future plans to upgrade the roof, and upgrade windows to more energy efficient windows. We will be applying for funding and grants to offset the costs of these upgrades.

Thank you for your continued support of the Red Creek Free Library. We look forward to another year of learning, growth, and community togetherness.

Warm regards,

Patti Alexander

Director, Red Creek Free Library

Current Staff and Board of Trustees:

Director- Patti Alexander

Clerk- Belinda Welcher, Heather Walker

Cleaner Belinda Welcher

Chairperson- Tina Johnson

Vice Chair- Bonnie Hall

Secretary- Jane Stevenson

Treasurer- Heidi Dates

Trustees- Jodi Rogers, Ashlee Smith, and Ashely Reese