By, Carol Fisher Linn
Animals in the library? We are in the middle of National Library Week: April 7 to April 13.
Ready, set, library! This past week, Laura Flanagan, Director of the Ellicottville Library for the past 17 years hosted a kids’ petting zoo and an event involving the eclipse this Monday. While researching for this article about National Library week and library worker appreciation week, it occurred to this writer that likely our library and all the people who serve it, are very underappreciated. I was led to wonder how many people know the important roles some of the following people play? Here is your board: Bart Frank, Bonnie Koschir, Robert Lanza, and Therese O’Rourke. Your Library Trustees are Carolyn Widger, Kate Rauber, Sam Nelson, Kim Woodarek, and Anjanette Nicolazzo. Part time staff consists of Cathy Lacy and Samantha Hurst. Along with these very dedicated individuals, generous volunteers wear many hats as they serve in various capacities throughout the year.
Aside from books, CD’s and movies, a patron can rent a telescope and puzzles, and catch movies on movie night. A scroll though the myriad of library events listed on their Facebook page boggles the mind. Did you know there is a teen Dungeons and Dragons program going on at the library? Also, they sponsor book clubs for various ages. Here is something extra cool. Barbara Fox (who has had coins printed by the US Mint) and Cathy Lacy (who hasn’t met a craft she can’t conquer and teach) – two very talented local artists, are working on a project which should take shape this spring/summer season. The library took a community survey of favorite books a while back. Now, Barbara and Cathy are going to transform the fence alongside the library into a library mural, with each slat transformed into a book. If you have seen the one at the Springville library, you will have an idea of how awesome that will be.
We are blessed at the Ellicottville library to host Mike Morton from Ellington, NY, who does over 400 presentations annually to schools and libraries with his cadre of tiny animals/petting zoo – anything from baby chicks and bunnies to a hedgehog! And, of course, in February, he might just show up with a prairie dog (groundhog) to help us understand about Punxsutawney Phil seeing or not seeing his shadow. Oh, BTW, perhaps we would all like to sign a community card congratulating the old boy, Phil, (how old is he, anyway? 100+?) and his young bride, Phyllis, on the birth of their twin pups born about two weeks ago.
People are kind and generous. Doctor Kate, our local pediatrician whose practice is here in Ellicottville, takes time from her busy week every Wednesday morning for story time with the little ones. Recently, the library hosted Carol Crossed, a woman who purchased and restored the Susan B. Anthony home and spoke to the twenty or so attendees about her unique Vintage postcards illustrated in her book, Vintage Tweets. A scroll through the past events on the library website reveals many such events presenting Ellicottville with various authors. Likewise, the library recently played host to several illustrators, one an artist, Carey Ann Welch who, with her teenaged daughter, Simone Zella Phillips, presented us with whimsical paintings “Painted Winter,” snow-inspired art which made the kid in all of us want to go out and play. Currently, the library is hosting a display by nature photographer and The Villager writer, Barbara Arnstein. Says she: “My goal as a photographer is to capture the emotional essence of the amazing natural sights I see, and to convey to the viewer how it felt to see them. It is an invitation to every viewer to imagine taking a seat and contemplating the grandeur above them.” Find Barbara on her FB page, Barbara Jones (Barbara Arnstein). Arnstein will host a reception at the library for her photo exhibit from noon-3pm on Saturday, April 27.
The library is a moving and shaking place. This, from the Director’s annual report: “We are truly a community center where you can meet your neighbors, attend a story time, join a book club, do your homework, join a knitting group, get the news, use a computer and so much more. During the past year the library provided the same services and materials our patrons have always loved including, books, movies, audio materials, reference materials, databases, magazines and various educational workshops and classes. Libraries are vital to our economy and our communities, and the Ellicottville Memorial Library will continue to fulfill our mission throughout the upcoming year to promote literacy and lifelong learning.”
Visit your library and be certain others and your children, grandchildren will enjoy the benefits of a local library by including the Ellicottville Library in your trusts or endowments. If you don’t have such plans, please consider giving books to the library book sales, or just a check at the counter would be hugely appreciated. Ready, set, library!