Baldwinsville Public Library (BPL) is the recipient of the 2016 Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) Member of the Year award. In its third year, the Member of the Year award recognizes an outstanding GBCC business or organization that has donated time, talent, and/or product to the GBCC, is visible and active in GBCC events and activities, and whose business practices exemplify the GBCC mission.
Baldwinsville Public Library was chartered in 1948 to serve the village of Baldwinsville. In 1974, voters approved a proposal that reestablished the library as a school district public library. The library now serves all residents of the Baldwinsville Central School District.
“The strong support of Baldwinsville Public Library contributes tremendously to the success of our chamber,” said MaryAnne Williams, GBCC executive director. “From people to meeting space, the library plays a part in everything we do as an organization.”
The current GBCC president is Nancy Howe, public relations/outreach librarian at BPL; Howe has been a GBCC director since 2012. Monthly GBCC board meetings are held at the library, as is the GBCC’s annual meeting, many monthly member luncheons, and ad hoc workshops. The library also hosts meetings for the planning committee of the B’ville Big Chill, a winter celebration co-hosted by Rotary Club of Baldwinsville and GBCC. Recently Meg Van Patten, library director, graciously assembled a collection of business-related books for GBCC members based on a recommended reference list from a GBCC luncheon speaker.
In addition to serving the needs of Baldwinsville by providing traditional library services, BPL also serves Baldwinsville as a community center by hosting events, supporting village activities, and making meeting space available to the public.
“As affirmed in our mission statement, the GBCC is an association of businesses and organizations that promotes cooperation with the community, advocates for members, and projects a positive image for the Baldwinsville area, and that is a perfect description of Baldwinsville Public Library,” said Williams.
More information on GBCC member benefits and events is available on their website, baldwinsvillechamber.com.
