By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
The Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville has launched its annual campaign for the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.
Wendy Scott, the library’s executive director, said the goal of $23,000 for the fund drive will go into the library’s operating budget to support programs and services.
One such program would educate patrons on how to properly fill out the 2020 census. Another would guide adults who are unable to read, while some would cater to YMCA members and other community groups.
The Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville also plans to partner with Soule Branch Library, located on Springfield Road in Syracuse, for a community storytime.
For its annual campaign and afterwards, the library intends to expand programming to senior citizens living in retirement communities at The Nottingham and Menorah Park as part of an outreach initiative.
“We would like to do more to reach out to underserved populations,” Scott said. “That would include some people who maybe don’t have access to the library, so we want to have programming where people can walk or take the bus.”
Scott said the library looks to cultivate services involving the delivery of such things as books or DVDs to permanently or temporarily homebound individuals.
Scott said the staff also intends to develop its workshops addressing “topics of local interest,” such as talks about political matters like local elections, projects headed by local craftspeople and businesses as well as exhibits for local artists to showcase their work while encouraging involvement in the arts.
The library also runs programs with the Town of DeWitt which focus on planning for extending the green spaces in the town.
The purpose of the annual campaign, opened up in November, is to invite donors and more visitors to the library.
“Most giving is done between November and the end of January the following year, but the people are encouraged to give at any point in time throughout the year,” Scott said. “Any amount is welcome.”
Individuals can provide donations to the Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville by clicking the “Donate” button on cldandj.org, the library’s website. That button will lead to an interface allowing users to log in to their PayPal accounts or fill out their credit card information. Checks and donations of cash can also be sent by mail or hand-delivered to the library.
The library will post the names of those who have donated sometime around March or April, according to Scott.
People who donate after names are posted will be featured in the 2021 listing.
Tote bags are also being sold at the library’s front desk for $10 each.
“Plastic bags are being saved, so we thought this would be a good thing to make available to people to carry their stuff around in,” Scott said.
The community library opened at 5110 Jamesville Road in DeWitt in August 2017, having relocated from a section of ShoppingTown Mall.
“The new library has been a resounding success,” Scott said. “We’re not only seeing an increase in the number of people who use the library and attend our programs. We’re also seeing the same people coming in every week. We’re building a community here, which we didn’t see as much in ShoppingTown, where people were coming and going. Here people are coming to spend time and getting to know each other and partnering with us on programming.”
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