2021-2022 Outreach Mini-Grant Recipients Announced
Thank you to everyone who applied for our 2021-2022 Outreach Mini-Grant cycle! It was especially difficult for our COSAC team this year as there were 13 applicants with very limited available grant funds. We were able to fund the following projects:
Candor Free Library
Project: Mysteries and Escape Rooms
The funds for this project will be used to purchase Mystery Boxes such as Murder Mysteries and Treasure Hunting Kits geared towards adults and teens. Funds will also be used to purchase Escape Room Kits geared towards younger children. These will be cataloged for patrons to check out.
Awarded: $460
Southworth Library Association – Dryden
Project: Art in the Park for Seniors
Watercolor Art Classes for Lifelong Learners: Exploration and instruction in watercolor techniques and painting with Raymond Crognale. We will explore a variety of watercolor techniques in classes designed to encourage beginning and experienced artists to gain new skills and create their own artwork. A final art exhibit of finished works by the participants and other community members will be the culmination of the project.
Awarded: $1,000
Groton Public Library
Project: Restorative Series for Grownups!
The Restorative Series for Grownups at the Groton Public Library will occur during the summer of 2021. This series is for caregivers and seniors, to give them the skills to restore, and revitalize themselves and others in their lives. These short classes will have easy, teachable skills that each participant will leave knowing. And each participant will receive free relatable prizes.
Awarded: $1,430
Lodi Whittier Library
Project: Lodi Teen Advisory Council
The “Idea Squad” is the Lodi Whittier Library’s FIRST teen advisory council- providing leadership, fun, literacy, and learning for area teens while making our library a more responsive, inclusive, and vibrant institution.
Awarded: $2,198.26
Peck Memorial Library – Marathon
Project: Tails and Tales Summer Program 2021
Peck Memorial Library will endeavor to serve the Marathon community this summer by providing various opportunities to support the youth of Marathon while social distancing.
Awarded: $635
Port Byron Library
Project: eReaders for Seniors
Port Byron Library will purchase five Kindle eReader devices to encourage use of the digital collections the library offers and technology literacy among the senior patron population. We will offer multiple training classes to ensure senior patrons are comfortable using the Kindle devices and instruct on how to access Overdrive materials provided by the library.
Awarded: $500
Seneca Falls Library
Project: Caregiver Box Program
The Seneca Falls Library Caregiver Boxes are a beginner’s guide to learning about caregiving and for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our Alzheimer’s Care boxes include information on classes, activities and mental health guides to help patrons navigate the frontiers of personalized care for their loved ones.
Awarded: $1,500
Tompkins County Public Library – Ithaca
Project: Music & Memory Kits & Book Club
The Music & Memory Kits and Book Club will serve seniors in Tompkins County and the greater Finger Lakes Library System who are experiencing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive decline. The program will kick off with a book club where we will read Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks M.D.. Music and Memory kits containing an mp3 player filled with music, headphones, and a caregiver’s guide will be available to book club participants. After the book club is over copies of Musicophilia will be available as a book club kit. The book club kits and Music and Memory kits will be available for general circulation.
Awarded: $1,025
Waterloo Library & Historical Society
Project: Integrated Crafts
The Waterloo Library & Historical Society will be providing take and make craft and art kits to residents of group homes, senior and living facilities. Participants will need to register for the programs in advance due to limited space and supplies. Take and make kits may include painting, vinyl and wood projects, sewing and other creative arts and crafts.
Awarded: $960
Information about the Outreach Mini Grant
The review team is made up of our 8 member Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC). The role of COSAC is to advise the Finger Lakes Library System’s Outreach Department, assist in the evaluations of its coordinated outreach activities, and to promote collaborative efforts and partnerships. The Council is comprised of a mix of library directors and representatives from local human service agencies and institutions who serve our targeted outreach populations. We are always looking for new members. Please contact Jenny Shonk at jshonk@flls.org for more information on joining the council.
Funding was made possible for these grants through the New York State Library’s Coordinated Outreach Services Program. Under New York State Education Law, §273 (1) (h) (1), and Commissioner’s Regulations §90.3, Public Library Systems provide Coordinated Outreach Library Services directly and through their member libraries to New Yorkers who are most in need and who often are not regular library users. More information about the program can be found at www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/outreach.