Senator Ritchie Secures $148,000 for Local Libraries

More than 50 Libraries to Receive Support to Enhance Services

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured $148,000 in special funding to help enhance services at libraries throughout Central and Northern New York.

“Libraries are extremely important parts of our communities in Central and Northern New York for a number of reasons; offering patrons opportunities to access books, technology, culture and a myriad of other types of information and entertainment,” said Senator Ritchie. 

“However, often times, libraries can find it hard to keep up with demand.  This funding will enable them to continue to be top-notch facilities that act as centers of learning for all ages.”

As a member of the State Senate Select Committee on Libraries, Senator Ritchie has been working to make sure libraries can continue to provide educational opportunities, family-friendly entertainment,  job-searching tools, books and technology.  This year, the Assembly and Governor proposed millions of dollars in cuts to library funding in the State Budget.  Senator Ritchie was instrumental in stopping those cuts and increasing funding for libraries across New York State by $1 million over last year’s budget. Additionally, last year, Senator Ritchie was successful in securing more than $160,000 in special funding for libraries across Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. The support was used to help purchase new books, make technological upgrades, fund expansions, make building upgrades and more.

Libraries and library systems receiving special funding this year are as follows:

Jefferson County

Adams Free Library: $3,000

Adams Center Free Library: $2,000

Bodman Memorial Library: $3,000

Brownville-Glen Park Library: $2,000

Cape Vincent Community Library: $3,000

Carthage Free Library: $3,000

Crosby Public Library: $2,000

Depauville Free Library: $2,500

Dexter Free Library: $2,000

East Hounsfield Free Library: $3,000

Ellisburg Free Library: $2,500

Evans Mills Public Library: $2,500

Hawn Memorial Library: $3,000

Hay Memorial Library: $3,000

Henderson Free Library: $3,000

Lyme Free Library: $2,000

Macsherry Library: $3,000

Mannsville Free Library: $2,000

Orleans Public Library: $3,000

Philomathean Free Library: $2,000

Robert C. McEwen Library: $2,000

Rodman Public Library: $1,500

Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library: $3,000

Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library: $2,500

Theresa Free Library: $3,000

Thousand Islands Park Library: $1,500

Annie Porter Ainsworth Memorial Library: $3,000

Oswego County

Central Square Library: $3,000

Cogswell Free Library: $1,000

Fulton Public Library: $3,000

Hannibal Free Library: $3,000

Mexico Public Library: $3,000

Oswego Public Library: $3,000

Parish Public Library: $3,000

Phoenix Public Library: $3,000

Pulaski Public Library: $3,000

Williamstown Library: $3,000

St. Lawrence County

Canton Free Library: $3,000

Hammond Free Library: $2,500

Hepburn Library of Edwards: $3,000

Hepburn Library of Hermon: $3,000

Hepburn Library of Lisbon: $2,500

Hepburn Library of Madrid: $3,000

Hepburn Library of Waddington: $2,500

Heuvelton Free Library: $3,000

Morley Library: $3,000

Morristown Public Library: $3,000

Ogdensburg Public Library: $3,000

Reading Room Association of Gouverneur: $3,000

Rensselaer Falls Library: $3,000

Richville Free Library: $3,000

Oswego County School Library System: $1,500

In addition to the above libraries, the North Country Library System and the Northern New York Library Network will each receive $5,000 in funding. 

There are more than 7,000 public libraries in New York State, including more than 50 public libraries in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties—one of the largest concentrations of public libraries in any Senate district in the state.