Heritage Scrapbooking Workshop Saturday June 14th with Dawn Westfall

On Saturday, June 14 from 1-4pm, Dawn Westfall, a local genealogist and family historian, will present a Heritage Scrapbooking workshop at the Olean Public Library.   In this workshop, Ms. Westfall combines her love of old photos, scrapbooking, and family history and will share how-to techniques with you.  This is a make-and-take project.  Bring 3-4 old photos or copies to use to make your very own heritage scrapbook page.

Ms. Westfall is an avid and experienced family historian with over twenty years of experience.  Florida-born and raised, she has called Western New York her home for over ten years.

Space is limited; please call (716)372-0200 to reserve your spot.  There will be a $4 materials fee due on the day of the event.  The Olean Public Library is located at 134 N. 2^nd St, Olean, NY.  

Join Us for a War of 1812 Presentation on Wednesday May 28th

Join Allegany County Historian and Olean Public Library favorite Craig Braack for a presentation on the War of 1812 in our area on Wednesday May 28th at 6:30pm.

The nation is now celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the “Second War for American Independence.” Come learn about WNY’s role in the war. Mr. Braack will also cover the final burial of 28 soldiers from the war of 1812 which we uncovered by accident in Niagara Falls, ON in 1987. In June 1988, they were re-interred in the National Cemetery at the Bath, NY Veterans Administration Hospital.

Mr. Braack has held the position of Allegany County Historian and County Records Management Officer since 1985. He served in the United States Navy and is a graduate of the State University of New York in Geneseo.

The program is free and open to the public.

The Olean Public Library is located at 134 North Second Street, Olean, NY.   For more information please call the Reference Desk at (716) 372-0200 or visit the website at http://www.oleanlibrary.org/

Olean Public Library Volunteers Honored

OLEAN, NY – On Tuesday May 13th the Olean Public Library held their annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Bartlett Country Club. The total hours volunteered in 2013 was 1,602, 112 of which were performed by 8 teen volunteers. Using the estimated value of volunteer time in NY State ($26.54 per hour as reported by Independent Sector) this was a value of $42,372.90 for the library.

New to this year’s recognition program was the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award was established in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to “recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.” (More information may be found at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov) The library had several levels of recipients. The bronze level award goes to volunteers with 100-249 hours over a 12 month period. These awards were given out to Donna Costanza, Bernie Eisenhart, Rita Kowalik, Suzanne Marcus, Robert Taylor, and Cathy Walters. The silver level award goes to volunteers with 250-499 hours over a 12 month period. These awards were handed out to Carol Bess and John Mansour.

John Mansour also received the President’s Call to Service Award for volunteering more than 4,000 hours over his lifetime to the library. John has been a library volunteer for the past 27 years and has decided to retire from service. John also was recognized as performing the most volunteer hours in 2013 with a total of 300 ½ hours. Lance Chaffee, library director, also presented John with a plaque in hour of his 27 years of dedicated service to the library. Mr. Mansour received a standing ovation from members of the library staff, Board of Directors, and Friends of the Library.

Throughout his 27 years, John Mansour has worked at the Circulation Desk checking out books and providing book recommendations, serving on the Friends of the Library Board, and as chairman of the tree planting committee. Mr. Mansour is a retired teacher and a veteran of World War II. He will be missed by both the patrons and the staff of the Olean Public Library.

Lance Chaffee, director, presents John Mansour with a Plaque for his 27 Years of Dedicated Service

Children’s Librarian Job Opening

Job Title:  Children’s Librarian/Librarian II

                  

Job Description:

The Olean Public Library is seeking a full-time Librarian II to run our busy Children’s Department.  Work involves supervising the children’s service staff, developing and directing children’s library programs, and selecting materials for the children’s collection.

 

Duties:

• Trains, assigns duties, supervises and evaluates Children’s department staff.
• Provides reference and readers’ advisory service at the Children’s reference desk.
• Recommends, plans, implements, and promotes new types of services based on patron needs and early childhood development research. Develops and conducts programs, tours, and story times.
• Serves as liaison for library services to community groups and other libraries.
• Prepares reports of activities in the Children’s department.
• Evaluates, selects, and weeds library materials in the juvenile collection, keeping in mind current trends in children’s literature and education.
• Writes and implements grants.
• Keeps informed of professional developments through participation in professional organizations, library system meetings, workshops, continuing education courses and professional materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Skills Required:

• Knowledge of children’s literature and programming as well as child development
• Experience providing early childhood or early literacy programming
• Ability to supervise the work of others
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
• Tact and courtesy in dealing with the public
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of computers, software applications and emerging technologies

 

Benefits: 12 paid holidays, 22 vacation days, 3 personal days per year, health insurance, and New York State Employee’s Retirement System. The 2014 hiring range for Librarian II is $37,488 – $39,003.

 

Minimum Qualifications: A Masters Degree in Librarianship from a library school that is accredited by the American Library Association; eligibility for a New York State Public Librarian’s professional certificate at time of application, possession of certificate at time of appointment; and two (2) years of professional library experience in children’s services. Supervisory experience preferred.

 

This is a civil service competitive title; therefore appointment will be made on a provisional basis only. To be eligible for permanent status, the individual accepting appointment will be required to pass a civil service exam and score among the top three.

 

Send resume by May 2, 2014 by mail or email to:

 

Kim Mahar, Assistant Director

kmahar[at]oleanlibrary.org

Olean Public Library

134 N. 2^nd Street

Olean, NY 14760

www.oleanlibrary.org

Olean Public Library Budget

Budget Hearing Tuesday April 8th at 7pm in the library.

Philosophy — Not Numbers

It’s important that you understand our philosophy before you vote.

Each year we, as Trustees, go through the same agonizing decision-making process, whether to present a budget that we think voters will approve of, or to present a budget which reflects our perception of the community’s needs.

We traditionally select the second alternative: this budget is one which will enable us to continue providing you with all the things to which you have become accustomed and which make the library the truly outstanding center of the community that it is.

In the past you have shown faith in our ability to provide materials, services, and surroundings which are consistent with your needs and desires. We cannot, in good faith, limit our proposed budget to an amount we think you will approve. That would be unfair to you. What we must do is carefully decide how many tax dollars it will take to run the Library in a way that will both please you and serve you. This, we think, is what Trustees are supposed to do, and it is what we have done.

If our perception is accurate and you agree with our philosophy, it is important that you tell us that at the polls. If, on the other hand, we have misjudged your desires, you must tell us so at the polls. We hope that we have your support.

We ask this of you: carefully consider our ideas and don’t make your decision based simply upon numbers. Consider the actual cost to you; see what a small portion it is of your total tax. Compare your share of the cost of the Library to other family expenses you routinely pay without a second thought.

There is no doubt that the Library is the best buy for your tax dollar, something you can use and enjoy! You can see how it’s run and you can see the quality and diversity of the materials and programs we offer. We think you like what you see, and we think you’d like to keep it that way.

Please vote in support of our library budget proposal.

 The Library Trustees

 

Budget hearing – Tuesday, April 8, 2014

On May 6, 2014 you will be asked to vote upon one proposition for 2014:

Shall the Board of Education of the Olean City School District be authorized to raise by tax levy upon the taxable property thereof, an additional $19,205 for the Olean Public Library to increase its annual appropriation from $960,260 to $979,465?

First Tax Increase in 5 Years

An increase in funds is needed to balance

• additional purchases of Books, eBooks, DVD’s, Audio-Books & other Library Materials.
• continued Library Programming for all ages
• building maintenance, fuel and utility costs.
• increases in wage and retirement costs.

The estimated impact on the tax rate for school district residents will be:

City of Olean, an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Town of Olean an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Town of Portville an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Proposed 2015 Operating Budget

INCOME
Real property tax	$979,465
Earnings from investments	2,000
Local Sponsor Incentive Aid	6,450
Library System Grant	250
Gifts and donations	19,000
Sale of used books	100
Copy machine receipts and other miscellaneous income	35,000
NYS CLD Grant	29,350
NYSCA Grant Other CCLS Grants	17,000 100
Library charges	16,500
Appropriated fund balance	74,856
total income	$1,180,071
APPROPRIATIONS
Salaries and benefits	$791,952
Library materials	159,500
Building operation & maintenance	123,119
Administrative expenses	105,500
total appropriations	$1,180,071