The New Woodstock Free Library has received the prestigious Central New York Library Resources Council Library of the Year Award. The annual distinction, is “awarded to the library that exemplifies excellence across a variety of markers,” according to CLRC. The Library of the Year award was open to all academic, public, school, and special libraries in Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga and Madison counties.
CLRC officials said judges selected the New Woodstock Free Library based on the quality of the nomination submitted and were impressed with the partnership that was established with an adjoining township to bring library materials to underserved and unserved populations.
The nomination detailed that “For more than three quarters of a century the New Woodstock Free Library has brought “culture to the country” with continuous exhibits and events presenting arts, entertainment and information. Among some 200 distinct exhibits the library has curated are: shows by the Cazenovia Watercolor Society, agriculture themed displays, annual student art shows and programs addressing social and public information topics.
Recently the library partnered with Georgetown with a demonstration grant to bring “books closer to the county,” said Georgetown Supervisor Pete Walrod.
Through this initiative residents of Georgetown can pick up and return library materials at the Town Hall, as well as use the dedicated Internet computer provided through the project.
“New Woodstock is a full service, customer-focused modern library serving a diverse rural demographic, so that residents don’t have to give up big city culture for the charm of country life,” Library Director Norm Parry said.
“It is a credit to our staff, volunteers, trustees and community partners that New Woodstock has received this award,” Parry said.
The library is located at 2106 Main Street (Route 13), New Woodstock. The library may be reached at 315-662-3134 or www.newwoodstocklibrary.org.
Library Director Norm Parry receives the CLRC Library of the Year Award at the CLRC Annual Meeting.