Broome Library Foundation News

Helping the Reading Garden Grow

New York State Supports the Garden - Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo has provided funding through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York – Community Capital Assistance Program. The funds will be used for a gazebo that will serve as a stage and programming area. Tables and chairs in the gazebo will be available fo r lunch and program usage. The Library Reading Garden also will have wireless access, electrical hookups, ramps, and a covering.

The City of Binghamton Assists the Reading Garden  - A Community Development Block Grant to support handicap accessibility was awarded by the City of Binghamton .

The Art Collection at the Broome County Public Library

Lynne Lacey Appraisal Associates, Ltd. recently conducted an extensive appraisal of the artwork in the Broome County Public Library concluding that the pieces were valued over $42,000.  The collection of work was purchased from September 2000 through March 2001 from local artists connected to the Southern Tier community and artists with historical and notable connections to books.  Some of the artists whose work is on display include: Anthony Brunelli, Orazio Salati, Armondo Dellasanta, J. Donald Ahearn, Ada Reed Stallman, Richard Strong, Adrienne Adams, Mary Rose Griffin, Ruth Birch, and many more.

The appraiser, Lynne B. Lacey, has been a specialist in nineteenth and twentieth century American fine and decorative arts for ten years and frequently evaluates the art of 20 th century artists. For more information you can go to www.lynnelaceyappraisalassociates.com

You can visit the Art Collection at the Broome County Public Library during library hours of operation, which are Monday through Thursday 9-8, Fridays and Saturdays 9-5.

NYS Zone Tax Credit Available – Make a Gift and Reduce your Taxes

The Library Reading Garden Project is classified as a New York State Empire Zone Initiative. New York State residents, businesses, and organizations who donate $100 or more are eligible to receive a 25% NYS Zone Capital Tax Credit in addition to the traditional donation credit.

The "traditional donation credit" is not a credit; it is a deduction, or could be described as a benefit.  The difference being - a credit is direct credit from taxes due. It's like free money! A deduction only lowers taxable income.  So, for example, if an individual were in the federal bracket of 28% and New York tax of approximately 7%, a donation of $1000 only really costs $650, because a thousand gets subtracted from the taxable income. A $1000 donor also gets $250 tax credit, so now the $1000 donation only costs $400 in real money.  That's pretty good leverage!

Broome County Public Library's Summer Reading Program in cooperation with The Friends of the Broome County Public Library, NYSCA/Chenango County Council of the Arts, and the Binghamton Mets

Presents: Mrs. McPuppet on June 26th, Finch Hallow Nature Center on July 5th, BubbleMania! on July 10th, and Magician David Black on August 7th

Other weekly summer programs include: Story Times, Make a Craft, Board Games, and Mystery Movie Night

For more information call (607) 778-6456

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield sponsors the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center's Summer Reading Program

This is the fifth summer Broome Library Foundation will be providing the Summer Reading Program at the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center.  Tina Corbin, educator, writer, artist, performer and story teller, will be the site coordinator working with teen volunteers to provide a fun literacy program that includes storytimes, presentations, arts & crafts, and a rotating library to disadvantaged children on Binghamton's Westside.  Those children completing the reading program will received a new backpack with school supplies.  This program has been made possible by the support of Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield of Central New York. 

Library Garden Arts Festival - June 1st, 2007

Art, Music, Food and More

Funding for the Library Garden Art Festival is provided in part by a project grant from the United Cultural Fund, a program of the Broome County Arts Council and NYSCA/Chenango County Council of the Arts in cooperation with the Broome County Public Library and the Broome Library Foundation.

Please go to "Events" for a Schedule of Activities, Participating Artists, and Menu

Foundation Awards $6,000 in Grants to Southern Tier Libraries

Reception was held on February 8th, 2007 at 3PM at the Broome County Public Library

Library award recepients and their projects include:

• $995 to Your Home Public Library in Johnson City for Discover Your Books and Films at the Library
• $889 to the Oxford Memorial Library furniture for the Young Adult Room
• $800 to the Mary Wilcox Memorial Library in Lisle for the creation of community space
• $900 to the Sherburne Public Library to expand their books on tape collection
• $1,000 to the Sidney Memorial Library for repairs due to the flood
• $901.70 to the Broome County Public Library for attractive displays
• $550 to the Afton Free Library for a wall mural in the children's area

Library Reading Garden Dedication

Press  Conference & Tree Planting

The Broome Library Foundation held a Press Conference on Friday, October 20th at 12 noon at the Library Reading Garden next to the Broome County Public Library – 185 Court St, Binghamton

“A community reading garden brings people together and improves the environment. Gardens can be an enriching, stress-free zone. When the garden is devoted to reading, it adds the benefit of encouraging a love of books and learning .”  Heidi Ketvertis

The BroomeLibrary Foundation is dedicated to a Capital Campaign to raise $100,000 for the development of its privately owned 180 foot by 78 foot outdoor property next to the Broome County Public Library. The original project was initiated in 2002 when a grant was received from the Harriet Ford Dickenson Foundation to purchase the land and the four houses on the property next to the Library on Pine Street . The houses were then removed. The ground has been leveled, and a six-foot high decorative fence attractively surrounds the entire area.  Studies have proven that economic development takes place when library reading gardens are established in urban settings. In 2005, a committee was formed to discover ways the area could be developed so that the Reading Garden would not only enhance the community but also increase literacy through programming.  The committee also wanted the space to be available to the public for events and ceremonies as well as for private and corporate uses upon request. 

Press Conference to include the planting of a tree and dedication of the Dr. Don Bronsky Memorial Garden as well as words of support by area leaders. It is hoped that the community may be interested in supporting the Reading Garden and participating in a Library Reading Garden Club.

Fiona Cundy, a student at the Cornell University School of Landscape Architecture, worked with the Library Reading Garden Committee to develop a design for the Library Reading Garden owned by the Broome Library Foundation next to Broome County Public Library into a community reading garden.  The project will include individual pocket gardens, a gazebo, programming area, trees and landscaping, sculpture, benches and the Dr. Don Bronsky Memorial Pocket Garden. 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield sponsors the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center's Summer Reading Program

This is the fourth summer Broome Library Foundation will be providing the Summer Reading Program at the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center.  Tina Corbin, educator, writer, artist, performer and story teller, will be the site coordinator working with teen volunteers to provide a fun literacy program that includes storytimes, presentations, arts & crafts, and a rotating library to disadvantaged children on Binghamton's Westside.  Those children completing the reading program will received a new backpack with school supplies.  This program has been made possible by the support of Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield of Central New York. 

Music, Monologues and Murder at the Library on May 12th at the Broome County Public Library

Thank you to all the supporters who helped make this event a success as we traveled back in time when area libraries were being developed.  We enjoyed an evening of songs, stories, and games from the early 1900s as we watched the sordid affair of Dr. Tiffany and Mrs. Carman of Port Crane unfold into something more evil.  Tri-Cities Opera excerpts from the Merry Widow, Bill Gorman protraying Willis Sharpe Kilmer, the Scavenger Hunt, as well as the replication of the Lackawanna Train Station, tintype-like portraits, wine and light refreshments were received with great enthusiasm.

Sponsorship received from Hinman, Howard & Kattell, Friends of the Broome County Public Library, Broome County Historical Society, Tri-Cities Opera, Antique Exchange, Lynne & Frederick Lacey, Susquehanna Valley Railroad Association, Railside Properties Kilmer Building Project, Dickenson Foundation, Clear Channel Radio, News Channel 34, Cider Mill Playhouse and Supporters.

Dr. Donald Bronsky Memorial Garden

On March 7, 2006 Broome Library Foundation Board Member and Chairman of the Foundation's Green Space Project passed away.  Dr. Bronsky was instrumental in beautifying the grounds around the Broome County Public Library.  Thanks to a grant from the Dickenson Foundation, 180 foot by 80 foot space was purchased next to the Broome County Public Library, so that a garden can be established for reading, reflection, and programs.  Rod Soltis, former Director of the Broome Library Foundation, notes, "Dr. Bronsky was very busy planting grass and flowers when the whole space was just a pile of mud." 

Donations are being accepted for the Dr. Donald Bronsky Memorial Garden that will incorporporate Dr. Bronsky's love of  gardening, the community, and learning.

The Broome Library Foundation receives a 2006 Broome & Chenango Arts Fund Decentralization Grant

The Chenango County Council of the Arts awarded the Broome Library Foundation a grant for partial project funding for a sculptural design to be created in the 180 foot by 80 foot green space owned by the Foundation next to the Broome County Public Library.  This space, now called Dickenson Gardens will contain areas for reading, reflection and programs.  One of the areas within Dickenson Gardens will be held as a memorial garden in honor of Dr. Donald Bronsky.   The sculptural design which is partially being supported with funds from the Decentralization Grant will provide a focal point for the development of the area, which will eventually contain a stage and seating for performances and events, as well as space for casual reading.  In general, the development of this green space and the sculptural element will serve as a great way to provide a greater quality of life in downtown Binghamton and for all those who are advocates of libraries and literacy.  Donations are being accepted for the sculpture as well as other garden essentials.

2006 Broome Library Foundation Officers and Board Members

             Board Member                    Affiliation

Daria Golazeski (Chairperson)     Director of Planning: Johnson City

Robert Cline (Vice-Chair)            Binghamton University Professor & Retired Crowley Executive

Carol Oestrich (Secretary)           Retired Library Media Specialist

Rev. Jerry Halbert (Treasurer)     Administrator, United Methodist Homes Hilltop Campus

Rev. Henry Ausby                       Church Paster & Owner – HAMA Realty

Patricia Lynch                             Retired Educator

Betty Goodwin                            Bank Executive, Empire Federal Credit Union

John Milward Meador                  Director – Binghamton University Libraries

Ronald “Chip” Williamson, Esq.    Financial Consultant - AXA Advisors

Michael Schafer                           Retired School Superintendent & Broome County Legislator

Tina Fernandez, Esq.                   Attorney at Law - Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP

F. Paul Battisti, Esq.                    Attorney at Law

2006 Business Development Resource Outreach Program

The Broome Library Foundation, Inc. was awarded grants from NBT Bank and the Tioga County Department of Economic Development and Planning to conduct entrepreneurial training at the Broome County Public Library, the Tioga County Office Building, Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich and the Sidney Memorial Library.   Each site will facilitate the following three-part workshop series: Starting Your Own Business, Successful Marketing, and Small Business Bookkeeping.

2006 Mini-Grants Awarded to Public Libraries

The Broome Library Foundation, Inc. awarded five mini grants to the Afton Free Library to establish a video/DVD collection, the Bovina Public Library for basement lighting upgrade, the George F. Johnson Memorial Library for a young adult book discussion group project, Mary Wilcox Memorial Library for the Exploring Traditional Pastimes: Bridging Generations project, and the Oxford Memorial Library for a books on CD seed collection.  The recipients were recognized at a reception on Wednesday, January 11th, 2006 at 3PM at the Broome County Public Library Exhibit Room. 

Teen Volunteers Recognized at Celebration on August 18th, 2005

More than 77 teenagers contributed more than 1370 service hours to the 2005 Summer Reading Program at the Broome County Public Library, Town of Conklin, Town of Union and the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center.  Teens are asked to participate at least 10 hours of volunteer work at any of these locations and complete more than 20 hours of reading over six weeks to qualify for a certificate of completion, Binghamton Mets tickets and a special gift certificate.

Program Sponsors include: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, United Way of Broome County, Binghamton Mets, Knucklehead Embroidery, Friends of the Broome County Public Library, Binghamton Senators, Oakdale Mall, and Brian Mather Agency, Inc.

2005 Business Resource Outreach Program

The Broome Library Foundation, Inc. was awarded grants from the Ahearn Foundation, NBT Bank,and Haworth Press, to create a Business Resource Outreach Program at the Broome County Public Library's Ahearn Business Resource Center, Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich and the Sidney Memorial Library.   Each library will be conducting the following three-part workshop series: Starting Your Own Business, Successful Marketing, and Small Business Bookkeeping.

Additionally, the Broome County Public Library, Guernsey Memorial Library and Sidney Memorial Library have business plan software installed in computers at the libraries (which is free for public use) and the libraries also obtained business books and resources for public use thanks to the sponsors.

The goal of the Business Resource Outreach Program is to provide programs and resources for the entire business community, which are timely and accessible.   At this time, donations are being accepted to enhance the libraries' much needed business resource materials.   The Broome Library Foundation was recently awarded grants from the Ahearn Foundation and NBT Bank for the Business Resource Outreach Project as well as a contribution of books from The Haworth Press, Inc.  Their contributions are the stepping stone for a one-stop business shop in public libraries in the Southern Tier.

2005 Summer Reading Outreach Program

The Broome Library Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with the Broome County Public Library was awarded a grant from the United Way of Broome County to implement a Summer Reading Outreach Program at Highland Park - Endwell, Old Town Hall – Conklin and the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center in Binghamton.  

Caitlin Pfaffenback was hired to be the Program Coordinator after successfully implementing the Teen Volunteer and Literacy Program at the Broome County Public Library in 2004.

The Summer Reading Outreach Program included: family focused reading activities, a rotating book collection, story time, arts and crafts activities and presentations/performances that enhance participants' reading experience.   Each person completing the program will receive a free book and Binghamton Mets tickets.  Those children completing the Summer Reading Program from the Emergency Assistance Center received a new backpack with school supplies.

September 7, 2004

The Broome Library Foundation Executive Committee members Marj Olmstead, Daria Golazeski and Lynne Lacey were awarded the 2004 Empire Friends Roundtable of New York Libraries Association Certificate of Appreciation for their Service to Libraries.