named programs · 9 · from sources
What they call their work
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Early literacy program encouraging parents to read books to newborns, infants, and toddlers, with goal tracking and rewards
Art Gallery Exhibits
Hosts rotating exhibits featuring contemporary visual artists from New York State, providing community access to local artwork
Children's Dino Adventure Camp
Children's educational program focused on dinosaurs and prehistoric life through interactive activities and learning stations
Investigation Stations
Interactive STEM-based learning program for children featuring hands-on science experiments and exploration activities
Jackbox Games
Recreational gaming program offering access to Jackbox Party Pack games for teens and adults
LawNY Medicare & Healthcare Navigator
Provides free legal assistance and guidance on Medicare, healthcare, and elder care issues for community members
Short Story Contest
Annual writing competition for local authors with winning entries compiled into a published zine available to the public
Stories and More
Children's storytime and literacy program featuring reading sessions and related educational activities
Waggy Tales
Children's literacy program that pairs reading sessions with therapy dogs to encourage reading practice in a comfortable setting
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 2 activities
- Provides access to digital media and entertainment platformsOffers free public access to Kanopy for streaming films and documentaries, and hosts Jackbox Party Pack video games for community use during library events.
- Provides public access to educational, informational, and recreational materialsOffers books, digital resources, and multimedia materials in multiple formats to support lifelong learning and community engagement for all age groups.
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Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
- Hosts reading and literacy programs for childrenRuns programs such as "1000 Books Before Kindergarten," "Stories and More," and Waggy Tales—where children read to dogs—to promote early literacy and reading engagement.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Operates an art gallery and hosts public art exhibitionsMaintains a gallery space that features rotating exhibits of paintings, photography, natural specimens, and other artwork by New York State artists, with public receptions and open events.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Organizes community programs and eventsHosts recurring events including book clubs, Jackbox Games nights, interactive learning activities like Investigation Stations, and themed camps such as Children's Dino Adventure Camp.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces and distributes publications for community outreachCreates and shares a monthly zine, including contest-based content, and a regular newsletter with event calendars and updates; both are available in print and digital formats.
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Public Access Technology Services 1 activity
- Provides printing services and support for library-produced materialsOffers printing of library publications such as the short story zine at standard per-page rates, with staff assistance available for access and printing.
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Cemetery Records and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Provides reference, research, and information servicesOffers access to research databases, genealogy resources, and readers advisory services, with staff support available in person, by phone, or email to assist with information needs.
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Publishes annual reports to the communityProduces and distributes annual reports from 2020 through 2025 to share library activities, accomplishments, and community impact.
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Library Volunteer Coordination & Community Engagement 1 activity
- Supports Friends of the Library group activitiesOrganizes and facilitates meetings for the Friends of the Library to support library programs and initiatives.
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Medicare Counseling and Assistance 1 activity
- Supports healthcare navigation and elder law servicesPartners with LawNY to host legal assistance events and information sessions focused on Medicare, healthcare navigation, and elder care legal support.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.53M
Contributions & grants$1.45M95%
Program service revenue$16K1%
Investment income$62K4%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.48M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.07M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.44M
Cash$2.75M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.98M
Net assets$2.46M
Liquid reserves22.2 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +17.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE LA VOIE | DIRECTOR | 40 | $101K |
| FRAN STEFFEN | TREASURER | 5 | $4K |
board members · 7
- ANN TENGLUND — SECRETARY
- GRETCHEN COPELLA — TRUSTEE
- JENNIFER MAHAR — TRUSTEE
- LANNA WATERMAN — PRESIDENT
- LAURA WHITFORD — Secretary
- PATRICIA SHUMWAY — FINANCE OFFICER
- REED MCELFRESH — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- American Library Association Network — Adheres to the Library Bill of Rights established by the American Library Association.
- American Library Association Network — Member of the American Library Association and follows its Library Bill of Rights.
- American Library Association Network — References the ALA Library Bill of Rights as a foundational policy document.
- Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System (CCLS) Network — Member of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, as indicated by shared branding and resource access.
- Friends of the Library Coalition — Works with the Friends of the Library group to support programming and operations.
- John Macroy Partner — Featured artist exhibiting paintings, photography, and butterfly displays at the library gallery.
- LawNY Partner — Collaborates on community events and services.
- LawNY Partner — Collaborates with LawNY to offer Medicare & Healthcare Navigator services and Elder Care Law support.
- LawNY Partner — Collaborates with LawNY to offer legal information services to the public.
- LawNY Partner — Collaborates with LawNY to provide legal information sessions to the public.
- LawNY Partner — Collaborates with Olean Public Library to provide legal assistance in areas including Medicare, healthcare navigation, and elder care law.
- child and family agencies in the community Partner — Cooperates with local child and family agencies to support family learning initiatives.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Animal-Assisted Literacy Developmentmethodology: animal_assisted_literacyBy using trained animals as non-judgmental listeners in reading programs, the library improves children's reading skills and confidence because reduced anxiety enables longer, more frequent reading practice.
- Family-Centered Learning Approachmethodology: family-centered_learningBy engaging families in age-inclusive programs and partnering with child and family agencies, the library strengthens learning outcomes and participation because involving multiple generations fosters sustained engagement and support networks.
- Integrated Public Service Modelmethodology: integrated_public_serviceBy offering unified access to education, information, and recreation, the library increases community engagement and resource utilization because combining services lowers barriers and meets diverse needs in a single, accessible setting.
- Interactive Learning Stations for Educational Engagementmethodology: interactive_learningBy using hands-on, station-based learning experiences, the library promotes deeper educational exploration and retention because tactile, self-directed interaction increases participant focus and understanding.