named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Dance-Themed Story Time with Miss Tammy
Preschool storytime program combining movement and literacy to engage young children in reading and learning through dance.
Decodable Books Learning Hub
A curated collection of decodable books, activity kits, and parental resources designed to support emergent and struggling readers, including children with dyslexia and homeschoolers.
Early Literacy Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Workshop led by Dr. Kirra Guard to help parents use the Decodable Books Learning Hub to support children's literacy development at home.
Friends of the Cortland Free Library
Independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the library through fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Library Volunteer Coordination & Community Engagement 2 activities
- Engages volunteers in library operations and community eventsUtilizes volunteers to prepare materials for children's craft projects, support book sales, organize collections through shelf reading, assist with youth programs, perform maintenance and grounds work, and contribute to special events such as the centennial kickoff.
- Performs ongoing library material and building maintenanceConducts regular book repair services through volunteer-led restoration of damaged materials and oversees maintenance of the library building, grounds, furnishings, and non-technology equipment.
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Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Develops and implements long-range strategic planningCollaborates with staff and community members to develop a long-range strategic plan guiding library operations across collections, facilities, outreach, IT, personnel, and programming, with board input into the planning process.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Manages library governance and board operationsOperates with a board of 15 volunteer Trustees serving five-year terms, including responsibilities for recommending and recruiting candidates, preparing officer slates and ballots, and overseeing budget development, financial accountability, and grant review.
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Library and Community Facility Renovation 1 activity
- Operates a public library facility with accessibility and building improvementsManages a physical library location at 32 Church Street in Cortland, NY, including elevator access via the Court Street entrance, with ongoing facility upgrades such as elevator addition (2011), front entrance restoration (2012), elevator and gallery renovations (2020), and HVAC and storage improvements.
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Library Operations and Program Support 1 activity
- Provides community outreach and supports fundraising initiativesConducts outreach through branding, marketing, public relations, and advertising; supports fundraising by researching grant opportunities and assisting with grant applications; and sells centennial merchandise designed by a local artist to benefit the library.
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Provides public library services including access to books, media, and research databasesOffers patrons access to approximately 70,000 physical materials such as books, periodicals, DVDs, and audiobooks, and extends access to over 400,000 additional items and multiple research databases through membership in the Finger Lakes Library System.
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Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
- Supports literacy development with targeted programs and resourcesProvides literacy-focused services including the Decodable Books Learning Hub with curated books and activity kits for emergent and struggling readers, and hosts children's programs such as dance-themed story time and a centennial reading challenge requiring 100 books read or checked out.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.14M
Contributions & grants$793K69%
Program service revenue$13K1%
Investment income$334K29%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$693K
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$392K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.84M
Cash$598K
Investments$3.99M
Liabilities$358K
Net assets$6.48M
Liquid reserves79.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +60.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA MAGELANER | LIBRARYDIRECTOR | 38 | $30K |
| JEN GRANEY | FORMER DIRECTOR | 38 | $22K |
board members · 15
- BONNIE HAINES — Trustee
- BRYAN RICCARDI — Trustee
- EUGENE WALDBAUER — Trustee
- GLENN REISWEBER — Trustee
- JOHN HOESCHELE — Vice President
- Julie Campbell — Trustee
- KATHLEEN ELLIOT-BIRDSALL — Trustee
- KIM HAY — Trustee
- KRISTINA PETRELLA FURI — Trustee
- Kathleen Hennessy — Trustee
- LAUREN MOSSOTTI-KLINE — President
- LIZ COLE — Trustee
- MARK WEBSTER — Treasurer
- MIKE ANDERSON — Secretary
- MYRON WALTER — Trustee
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partner — Collaborated with the Cortland Free Library on a centennial kickoff event featuring a preschool storytime.
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partner — Collaborated with the library on the July 26 kick-off event for its centennial celebration, including a joint dance-themed preschool storytime.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Partner — Collaborates with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to co-celebrate its 10th anniversary in the community.
- FLLS Libraries Government — Hosts the library's website on fllslibraries.org domain, indicating affiliation with the Finger Lakes Library System.
- Facebook Network — Uses Facebook as a platform for public communication and engagement.
- Finger Lakes Library System Network — Member library providing access to shared resources and databases.
- Friends of the Cortland Free Library Funder — Provides charitable support and contributions to the library.
- Instagram Network — Uses Instagram as a platform for public communication and engagement.
- John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust Funder — Provided original grant funding that supported the establishment of the Decodable Books Learning Hub at the library.
- Rural Health Institute Partner — Partnered with the library to launch the Decodable Books Learning Hub using grant funding from the John Ben Snow Foundation.
strategies · 3
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.
- Community-Engaged Strategic Planningmethodology: community-engaged_operationsBy involving both staff and community members in strategic planning, the library ensures that goals are inclusive and representative because collaborative input leads to more responsive, trusted, and sustainable service design.
- Lifelong Learning as a Pathway to Community Enrichmentmethodology: lifelong_learningBy providing diverse materials and programs that foster literacy, research, and education across age groups, the library promotes lifelong learning because access to knowledge sustains individual growth and strengthens community engagement.
- Phonics-Based Early Literacy Developmentmethodology: phonics-based_early_literacyBy using decodable books as structured, phonics-based tools, the library supports early reading development in children because systematic phonics instruction builds foundational literacy skills more effectively than unstructured exposure.