named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Discover Summer: Unearth a Story
Annual summer reading program for children featuring dinosaur-themed storytimes, STEAM activities, drop-in events, and special guests from July through mid-August.
IDEA Lab
Library space providing access to new technologies and creative tools for patrons of all ages to explore and learn.
Poetry Contest
Annual contest inviting community members to submit original poetry, with winners recognized by the library.
Rainbow Reads for Teens
June programming highlighting LGBTQIA+ authors and stories for teens, aligned with Rainbow Book Month and Pride Month celebrations.
Social Media Ambassador Program
Volunteer program engaging community members to promote library events, resources, and book recommendations on social media platforms.
StoryWalk®
Outdoor literacy initiative placing pages of children's books along walking paths at Hoopes Park, Owasco Playground, and Casey Park for families to enjoy.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Curates and promotes inclusive collections and themed reading initiativesOrganizes and promotes book collections centered on specific themes and identities, including LGBTQIA+ literature during Pride and Rainbow Book Month, and supports community engagement through initiatives like the Poetry Contest and collections highlighting diverse voices.
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Summer and Seasonal Reading Programs 1 activity
- Delivers educational and community programs for children, families, and adultsHosts summer reading programs with themed activities, storytimes, STEAM programs, and special events; operates a StoryWalkⓇ in local parks; and offers free spring and summer programs focused on creativity, gardening, crafting, and poetry for various age groups.
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Library Volunteer Coordination & Community Engagement 1 activity
- Engages volunteers in patron support and outreachOperates a Welcome Ambassador program to greet visitors and guide them to services, and involves volunteers in sharing library content on social media at least twice per month.
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Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
- Manages library governance and public engagement in operationsElects board representatives from each geographic portion of the district to serve four-year terms and reserves time for public comment at board meetings with a 3-minute limit per speaker.
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Provides public library services and resource accessOffers borrowing and renewal of library materials, access to physical and digital collections through an online catalog, and services for obtaining library cards to residents of Auburn and surrounding communities.
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Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
- Supports literacy and family engagement through targeted resourcesProvides staff-led guidance and resources to help caregivers foster reading among reluctant child readers and offers age-appropriate materials and programs for children and families.
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Library and Community Facility Renovation 1 activity
- Undertakes facility improvements and capital projectsCompletes phased renovations and construction projects including the IDEA Lab (2019), History Discovery Space (2016), Family Space, West Lobby upgrades, and ongoing maintenance to support access to resources, technology, and programs.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Administers and reports on operating budgetConducts budget referendums and manages the annual operating budget, including property tax revenue; the 2026 budget totaled $1,139,713 with $1,095,413 raised through property taxes.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.39M
Contributions & grants$291K21%
Program service revenue$1.05M76%
Investment income$46K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.21M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$834K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.33M
Cash$1.20M
Investments$0
Liabilities$612K
Net assets$7.71M
Liquid reserves11.9 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +19.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA CARR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $103K |
board members · 9
- BILL FOSTER — DIRECTOR
- CLYDE HOWARD — BOARD PRESIDENT
- DEBRA DALOIA — FINANCE OFFICER
- KIM SCHULZE — SECRETARY
- MEG VANEK — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MCCOLE — DIRECTOR
- NANCY KARPINSKI — FOUNDATION REP.
- RUSS HARKINS — VICE PRESIDENT
- SYLVIA KOTT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Auburn Police Department Government — Reported an incident of vandalism at the library to the Auburn Police Department.
- Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP Partner — Design and planning firm partnered with the library to develop renovation plans for the Children’s Room and Family Space based on community input.
- Carrere and Hastings Partner — Architectural firm selected to design the Case Memorial Library building.
- Chamber of Commerce Partner — Collaborated on a ribbon-cutting event for the West Lobby remodel.
- Community Foundation of Tompkins County Funder — Provides major funding for the summer reading program through the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund.
- Facebook Partner — Official presence maintained on Facebook for community engagement
- Finger Lakes Library System Network — Member of the Finger Lakes Library System, enabling reciprocal borrowing privileges for residents within the system.
- Friends of Seymour Library Funder — Provides major funding for the summer reading program.
- Instagram Partner — Official presence maintained on Instagram for community engagement
- New York State Department of Education Government — Granted a new charter to the Seymour Public Library District in 1993.
- Seymour Library Foundation Network — One member of the Board of Trustees represents the Seymour Library Foundation, indicating a formal governance relationship.
- Seymour Library Foundation Partner — Seymour Library Foundation is represented on the Board of Trustees by a designated representative.
- Terra String Quartet Partner — Delivers a special performance as part of the summer reading program for teens and adults.
- University of New York Government — Granted official certification to the free public library in 1896.
- volunteercoordinator@seymourlib.org Partner — Point of contact for volunteer coordination and inquiries
strategies · 2
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-Informed Design and Governancemethodology: community-engaged_governanceBy integrating community input into facility planning and board decision-making, the library ensures responsiveness and ownership, because inclusive processes lead to more relevant and sustainable services.
- Family-Centered Resource Provisionmethodology: family-centered_resource_provisionBy providing diverse learning and recreational resources tailored to families, the library supports both children's development and family engagement, because active family participation strengthens literacy and learning outcomes.