irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $566KPROVIDE GRANTS TO MEMBER LIBRARIES FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS, LIBRARY MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Battle of the Books
Annual reading competition for youth organized by NCLS to promote literacy and engagement with books
Coordinated Outreach Program
Provides library services to underserved populations including correctional facilities and homebound individuals through Books by Mail
Delivery Services
Regular transportation of library materials between 66 member libraries across the service region
Summer Reading Program
Statewide initiative coordinated locally to encourage reading among children and teens during summer months
Technical Services Support
Centralized cataloging, MARC record management, barcode creation, and inventory support for member libraries
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Conducts system-wide research and data reportingCompiles and shares annual reports, collects and distributes statistical data on library operations, tracks website visits and wireless sessions, and provides usage statistics for online resources.
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Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
- Coordinates outreach and public programmingManages outreach initiatives including the Battle of the Books, North Country Talking is Teaching early literacy campaign, Coordinated Outreach to correctional facilities, Books by Mail, and public events such as film screenings.
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Regional Library Resource Sharing 1 activity
- Coordinates system-wide resource sharing and deliveryManages the delivery of library materials among member libraries, provides standardized delivery codes, bulk mailing instructions, and maintains a delivery schedule to support resource sharing.
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Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
- Funds member libraries through grantsFunds member libraries for specific projects, library materials, and equipment. This includes oversight of construction grants and compliance with system requirements.
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Organizational Sustainability Management 1 activity
- Manages IT and technical services for member librariesProvides IT support for devices, email administration, network management, and oversees technical services operations including integrated library system (ILS) functions.
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Provides access to specialized and digital materialsOffers specialized program and outreach materials not in the standard catalog, with expedited access upon request, and manages shared online resources including the OverDrive eBook and eAudio collection.
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Library Staff Professional Development 1 activity
- Provides capacity-building support to library staff and directorsOffers onboarding, training, continuing education, toolkits, tutorials, and resources for library staff and directors, including through a YouTube video library and LibGuides. Supports compliance with state trustee education requirements.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognizes contributions through advocacy and awardsRecognizes individuals and libraries through annual awards, including the Library Champion award, to promote advocacy and community engagement.
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Regular Membership Meetings 1 activity
- Supports member library governance and collaborationHosts meetings for the North Country Public Library Directors Organization, provides agendas and minutes, and organizes the annual meeting for library staff, trustees, and Friends.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$3.15M
Contributions & grants$2.42M77%
Program service revenue$375K12%
Investment income$76K2%
Other revenue$276K
expenses
Total expenses$3.03M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.43M
Grants paid out$566K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.79M
Cash$3.24M
Investments$0
Liabilities$840K
Net assets$3.95M
Liquid reserves12.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +8.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 9
- CAROLYN MOSIER — PRESIDENT
- CHERYL EVANS — TRUSTEE
- DAVID BRADFORD — TRUSTEE
- DAWN COLE — TRUSTEE
- DOROTHY DINEEN — TRUSTEE
- EMILY BLAUVELT — SECRETARY
- GINGER TEBO — VICE PRESIDE
- JOSEPH FOY — TRUSTEE
- NELSON SCHWARTZENTRUBER — TRUSTEE
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Empire State Library Network Partner — Collaborates on the Empire Library Delivery service for interlibrary material transport.
- Flower Library Government — Flower Library in Watertown serves as the Central Library for the North Country Library System.
- Flower Memorial Library Partner — Partner library hosting joint events within the North Country Library System network
- Harbor Hotel Partner — Hosted the 2025 NCLS Annual Meeting.
- Member Libraries in Jefferson County, Lewis County, St. Lawrence County, and Oswego County Partner — Network of local libraries receiving grants and support from North Country Library System to deliver public library services.
- NCLS Service Center Partner — Central facility supporting system-wide operations and events
- New York State Library Government — Aligns with NYS Minimum Standards and collaborates on accessibility and public library district development.
- New York State Library Government — Provides additional trustee resources and enforces state-mandated trustee education requirements.
- North Country Council of Social Agencies Partner — Collaborates through shared board membership; Paulette Roes serves on its board.
- North Country Public Library Directors Organization Network — Advisory group for the North Country Library System composed of member library directors who provide input and peer support.
- North Country libraries Network — Member libraries that participate in the North Country Library System's resource-sharing programs.
- U.S. House of Representatives Government — Monitors legislative developments such as H.R.7661 that may impact libraries.
- WPBS-TV Partner — Collaborates with WPBS-TV to present a public screening of the documentary "The Librarians".
- member libraries Network — Collaborates with member libraries to deliver library services across the North Country region.
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.
- Centralized Support for Local Capacity Buildingmethodology: centralized_service_modelBy providing centralized resources—such as program materials, standardized toolkits, training, and director support—the organization strengthens local library operations because small or under-resourced libraries gain access to expert guidance and scalable solutions that they lack internally.
- Equity-Centered Access and Outreachmethodology: equity-centered_outreachBy focusing on underserved populations and ensuring accommodations for inclusive participation, the organization improves engagement and utilization of library services because removing structural barriers enables more equitable access across diverse communities.
- Network-Based Service Deliverymethodology: network-based service deliveryBy operating through a coordinated network of member libraries across multiple counties, the organization increases access to library resources and services in geographically dispersed rural areas because shared infrastructure and collaboration enable greater efficiency and reach than individual libraries could achieve alone.