named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Americans Who Tell the Truth Traveling Exhibit
Partnership to bring Robert Shetterly’s portrait series to member libraries, featuring QR codes linking to biographies and audio interviews with subjects.
Comics Plus
Online resource offering unlimited access to digital comics, graphic novels, manga, and manhwa through library card credentials.
Communication Accessibility Initiative
Distributes laminated communication boards and symbol cards to member libraries and provides training to staff to support nonspeaking children and adults.
Community Canvas at the Library
County-wide collaborative art project inviting residents of all ages to create art at local libraries, fostering intergenerational connection and community expression.
Outreach Services
Provides library materials and services to nine target populations including individuals with disabilities, incarcerated people, seniors, and the unemployed through tailored programs and resources.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 2 activities
- Distributes digital content and online resourcesMakes ebooks, digital magazines, comics, graphic novels, and video streaming services available to individuals who cannot visit physical libraries, accessible through member libraries.
- Provides regional library access informationMaintains and provides a map of libraries and reading centers within its service region to support public access.
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Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
- Conducts public board meetings and ensures transparencyHolds public board meetings in Plattsburgh, NY or at member libraries, with meeting packets and recordings made publicly available online.
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Home Delivery and Curbside Pickup Services 1 activity
- Delivers outreach services to underserved populationsProvides library access and materials to geographically isolated individuals, people with disabilities, residents of institutions, and inmates in correctional facilities through targeted outreach programs and mobile delivery.
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
- Implements inclusive programming and community engagement initiativesOffers creative expression classes for seniors, traveling art exhibits, collaborative art-making through Community Canvas at the Library, and distributes custom communication boards to support nonspeaking individuals.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces and archives newsletters for public accessProduces The Trailblazer (long-form) and The Pathfinder (briefer e-newsletter), with archived issues dating back to 1954 available in PDF format.
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Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Provides hygiene supplies through library locationsDistributes personal care items to the community via local libraries as part of a hygiene initiative.
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Regional Library Resource Sharing 1 activity
- Provides resource sharing and operational support to member librariesOffers shared materials, interlibrary delivery, checkout software, financial and reporting assistance, and van-based return of materials to 32 public libraries and reading centers across Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties.
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Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Supports library system governance and planningOperates under a state-approved 5-year Plan of Service, files service plans with New York State, and conducts annual surveys to assess progress toward goals.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.86M
Contributions & grants$1.85M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$9K0%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$1.66M
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.07M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.06M
Cash$1.06M
Investments$13K
Liabilities$598K
Net assets$1.46M
Liquid reserves7.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +28.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN KENWORTHY | Executive Dir. | 38 | $122K |
| MICHAEL SPOFFORD | Controller | 38 | $85K |
board members · 15
- ANDREW LOMONTO — Trustee
- CHRISTOPHER DRENNAN — Trustee
- DR DOROTHY LATTA — Secretary
- ELIZABETH DEFONCE — MEMBER AT LARG
- GAYLA LEPAGE — President
- HOPE CASSAVAW — Treasurer
- JENNIFER YANDOW — Trustee
- LINDA CROSBY — Trustee
- LONNIE FAIRCHILD — Trustee
- MARY ABENDROTH — Trustee
- NICOLE BRYANT — Trustee
- SARAH VAILLANCOURT — Trustee
- SCOTT MCDONALD — Trustee
- THOMAS MANDEVILLE — Vice President
- TIM ROWLAND — Trustee
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- ADK Diaper Bank Partner — Partners with CEFLS to improve distribution of essential items.
- Adirondack Correctional Facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
- Autism Alliance of Northeastern NY Funder — Provides funding for the communication accessibility initiative, including development of communication boards and staff training.
- Bare Hill Correctional Facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
- Clinton Correction Facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
- Clinton County Legislature Government — Appoints trustees to the system's board.
- Essex County Arts Council Funder — Provides funding through its Cultural Assistance Program Grant for the Community Canvas at the Library project.
- Essex County Board of Supervisors Government — Appoints trustees to the system's board.
- Franklin Correctional Facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
- Franklin County Board of Supervisors Government — Appoints trustees to the system's board.
- Instagram Network — Has a presence on Instagram under the handle @cef_librarysystem.
- Instagram Partner — Shares organizational updates and content through an official Instagram profile
- John Brown Lives! Partner — Collaborates to bring the Americans Who Tell the Truth traveling portrait exhibit to member libraries and community organizations.
- New York State Government — Primary source of funding for libraries in the service area, with CEFLS assisting libraries in meeting state standards to maintain eligibility.
- New York State Government — Required filer of plans of service with the state government.
- New York State Library Government — Approves the Central Library's Plan of Service and sets standards for its operation.
- Northern New York Library Network Partner — Collaborates on the Americans Who Tell the Truth traveling exhibit project.
- One or more senior housing facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
- OurStoryBridge Partner — Partners to provide audio interviews linked via QR codes in the Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibit.
- Sustainable Libraries Initiative Partner — Partners with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative to advance environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible practices within the library system.
- Trish Friedlander, M.S., Ed., CCC-SLP Partner — Consults on the development of communication boards and provides training for library staff on inclusive communication practices.
- Upstate Correctional Facility Partner — Receives library materials via the system's van delivery service.
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 Wellness Integration through Library Servicesmethodology: community-wellness_integrationBy expanding library services to include the distribution of personal care supplies, the organization supports community well-being, because addressing basic needs alongside information access strengthens the library’s role as a holistic community hub.
- Education to Reduce Recidivismmethodology: education-to-reduce-recidivismBy improving literacy and education among incarcerated individuals through access to reading materials, the organization reduces recidivism, because educational engagement fosters cognitive and behavioral development that supports reintegration.
- Outreach and Support Model for Underserved Populationsmethodology: outreach_and_support_modelBy combining direct outreach services with support for member libraries, the organization expands access to library resources for underserved populations, because coordinated external engagement and institutional strengthening jointly overcome structural barriers to access.