Library of Things Expansion

Provides a digital platform specifically designed for children to access library resources, supporting early literacy and lifelong learning through technology.

Organizes and participates in events for various age groups, including the summer reading program "On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!" in 2016, Hamster Care events, and involvement in the 2016 Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival. Maintains a public events calendar to promote community engagement.

Operates the Spark Lab Makerspace, offering equipment and materials for do-it-yourself projects during open hours, and maintains a Library of Things collection that allows patrons to borrow non-traditional items such as seeds, spark kits, fishing poles, and tools with a library card.

Provides access to ebooks, digital audiobooks, music, TV shows, and online courses through platforms such as Libby, hoopla, and Udemy for Town of Chili residents. Supports digital equity by expanding access to online educational content.

Offers public access to computers with Internet, Microsoft Office, and Ancestry Library Edition, with up to two hours of use per day per user. Provides printing, photocopying, scanning, and faxing services, including remote printing from personal devices.

Offers physical and digital collections including books, media, and educational resources to residents of Chili, New York and surrounding areas. Collections include diverse materials for children and families, such as Wonderbooks, Launchpads, Tonies, and Story Spoon Kits.

Offers a free online service that highlights newly acquired books and enables users to place holds through email or RSS alerts, enhancing access to the library’s evolving collection.

Collected donated items for distribution to local community organizations including the Patterson Food Pantry, Putnam Humane Society, VET 2 VET Veterans Organization, and Putnam Community Action Partnership.

Conducted outreach visits with preschool, homeschool, and K-12 school classes to teach literacy concepts and library use.

Provided access to physical and digital collections, resulting in approximately 56,000 items checked out by over 39,000 visitors in 2024, and 54,000 items in 2023.

Raises funds through ongoing book sales of donated books, movies, and CDs; sells coffee and candy; offers memorial bricks; and supports initiatives like BookBags. Accepts and manages donated books for resale or inclusion in collections.

Operates Summer Reading Programs for adults, teens, and children; runs the Books from Birth initiative to promote early literacy; hosts in-person activities for children including crafts, games, puzzles, and access to a children’s garden and Kaplan Early Learning kits.

Operates an IT Lending Library that allows eligible nonprofits, community organizations, and educational programs to borrow presentation kits, projectors, Chromebooks, conference cameras, and other technology equipment.

Provides free interlibrary loan services through membership in the Nioga Library System, enabling patrons to request materials from other member libraries at no cost. Also offers digital media access through platforms like Hoopla and Libby for streaming or downloading content.

Provides notary public services by appointment and hosts a donation box for used glasses and hearing aids in partnership with Lions Clubs International. Also maintains an AED machine for public use in the lounge area.

Maintains and provides access to historically significant items including the preserved flag of the 26th United States Colored Troops (26th USCT), viewable by appointment, and four paintings by Peter B. West on permanent display in the Reference Area.

Maintains extensive local history and genealogy collections including the Curtis Civil War Collection, microfilmed historical newspapers (1820s–2013), census and church records, Albion High School yearbooks from 1903 onward, oral histories from Orleans County residents, and genealogical materials focused on New England families. Offers digitized audio, transcriptions, and remote research support via mail or email.

Offers meeting room space for public use by organizations engaged in educational, cultural, civic, intellectual, and charitable activities, available through an electronic request system.