Library ready to open

On April 23rd, 2014, the Town of Irondequoit broke ground at the site of the new Public Library at 1290 Titus Avenue. Today, Town officials happily announced the library will open to the public on Wednesday, September 9th and a special ribbon-cutting event will take place on Saturday, September 12th at 10am.

Plans for the newly constructed building include dedicated teen and children’s sections, study areas, free wi-fi, meeting space for community groups, and fully equipped craft rooms that can be used to explore and expand our abilities.

“Residents are going to be ecstatic when they see all that their new library has to offer,” said Stephanie Squicciarini, President of the Irondequoit Library Board. “I commend the Town, the Library Board, all the library staff and the residents for supporting this vision of a centralized, state-of-the-art facility that can cater to all of our needs now and in the future.”

With external construction and landscaping nearly complete, work on the interior of the new library is moving at a quick pace. Over the next month, books, materials, and furnishings from the two existing branches – Pauline Evans Branch on Cooper Road and Helen McGraw Branch on East Ridge Road – will be packed and moved over to the new Library building. To accommodate the move schedule, the Pauline Evans Branch will close on August 7th and the Helen McGraw Branch will close on August 14th.

Due dates that normally fall within the timeframe when the branches are closed, will be extended to when the new library is open.

Books or materials that have been placed on hold to become available after the branches close will be available for pick-up from Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Avenue, starting August 14th. Patrons who have placed books or materials on hold will be contacted with details.

“Reading unlocks a child’s imagination, takes them on journeys that no television program or video game can replicate, and builds motivation and curiosity,” said Supervisor Adam J. Bello. “Our new library will be a first-class facility with expanded resources and a knowledgeable staff eager to contribute to each patron’s passion for learning. It will indeed be a place where we can learn, grow, read and explore together. Libraries are not relic of the past when they meet the changing needs of society and our new library will rise to meet that need.”

A full itinerary of festivities is being planned to celebrate the grand opening. Please mark your calendars for the ribbon-cutting on Saturday, September 12th at 10am. For up-to-date information, please visit www.Irondequoit.org or call 585-336-6029.

This press release was originally published at the Town of Irondequoit website. 

The Library the Community Builds Together

“Someday”, we said for years and years; “someday, Irondequoit will have the library we deserve.” Well, someday is TODAY! The new Irondequoit Public Library will open late summer 2015.

With its vibrant children’s space, dedicated teen area, expansive adult fiction and reference rooms, and flexible meeting spaces, our library will be a gem in the Monroe County Library System. To keep the tax impact low, the town is borrowing only for the cost of the structure, not for furnishings and equipment such as computers and seating, which are not as long-lived as the building. So, to purchase what the library needs to serve toddlers, seniors, and everyone in between, we need you to help fill this shopping list:

• audio/visual equipment
• children’s educational toys and games
• the latest computers and printers
• displays for local history materials
• smart boards and other technology for meeting rooms
• comfortable seating for the library and outdoor courtyard
• automated check-out systems
• technology for inter-generational programs

This is your chance to be part of this stunning change on our beautiful town campus. Any amount is appreciated. Whatever you can give goes directly toward filling our building with necessary furnishings and equipment.

For a gift of one thousand dollars, you may choose to have your name inscribed on a leaf attached to our Giving Tree designed by local sculptor Craig Wilson. Gifts can also be made in memory or in honor of family and friends, or to recognize special occasions, an organization, or a special achievement. All donors giving at any level will have their names recorded in a donation book.

Please donate online now, make your pledge online, or download the pledge form to mail in with a check. Present and future residents of our town thank you for your generosity. We can’t wait to see you in the library our community builds...together!

Meet the Irondequoit Public Library Foundation

We're looking to fill an upcoming board vacancy with someone who has public relations or fund-raising skills.

Most residents know that our Library is governed by the Irondequoit Library Board, but there is another board with the library’s capital needs at heart that not many people know about: the Irondequoit Public Library Foundation (ILF).

About 10 years ago, a group of generous library supporters anticipated the day the two branches would need to be replaced at a cost exceeding what taxpayers could afford. They determined that a private foundation with tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, would be the best entity to solicit and administer funds contributed by individuals, businesses, and grant-makers. In 2005, the ILF was incorporated and its founders contributed its seed money.

Today the Foundation’s by-laws call for a Board of at least 7 trustees, two of whom must also be members of the Irondequoit Library Board. President David Heffer, a chiropractor with an office on East Ridge Rd., is an Irondequoit native. Elaine Z. Cole, Vice President has lived on Rock Beach Rd. for over 35 years. She recently retired from state service and has not for profit board experience. Secretary, Barbara James, is a partner in the Harris, Beach law firm, concentrating on trusts and estates, and has lived in town for many years. Robert Smith, Treasurer, graduated from West Irondequoit High School and SUNY Buffalo and is an accountant at Constellation Brands. Trustees Susan Bonkowski and Albert “Bud” Birchard are neighbors on Harvington Rd. Sue is a retired project manager from Thomson Reuters with excellent editing and management experience. Bud gained significant fund-raising experience through his participation in United Way’s loaned executive program while he worked at Kodak. Wolodymyr Pylyshenko (“Mirko”), is a world-traveler since he retired from teaching art, and is an active community volunteer.

Heffer and Cole are current trustees on the Irondequoit Library Board, while Pylyshenko is a past member and has been granted Honorary Trustee status.

Now that the Town Board has selected the construction manager Passero Associates, and Barkstrom & LaCroix architect for the new library, the Foundation is planning the capital campaign. Furnishings, computers, and other equipment will cost more than the bond proceeds, so the Foundation will begin appealing for contributions. The ILF trustees are working closely with the IPL Board, town officials, major donors, and experienced volunteers to create an exciting campaign in which the whole town will want to join. They are drafting the Case Statement to explain to donors how important their contributions are. They are also planning how best to recognize the most generous donors through permanent memorials. Ideas being considered are naming rights for rooms such as the children's area, the atrium, staff lounge or community meeting space, just for examples. Plaques on furnishings or on a giving tree or book spines, are also under consideration.

With fundraising soon to be in full swing, the Foundation is seeking to fill an upcoming board vacancy with someone with public relations or fund-raising skill. Town residence is not required and appointment is not subject to Town Board approval. Interested people should mail a resume to the Foundation, at 45 Cooper Road, Rochester 14617, or email it to elainezcole@gmail.com. 

To follow the campaign, or to make a gift, information will soon be available on our website.