American Library Association: Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessibility 2023-25

The logo shows the acronym “ALA” in large red capital letters beside the words “American Library Association” in blue text. It represents the official emblem of the national organization supporting libraries and librarians across the United States.

Additional information on this grant.

Funding provided by the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) 2023-25.

Following Titles were purchased using funding

Adult Large Print:

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H Gabhart.

An Unexpected Amish Christmas Book #3 Surprised by Love series by Rachel J Good.

An Unexpected Amish Courtship Book #2 Surprised by Love series by Rachel J Good.

An Unexpected Amish Proposal Book #1 Surprised by Love series by Rachel J Good.

Beneath the Bending Skies by Jane Kirkpatrick.

‘Til I Want No More by Robin W Pearson.

Talking to Strangers Elsie King Series #2 by Fiona Barton.

Earth’s the Right Place for Love Mason Series #0.5 by Elizabeth Berg.

Fitz by Win Blevins.

Christmas Every Day by Linda Byler.

Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks.

Things Don’t Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins.

In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf.

Lost and Found by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig.

The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck.

Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins.

Our Little Secret by Lisa Jackson.

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.

“I’ve Tried Being Nice by Ann Leary.

The Amish Beekeeper’s Dilemma by Patrice Lewis.

The Mysterious Amish Nanny by Patrice Lewis.

Her Unlikely Amish Protector by Jocelyn McClay.

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty.

The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan.

Within Arm’s Reach by Ann Napolitano.

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson.

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange.

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn.

The Berlin Letters: A Cold War Novel by Katherine Reay.

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan.

The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman.

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin.

A Talent for Murder Henry Kimball/Lily Kintner Series #3 by Peter Swanson.

Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson.

The Girl from the Papers by Jennifer L Wright.

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon.

Children’s Picture Books:

I’m Going to Have a Good Day!: Daily Affirmations with Scarlett by Tiania Haneline

I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff.

I Am!: A Book of Reminders by Juana Medina.

The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts by Ann Patchett.

I Quit by Kristen Tracy.

Cranky Makes a Friend by Phuc Tran.

Unflappable: A Story of Hope and Persistence for KIds by Matthew Ward.

Children’s Nonfiction:

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimentel.

Funding from this grant was utilized to provide Staffing Resources to Help the Library Continue it’s Outreach Efforts. Outreach Projects: The Homestead at Heritage, Little Seeds Kids Preschool, The Wrap Childcare & Day Camp at Park Church and Fall Festival, Village of Sinclairville & Town of Gerry Summer Recreation Programs, Gerry Fire Auxiliary’s Movie with Santa, Christmas in the Park (Sinclairville) and Cassadaga Valley Central School (CVCS): Pre-K Classroom Visits, Open House(s), Literacy Night & Trunk or Treat.

To allow our patrons with limited mobility easier access to the library, funding from the grant was used to install, our New Automatic Power Doors on the front entrance to the Library.

A glass door displays a large blue and yellow circular sign reading “Automatic Caution Door – Activate Switch to Operate.” The sign warns users that the door opens automatically when activated, and the background shows part of a library interior with posters, bookshelves, and reflections of ceiling lights.
A tan-framed glass door at a building entrance displays several notices and stickers, including accessibility and safety signs. Above the door, a blue button with a wheelchair symbol reads “Push to Open Automatic Door,” indicating an accessible entryway.
Two blue accessibility door activation buttons are mounted vertically on a white wall, each labeled “Press to Operate Door” with a wheelchair symbol. To the left, a decorative wooden tree with colorful leaf-shaped plaques displays names and messages, adding a welcoming touch to the space.

Funding from the grant was used to purchase a bulk batch of New Children’s Library Cards. Cards are being issued as children visit the library.

FOURTH GRADE FIELD TRIP

On Friday, October 4th 2024, all three Fourth Grade classes from Cassadaga Valley Central School District visited our library. Each class spent time exploring our children’s book selection and choosing a title to borrow on their brand new library cards. Miss Jessica read to them from “Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal” by Jeff Kinney. Each class also spent time working on Lego Challenges from our Makerspace.

A large group of children is gathered outside on a sunny day in front of a white building with a brown roof and green bushes. They are smiling and posing for a group photo around a small tree, holding a colorful sign that reads “First Library Card,” suggesting a celebratory event at the library.
Entire Fourth Grade

FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIP

On Friday, October 25th 2024, all four First Grade classes from Cassadaga Valley Central School District visited our library. Each class spent time exploring our children’s book selection and choosing a title to borrow on their brand new library cards. Miss Jessica read the picture book “Superworm” by Julia Donaldson and read from the chapter book “Diary of a Pug: Pug Blasts Off” by Kyla May. Each class also spent time playing with our Early Learning Manipulatives otherwise know as Toys!!!

47 New Children’s Library Cards were issued to students

A group of elementary-age children and one adult stand on a grassy lawn around a newly planted small tree, posing for a photo in cool-weather clothing. In the background are a gray building, a white barn-like structure, a U.S. Post Office sign, and a flagpole flying the American flag and a black flag on an overcast fall day.
Ms. Johnson’s Class
A group of young children and one adult pose cheerfully outdoors around a small tree in a landscaped area, holding colorful books and smiling. Behind them are a gray building, a brick wall, and autumn trees with orange and brown leaves under an overcast sky.
Ms. Ramirez’s Class
A group of children and one adult stand together on a grassy area near a sidewalk, smiling and holding books and papers in cool-weather clothing. Behind them are a small tree with dark leaves, a gray building, and autumn-colored trees, with a U.S. Post Office sign and flagpole visible in the background.
Ms. Wallin’s Class
A group of children and one adult stand outside on a grassy area near a small tree, smiling and holding colorful books. Behind them are a gray building, a white barn, and autumn trees with orange and brown leaves under an overcast sky.
Ms. Yoder’s Class

SECOND GRADE FIELD TRIP

On Friday, May 30th 2025, all four Second Grade classes from Cassadaga Valley Central School District visited our library. Each class spent time exploring our children’s book selection and choosing a title to borrow on their brand new library cards. Miss Jessica read the picture book “The Book of Rules” by Brian Gehrlein and read from the chapter book “Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue your Friends to Chairs ” by Katherine Applegate. Each class also spent time playing with Big Blue Blocks Marble Run, Dino Bones and Gemstone Building.

43 New Children’s Library Cards were issued to students

A group of children and one adult pose outdoors near a small tree, smiling and holding books and a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card.” They are gathered on a grassy area beside a building, with a mix of bright clothing and greenery in the background, celebrating a library-related activity.
A group of children stand and kneel on a grassy area outside, smiling and holding colorful books and a large sign that reads “My First Library Card.” Behind them are a gray building, a white barn, and trees with green foliage, creating a cheerful scene celebrating reading and library participation.
A group of children pose outdoors on a grassy area near a sidewalk, smiling and holding books beside a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card.” Behind them are a small tree, a gray building, and a parking lot, with bright spring greenery and cheerful energy celebrating reading and library participation.
A group of children sit and stand on a grassy area outside, smiling and holding books and a large colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card.” Behind them are a sidewalk, landscaped rocks, and other children walking nearby, creating a cheerful scene celebrating reading and library participation.

THIRD GRADE FIELD TRIP

On Wednesday, June 11th 2025, all four Third Grade classes from Cassadaga Valley Central School District visited our library. Each class spent time exploring our children’s book selection and choosing a title to borrow on their brand new library cards. Miss Jessica read from either the chapter book “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate or “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau. Each class also spent time playing with Big Blue Blocks Ball Run, Dino Bones and Marble Maze.

40 New Children’s Library Cards were issued to students

A group of children and two adults stand and sit outdoors on a sunny day near a small tree and a gray building, smiling and holding books. One child holds a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card,” celebrating a library event that promotes reading and community participation.
A group of children and one adult pose outdoors near a small tree and a bronze statue of a child reading, smiling and holding books. One child holds a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card,” celebrating a library event that promotes reading and community engagement.
A group of children and one adult stand outdoors on a sunny day near a small tree and a bronze statue of a child reading, smiling and holding books. One child holds a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card,” celebrating a library event that encourages reading and community participation.
A group of children and one adult stand outdoors on a sunny day near a small tree and a bronze statue of a child reading, smiling and holding books. One child holds a colorful sign that reads “My First Library Card,” celebrating a library event that encourages reading and community participation.

Updated May 22, 2026