Bridge Lessons Sponsored by Friends of the Canastota Public Library

         Beginning September 30, the Canastota Public Library will offer Beginner Bridge Lessons with Mary Walsh from the “Bridge Studio” in Syracuse. The class is for new Bridge players only.

      The class size is limited to students who have never played Bridge. The series will be held in the Lawson Community Room, located on the lower level of the Canastota Public Library for eight consecutive Thursday mornings beginning September 30. The classes will be held from 10 am until noon on September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11 and 18.

      The cost for this eight week program is $25 per person and the fee must be paid by Friday, September 24 to participate in the program. Space is limited on a first come basis. Checks should be made payable to The Canastota Public Library. You can call the library to reserve your spot at (315) 697-7030.

      Please feel free to contact the library with any questions. This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Canastota Public Library, at 102 E. Center Street.

Dear Library Friends,

     I hope you had a chance to see the stunning garden at the library this summer. It was planted, weeded, watered and pruned by a group of dedicated volunteers. The volunteers worked in the heat and sun to produce an outstanding array of long lasting blooms that brightened the days of each individual who happened upon it. From hosta to hydrangea, peony to purple coneflower, the library garden has been a joy to behold from May through September. The flowers will soon be gone but the memory of them will linger in our minds through the coming winter months. And with spring they will return, once again to lift our spirits.

     On behalf of the Library and our Board of Trustees, I wish to thank the volunteers for their labors because as Nineteenth century poet Augusta Carter said, “You don't have a garden just for yourself. You have it to share.”


Liz Metzger
Library Director

It's All About Learning

 Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

     When thinking about writing this blog, I came across the proverb listed above. The quote helped me to remember how important learning is to all of us. When we stop learning, we stop living! There are various ways that we “learn”. Our libraries are full of books on a variety of subjects and can help us to keep our minds humming. Additionally, our local libraries are able to offer new learning opportunities for many in the community.

     The proverb also reminded me that school will be starting very soon! This time of year for many children and adults is a time of renewal. The summer is almost gone and we begin thinking about what we will do with our fall and winter free time. At the Canastota Public Library, we are doing the very same thing. This is the time of year when we plan our programming efforts, engage speakers, recruit volunteers to assist with programs and activities and motivate ourselves for a great fall and winter season at the library!

      It is sometimes difficult to decide what types of programs and activities we should offer at the library. Would patrons be interested in joining our book club, hearing about a specific topic, learning a new craft or skill? With so many patrons and so many different ideas and avenues to explore, our late summer efforts can get crazy!

     In past years, we have offered crafts for kids, various teen activities and our Lap Sit and Story Time programs. For adults, we have invited local authors to do book readings and signings and have had speakers on topics including The Underground Railroad, Hiking the Appalachian Trail, and Preparing for Community Emergencies. Our crafts for adults have included recycled crafts, holiday crafting, and decorating for the holidays.

     While we will continue to offer our popular Lap Sit, Story Time and Libra-teen program, we are always looking for interesting topics and activities for adults. If you have any suggestions or ideas on what types of programming you would like to see the library offer this year or in future years, please comment on this blog. Your help will be greatly appreciated! At the Canastota Public Library, we want to be a conduit to the treasures of your life.

Got Books?

The Friends of the Canastota Public Library are looking for a few good books! If you have books that you are interested in donating to the library, just bag them up and drop them off at the library during regular library hours.

Right now, the group is preparing for their annual Friends of the Canastota Public Library Book Sale. The sale is scheduled about a month earlier than previous years. This year’s sale will be held from October 21 through October 23.

The Friends of the Canastota Public Library can accept gently used hard and soft cover books, books on CD and audio cassette, DVDs, CDs, and VHS Tapes. Books should be in good condition, without any rips or tears. Books should also be clean or free from any writing, mold or mildew. Unfortunately, the Friends cannot accept encyclopedias, text books or Reader’s Digest Condensed books as they have found that there is no market for the resale of these books.

This annual fundraiser for the Canastota Public Library through the Friends of the Library allows the library to continue to provide needed services and programs to the community.  In previous years, these Friends of the Library funds have been used as a match to purchase additional public access computers for use, to provide specific programs and other needed resources to the library.

To volunteer your time to the Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale, feel free to leave your name at the library and a member of the Friends Group will contact you. If you have any questions about book donations, please contact the library at (315) 697-7030. The Canastota Public Library is located at 102 W. Center Street.