Dexter Free Library turns 90!

This year, the Dexter Free Library observes its 90th anniversary. Director Jennifer Thomas talks about the library - past and present - and invites us all to come out to help celebrate.

Come and join the Dexter Free Library on Wednesday, August 20, as we celebrate the library's 90th birthday! All events are free and open to the public. (Details here.)
 
The Dexter Free Library was founded with grocery coupons collected largely through the efforts of the women in Dexter.  An advertising contest in 1924 offered volumes of the classics as prizes.  Dexter won the second prize of 250 volumes.

Until 1957, the library was moved from building to building in the village of Dexter, at times located in the homes of the librarians.  In 1948, the library was given property on East Kirby Street by the descendants of prominent village citizens. 

The library joined the North Country Library System in 1948.

We have accomplished much in the last several years. The interior of the library was painted and brightened up significantly, new shelving was installed, we changed over from using CPUs to thin clients at all of the public and staff work-stations and recently purchased and installed a new media return and book drop.

Sending blankets overseas.

Last year we introduced a new initiative called Say Yes To Nice. With this program, our goal was to encourage community members to choose to do good and to provide such opportunities through the library. We held several events under SYTN including hosting the entire Dexter Elementary School for an anti-bullying event last fall. It was exciting to have them join with us and to have approximately 20 community volunteers on hand to help out. The Elementary school adopted SYTN as their anti-bullying program for the school year.

We also collaborated with the elementary school to collect Christmas cards for seniors in area nursing homes. Our biggest community project under SYTN was our knit and crochet afghans that were sent to wounded warriors in Germany. The community response was tremendous and we sent 20 afghans overseas. In fact, I was recently invited to meet with some knitters who had continued to create blankets. They just donated 12 additional afghans that will be distributed to veterans or seniors later this year. We now have a SYTN collection featuring books (on manners, bullying, how to get along with others, etc.) to share with the community.
  
Learn more about Say Yes To Nice (Watertown Daily Times, 9/14/2013)