Dear Library Patrons and Community Members,

   In this unique and challenging time, a community must quickly evolve, change, and adapt in order to continue its mission in serving those within it.  And that is exactly what Annie Porter Ainsworth Memorial Library has been doing. 

     Ainsworth Memorial Library strives to do more as community needs increase.  Within two weeks of closing our doors in March 2020 due to COVID-19, a Virtual Library Branch was created for patrons to register online for library cards and utilize online services and programs.  Our online services include access to various free databases, resources, educational classes, and thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks for children and adults.  In fact, Ainsworth Memorial Library e-Media checkouts have soared during the pandemic.  Our e-Media checkouts from March 2020 to February 2021 (1,375 checkouts) increased 48% from March 2019 to February 2020 (929 checkouts).  Moreover, we offer online programming for all ages, such as story hour, Summer Reading Program activities, book discussions, virtual crafts, writing groups, etc.  

     Furthermore, we make every effort to remain current and relevant in our ever-changing world.  Ainsworth Memorial Library has a mobile app, unlimited 24/7 Wi-Fi access, and high-speed internet.  For those without computers and/or internet access, we have developed take and make activity kits, donated books to the Sandy Creek Central School District to distribute to its students, and made care packages for families and seniors through the Sandy Creek/Lacona Food Pantry and the local Meals on Wheels program.  

     As in many small towns, libraries are one of the key hubs of the community and Ainsworth Memorial Library is proud to provide a supportive environment that is welcoming, friendly, and meets the informational needs of our County’s residents.  We were one of the first libraries in Oswego County to open its doors to the public early on in the pandemic to better serve the needs of our community.

Prompted by our desire to provide enhanced library services to all residents of the Sandy Creek Central School District, Ainsworth Memorial Library and Cogswell Free Library are going on the School District Ballot on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.  For more information, please attend one of our virtual information sessions on Wednesday, April 21st at 6:30 pm or on Saturday, April 24th at 10:00 am.  Email us at scrlib@ncls.org for a Zoom link and please specify which session you would like to attend.   

The Annie Porter Ainsworth Memorial Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held online (streamed on YouTube Live) on Tuesday, May 4th at 6:30 pm.

Writing Group for teen writers and teens who would like to be writers. Meeting online the third Thursday of each month from 4:30-5:30 pm. Contact the library for details on how to join.

Join us the first Tuesday of every month online via the Library’s Facebook page to make unique and useful crafts.  For adult crafters.  Supplies and instructions are provided free of charge and can be picked up at the Library (while supplies last)!

Interested in writing? Suffer from writer’s block? Want to share your writings and ideas with other writers? Look no further because Ainsworth Memorial Library has a writer’s group for adults called the Write Stuff Writer’s Group! We currently meet online via our Library’s Facebook page the last Monday of every month at 4:30 pm. Share and learn about writing, genres, publishing, and offer some motivational support!

Ainsworth Memorial Library still has a patron capacity limit of 20 patrons inside the building at a time with a time limit of 1 hour.
Patrons can use the Library’s four available public computers and make copies, scans, faxes, and prints.

Programming is still held online. Our meeting rooms are closed.
The Library’s temporary hours will remain the same until further notice (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 2-6 pm; Saturday 10 am-1 pm).

Everyone entering the building must wear a face covering/mask and practice social distancing.

Due to recent research released at: https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html, returned library materials are quarantined for 4 days.  After you return your items to us, they will still appear as checked out on your account during this 4-day quarantine (overdue fees from this will be waived). This protects our staff during their handling at check-in and the next patron to check out the title.