15 years of supporting youth reading and library access continues in the Finger Lakes

For 15 years, the endowed Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund of Community Foundation has been instrumental in fostering youth reading and increasing library access throughout the Finger Lakes region. The 2025 grant cycle has distributed $166,402 to 24 libraries within the Finger Lakes Library System, benefiting communities in Cayuga, Cortland, Tioga, Tompkins, and Seneca counties.

These grants are made possible thanks to the generous bequest of nearly $3 million from the estate of Dr. Bernard Rosen. Dr. Rosen’s vision for the fund was outlined in his will, emphasizing his commitment to “promote genuine intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of reading and learning.” The specific purpose of the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund is “to promote greater and easier access by youth to local libraries.”

Since its inception, the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants, providing crucial support to public libraries across the region. This funding ensures that libraries remain vibrant centers of learning, offering essential resources that inspire young readers and encourage regular library use.

The annual Library Grant Cycle from the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund is open to the 33 public libraries within the Finger Lakes Library System. By investing in these institutions, the fund continues to uphold its mission of nurturing a culture of learning and intellectual exploration among young people.

2025 GRANT AWARDS:

TOMPKINS COUNTY LIBRARIES

Groton Public Library for Building Literacy (BuLit) with T(w)eens @ GPL

Lansing Community Library for Color Our World Summer Reading and Fall programming

Newfield Public Library for NPL 2025 Summer Reading Program

Newfield Public Library for NPL 2025/6 Afterschool Special

Southworth Library Association for Family Storytime

Southworth Library Association for Summer Kids’ Clubs

Tompkins County Public Library Foundation for Summer Adventure

Ulysses Philomathic Library for Summer Reading Program 2025

Libraries in other neighboring counties also received grants. 

For more information about the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund and its impact on local libraries, please contact George Ferrari at (607) 272-9333 or gferrari@cftompkins.org

The Community Foundation is celebrating 25 years of philanthropy in Tompkins County! Since our founding in 2000, we’ve awarded over $33 million in grants—more than 7,500 in total—while managing assets exceeding $27 million. Learn more about our mission, impact, and opportunities to invest in our community at www.cftompkins.org.