Newfield Public Library plans to expand space after strong year of programs

After a strong year of community programming, including workshops about wellness and the natural world, cooking classes for middle school students and the annual summer reading program, Newfield Public Library is expanding its space to offer more recreational and educational opportunities for the town.

The library plans to expand its second floor by building space on top of the roof on the back side of the building. Library staff will share a community survey in January to gather public input on how the space should be used, according to the library’s director, Sue Chaffee. 

“We have great programming space here at the library, but it could be better,” Chaffee said, noting that one addition she’s excited about is installing a full kitchen in the library for cooking demonstrations. Library staff and patrons currently use the kitchen in the Newfield History and Activity Center, a space next door that the library and the Newfield Historical Society have shared since 2021.

Once the survey results are collected, Chaffee said that the library will apply for a state grant to fund the project’s construction, which she anticipated could start as soon as 2027.   

Chaffee added that the library has recently doubled the size of its backyard space and installed fencing to host more community programs outside. She said that staff will work to enhance the space next year by adding more outdoor seating and a community garden, among other upgrades.   

“It’s amazing to have more space outside, especially during the summer time,” said Allison DeSario, the library’s program coordinator. “I think it’ll be nice to do more messy things out there, like painting, crafts and even making wreaths with bark. We normally use the pavilion at the Masonic Lodge for those kinds of events, but it’ll be great to have that in our own backyard.”     

Chaffee said that her staff is also gearing up for a variety of festive end-of-year events. The library will once again participate in the town’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m., by inviting families to decorate cookies and write letters to Santa. The library is also hosting its annual gingerbread building contest on Dec. 16, and anyone interested in participating is invited to pick up their own gingerbread kit starting on Dec. 2. This year’s theme is to build a gingerbread scene that represents what’s wonderful about your life, Chaffee said.     

In addition to holiday-themed fun, DeSario said that the library is reviving its collaboration with Cornell University’s Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility for a Dec. 5 workshop to teach people of all ages how scientists use rainbows and “invisible” light to understand the universe. The library is also displaying paintings, collages and quilt works from local artist Jill Lavetsky until the end of November, and a workshop centered around DIY home repairs is scheduled for Dec. 20. 

DeSario said that she’s always open to program feedback and ideas, and that next year she aims to plan more events that align with national history months, such as Women’s History Month in March, to help community members develop “lifelong memories” at the library. 

She added that staff are working to create a homeschool resources webpage on the library’s website, and that she wants to create more events that cater to homeschooled students.       

“People are always saying how much they love it here,” DeSario said. “It can just be a calm space for someone to come and do their homework or take a meeting if they don’t have Wi-Fi at home. Plus, all of our programs and books are free to borrow, and it’s a great way to meet other community members — which I think is especially important in these turbulent, divisive times.” 

Staff added that the library was among dozens of sites across the county to receive emergency food boxes from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to help support people who experienced food insecurity during the federal government shutdown.   

Chaffee said that this has also been a good year for some of the library’s most popular events that encourage reading, including its annual book sales and summer reading program.   

The library wrapped up its last book sale of the year last week, where people could purchase bags of books for $5, as well as puzzles and DVDs. The library sold about 2,500 books this year, according to Chaffee, who noted that she runs a handful of book sales throughout the year to help the library raise money and manage its growing collection of donated materials.     

Additionally, Chaffee said that 226 people participated in this year’s seven-week summer reading program, enrollment that was similar to previous years.

“It was a good year,” she said, noting that program participants, most of whom were elementary school students, received a free premium book to keep every week. “Instead of using your library card to borrow books, this program allows students to build up their own collection and get a handle on what they really enjoy reading. If participating in the program gets you to read for an extra hour a week, or even an extra book a week, then that’s huge and sets them up for success when they start school again in September.”   

Wyatt Seaman, a Newfield High School student who worked with the summer reading program this year, said that the library has been a staple of the community since it began operating in 1894.    

“For me, the library’s not only this place where I can have fun with people I don’t know and expand my horizons, but it’s this space where I can have a relaxing time, let loose and have some fun after a stressful day at school,” Seaman said.   

Another program that brings youth to the library is the afterschool program for middle schoolers, which runs three days a week and is in its fourth year. 

“We provide a snack and a new activity each week, and kids can choose to do the activity if they want, or they can do something else,” said Lisa Hawke, the afterschool program’s coordinator. “One year we had two girls who would just sit in the corner and giggle. So, it’s a safe spot for kids to come after school, and I think our community really treasures this library.” 

Chloe Hyer, a Newfield Middle School student who’s in the afterschool program, said that the library is one of the few community spaces where she and her friends can have fun. Hyer said that she tries to visit the library as often as possible and that one change she’d like to see with the expanded space is more opportunities to read to animals.

In partnership with Cornell Companion, the library hosts a monthly event where children are invited to practice their reading skills by reading to therapy dogs.

“When it comes to promoting kids’ reading skills and building their confidence, dogs are great for that,” Chaffee said. “We strive to have at least one program a month for every age group, and I’m excited to see where the future takes us.”