The James Prendergast Library in Jamestown
JAMESTOWN – The 2013 Prendergast Library Annual Book Sale will be at a new location this year. During Thursday’s monthly board meeting, the library’s board of trustees voted unanimously to move the book sale to the Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center, located on the corner of 3rd and Washington Streets.
The decision was based on feedback from staff and patrons – who were concerned with the library being closed for three consecutive days to accommodate the book sale. The board also felt it would be a good tie-in with the weekly Jamestown Community Farmers Market, which takes place next to the building from late-spring to early fall.
As for concerns, the largest one is obviously parking. However, the board will look into developing a plan to address the parking issue, including providing a shuttle service for book sale patrons. Board member Tom Rankin also noted that if the new location doesn’t work out as well as expected for this year, they can always bring the sale back to the library in 2014.
The Annual Prendergast Library Book Sale is the single largest fundraiser for the library and is projected to raise $30,000 for the facility this year. It will take place on June 7 and 8 of this year.
In addition to discussing the book sale, the board also reviewed several other new fundraising events on the calendar for this year. One of the events will be a scrabble tournament for both children and adults. The board is also considering other projects which include an indoor golf night, a movie night and a “Books, Beer and Wine” reception for donors and supporters of the library.
During yesterday’s meeting the board also continued the discussion of splitting the current Executive Director Position – which is not only charged with overseeing the library’s operation but also the operation of the entire Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System. Currently CCLS is one of only two systems in New York State that has an executive director that also serves as director of a participating library. Discussions on splitting the position will continue and we’ll have more on that story next week.
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