X

Ogdensburg Public Library wins award for ‘remarkable’ improvements

Posted 9/19/18

OGDENSBURG – The Ogdensburg Public Library has been awarded the Library Improvement Award from North Country Library System for “remarkable” progress under Library Director Penny Kerfien. Matt …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Ogdensburg Public Library wins award for ‘remarkable’ improvements

Posted

OGDENSBURG – The Ogdensburg Public Library has been awarded the Library Improvement Award from North Country Library System for “remarkable” progress under Library Director Penny Kerfien.

Matt Corey, consultant from North Country Library System, said the library “more than deserves the label of improvement.”

Corey praised the library’s efforts in the face of diminishing funding.

“In recent years, this library has faced a funding struggle, with their main source of funding making unpreventable cuts,” forcing the library to ask the public for a literal vote of confidence.

“As many libraries do, they went to the ballot,” Corey said. “The ensuing campaigns took the teamwork of the director, trustees, staff, and friends. As a result of their thorough efforts, they saw success at the ballot.”

The library’s funding difficulties are not solved, but Corey said the future is looking brighter.

“Of course, the struggle here is not over, but the efforts of this army of library supporters has set a precedent for success,” he said.

He said he wanted to specifically highlight the efforts of Library Director Penny Kerfien.

“In just a few years at the helm, she’s made a substantial and positive impact: funding has improved, public opinion of the library has shifted positively, she’s acquired several grants, and the building has been guided through multiple improvements and renovations. The construction included an expensive elevator and lift replacement that were not anticipated, but this director contacted her legislators and successfully secured the funding necessary to tackle these massive projects.”

“This director goes above and beyond,” Corey said. “She’s an active member of several community organizations, Garden Club, she’s helped re-energize the Friends group, and more. No matter what she does, she builds library advocacy into it - even if she doesn’t realize it.”

Corey noted that “improvements like this don’t come without a lot genuine love for the library; love from the director, staff, trustees, friends, and if she could talk, the turtle who now calls the library ‘home.’ I must also note that the person who wrote the original nomination cares about this library a lot and also cares for the director a great deal.

The improvement that Kerfien has presided over “is remarkable.”