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Two CFL volunteers recognized for 20 years of service!

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Georgette Ogle, CFL Volunteer
Nancy Snedeker, CFL Volunteer

The Cortland Free Library is honored to recognize our two longest-serving volunteers ― Georgette Ogle and Nancy Snedeker ― each of whom has afforded our institution their valuable time, talents, and passion for the mission of their local library for 20+ years!

We’re especially excited to note their extraordinary contribution to our community via the CFL also (and not surprisingly!) warranted coverage and celebration in our local news media.

First, here are two excerpts from Paige Kingsley’s article (April 7, 2026) in the Cortland Standard, titled: Library volunteers reminisce on over 20 years of service

  • “Lots of people and hands are involved in making a library run smoothly and effectively for the community: the library director, staff, the board and the volunteers. Everyone is dedicated to their role and there are some volunteers that have been donating their time to Cortland Free Library for over 20 years…  Nancy Snedeker has actually been working in the world of libraries long before she volunteered at Cortland Free Library, having previously worked as the archivist and photographer at Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park. She had never planned to work in libraries until she started a job in the university library at Vassar College. It was from there that she started work in Hyde Park and never looked back.”
  • “For Georgette Ogle’s start in volunteering, she had been asking about volunteer opportunities for years until Kay Zaharis took over as library director and finally gave her the green light. Ogle didn’t have prior library experience like Snedeker, but she shares a similar passion and was able to take a class at Cornell University on book repair. That’s how she became Cortland Free Library’s go-to repairwoman… Ogle’s corner of the library is tucked away on the basement floor where she can spread out her materials and repair a few books at a time, but she’ll surface every now and then to collect some damaged books and replace them with the ones she’s made good-as-new.”

You can read the rest of the article here!

Second, their stories were captured today in a charming interview with X101’s Matt Brooks (WXHC, Homer). We hope you’ll give a listen and visit the station’s website here!

Thank you so very, very much Nancy and Georgette for your tireless efforts, kindness, teamwork, and volunteerism over the years. You’ve literally and figuratively helped make the Cortland Free Library the special place and invaluable community asset that it is!

 

Cortland Free Library celebrate 100 years!

John Hoeschele Uncategorized

Cortland Free Library celebrates 100 years!Starting with our July 26 Kick-off Event, join us as we commemorate a century of learning, discovery, and community at the heart of Cortland!

For 100 years, the Cortland Free Library has been a cornerstone of our community, a place where minds ignite, imaginations soar, and connections are forged. From the moment our doors first opened, we’ve been dedicated to providing access to knowledge, fostering a love of reading, and empowering individuals of all ages.

Throughout the past century, the Library has evolved alongside our community, adapting to changing times while always remaining true to its mission: to serve as a vital hub for learning, growth, and community engagement. We’ve witnessed countless stories unfold within our walls: children discovering the magic of books, students conducting research, families enjoying shared moments of discovery, and community members finding solace and inspiration.

As we celebrate this momentous milestone, we invite you to join us in commemorating the past, embracing the present, and shaping the future of the Cortland Free Library.

Learn more about how we’ll be celebrating — including our July 26 Kick-Off Event in the Courthouse Park with our partner, Dolly Parton Imagination Library and a special Dance-Themed Pre-School Storytime with Miss Tammy!

 

Cortland Free Library Launches Decodable Books Learning Hub

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CORTLAND FREE LIBRARY LAUNCHES DECODABLE BOOKS LEARNING HUB
Shown here from left to right: Beth Bevars, Tammy Sickmon, and Sara Watrous

Funded by the Rural Health Institute, thanks to an original grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation, the new section offers books, activity kits, and parental aids that foster early literacy.   

Atop the already impressive array of books, children’s programming, and other learning resources offered in its Youth Services department, the Cortland Free Library (CFL) launched a new Decodable Books Learning Hub at a kick-off event on Saturday, June 21. The new hub offers a wide, carefully curated array of books, activity kits, and parental resources to support emergent and struggling readers of all ages.

“Decodable books are like training wheels for learning to read. They provide children with the opportunity to practice using the phonics skills they’ve learned,” said Tammy Sickmon, Youth Services Director at the CFL.  “With thanks to all who collaborated to make today possible, this new hub promises to be a valuable, resource for Cortland’s early readers, homeschoolers, and youth facing barriers to reading such as dyslexia.”

The hub was funded through the Rural Health Institute (RHI), whose mission includes supporting early childhood literacy in Cortland County and who obtained a grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust (Manlius, NY).

“Our former literacy coordinator was inspired by other hubs in communities in Skaneateles and elsewhere and wrote a grant request to the John Ben Snow foundation to bring this resource to the Cortland community,” said Sara Watrous, Project Director from RHI. “Going forward, our hope is to bring this pilot program to other locations in Cortland County.”

Saturday’s kickoff included an explanation of how decodable books work and a walk-through of the hub’s resources. Sickmon also made a point of acknowledging others from across the state who helped create the hub. Among them and also a presenter at the kickoff was Beth Bevars, who is Program Director for Teach My Kid to Read and the Literacy Hub Director of the Lodi Whittier Library (Lodi, NY).

“Teach My Kid to Read is a national non-profit working to bring hubs like this one to libraries across the country,” said Bevars. As the parent of a child who acquired literacy skills later than usual due to dyslexia, Bevars has personal experience with, and is passionate, about the introduction of decodable reading hubs that were not available for her child. “In Lodi, here in Cortland, and elsewhere, I want to help make available the resources that would have supported my family had they existed.” Notably, and proudly, Bevars indicated her daughter recently graduated from college after, and despite, a late start with literacy.

Attended by approximately two dozen parents, children, CFL trustees, and other stakeholders, the event also included activities, an outdoor decodable story walk, and reading-themed refreshments.

Presenters also promoted a new, online community called “Literacy @ Your Library” that is free to all CFL patrons (instructions for accessing the community are provided on a bookmark available at the hub)  — and spotlighted an upcoming talk centered around the new hub: Entitled “Early Literacy Strategies for Parents and Caregivers,” Dr. Kirra Guard will “explore ways to use the new hub to support your child’s literacy development at home.” (June 26, 6 p.m. for ages 18 and older, registration required).