Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Cortland Free Library believe that the library is the center of a strong community. We are a group of dedicated volunteers who give of our time and talents to assist and promote the mission of the Cortland Free Library. Our mission is to support the library through fundraising and supporting library programs.  The Friends will also promote understanding and appreciation for the Cortland Free Library.

Our Executive Board
President: Chris Lund
Vice President: Meghan Lenahan
Treasurer: Brad Meade
Secretary: Kelsey Peebles
Member at Large: Char Neal
Board of Trustee Liaisons: Bryan Riccardi and Mike Anderson

Interested in learning more or in joining the Friends? Email friendscflib@gmail.com.

Meet the Friends!

Q&A with Chris

Why did you decide to join Friends of the Cortland Free Library?  I moved to Cortland from Long Island in 2018 and didn’t really know anybody in the area, so I was looking for a good way to get to know the local community. The Friends group seemed like a great way to combine this goal with my already existing love of libraries.

What’s your role in the Friends group? What are your responsibilities? I currently serve as the President of the Friends group, which includes a wide range of responsibilities such as presiding over meetings, maintaining the formal organizational documents, and coordinating events and communications with the library board and staff.

What’s your background? I was born and raised on Long Island, then after college I spent three years attending law school at Cornell in Ithaca. After law school I moved back to Long Island where I spent 10 years as a practicing attorney. In 2018 I changed careers and moved to Cortland when I took a job as the law librarian for the 6th Judicial District of the New York State Court system.

What else should we know about you? Aside from reading, some of my favorite spare time activities include Geocaching, traveling (especially road trips to explore lesser known attractions), watching silent films, going to local trivia nights, and seeing live music.

What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library?  There are so many great clubs, groups, programs, and events available. In addition to the Friends group, you can always find me at the monthly History Buffs Book Club meeting on the second Thursday of each month.

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)? Currently reading: Dark Money (Jane Mayer); Currently watching: Binging my way through NBC’s “Superstore”; Currently listening to: Lots of podcasts (Stuff You Should Know, Strict Scrutiny, Slate’s Political Gabfest, and many others).

Favorite Books: Good Omens (Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman); Catch-22 (Joseph Heller); The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien); Edmund Morris’ Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy; Thinking Fast and Slow (Daniel Kahneman).

Favorite Bands/Musicians: The Dear Hunter; Rush; The Beatles; Porcupine Tree; Regina Spektor; Mew; Frightened Rabbit; Marillion; Bob Dylan; The Decemberists; Kimbra.

 

Q&A with Meghan

Why did you decide to join Friends of the Cortland Free Library? When we moved to Cortland, I thought it would be a great way to get to know Cortland. I also love libraries, so it was a great way to get involved and support our local library.

 What’s your role in the Friends group? What are your responsibilities? I am Vice President of Friends of the Cortland Free Library. I update the Friends’ Facebook and Instagram pages as well as set up the monthly Friends Recommends table with our members’ picks.

What’s your background? I moved to Cortland over 2 years ago from Long Island. I have a Master’s in Library and Information Science. I’ve worked in libraries for over a decade and currently work as a librarian at SUNY Cortland.

What else should we know about you? My hobbies include traveling, drawing, trivia, and reading.

What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? The library is more than just books. It’s a place of community.

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)?

Current reading: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Currently watching: Superstore

Favorite books: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; The Mall by Megan McCafferty; Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman; Again, But Better by Christine Riccio

 

Q&A with Kelsey

Why did you decide to join Friends of the Cortland Free Library? My daughters and I come to the library often and I was looking for a way to get involved in the community so it seemed like a perfect fit!

What’s your role in the Friends group? What are your responsibilities? Secretary.

What’s your background? I grew up in Marathon, graduated from SUNY Cortland and currently work at Cornell.

What else should we know about you? You can often find me doing home reno projects, baking and spending time with my two daughters.

What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? I love that I can always find what I’m looking for because of the ability to loan from other Finger Lakes libraries as well. I also love getting crafts from the library for my oldest daughter (4) and I to do together.

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc. I have been finding myself enjoying a lot of Reese Book Club or Oprah Book Club choices. I’m also looking forward to diving into the Bridgerton books after watching the first season on Netflix. My favorite books I have read this year are Daisy Jones and the Six, Verity & The Midnight Library.