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!
The Cortland Free Library (CFL) has always been more than a building. It’s a place of discovery, connection, learning, and community.
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.