Simply, the best
WARWICK — Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick has been named the 2016 Best Small Library in America by Library Journal.
This annual award, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was created in 2005 to showcase the exemplary work of public libraries serving populations under 25,000. The award comes with a $20,000 prize.
Albert Wisner Public Library, a district library serving the 23,647 residents of Warwick and the Warwick Valley School District, was chosen for its modernization efforts, leadership in transforming its community, engaged public and the creative acquisition and introduction of technology and programming to serve varying needs of its patrons.
“Once quaint, the Albert Wisner Public Library galvanized support for a new library that narrows the digital divide and powers a roster of nonstop programs,” John N. Berry III, Editor-at-Large for the Library Journal, wrote in the magazine’s cover story published Jan. 27. “After decades of low funding and an inadequate facility, in 2007 the citizens of Warwick voted to approve an $8.5 million bond issue to build a new library. Their new Albert Wisner Public Library, completed a short six years ago, has been totally reborn.
“And not just the library itself,” Berry added. “Through careful planning, engaged public input and the creative acquisition and introduction of technology and social media, AWPL has transformed its community as well. It has modernized both library service and life in Warwick.”
Voters had rejected a proposal to expand the library in 1996.
Cooper worked to gain the support of the community and board of trustees to transform the existing 19th century facility into a 21st century community center.
“Loyal library patrons ... enjoy the larger but still homey facility that boasts state-of-the-art green technology, a collection ... double in size, and something else: the first public cultural center in our town,” said Donna Applegate, president of the library’s board of trustees.
The library’s technological transformation has been an integral part of its mission. Albert Wisner Public Library plays a central role as a provider and facilitator of current technology and digital content to all residents, significantly reducing the local digital divide. The library emphasizes technology support for its growing senior population and offers individualized help with multiple devices, platforms, and content; digital open houses; and a robust schedule of computer classes.
In the last fiscal year, nearly 20,000 people attended one of 1,379 programs.
Overall, the library recorded 183,007 physical visits, with another 132,282 online.
These statistics moved the board to more than double the budget for programs in 2015.
Successful programs include:
Art Matters, featuring an artist of the month in the library’s gallery space.
The Warwick Children’s Book Festival, a biennial event first hosted by the library in 2005 featuring 45 to 50 children’s book authors and illustrators and attracting more than 1,000 people.
The Warwick Café Reading Project, in partnership with local organizations, makes free copies of a chosen book available at participating cafés.
Acting for a Change Senior Improv Acting Group meets weekly for workshops with a certified improv director. The group develops and presents an original play and provides the area’s growing senior population with opportunities to stay active and learn new skills.
“A few years ago we heard how technology would make libraries obsolete,” Cooper said. “We have turned that on its head. Libraries have become the gateway to get access to technology. It has made libraries more necessary.”