Construction work on a new patio for the James Prendergast Library (June 1, 2023)

Construction is underway for a new patio leading to the entrance of the James Prendergast Library.

Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jennifer Champ said the project is being funded entirely with grants including $214,983 in New York State Public Library construction funds. Locally, the Lenna Foundation donated $37,200 and the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation granted $37,165 toward the project.

Champ said construction started on the patio and walkway last week, “It’s an outdoor community space. It’s going to have built-in benches, a trash receptacle, there’s lighting which was already installed last year – you can see that out there, and we have a new bike rack. So, it really is this community outdoor space. We’re going to use it for programs and events.”

Champ said the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation also donated a $4,000 grant for gardens around the patio.

She said they’re working with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Chautauqua County Master Gardeners on that part of the project, “I love gardening but they’re experts and they knew exactly what we needed, especially for the light and the sun and the soil. And, you know, we have to worry about salt and stuff during the wintertime of course. So, we’re going to have a beautiful native plant garden. And, next year we’re going to hopefully apply for more funding and we will expand the garden all the way around to the front of the library.”

Champ said that future expansion would include signs with information about the native plants.

She added that the library remains open during construction.

A dedication of the patio will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 24 as part of the Library’s Second Annual Block Party.

Lisa French

The 2022 Murray L. Bob Lecture will focus on food insecurity.

The annual lecture will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. tonight at the James Prendergast Library.

Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jennifer Champ said it will feature Field and Fork Network Co-Founder and Executive Director Lisa French, who will be joined by Jamestown Public Market Director Linnea Haskins, “She’ll be addressing different aspects of food insecurity and what they do to combat, and foster a sustainable food system. And joining her, of course, will be Linnea who has worked closely with them to start the ‘double-up food bucks’ program here through the Jamestown Public Market and the Mobile Market. And she’ll talk about how that has had an impact on the Jamestown community in particular.”

No registration is needed for the free event and it will feature a reception after the presentation.

For more information, visit www.prendergastlibrary.org

James Prendergast Library Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jenn Champ tells us about the speakers and topics of the annual Murray L. Bob Lecture that will take place December 1, 2022.

Library Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jenn Champ said the event is not meant to be a jump-scare kind of tour, “You’re going to come, you’re going to have a tour guide, you’re going to go through the library which will be decorated with different scenes from books, and you’ll meet characters from the books. And there will be actors that give a little monologue and you’ll hear little stories about the library. So it’s a really fun way to bring the season to life, but also using the idea of literacy, books, and the magic of libraries.”

She said some characters could be frightening for younger children, and tours are geared for those ages 8 and older.

Champ said tickets are only $1 and are available for sale now through the circulation desk, “So, we are selling tickets for time slots. Tours are on the hour at 3, 4, and 5. Then we have a break, but then they’re on again at 7, 8, and 9. So, as of right now we’ve sold over 100 tickets almost, so we’re excited about that. So, we do encourage you to buy a ticket ahead of time for a slot that you’d like to come on. There’s limited space on the tour so that’s why we’re asking you to buy a ticket ahead of time.”

Champ said the library will be closed on Saturday, October 22 so that volunteers, including members of Cummins Engine and Jamestown High School, can decorate and set up for the event.

She added that people who attend are encouraged to come in costume.

For more information about the event, contact the library at 716-484-7135, ext. 258, or email reference@prendergastlibrary.org.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley visited the James Prendergast Library to talk to Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jenn Champ about Autumn and Halloween activities happening at the library in October.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley visited the James Prendergast Library to talk to Library Assistant Manager Jennifer Champ about the upcoming Community Block Party and more.

Outdoor program at the James Prendergast Library

A free community block party will feature crafts, lawn games, a plant swap and more at the James Prendergast Library on Saturday, May 21.

Assistant Library Manager Jennifer Champ said there will be almost 40 community organization tables at the event from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., “We also are going to have a number of library activities happening that day outside – story time, Infinity is going to be here with a drum circle, we’ll have a food truck, we’re going to have outdoor makerspace, lawn games.”

Champ said the event is a celebration of the community and allows the library to show what they’re able to offer for activities, “And also just, our partnerships.. we’ve developed a lot of partnerships, community partnerships, over the last few years and we want to celebrate those. And also develop more and hopefully having everybody here together, we’ll start working together, come up with plans and activities, things that we can do in the future, and also just support one another.”

The block party will take place, rain or shine, on Cherry Street between West Fifth and West Sixth Streets. The library’s parking lot will remain accessible from West Sixth Street.

More information about the Community Block Party is available online at prendergastlibrary.org.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley visited the James Prendergast Library to talk with Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jennifer Champ about a new education initiative at the library as well as other upcoming programs.

Sony Ton-Aime

The 17th Annual Murray Bob Lecture will feature Chautauqua Institution‘s Sony Ton-Aime this Thursday at the Prendergast Library.

Ton-Aime is a Haitian poet, essayist, and translator. In addition to his book, “LaWomann,” he is the author of the Haitian-Creole translation of the book “Olympic Hero: The Lennox Kilgour’s Story.” He also is a co-founding editor of ID-13, a journal that publishes the work of incarcerated people.

Library Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jennifer Champ said this year’s lecture will be in person after being virtual in 2020, “His lecture’s title is “Writing for Pleasure in Service of Bridge Building.” So he’s talking about writing and connecting people through maybe differences that they have, of writing for the pleasure of writing, and poetry, and that kind of thing. And after the lecture, the Chautauqua Poetry Makerspace is going to be set up in the community room and people can partake in that to see how that works.”

The free lecture and makerspace event take place 6:30 to 8:00pm tomorrow, December 2nd. Masks are required for all people visiting the library.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley speaks with James Prendergast Library Assistant Library Manager Jennifer Champ about the library’s successful Summer program season and new programs for the Fall.