SOMERS LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2025

Director's Corner

We Want To Hear From You!

At Somers Library, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, services, and resources that meet the needs of our community. As a vital part of the Somers community, we value the input and perspectives of our patrons and local residents to ensure that we are truly serving you in the best possible way. With that being said, we’d love to hear from you! Your feedback on our current programs, services, and overall library experience is incredibly important to us. Whether it’s your thoughts on our collection, the programs we offer, or even the library's atmosphere, we want to know what you think.

We would be thrilled to hear if you have ideas for new programs, special events, or resources that could enhance our library’s offerings. Do you have suggestions for new books, movies, or materials that you would like to see added to our collection? Are there specific workshops, classes, or community initiatives that you believe could benefit Somers? Your input is key to shaping the future of our library.

By sharing your thoughts with us, you help ensure that we continue to evolve and grow in ways that best support and engage the community we serve. Your voice matters and will directly influence the direction of future services and programs. You can reach out either in person, by email, or via phone. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make Somers Library an even better place for everyone!

Lastly, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the Somers Library Foundation for their remarkable fundraising efforts and steadfast support of the Library over the last 13+ years. Their dedication has made a significant impact on our ability to serve the community, and their contributions have been invaluable. While I am deeply saddened to learn of their dissolution, I remain profoundly appreciative of all they have done to support the Library and its continued growth. We are truly grateful for their unwavering commitment and the lasting legacy they leave behind. Please visit their portion of the newsletter below.

Kind regards,

Jessica Veissy, Library Director

Take a moment to look through our newsletter for details on upcoming programs and additional information.

Visit our website www.somerslibrary.org.

Our programs are supported by the

Friends of the Somers Library

through our patrons' generous contributions.

Adult Programs & Events

Senior Monday! Bingo!

Monday, March 3 at 1 – 2 PM

Preparing For Retirement: Social Security

Virtual, Thursday, March 6 at 6 – 7:30 PM

Senior Monday: How to Make - Irish Soda Bread

Monday, March 10 at 1 – 2 PM

Senior Monday: How to Make Manhattan Clam Chowder

Monday, March 17 at 1 – 2 PM

Women Artists at the National Gallery

Virtual, Tuesday, March 18 at 11 AM – 12 PM

Women In Baseball: Dirt On Their Skirts

Virtual, Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30 – 8 PM

Women's History Month! Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

Virtual, Thursday, March 20 at 7 – 8 PM

Somers Library Book Group Meets

Hybrid, Friday, March 21 at 2:30 – 4 PM

Artists of the Month Reception – Ground Glass

Saturday, March 22 at 12:30 – 2:30 PM

The Accomplishment of the ENIAC and the Women Computing Pioneers

Saturday, March 22 at 1 – 2 PM

Somers Library Classic Book Group meets to discuss “Howard’s End,” by E.M. Forster

Monday, March 24 at 6:30 – 7:45 PM

Poison Prevention in the Home: Your Guide To Poison Safety

English, Monday, March 24 at 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Spanish, Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Senior Monday Trivia

Monday, March 31 at 1 – 2 PM

Chinese MahJongg: Learn & Play

Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Drop-In MahJong Club

Mondays & Fridays at 10:30 AM

Threads and Yarns

Fridays at 10:30 AM

Tech Coach: One-on-one Assistance for Adults

Schedule your 30-minute appointment

From The Teen's Library

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb which pretty much means the weather may be unpredictable this month. That's okay because we have lots of craft programs for teens to keep them busy and out of the bad weather! Join us for Rolled Wax Candles(04/11) and Stenciling Book Edges (04/18). 

For those hoping to find a summer job or internship, we have Teen Job Search: Tips, Applications, Resumes & More (4/27). If STEAM is more your thing we have a sculpture program for 6th and 7th graders where we will use paper, foam and clay to make our works of art. We will also be talking about perspective, materials and famous sculptors.

Last of all, our Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!, the photo contest has been extended until the end of March. Send us your pooch photos and send them to teens@somerslibrary.org with your name and the photo title. This is open to Gr. 6-12 and adults.

Teen & YA Programs & Events

Babysitting 101

Saturday March 8 at 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Teens Create: Rolled Wax Candles

Tuesday, March 11 at 3:45 – 4:45 PM

The Demi God Readers – Percy Jackson Book Club

Wednesday, March 12 at 3:45 – 4:45 PM

Mid Hudson Discovery Museum Portable Planetarium

Teens, Wednesday, March 12 at 4:15 – 5 PM



Women Artists at the National Gallery

Virtual, Tuesday, March 18 at 11 AM – 12 PM

Teens Create: Stenciling Book Edges

Tuesday, March 18 at 3:45 – 4:45 PM

The Accomplishment of the ENIAC and the Women Computing Pioneers

Saturday, March 22 at 1 – 2 PM

Teen Job Search: Tips, Applications, Resumes & More

Virtual, Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Poison Prevention in the Home: Your Guide To Poison Safety

Monday, March 24 at 6:30-7:30 PM

Teen Asian Culture Club

Thursdays from 3:45 - 5 PM

Craft & Chill for Teens

Every Friday from 2:30 - 4:45 PM

From The Children's Library

March is exciting for us in the Children’s Room because Spring is coming and hopefully we’ll be seeing and feeling warmer weather. Looking forward to the flowers blossoming and hearing the birds sing plus all our March programs in the Children’s Room. We start the month with a family event on March 1st for the participants together as a family to paint & decorate a birdhouse. The lucky birds are going to love their new Spring 2025 new homes. We have our continuous programs on Wednesday’s with "Playdate At The Library" plus our 3rd Grade Book Club & our 4 & 5 Grade Book Club. Additionally, we have our Lego Club meeting two Thursdays during March so come in and create your masterpiece. Not only do we have our Read to Our Therapy Dog Hank on Saturday, March 15 but we have a treat for you on March 22 we have a new dog Jude who is going to hopefully enjoy coming to read with your child and be one of our new therapy dogs your child can read to. We have our “Come And Play Bingo” which the kids really enjoy at the end of March. Some of our special treats for the month are celebrating National Oreo Day on March 5, Shake Your Shamrocks on March 17, Make A No Bake Cheesecake on March 27, and a special storytime with Matt Slater on March 29. Lots of delicious food programs to indulge in and have a good time. Sounds like we’ll be having a fun March in the Somers Library Children’s Room and please come in and join us. We love seeing you and your families plus have lots of games, puzzles and creative coloring sheets that you can color and then you can take home your masterpieces.

Children's Programs & Events

Kids’ LEGO Club

Thursdays, March 6 & 20 at 4 – 5 PM

Kids Snacks Around the World

Monday, March 10 at 3:45 – 4 :45 PM

Gr. 2-5, Mid Hudson Discovery Museum Portable Planetarium

Wednesday, March 12 at 3:30 – 4 PM

3rd Grade Book Club

Wednesday, March 12 at 3:45 – 4:45 PM

Shake Your Shamrocks

Monday, March 17 at 4 – 4:45 PM

Read to Therapy Dogs

Saturdays, March 15 & 22 at 11 AM – 12 PM

4th & 5th Grade Book Club

Wednesday, March 19 at 3:45 – 4:45 PM

Make A No Bake Cheesecake!

Thursday, March 27 at 4 – 4:45 PM

Playdates at the Library

Wednesdays, at 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult in the building.

Artists of the Month: Ground Glass

On Display for March

Reception, Saturday, March 22 at 12:30 – 2:30 PM

Artists' Bio

The Ground Glass was founded in 1975 by Renata Rainer. It is an independent association dedicated to promoting the practice and appreciation of fine photography in Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Ground Glass’s membership consists of professionals and accomplished amateurs working in a variety of photographic formats. As a group and as individual artists, our members have shown their work in many major exhibition facilities. We hold at least one juried group exhibition each year for our members, including our annual show at the Rye Arts Center Gallery.

In addition to the Rye Arts Center, The Ground Glass is a member of ArtsWestchester, the Hudson Valley Photography Network and New York Metro Area Camera Council.

The four members exhibiting at the Somers Library are:

• Alison Rodilosso
• Dennis Dilmaghahani
• June Greenspan
• Marcy Cohen

Important Update:

Dissolution of the Somers Library Foundation

Dear Community Members,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the Somers Library Foundation is in the process of dissolution. We have reached this difficult decision because we are unable to maintain the required number of officers to keep the corporation operational.

Our commitment remains to honoring the purpose for which the community generously donated to the Foundation. To that end, over the next few weeks, the Foundation will grant $125,000 to the Library specifically for the teen room project. Once all Foundation liabilities are settled, any remaining funds will be granted to the Library for projects that beautify, modernize, and enrich its offerings and capabilities. This aligns with the Foundation’s mission and the spirit in which the funds were raised.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the community members and businesses that have supported the Foundation since its formation in 2011. We have been honored to have the support of over 300 donors and sponsors, over 100 dedicated volunteers and board members, and many avid 5K Trail Run, luncheon, and raffle participants over the last 13+ years.

With the unwavering support of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and board members, we have been able to contribute to the following projects at the Somers Library:

● Redesign of the library website

● Multifunction printer for patron use

● Meeting pod suitable for 2-4 people for private conversations

● 2 sign stands for the meeting pod and teen area

● Portable chairs for the children’s room

● Air fryer toaster oven for cooking programs

● Headsets for the children’s area

● Bookcases in the children’s area

● Picnic benches in the outside seating area

● Air purifier to use during programs at the library

● Sofa, desks, and lighting for the children’s and teen areas

● Mobile hotspots for library patrons

● Vestibule improvements

● Program Room updates

● Circulation and reference desk enhancements

Effective immediately, the Somers Library Foundation will no longer accept donations. If you wish to continue supporting the Library’s mission to beautify, modernize, and enrich its offerings and capabilities, please consider donating directly to the Somers Library or to the Friends of the Somers Library. Details are available on the Support page of the Library’s website.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support of the Somers Library.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of the Somers Library Foundation

Friends of the Somers Library

Got a minute?

Do you have some skills or talents that you think would benefit the work of the Friends? Would you like to spend some time volunteering with others like you who care about the Library?

We are looking for people with skills of any kind, and especially for those with technology expertise, to promote our work online and in the print media. We are also hoping to expand our Board with new members with new ideas and enthusiasm. We meet once a month at the Library in the afternoon.

If you've got a minute, take that minute to write to Susan Berkow, President of the Friends, at somerslibraryfriends@gmail.com. She'll get back to you with details about who we are, what we do, and how you can contribute.

Another way to help the Friends support the Library is through your financial contributions. All donations collected by the Friends are used to fund the many varied programs offered by the Library. Without support from the community, such programs as Senior Mondays, Chinese MahJongg: Learn and Play, Getting to Know E-Mail, Teens Asian Culture Club, Teens Create, Spice and Herb of the Month Kit, Shake Your Sillies Out, Kids' LEGO Club, and many, many more would not be possible. Any amount you are able to donate is valued and appreciated.

Please help your Library in any way you can -- with your time or your donations. The Library is such a valuable resource and an important part of our community.

See you in the Library.

Our programs are supported by Friends of Somers Library

through our patrons' generous contributions.