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Haxton Memorial Library

Haxton Memorial Library board to meet Feb. 13

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board Meeting for February 2024 on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the library. The public is invited to attend.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents with a variety of programs, events, and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Haxton Library to host monthly board meeting Jan. 10

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board
Meeting for January 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the
library. The public is invited to attend.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl St. in Oakfield
provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed
on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Haxton Memorial Library board to meet Jan. 10

By Press Release

Press Release: 

The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board Meeting for January 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The public is invited to attend.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents with a variety of programs, events, and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Author of first novel hopes to inspire with visit to Haxton library Nov. 9

By Jazmyne Boozer
Travis Scroger
Travis Scroger of Rochester, a first-time author, plans to talk about his first novel, "Torrent Breach," Nov. 9 at Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield.
Submitted Photo

Travis Scroger’s entry into writing was a bit unconventional: After graduating in 2020 from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa., Scroger entered one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.

As a social media manager Scroger, of Rochester, regularly oversaw posting across all social media platforms. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle that comes with managing the online world, he was deeply unhappy.

“I worked a lot of desk jobs and I kind of fell into a depressive state and went through some pretty severe anxiety episodes,” he said during an interview with The Batavian. “I didn’t go to college or anything with the plan of writing. I just kind of fell into it.”

The up-and-coming author and writer of his first novel, the dystopian spy thriller “Torrent Breach,” will be at Haxton Memorial Library for a meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear about his entry into becoming a novelist and insights into his book.

After his entry into the social media profession, and outside of a few press releases, Scroger had never published anything before. He did, however, find solace in writing. 

Since he was young, Scroger recalled having linear dreams. Dreams that would carry over one night into the next. Rather than discard them, he got into the habit of writing those dreams down, although he never shared them with anyone. His novel, “Torrent Breach,” is a product of one of his dreams.

“I had never shared them (his dreams) with anybody but I didn’t have much to lose any more, so I really allowed myself to try and become openly vulnerable,” he said. “Thankfully it worked out.”

Scroger hopes that local residents come out to learn more about his book, and can glean something from his life story.

“I hope that they find it inspiring. Deep down I just want to prove that you can do whatever you really want to do,” he said. “There was a lot of times I was hesitant to pull the trigger with publishing. It is possible to do it with the right people around you."

The library is at 3 North Pearl St., Oakfield.  For more information, call 585-948-9900.

Haxton library to host Halloween party, parade and storytime Oct. 26-30

By Press Release

Press Release:

Halloween Party: Thursday, October 26 at 6:45 p.m.

The whole family is invited to wear a costume and join us for games, treats and a craft! This year we will also have a "Costume Contest". Registration is appreciated. Call the library at 948-9900 to register.

2nd Annual Triangle Park Halloween Parade: Saturday, October 28 at 10 a.m.

Children of all ages are invited to wear their costume and "Trick or Teat" around Triangle Park in the Village of Oakfield. Our Library Volunteers will be handing out candy and we will also have a Halloween photo booth available. No registration necessary.

Halloween Preschool Storytime: Monday, October 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Wear your Halloween Costume for this special Halloween Preschool Storytime. We will enjoy “not-so-scary” Halloween stories and activities and then we will parade around the building for some Halloween treats! This program is designed for children ages 2-5, but ALL ages are welcome to attend. No registration necessary.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Haxton Memorial Library announces fall story times

By Press Release

Press Release:

Baby and Preschool Storytimes will resume in September at Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield.

Preschool Storytime is held on Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children ages 2-5. It includes stories, rhymes, songs, and activities related to a theme. Older and younger siblings may attend.

Baby Storytime is held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and is designed for infants and toddlers ages 0-24 months and a caregiver. Older siblings are also welcome to attend. We will share rhymes, songs, and simple board books,
followed by playtime!

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield, provides residents with a variety of programs, events, and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

End-of-summer bash celebrates reading at Haxton Library

By Joanne Beck
Haxton Memorial Library summer reading
An end-of-summer party at Haxton Memorial Library celebrates the reading efforts of children, teens and adults.
Submitted photo.

More than 80 participants — children, teens and adults — attended an end-of-summer-reading ice cream party this past week at Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield, Director Kim Gibson says.

Soft serve ice cream was served, and all of the prizes were distributed during this fun-filled evening at the library on Aug. 17. 

The library had a lot to celebrate: a busy summer of 200 children, teens and adults in the “All Together Now” Summer Reading Program, and children and teens reading more than 70,000 minutes combined as the library offered 35 programs, and an attendance of more than 1,020 participants during the six-week program. 

 “We had such an amazing turn out and we are so proud of all of our readers this summer,” Gibson said.

Haxton summer reading party
Submitted photo.

Fun and food enjoyed by kids of all ages at summer reading carnival

By Press Release
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Press Release:

Haxton Memorial Library had its Summer Reading Kick-Off Carnival on June 29 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Triangle Park.

This year’s theme is “All Together Now” and our carnival consisted of kiddie games, face painting, crafts, popcorn, cotton candy, and the Iroquois National Wild Life Refuge had a display including a blow-up Archery Station for the kids.

"This annual library event had a wonderful turnout of over 170 people in attendance and was put together with the help of dedicated staff, board members, patrons, and young volunteers". "We love to offer this program each year to our community to encourage everyone to be a part of our Summer Reading Program, which starts July 3 - Aug 11," said Kim Gibson, Library Manager for the Haxton Memorial Library. "Throughout this 6-week program our readers of all ages can participate in our programs and win prizes and more importantly, read for fun!"

Stop by the library, check out our website (haxtonlibrary.org), or follow Haxton Library on Facebook for more information on what’s happening at the library this summer.

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Submitted photos

Oakfield residents featured on Haxton Memorial Library vote posters

By Press Release
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Kim Gibson, library manager at the Haxton Memorial Library hangs a reminder poster about the May 16 vote in the library. The posters feature photos of library patrons taken during programs held at the library this year.

Press Release:

Residents of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District are being reminded to vote on Tuesday, May 16, at the Oakfield-Alabama High School from noon to 8 p.m. 

Posters about the Haxton Memorial Library vote featuring local residents and library patrons can be seen in the library and at various locations throughout the area. The signs and posters are a reminder for residents that their votes will determine the future of the Haxton Memorial Library.

A presentation by the Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees with details about the proposition was held at the Oakfield Government and Community Center on March 28 at 7 p.m. Details from this meeting can be viewed at www.HaxtonLibrary.org/vote and can also be picked up at the library. An informational flier with details about the budget vote was mailed to Oakfield-Alabama School District residents in mid-March.

The Board of Trustees also hosted two small group sessions at the library for residents on April 13 and 15. At these meetings, Carol D’Alba, president, and other Trustees from the noard of the Haxton Memorial Library, shared information about the May 16 vote that proposes to transition the library to a school district public library. The library’s service area would expand to serve the residents of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District.

The library would remain housed in the same building with the same staff. The school district would have no direct control of the library but would collect funds for the library. This transition to a school district public library would stabilize the funding needed to operate the library and provide elected representation to the taxpayers as library trustees will be elected rather than appointed. 

According to D’Alba, “We hope that residents remember to vote on May 16. At our meetings and online, we have explained that library usage remains strong while our funding has decreased. With this vote, the proposed level of community-based funding would amount to 57 cents per $1000 of assessed values on properties in the Oakfield-Alabama School District. Without this transition, the future of the library is uncertain. We have been encouraged by the positive comments we have received from the community who believe that the library is important to all of us.” 

The slide presentation, along with additional information about the upcoming library vote, are available online at the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org/vote. Residents with questions can also contact D’Alba by calling the library at (585) 948-9900.

Photo: Submitted by Patt Fagan

Haxton library Trustees ask community to vote to make the facility a school district library

By Joanne Beck

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Haxton Memorial Library, which offers a list of programs that has grown over the years, has also been dealing with a budget that has been shrinking in comparison, library trustees say.

The Oakfield staple established in 1963 is in danger of ceasing operations without an influx of more revenue, Board of Trustees President Carol D’Alba said after a recent public presentation about the situation.

“We really won’t be able to keep our doors open for very much longer,” she said to The Batavian. “The main reason is that minimum wage is going up, and the need for current materials. We have been scraping by. As a school district library, our tax base will be the same, it represents the geographical area of the village and town of Oakfield. The school will be the tax collector.”

The board presented its proposal last week to make Haxton a school district library, which doesn’t change anything other than which entity collects the taxes, D’Alba said. Oakfield-Alabama Central won’t run the library in any way, she said.

Library taxes are expected to go up two cents per $1,000 assessed value, from 55 cents to 57 cents per $1,000, or from $55 to $57 a year for a home assessed at $100,000. The total proposed budget is $158,790, and taxpayers will have an opportunity to vote for that, the proposition to establish a school district library, and the school budget on May 16.

This tax rate has decreased considerably, as residents used to pay 85 cents per $1,000 from 2018 to 2020, she said.

“It’s our independent budget. We do our own reports,” D’Alba said. “A school district library will function the same, and the public will have more control.”

She emphasized that the state has been encouraging library boards to move in this direction to secure their revenue sources, and it has been sorely needed at Haxton library.

"It's important that people know that the New York State Board of Regents continues, for the last decade, urging libraries to try to stabilize funding. And one way to do that is to redistrict, from Municipal Library to School District Public Library," she said. "We had a nearly 30 percent reduction in funding from the town during COVID. And that money was never restored."

Town funding dropped by more than $22,500 from 2020 to 2021, and then by more than $4,600 more from 2021 to 2022, and remains flat for this year. 

"So that's the main reason, is that the funding was never restored. And so we really won't be able to keep our doors open for very much longer. If we don't make this move, we might have a few years under us with our savings account. But we're using, you know, we're tapping that savings now, our reserves," she said. "So, that's the main reason, but the minimum wage is going up, and, obviously, in order for the library to stay current, we need the current materials. We've been really suffering, scraping by for the last few years. And so that's why we need to make this move now."

Oakfield is catching up to others in Genesee County who have already become school district libraries, including Corfu, Pavilion, Le Roy, and Batavia.

“Everyone is looking to do this now,” D’Alba said. “We’re all looking to make this switch.”

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Some 50 people attended the presentation last Tuesday evening, and some spoke on behalf of the importance of Haxton and how much their families enjoy the programs there, D’Alba said.  Those programs include story time for preschool, summer reading, baby story time, music, dance and art activities, book club, craft night for adults and children, technology help, special one-time adult, family and youth sessions throughout the year, plus various computer, Internet, material and workspace services.

“There was just so much love in that room,” she said. “People did not know all of the programs the library offers; there’s a lot going on here, and we want to do more outreach that we haven’t been able to do without more funding.”

The board has had to do some belt-tightening, according to 2021 data, spending $7,313 on materials (books, DVDs, periodicals, computer software and upgrades), compared to Corfu’s $13,898, and Byron-Bergen’s $24,793. Program expenses have been another disparity, going from Corfu’s $2,058 to Haxton’s $689.

The presentation led to the board’s final decision that, “after consideration over the past few years, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to transition from a Municipal Library to a School District Public Library that would be funded solely by a voter-approved budget.”

Again, what is a school district public library?

  • The school district collects tax money for the library and turns it over to the library board.
  • The school district would have no involvement in the library’s operations.
  • Libraries can secure funding through a district-wide public vote on a budget.
  • If approved, the library would revise the Charter to be a school district public library, and trustees would be elected.
  • The coverage area is the service area that serves the entire school district. This means that the service area would include patrons in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District.
  • This establishes secure and reliable funding for the library building, utilities, materials, personnel, programs and Nioga services.

The proposed budget of $158,790 includes a part-time library manager and two part-time clerks; 10 additional hours of operation, going from 25 to 35 hours as mandated by the state; the ability to purchase more materials and to offer expanded programming, and keep up with new technological programs and equipment (computers and software); and library utilities and maintenance.

For more information about Haxton library, go HERE.

Top Photo (submitted) is the kick-off of a summer reading program at Haxton, and, above, an art exhibit with guest artist Anthony Terrell, by Joanne Beck, as two of the many programs offered at the Oakfield library.

Haxton Library offers weekly storytime program for preschoolers

By Press Release

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Press Release:

Preschoolers from 2 to 5 years of age are invited to a morning of activities, stories, rhymes, songs, and a craft each week at the Haxton Memorial Library, 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield. Preschool Storytime takes place Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room.

The Haxton Library’s talented Mrs. J. fills Storytime with fun for preschoolers with each program centered around a theme like holidays, animals, colors, pets, seasons, or special events. The colorful Children’s Room at the library is the perfect setting, and it invites the children to explore the other activities and materials available at the library. 

In addition to Preschool Storytime, the Haxton Memorial Library also has Baby Storytime that is held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Babies from 0 to 24 months are invited to share rhymes, songs and simple board books, followed by playtime. While Baby Storytime is designed for infants and toddlers, older children are always welcome to attend as well.

“Our Storytime programs are great favorites because they engage the children with activities and songs,” says Kim Gibson, Director at the Haxton Library. “We love to have our preschoolers and their families explore and enjoy the materials, books and programs that we offer at the Haxton.”

For more information about Preschool Storytime, Baby Storytime, or any of the programs at the Haxton Memorial Library, please call 585-948-9900.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl St., Oakfield, provides residents with a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website.

Haxton announces winter reading program

By Press Release

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Press release:

Starting on February 1st, children from ages 3 and up can sign up to read at home to win prizes and collect charms at the library, during the month of February.

When the children register for the Haxton Memorial Library Winter Reading Program they will receive a "Readopoly" Board and a wristband.  For each task they complete they will earn a charm to put on their wristband.  A task is completed when all of the activities on the spaces are filled up in each color group. In addition, there are other activities on the board where they can earn tickets for the Grand Prize basket, including attending a library program on Thursday nights.

The library is also having a "Build Your Own Snowman" contest for children ages 3 and up as part of the Winter Read. Participants will share a photograph of their creation with the library staff and the judges will pick a winner. The winner will receive a Target gift card. Snowman builders are encouraged to be as creative as they want, using any materials or ideas that would make it a special work of snow art.

The program ends on February 28 and everyone is encouraged to pick up their gameboard and contest information and get reading!

To register or for more information about the Winter Reading Program or any of the programs held at the Haxton Memorial Library, please call 585-948-9900 or stop by the library at 3 North Pearl St. in Oakfield.

The Haxton Memorial Library, a member of the Nioga Library System, is located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield and provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

 

Haxton Memorial Library offers free classes on Internet basics

By Press Release

Press release:

Are you challenged by your computer? Do you think an app is only something you have before your main course at dinner? No worries! Technology help is on the way at the Haxton Memorial Library thanks to Nioga Mobile Tech.

We understand technology can be intimidating, so you are invited to come to meet Sara, a Nioga Mobile Tech Trainer, to make using technology a fun and educational experience. Sara will be at the Haxton Memorial Library on Wednesday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to explain “Internet Basics”. On Wednesday, March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m., she offers “Gaga for Google” to explain the ins and outs of using Google to search for things on the Internet.

These free sessions are offered through Nioga Mobile Tech, a technology training unit serving the libraries in Niagara, Orleans, and Genesee Counties. Nioga Mobile Tech provides online access to job search resources as well as federal, state, and local E-government resources.

As these are in-person classes, space is limited so everyone is encouraged to call the library to register.

Nioga Mobile Tech also offers On-Demand courses on their YouTube channel. These courses are all ready for anyone to click the link to be taken directly to the course. They are easy to follow, and you can pause the session at any time. The full list of class offerings can be found online under the Courses heading at www.niogamobile.tech.

To register or for more information about these classes or any of the programs held at the Haxton Memorial Library, please call 585-948-9900.

The Haxton Memorial Library, a member of the Nioga Library System, is located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield and provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

 

Haxton Memorial Library to unveil new slogan on Saturday

By Press Release

Press release:

Everyone is invited to learn of the choice made by residents for their new slogan for the Haxton Memorial Library. The new slogan will be announced prior to the lighting ceremony that takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Triangle Park in Oakfield.

After the lighting ceremony, folks can stop by the outside of the library too, and see the new slogan that will be lit up in one of the library’s front windows, enjoy some Christmas cookies, and pick up a bit of SWAG that features the library’s new logo and slogan.

In-person and online voting for the new library slogan was conducted beginning in September and throughout October with three possible choices including Windows of Opportunity, Your Windows to the World, and Windows to Discovery. Slogan voters were also entered into a chance to win a randomly drawn $50 gift card. The winner of the gift card will also be announced at the December 3 unveiling announcement.

“It was a very close contest,” says Carol D’Alba, Board President. “We received nearly 200 votes from community members, and we are thrilled to have had so much involvement in choosing our new slogan.”

To learn more about the library, stop by the circulation desk or call (585) 948-9900. The Haxton Memorial Library, located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield, provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Haxton Memorial Library now offering free community wi-fi

By Press Release

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Press release:

New signage reminds residents that they can take advantage of the free wi-fi at the Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield. It is available 24/7. The best reception is at the front of the building along Pearl Street and Drake Street, as demonstrated by Kim Gibson, Library Director.

Art show in memory of Oakfield staple Onnalee Berrios debuts Thursday

By Joanne Beck

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Onnalee Berrios was well-known for her compassion and generosity, her brother says.

Whether it was stopping to offer kids a ride to school, delivering homemade gingerbread cookies, buying extra groceries for someone in need, or spending time with family, Berrios had a kind way about her, brother Anthony Terrell said.

“She had very good instincts. My sister was wonderful,” he said by phone from his home in New York City. “I loved going to her house.”

Terrell is a native of Batavia and graduated from Batavia High School in 1967. He returned to the area after being drafted and serving in the Army for two years, though it was as a young teen when he first adored his sister for being so accessible, hospitable, and for being so easygoing with the house rules. He appreciated the little things that she did.

"She would let us watch a movie, we would still have to go to bed like around 11:30, 12 o'clock. But it was better than ... watching your parents watch Ponderosa at 9:30 and telling me, 'don't make so much noise when you go upstairs to your bedroom,'" Terrell said. "Whenever I would go over to the house, she would always have a few bottles of cold beer and pizza." 

Onnie, as she was called, died several years ago at age 64 after a battle with cancer. Terrell — one of the five remaining siblings out of the family’s whopping 17 —  plans to honor her memory with a set of six pastel paintings during a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Haxton Memorial Library, 3 North Pearl St., Oakfield.

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Why Onnie and why now? Terrell’s fondness for his sister while growing up in rural Genesee County is due to her friendly and accommodating nature. An infusion of Beatles mania encouraged kids to be independent, while adolescence brought on rebellion in wanting to break out of the small-town boredom he and his friends often experienced.

And there was Onnie — with her house full of homemade goodies, a few bottles of beer in the fridge for the taking, movies that were too risqué for their parent’s approval, and someone to talk with.

“She was pretty much my mentor,” he said. “There was nothing to do, and it was very, very boring. I would go over to my sister’s house; she had kids, and we’d play basketball and eat cookies. Boys started growing their hair long, which created problems for families. If you had someone that you could gravitate to, you did.”

Terrell had an art show at Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council last year and met up with former classmates and friends. He met Terry Kolb of Oakfield, a former art teacher -- and one of the recipients of his sister's famous gingerbread cookies -- and before they knew it, the artists agreed to have a show in the western part of the county. Since Onnie had lived there, Terrell thought it fitting to commemorate the show to her.

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He then completed six pieces of art as a tribute to his beloved sister.

“Each one replicates what I did when I was there,” he said.

Those activities, illustrated in muted pastels of purples, pinks and blues, include the two of them sitting in rocking chairs that Onnie had restored and refinished herself; sitting in her amethyst-laden room of window sills lined up with the purple stones that reflected the sunlight, casting a violet-flavored veil over everything; and yet another of the two of them sitting in the dark, eating pizza next to a glowing fireplace.

Terrell plans to introduce each one with what it represents and how it came about, he said.

“I’m trying to convey that it’s a very, very rich, deep and rewarding feeling. I think about my sister spiritually,” he said. “She was very well revered. When you love somebody, whether they're here physically or they're not here. When you love somebody, it's continuous. It stays with you. That's the thing about love.”

The first half hour of the reception is for mingling, with the program to begin at 7 p.m., he said.

More about Terrell will be published Friday.

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Photos of artworks painted by Batavia native Anthony Terrell will be featured in an art show debuting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield. Photos by Howard Owens. Submitted photo of Anthony Terrell in his studio.

Haxton Memorial Library hosting adult craft program, make cards and ornaments for the holidays

By Press Release

Press Release:

The folks at the Haxton Memorial Library are helping adults and children get into the holiday spirit with two special craft nights at the library. The session for adults is on Thursday, November 17 and the children’s program is on Thursday, December 8 at the library. Both start at 6:45 and run until 8 p.m.

Becky O’Donnell will provide step-by-step directions in the making of both a greeting card and an ornament that participants can take with them and use for the holidays. Becky is a talented local crafter who loves to share and inspire people through paper arts.

“I have been stamping for over 30 years and teaching for 25. I do this mainly to make people happy and share the joy of creating something special,” she says. 

Both programs are a part of the "Talented Thursdays" at the Haxton Memorial Library, where local artists share their talents with community members and create different forms of art.

Participation is free, materials are all provided, and registration is necessary. These programs are open to anyone interested in crafting and enjoying some socialization with the other crafters in the group.

For more information or to sign up, stop by the Haxton Memorial Library at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield or call (585) 948-9900.

This project is made possible with funds from the statewide community regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GOART!

The Haxton Memorial Library provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

StoryWalk at Haxton Memorial Library is Froggy’s Halloween

By Press Release

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Press release:

Kids of all ages are invited to take a StoryWalk outside the Haxton Memorial Library along the sidewalk on Drake Street. A StoryWalk is an outdoor reading activity that allows children, families, and people of all ages to read a story placed on posts in a row, combining literacy and activity into one enjoyable experience. 

The story outside for the Fall season this year is Froggy’s Halloween by Jonathan London. The lovable and trouble-prone Froggy tries to find the right costume for Halloween. While his trick-or-treating does not go as he planned, he certainly enjoys himself anyway.

To make the experience even sweeter, children can stop inside the library after reading the story and answer a question about it for a special treat.

To read this fun tale and get a treat, stop by the Haxton Memorial Library at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield.

The Haxton Memorial Library provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Submitted photo.

Haxton Library hosting improv group Defiant Monkey

By Press Release

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Press release: 

Everyone is invited to a family-friendly performance featuring Defiant Monkey on Thursday, October 20 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Haxton Memorial Library at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield. Defiant Monkey promises an improvisational evening of fun, laughter, and participation with the talented duo of Karen Eichler and Andrew Spragge.

These 2 Defiant Monkey performers are experienced improvisers, actors, professional development specialists, and teaching artists who love to have as much fun as possible.

Karen is a graduate of The Second City Toronto, she has performed on stages across the United States including DC's Improv, the Ivar Theater in Hollywood, Newmark theater in Portland, and Steppenwolf in Chicago. Andy has been acting since 1984, and was a member of Improv Buffet and ComedySportz.

What to expect at a show with Defiant Monkey? “Laughs and participation,” says Kim Gibson, Library Director. “Defiant Monkey works with the folks in an audience during their interactive hour long show that features games and music. Kids and adults may just be asked to volunteer to help them out, but everyone will enjoy the show.”

To register for this fun evening with Defiant Monkey showing off their antics stop by the Haxton Memorial Library circulation desk or call (585) 948-9900.

This performance is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regent Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State legislature and administered by Go Art!         

The Haxton Memorial Library provides residents a variety of programs, services, events, and materials that can be found on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Submitted photo: The improvisational duo of Andrew Spragge and Karen Eichler, known as Defiant Monkey, will be performing at the Haxton Memorial Library on Thursday, October 20 from 7pm to 8pm. 

Residents asked to help Haxton Library select a new slogan

By Press Release

Press release:

Community members are invited to vote for their preference between three slogans for the Haxton Memorial Library on a special ballot that is available at the library and online at www.HaxtonLibrary.org/slogan.

The library’s new logo and the three slogans being voted on are inspired by the library’s windows. They are a prominent feature of the building that was built in 1967 by the Buffalo architectural firm of Rogers & Smith with funds from the Haxton Fund Inc., a charitable foundation set up by G. Sherwin Haxton, a prominent local businessman.  

“The 9 windows on the front of the building provide wonderful natural lighting for the inside of the library,” says Kim Gibson, Library Director. “They also are very distinctive, and we used their design when creating our logo.”

The slogan choices are Windows of Opportunity, Windows to Discovery, or Your Windows to the World. The ballot to vote for the library’s new slogan are online and they can be cast until October 31. Residents who vote can enter to win a $50 gift card that will be randomly drawn from the list of voters. The gift card will be awarded at an unveiling event to be held at the library at a future date to be announced.

“The Haxton Memorial Library is a community center for all our patrons, children and adults. Libraries today are not just books. In this digital age we have so much more to offer,” says Carol D’Alba, President of the Board of Directors.

“I am proud to a part of our library. It gives me the opportunity to communicate with so many interesting people about the many programs and services that are free for everyone in the community to use,” she adds.

“We will be using our new slogan on our website, our Facebook Page and on all of our materials,” says, Kim Gibson, Library Director. “The Haxton Memorial Library is a busy place, and we hope that as many community members as possible will choose the slogan they think best suits the library.” 

To vote residents can stop by the Haxton Memorial Library circulation desk or vote online at www.HaxtonLibrary.org/slogan.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

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