Pictured from left are Ainsley Smith, Cathy Obert, and Ruth McNamara entering the library for their weekly meeting of the Sinclairville Samplers.

SINCLAIRVILLE — The Sinclairville Free Library has made improvements to make it easier and safer for those with mobility disabilities to use the library and access materials, programs, and services.

Grant funds from the American Library Association’s initiative: Libraries Transforming Communities for Accessible Small and Rural Communities were used to install automatic door openers at the front entry. These automatic openers make entering the library easier for handicapped patrons, those using canes or walkers, and parents or caregivers managing strollers and small children. “Since I had my surgery, I really appreciate those doors,” says Cathy Obert.

These grant funds were also used to replace hazardous sidewalks at the front and back entrances of the library to make access to the building safer, with additional monies provided through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Curbs were removed and sloped ramps created, including at the book drop area. These areas of the sidewalk will now be heated to avoid dangerous ice conditions.

Outreach into the community to serve those who are unable to visit the library building was also made possible by this grant funding. The library is chartered to serve the Village of Sinclairville and the Towns of Gerry and Charlotte, which means many of the population do not live within walking distance of the library. To reach out, the library regularly brings programs and materials to other locations including the Wrap childcare program, the Little Seeds Preschool, PreK classes at Cassadaga Valley Central School, Summer Recreation Program in Gerry and the Homestead retirement community in Gerry. Online programming also makes it possible for people to participate in library programs from a distance, with a book club and writing programs available.

The library seeks community input to ensure that services, materials and programs continue to meet the developing needs of those we serve.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).