Friends of the Olean Library, Inc.

09/01/2026

The Olean Public Library expansion is more than a construction project—it's a community investment.

If you'd like to help furnish and equip the new spaces, learn more about the Growing Together campaign today.

Together, we can create something extraordinary.

To learn more about the project, check out the Olean Public Library's website: https://oleanlibrary.org/building-project/

08/31/2026

👶📚 More Than Storytime 📚👶

When people think about children's programs at the Olean Public Library, they often think of storytime—and for good reason. Storytimes help inspire a lifelong love of reading while building important early literacy skills through stories, songs, rhymes, movement, and play.

But that's just the beginning.

The Children's Department offers a wide variety of opportunities for young learners and their families, including:

🎵 Stories & More for toddlers and caregivers
🤸 Stories & Stretches that combine books, movement, and fun
🔬 Investigation Stations featuring stories, art, STEM activities, and exploration
🐕 Reading Can Be Ruff, where children can practice reading aloud with therapy dogs in a supportive environment
🧱 After-school programs like LEGO Club, games, movies, and other activities for school-aged children

The library also hosts summer reading programs that encourage children to keep reading, learning, and exploring all summer long while earning prizes and participating in special activities.

These programs help children build confidence, curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning that can last a lifetime.

As the library prepares for its exciting expansion, we're looking forward to even more opportunities to support children and families throughout our community.

To learn more about the project, check out the Olean Public Library's website: https://oleanlibrary.org/building-project/

08/30/2026

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Giardini & Tom Jacobs 🌟

The Friends of the Olean Public Library are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who generously share their time, talents, and passion for our community. Today, we'd like to recognize two of those individuals: Mary Giardini and Tom Jacobs.

Mary serves as the Secretary of the Friends of the Olean Public Library, helping keep the organization running smoothly while contributing countless hours behind the scenes. Alongside Tom, she plays a key role in planning and improving two of our signature fundraising events: Read Between the Wines and feBREWary.

From brainstorming new ideas and coordinating details to solving last-minute challenges and finding ways to make each event better than the year before, Mary and Tom work tirelessly to create enjoyable experiences for our community while raising important funds to support the library.

Their commitment, creativity, and willingness to roll up their sleeves help make these events possible and successful.

Please join us in thanking Mary and Tom for their dedication to the Friends of the Olean Public Library and their ongoing efforts to strengthen our library and community.

❤️ Thank you, Mary and Tom, for all you do!

08/29/2026

Exciting times at the Olean Public Library

08/29/2026

Every donation to the Olean Public Library's Growing Together campaign helps create a stronger library for future generations.

Whether it's a first-time gift or a long-standing commitment to the library, every supporter plays an important role in bringing this vision to life.

Thank you for investing in our community.

To learn more about the project, check out the Olean Public Library's website: https://oleanlibrary.org/building-project/

08/28/2026

📚 What Do the Friends of the Olean Public Library Do? 📚

Many people know the Friends host fun events like Read Between the Wines and feBREWary, but that's only part of the story.

The Friends of the Olean Public Library support the library through fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism, and community programs that help enhance library services and experiences.

Some of the Friends' activities include:

📖 Maintaining the ongoing Used Book Sale, with proceeds supporting the Book Endowment Fund that helps purchase new library materials.

👶 Supporting the Born to Read program, which provides newborns and their families with a free book, library information, and a library card application through Olean General Hospital.

🍷 Hosting Read Between the Wines and 🍺 feBREWary, two favorite community fundraising events that bring people together while supporting the library.

🎨 Sponsoring the Peg Bothner Bookmark Contest, which encourages creativity among local elementary school students.

✍️ Supporting a Poetry Contest for local high school students, helping young writers develop and share their talents.

❤️ Providing financial support for library projects, programs, furnishings, and enhancements that help the library better serve our community.

For more than four decades, the Friends have worked alongside the library to help ensure that the Olean Public Library remains a vibrant place for learning, creativity, and connection.

Thank you to our members, volunteers, donors, and supporters. Everything we do is possible because of you.

08/27/2026

Is there someone who inspired your love of reading?

A teacher who changed your life?

A family member who always encouraged learning?

Through our Buy the Book recognition program, you can celebrate someone special while helping support the future of the Olean Public Library.

Their story can become part of our story.

To learn more about the project, check out the Olean Public Library's website: https://oleanlibrary.org/building-project/

Trustee Election & Budget Vote Published on March 2, 2026 Olean Public Library 2026 Trustee Election & 2027 Budget Vote Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Polls are open 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Voting will take place ... Read More

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

What's your favorite book about a dog?

08/25/2026

📚❤️ Remembering Dolly Parton ❤️📚

Today, we join millions around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, a beloved singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and champion for literacy. Dolly Parton passed away today at the age of 80, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that extends far beyond music.

While many will remember her for iconic songs like *Jolene*, *9 to 5*, and *I Will Always Love You*, libraries and readers have another reason to be grateful. Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, she helped place millions of books into the hands of children around the world, inspiring a love of reading that will continue for generations.

Dolly often spoke about the power of books, education, and opportunity. Her commitment to literacy changed countless lives and demonstrated how one person can make an incredible difference in the world.

As Friends of the Olean Public Library, we are especially thankful for the example she set: that investing in reading, learning, and children is one of the greatest gifts we can give.

Today, we celebrate a life filled with talent, generosity, humor, kindness, and a deep belief that books can change lives.

Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the inspiration, and the millions of young readers whose lives are better because of your vision.

📖✨

08/25/2026

What would you create if you had access to a dedicated Maker Space?

The expanded library will include a space designed to encourage creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning for people of all ages.

The possibilities are endless.

To learn more about the project, check out the Olean Public Library's website: https://oleanlibrary.org/building-project/