Another successful Summer Read Plus Program has ended.

It is sad to see the 2026 Summer Read Plus: “Unearth a Story” end. We had many people of all ages sign up for the reading challenge. Many completed the challenge and some made great strides to trying to complete the challenge. Either way everyone has won by just enjoying reading during the challenge. We hope everyone will continue to read throughout the year. The 2026 Summer Read Plus program ended with a well-attended make-your-own-sundae party. Many enjoyed making sundaes and consuming them while watching all the raffle winners get pulled. Many of the winners were at the party to claim their prizes, but a few were not. All winners have been contacted to come to the library to claim their prizes. As always we thank our local businesses and everyone who donated to the program. Without your donations we could not make the program as great as it already is. Also thank you to all the people who participated. Together we can accomplish great things!

We have caterpillars at the library!

With help from Pro-Action the Benedek Memorial Library has some caterpillars busy eating and getting ready for their great transformation. Stop by the library and see our new friends while they prepare for major life changes. So far the caterpillars have eaten a great many milk weed leaves and have grown to more than twice the size they started from. We will try to give weekly updates on how our new friends are doing.

Are you Creative?

Do you have a creative soul that wants to come out, but you never seem to have the time to indulge your creativity? Do you like to draw, paint, or make things, but keep putting working on your projects until tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes? Stop thinking about doing something creative and come to Creative Community night every Wednesday night from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Benedek Memorial Library. Stop in with your sketchbook or project to spend and hour or more being creative with other creative types. Share ideas, get feed back to help you improve your work, or just have some fun playing with different types of media. If you have problems getting started, there will be prompts for people to get the creative ideas flowing. Stop in and have some fun creating at the Benedek Memorial Library.

New York Bird Kits Available to Borrow!

We partnered with the NYSDEC to promote local residents to enjoy getting outside and observing the natural wild life, especially the birds. The kit includes a blue backpack, binoculars with case, blue folder with information on using the binoculars, Critters or NY pocket guide, Bird trail guides, and A Beginner’s Guide to Birding. Kits are available for a two-week loan. We have two kits available for patrons to take out and enjoy. Let’s get out of the tech and back to the wilds.

Tick Removal Kits available at the Benedek Memorial Library.

Thanks to Steuben County Public Health the library has tick removal kits for patrons to get for free. Kits include tweezers, bandage, and pamphlet on how to remove a tick and identify the tick.  We have a limited number of kits. Please, stop in and ask for your free kit.

We are looking for a new Library Clerk!

The Dr. Sandor and Berthe Benedek Memorial Library seeks an enthusiastic and community-minded individual for the position of Library Clerk. Our Library is located in the Village of Savona, in Steuben County, which is part of the Southern Tier Library System in Upstate New York. Please see Https://benedekmemoriallibrary.org for complete job description and application details.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused individual to join our library as a Library Clerk. The Library Clerk plays a vital role in supporting the library’s daily operations by assisting patrons, organizing and maintaining library materials, and providing exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate should possess excellent organizational skills, a passion for books and knowledge, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

The position is part-time about 16 – 20 hours per week. Days are assigned by the Director. The work is performed under the direction of the Director and requires no prior knowledge of library procedures, but library experience is a help. Library Clerk does related work as required.

The candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent; some college coursework is preferred. Some library experience preferred or customer service experience. The position is 16 to 20 hours per week at the rate of $16.00 per hour. One week of paid time off (PTO) after the first year.

A cover letter, resume and three references may be emailed to savona@stls.org or mailed to Benedek Memorial Library, P.O. Box 475, Savona, NY 14879. Application must be received by: August 1, 2026. The Director and Library Board of Trustees will start the review process after this date, and contact qualified candidates for an interview.

The Benedek Memorial Library is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment to ensure a wide range of experiences, perspectives and skills.

Job Description:

Job Summary: We are seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused individual to join our library as a Library Clerk. The Library Clerk plays a vital role in supporting the library’s daily operations by assisting patrons, organizing and maintaining library materials, and providing exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate should possess excellent organizational skills, a passion for books and knowledge, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

The position is part-time about 16 – 20 hours per week. Days are assigned by the Director. The work is performed under the direction of the Director and requires no prior knowledge of library procedures, but library experience is a help. Library Clerk does related work as required.

 Responsibilities:

  1. Patron Assistance:
    • Greet and assist library patrons in a friendly and professional manner.
    • Provide information on library services, programs, and policies.
    • Assist patrons with locating library materials, including books, periodicals, multimedia, and digital resources.
    • Help patrons with basic computer tasks, such as accessing the internet, using library databases, and printing.
  2. Circulation and Collection Management:
    • Check in and check out library materials using the library’s circulation system.
    • Register new patrons, update patron records, and issue library cards.
    • Collect fines and fees, and assist with managing overdue materials.
    • Sort, shelve, and maintain the organization of library materials.
    • Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as labeling, covering, and repairing damaged materials.
    • Conduct regular inventory checks to ensure accurate collection records.
  3. Reference and Research Support:
    • Provide basic reference assistance by directing patrons to appropriate resources.
    • Assist patrons in using reference materials, both print and digital.
    • Aid in locating specific books or resources requested by patrons.
    • Assist patrons with using library equipment, such as photocopiers and scanners.
  4. Administrative Support:
    • Assist in maintaining accurate records of library transactions, statistics, and reports.
    • Assist in the processing of interlibrary loan requests.
    • Help with organizing and promoting library programs, events, and displays.
    • Assist with basic library maintenance, including shelving maintenance and cleaning.
  5. Customer Service:
    • Ensure a positive and welcoming atmosphere for all library patrons.
    • Respond to patron inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and professional manner.
    • Provide courteous and efficient customer service at all times.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; some college coursework is preferred.
  • Previous experience in a library or customer service environment is desirable.
  • Familiarity with library systems and technologies, including circulation systems and online databases.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in using computers and basic office software.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Be physically able to lift heavy books (up to 25 pounds) and negotiate stairs at the same time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable all qualified individuals to perform these duties.
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

This Library Clerk job description outlines the general duties and responsibilities associated with this position. However, additional tasks may be assigned based on the needs of the library.

Mobile Center Meets Thursdays at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Early Literacy Center (children’s room),

Mobile Family Resource Center Coordinator–

Working with children and families is inspiring and something I love doing! Being there for support, a friend, helping hand when needed, and most of all providing a space for families to enjoy, connect, be silly, learn, laugh, play and grow is the joy that fills my heart!

WHAT IS A Family resource center (FRC)

Family Resource Centers (FRC) offer early and comprehensive support for parents and caregivers of young children.

Family Resource Center programs are based on the needs of families, and services are provided in collaboration with community members.

FRC programs emphasize building strengths and abilities in order to maximize the capacity of
families to raise healthy children and contribute to their communities.

We are Fine Free!

The Benedek Memorial Library has gone fine free! Do you hate when you thought you brought an item back to the library, and you find it is still in your home? You know it is late, but you are afraid of the late fines that may have incurred. Relax; all of us have made mistakes. Bring the item back and do not worry about late fines. We no longer have late fines. If you feel that you should make amends for keeping the items too long, you can make a donation (small or large) to the library. Any donations made helps us to be able to add programming and new items to our collection. Enjoy our collection; take items out without worry of late fines. Just do not keep the items too long. After an item goes four weeks beyond the due date, your account will be billed for the item. If you get billed, your account will be blocked from use by all the libraries in the Southern Tier Library System. To get unblocked bring the items back to the library or you can arrange to take care of the funds due. If you pay the bills, the library will be able to replace the items. Don’t stress out, come to the Benedek Memorial Library and enjoy the collections.

Welcome to the Benedek Memorial Library!

Welcome to the Savona Free Library website. If you are coming to our website you are looking for information on the library. You can find our hours, events, what is new to our collection, access your account, order items to pick up at the library and many other things about the library. But when you think about a library what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you are like many other Americans it would be physical books. While we do have a collection of books there is so much more to libraries these days than just physical books. We have computers and public WI-FI hot spots available for public use. We also lend out audio books on CD, music CDs, movies and television shows on DVD. Coming soon, there will be Kindle Fire tablets to borrow. All of these items are available at the library, but right now you are in cyber space. Guess what, you can still borrow from the library. Just put your pointer on “E-Library” and click to find out. Remember the library is much more than just a place to find books. We offer many other items for borrowing and many different services to the public, through your Savona Free Library card or any library card in the Southern Tier Library System. Also you can access the library not only during the days the library is open, but even when the library is physically closed. Need a book to help you to fall asleep at 2:00 am? Down load a digital book and start reading. Need to get authoritative information for a research project due real soon, check out our databases for articles from many different sources. Look around, try something new, the Savona Free Library is available for your entertainment and informational needs.

Benedek Memorial Library Dogs:  Austin, Ruby and Slim