Johnsburg Public Library fosters community connection

JOHNSBURG | At the Town of Johnsburg Public Library, literacy, community, and empathy are what make the walls of the building located at 219 Main Street come alive. "We are a small community, and people need connection," said Library Director Carrie Mason. "We pride ourselves on giving connection as an anchor to people, because this day and age there is so much strife going on; people need to feel tethered to something, and they need to have a clear place to feel like they are accepted and belong." For Johnsburg and North Creek residents, there wasn't much in the way of library connection prior to the municipal library's founding in 1996. Mason recalls a bookmobile that traveled throughout the area, and Crandall Library being the institution she had access to as a child. Johnsburg Public Library's beginnings were humble, with one small room where the circulation desk now sits serving as the initial stepping stone. "It was a few shelves and one of the town workers, a gentleman from maintenance, delivered and got books from other libraries," Mason revealed. "He would put them on our shelves for people to check out before we were officially a library- it was more like a community project by volunteers." But there was interest, and soon there came growth, enough so that the library's charter was officially set in 1997, and an addition eventually came along in the early 2000s. Funded primarily by area donors, the addition brought the library to 3,394 square feet. And beyond the books, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles that are checked in and out on a daily basis, Mason feels that a large draw to the building is the emotional safety net it offers residents. "We are here to be a support system, I love the idea that when people come in here, they feel comfortable and confident enough to open up to us," she noted. "People just want to be heard. That is my 100 percent highest priority is making sure people feel accepted and welcome and we pride ourselves on being respectful and treating our patrons with dignity." With nearly 1,050 resident borrowers annually and a strong influx of seasonal visitors, the library offers computer use, the issuing of library cards, photocopying, black and white and color printing, wireless printing, scanning, faxing, and even notary services. But services are not limited to mere clerical technicalities. Rather, the library embraces public service as one of its pillars. "We actually are partnered with the North Country Ministries and they come in once a week and they try to match services with people," Mason shared. "One of our local churches just closed down, and someone came to us asking if they could continue their church school service programs at the library. We do that on a day we are not open so they can have their quiet and peace." Mason explained the library tries to fill gaps when people come to them with problems, staff always happy to oblige and work with them to find solutions and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Johnsburg Public Library also provides stimulating and entertaining activities to community members who wish to take advantage of its strong yearly programming lineup. "We have a regular routine of backbone programs," Mason remarked. "We have two weekly recurring programs, Knitting and Story Hour, and then Game Night, Family Movie Night (in which dinner is even provided), Trivia Night, and Sound Bath Meditation are all offered monthly. The summer season also features rotating programming, with 2025 seeing two author talks and a summer reading program that proved popular. Funded 90% by the Town as a line item on their annual budget, the library also takes advantage of grant opportunities whenever possible. 2025 saw the Dollar General Grant for $2,000 as well as the Stewart's Matching Grant for $700, which funded the summer reading initiative. "This year, we were graciously funded by Assemblyman Matt Simpson, who gave us a $20,000 grant, and we are deeply grateful and honored to have received that," said Mason. "Will help us improve service and plan responsibly for the future." Mason noted that the Friends of the Johnsburg Library are in need of massive help. "We have one person who is trying to hold that together," she said. "If anyone wants to support us, they can support us through the Friends by assisting or volunteering, and joining the Board for the Friends of the Library." For those who would like more information on the Friends of the Library, Mason encourages you to email theresastudnicky@gmail.com. "There is one major fundraiser every year, the annual book sale, in which donations are collected and proceeds are used towards supporting the library's programming," Mason said. The 2026 book sale is slated for July 29 through Aug. 1 and will be inside the library. There will be plenty of media on hand to peruse and purchase, books spanning all genres from the youngest reader to the most seasoned and proficient bookworm, as well as a spirited assortment of movies, music, and puzzles for those who crave a challenge. For more information on the Town of Johnsburg Public Library, please call 518-241-4343. Visit the website at townofjohnsburglibrary.sals.edu and follow Town of Johnsburg Library on Facebook for programming and updates. The library may be visited at 219 Main Street, North Creek, NY 12853.

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Johnsburg Public Library fosters community connection

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