State grant will help keep village library functioning in 2008
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

It wasn't too long ago that Village of Williamsville residents were rallying for their library. So many will rest easy knowing that its existence is ensured for 2008.

Amherst Library Director Roseanne Butler-Smith said she knows for a fact the library has enough funding for next year.

"The town and all the gifts have been so generous the last two years; we were able to roll that funding over," she said.

Also helping is a $10,000 grant announced by Sen. Mary Lou Rath on Sept. 5.

"Residents want their libraries and they want them open when they want them open," Rath said, noting that the funding helps maintain hours of operation and programming.

She reminisced about the many times she walked to the library when her children were young and how it has become a destination in the "heart of the village."

Butler-Smith, who replaced longtime director Mary Bobinski in March, said she is planning more programming for youths ages 12-15.

Some ideas she is developing are compact disc and game exchanges in which youths bring items they no longer use and swap them. She also wants to plan hair and makeup demonstrations to correlate with high school dances and to have game nights.

"There are not enough youth and families activities at no cost," she said.