Lewiston Public Library continues to be widely used by community

Guest editorial by Jill Palermo
Executive Director
Lewiston Public Library

The Lewiston Public Library has been a place of incredible activity this past year. Thanks to the support of the Town of Lewiston, Niagara County and the dedication of our “Friends of the Library” group, we were able to offer a variety of materials and programs. The library is also a place patrons visit to read the newspaper, work on their laptop using the Wi-fi, or reserve a session on library computers.

In the year 2025, 58,363 people visited the library. The library currently offers 54,329 books, 8,476 audiovisual items and 618 periodicals. In addition, we have two internet hot spots for public check-out.

Library users borrowed 42,807 physical items, while cardholders downloaded or viewed 11,983 e-books, audiobooks, movies, music comics and television shows, compared to 9,674 in 2024.

We also offer the services of Hoopla and Libby, which allow our users to borrow digital content. Both increased by 20%. Hoopla use was 7,614, while Libby was 4,369.

Our six public computers were used 1,181 times, and 6,369 items were loaned to other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.

Our library staff also had a busy year. Library staff prepared, presented and hosted 409 program sessions for 5,518 participants of all ages. In addition, during the six weeks of summer reading, the library offered 31 children and family programs with a total attendance of 1,051.

The library meeting room was booked by community groups 123 times.

Future outlook

The library has been able to provide these services within the limits of our revenue allocations. We have to make difficult decisions every year. The year 2026 will have challenges as costs continue to rise, but our funding has been the same for the last four years.

Year at a glance

•New programming

√ Partnering with the Lewiston Council on the Arts, Italian cultural programming was added. Programs include Italian conversation, Italian book club, Italian movies, and Scopa (a traditional Italian card game).

√ Pre-K story hour with volunteer Lori Spanbauer and assistants Barbara Rottaris and Kathy Sirianni.

•Chapter’s Café

Operated by individuals with Down syndrome and their support professionals from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays-Thursday.

•Continuing clubs

√ Adult: two book clubs and a recipe club

√ Children’s: “Build-It,” chess and “Pokémon”

√ Game clubs: Chess, mahjong, rummikub and scrabble

•Family passes offered: Aquarium of Niagara, Rochester Museum & Science Center, and Old Fort Niagara

•Special events: costume swap and craft swap

•Ongoing programs: children’s story hour, crafts for adults and children, genealogy, “Get Up and Move,” kid’s yoga and “Tail Waggin’ Tutors”

•Most popular circulating items

√ Adult fiction – “The Crash” by Freida McFadden

√ Juvenile fiction – “Dog Man” by Dav Pilkey (graphic novel); top 10 items are six juvenile graphic novels and four adult fiction titles

√ Adult movie – “Home Alone 2”

√ Juvenile movie – “Toy Story 3”

•Board of trustees

The governing body of the library is its seven-member board of trustees. These individuals volunteer their time to ensure the library is meeting its mission to serve the community.

For 2026, the board of trustees will operate with the following officers:

√ President Christopher Pannozzo

√ Vice President Frederick Caso Jr.

√ Financial Officer John Daigneau

√ Secretary Wendy Guild Swearingen 

√ Members Matthew Feldman, James Spanbauer, April Saks