Our Mission

The objective of the System shall be to foster and improve public library service to the residents of the System area.

The System accomplishes this by support of local libraries and reading centers, by bookmobile service to areas without a library or with populations which cannot easily reach a near-by library, and by service to organizations, groups, and individuals unable to use traditional library services (outreach). It also serves as a link to the global library network and provides leadership and advocacy for library and literacy issues on a regional and state level.

A Little Background

The Clinton Essex Franklin Library System is a non-profit federated library system serving 34 public libraries and reading centers in Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties.

The System was the first multi-county system in New York State, established in 1954 by joint resolution of the Boards of Supervisors of Clinton and Essex Counties. Franklin County joined the federation in 1962. The Library System was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York on June 25, 1954 and is one of 23 public library systems serving the state.

Population served:     169,879 (2000)

Land area served:      4,468 square miles

Central Library:     Plattsburgh Public Library

National Center for Education Statistics
nces.ed.gov/

This site provides statistical information about individual libraries as well as summary data for all US libraries.

American Library Association
www.ala.org

New York Library Association
www.nyla.org

Gates Library Foundation
www.gatesfoundation.org/

Public Access Computing - Gates Foundation
www.pacomputing.org/

WebJunction - a resource about libraries and information technology
www.webjunction.org/do/Home

TechSoup - technology resources for nonprofits
www.techsoup.org/

E-rate Program
www.sl.universalservice.org

New York State Library
www.nysl.nysed.gov

The New York State Library page, with legislative and regulatory information

New York Library Assistants Association www.nyslaa.org

Please feel free to email us at info2@cefls.org with ideas for additions to this list!

The System is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees. The Trustees are appointed by the County Legislatures and Board of Supervisors, five from each county. They serve 5 year terms. Board members and officers are listed below and may be reached in care of the System office.

The public is welcome to attend. 

2008 Meeting Dates:

Monday, January 28 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, February 25 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, March 24 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS

Monday, April 28 at 4 p.m. at CEFLS
Tuesday, May 27 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, June 23 at 4 p.m.CEFLS
Monday, July 28 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, August 25 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, September 22 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, October 27 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS
Monday, November 24 at 4 p.m., at CEFLS

Current Trustees
From Clinton County

Dr. Nancy Church      Plattsburgh
Chris de Grandpre      Rouses Point
Cerise Oberman         Saranac       
Charles J. Racette      Plattsburgh       


From Essex County
     
Virginia B. LaPointe  Ticonderoga
Barbara K. Stowe      Lake Placid
Lauren Choate           Willsboro
David Reuther           Willsboro 

From Franklin County

Lynn A. Dufort          Whippleville

Maria Tirone             Malone
Nancy S. Howard      Tupper Lake
Neil Surprenant          Paul Smiths
Richard F. Kibben    Saranac Lake

Officers for 2007

President: Cerise Oberman
Vice-President:  Barbara Stowe
Treasurer:  Chris deGrandpre
Secretary:  Dr. Nancy Church
Member-at-Large:  Richard Kibben

Do you have any comments about our website, or ideas for links or other information you would like to see included?  We'd be glad to consider your suggestions!