News
March 16th, 2026
2026 Library Grant Cycle Celebrates Youth with $195,656 to 24 Libraries Throughout Our Region
Our Library Grant Cycle, made grants from the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Fund. This cycle seeks to promote genuine intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of reading and learning by encouraging youth to develop habits of regular library use. Eligible applicants are the 33 public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties, the 5 counties of the Finger Lakes Library System.
This year, $195,656 will be granted from the Bernard and Shirley Rosen Library Fund to 24 libraries across the Finger Lakes Library System. The original total request from libraries was $227,042.27, a clear reminder of the growing needs within our library system. Thanks to the generosity of two donor advised funds that stepped forward with an additional $25,500, we were able to stretch the impact of this cycle even further. This is what it looks like when philanthropy works together — when generosity builds on generosity to meet the moment.
This cycle was powered by an incredible group of volunteers. We had three review teams and 17 dedicated reviewers carefully read and discuss 32 requests. The conversations were thoughtful, engaged, and rooted in a shared desire to support the important work happening in our libraries.
Every library that applied received funding at some level. No applications were denied.
- 91% of applicants received 50% or more of their request
- 63% received full funding
This also marks the largest grant cycle in the history of this fund. Since its inception in 2009, the Rosen Fund has now granted $2,056,371.26 to libraries across our region.
CAYUGA COUNTY LIBRARIES
Aurora Free Library for Storytime Train
Aurora Free Library for Storytime Train: Take it on the Road and Beyond 2026
Hazard Library for Southern Cayuga Literacy Collaborations
Port Byron Library for Dig Into Summer Reading
Seymour Public Library District for Unearth a Story
Weedsport Free Library for Every Page is a New Discovery
CORTLAND COUNTY LIBRARIES
Cortland Free Library for Unearth a Story
Cortland Free Library for Dinosaurs Rock
Phillips Free Library for Book Clubs: The Joy of Reading
SENECA COUNTY LIBRARIES
Edith B. Ford Memorial Library for Unearth a Story
Interlaken Public Library for Unearth a Story
Lodi Whittier Library for Learning Adventures
Seneca Falls Library for Sparking the Next Generation of Readers
Seneca Falls Library for Unearth Reading Inspiration
Waterloo Library & Historical Society for Chatting up STEAM
TIOGA COUNTY LIBRARIES
Berkshire Free Library for Graphic Novel Books and Writing Workshop
Candor Free Library for 2026 Summer Reading Program
Coburn Free Library for Unearth a Story
George P. & Susan Platt Cady Library for Unearth a Story
Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library for StoryTime and Beyond
Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library for Summer Reading
Waverly Free Library for Unearth a Story
TOMPKINS COUNTY LIBRARIES
Groton Public Library for T(w)een Thing
Groton Public Library for Ready to Read & Roar
Lansing Community Library for Unearth a Story
Newfield Public Library for NPL 2026 Summer Reading Program
Southworth Library Association for Terrific Teen Tuesdays
Southworth Library Association for Summer Kids’ Clubs
Southworth Library Association for Family/School’s Out Kids Club Storytimes
Tompkins County Public Library Foundation for Unearth a Story
Ulysses Philomathic Library for Summer Reading Program 2026