The Peru Gazette

L-R Stacey Bouquet & Becky Pace

Patrons Twila Jennings and her grandchildren Eli and Michael Dunham

Library entrance pickup

Art Exhibit Painting

By John T. Ryan (Please share)

Peru – Public Libraries! Does anyone use libraries when people can find almost any publication online? In Peru, NY the answer is YES! Many people use and appreciate the Peru Free Library’s books, media, and services. For example, last year, the library’s printed and digital media circulated 11,628 times, including 6,594 to adults and 3,575 to children, plus a digital circulation of 1,338. There are 700 active library cardholders; 117 people signed up for cards during the past year.

The Covid pandemic necessitated re-invention and creativity at almost every institution, including the Peru Library. For example, when Covid regulations barred patrons from entering the building, Library Director Becky Pace and Assistant Librarian Stacey Bousquet bagged books and media for patrons to pick up from an entryway bookcase. Patrons appreciated that innovation, so it continues. Each day there’s an average of twenty packed bags awaiting pickup. Becky Pace has been Library Director for twenty years, while Stacey Bousquet has been Assistant Director for eight years. Both women take great pride in their work and do their best to surpass patron expectations.

The library offers more than books, periodicals, and digital media. Both artists and patrons look forward to its frequent, high-quality art, quilt, and pottery exhibits. In addition, people appreciate its computer, wifi, copy, fax, and printing services, and organizations use the library’s spacious main room for special programs. The children’s reading program and art camp at the library are centerpieces of Peru’s summertime activities.

As a member of the Clinton-Franklin-Essex Library System, Peru’s cardholders have access to works in the system’s twenty-nine other libraries, plus libraries across New York State and the nation. Cardholders at other libraries, in turn, have access to Peru’s 18,000 books and media. As a result, cardholders at other libraries accounted for almost 25% of Peru’s 2022 circulation.

A Board of Trustees oversees the Peru Free Library. The Board’s current members are Marque Moffett – President; Sandy Divoli- Vice-President; Sarah Richman – Treasurer; Diane Haight – Secretary; Patric Andrews, Terri Cioppa, Patrick O’Mara, Rocky Divoli, and Dr. Tracy Orkin.  

Library hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm,
Saturday 10 am -1 pm. For more information, call 518-643-8618. Locate the library’s excellent website at https://www.perufreelibrary.org or via the Clinton-Essex Franklin County system at https://cefls.org/libraries/peru/