<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Mvyys_1Guhk4zK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Mvyys_1Guhk4zK00" width="1200" height="900" ><figcaption>Seymour Public Library in Brockport on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Photo: (Claire Miller)</figcaption></figure>In a world where information is so easily accessible, the Seymour Public Library offers more than a place to read, it offers a place to connect with others in the community.According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of Americans aged 16 and older say having a public library improves quality of life in their community. 81% of people say public libraries provide services that may not otherwise be as accessible.Seymour Public Library has served the community for 90 years and offers many programs and resources.Part-time employee, Lisa Rice explains that libraries used to be just about books but have now become a source of information and a place to socialize with others.“Children come in often, and parents with children. We have lots of adults for book clubs, but we have recently seen an uptick in tweens coming in and hanging out,” Rice said.She sees the same families coming in each week to see what crafts and activities the library has to offer that day.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=129nqO_1Guhk4zK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=129nqO_1Guhk4zK00" width="1920" height="1440" ><figcaption>The Children’s Center at Seymour Public Library in Brockport on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Photo: (Claire Miller)</figcaption></figure>Library director, Patrick Pittman highlights the programs and resources offered to families and community members.“We do digital literacy classes where people can come in with questions about their devices, and third-party programs work one-on-one with them to help,” Pittman said.In addition to these services, the library also provides meeting and study rooms for the public to use. Community members can reserve these rooms whether they need a quiet place to study or a place to collaborate with others.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1ViSyI_1Guhk4zK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1ViSyI_1Guhk4zK00" width="1440" height="1920" ><figcaption>Info Center at Seymour Public Library in Brockport on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Photo: (Claire Miller)</figcaption></figure>Pittman also explained that the library is a daytime warming spot in the winter, where people who are unhoused can find a safe and warm environment.“When you walk in the door, you are a patron. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, it doesn’t matter who you are, you are walking into the library just like every other person, and you have access to anything any other person does,” Pittman said.Erin Dorney is one of the community members who regularly visits the library. For Dorney, the library serves as a place to connect with friends while working remotely.“When I come here once a week, I come with my friend. We both work remotely, so we come here for a few hours because the rest of the time we are alone in our houses, which is very isolating,” Dorney said.Dorney said she‘s overheard library staff helping people with taxes, computer issues and Medicaid applications.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2WMa0F_1Guhk4zK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2WMa0F_1Guhk4zK00" width="1920" height="1440" ><figcaption>Computer Center at Seymour Public Library in Brockport on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Photo: (Claire Miller)</figcaption></figure>“I know there are older people who come to the library to get help with computers, and my dad has even come to get help with his phone,” Dorney said.Another library patron who uses the library is Susan Hurley. Hurley and her son come to the library four times a week, where her son receives tutoring and therapy services in a community setting.“The library provides a space for many people to gather and meet. I have met so many people from different backgrounds that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” Hurley said.Hurley said that she has seen people from group homes come with their van, allowing them to check out books and use the computers.When looking at the future of the Seymour Public Library, one challenge is not increasing technology but decreasing library funding.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2mscrB_1Guhk4zK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2mscrB_1Guhk4zK00" width="1200" height="670" ><figcaption>Local Library Stories Show Impact of Unprecedented Federal Funding Cuts (American Library Association).</figcaption></figure>In March 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency that provides funding to libraries and museums. This caused many local libraries to raise concerns about their financial stability.<div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pOU3SEeKwks?si=9ux0v01RxGzUiVVL" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>“I don’t have concerns regarding technology, just funding. Library funding has been cut time and time again, and I would love to see libraries get more funding because they are so important for the community,” Dorney said.Rice said that library cuts have made it harder to make new purchases, specifically computers.With library cuts to our funding, it’s hard, and we would love to get new computers more frequently, but unfortunately we rely on funding,” Rice said.As technology continues to advance and funding challenges raise questions about the future of libraries, the Seymour Public Library continues to be a space where people can find support, build connections and help those in need.</div></body>

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In a world where information is so easily accessible, the Seymour Public Library offers more than a place to read, it offers a place to connect with others in the community. According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of Americans aged 16 and older say having a public library improves quality of life in their community. 81% of people say public libraries provide services that may not otherwise be as accessible.

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In a world where information is so easily accessible, the Seymour Public Library offers more than a place to read, it offers a place to connect with others

More than books

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