Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library

CLASS: Indoor Walking with Leslie Sansone DVDs
2026-04-09 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-07 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-02 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-31 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-26 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-24 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-19 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library, 21 William St, Hammondsport, NY, 14840, United States
We walk to various Leslie Sansone DVDs downstairs at the library on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 am.
You are welcome to attend once a week, twice a week, or drop in now and then.
No, we aren’t walking in a circle! Walk in place, bend & stretch, dance & more. Come by and see what it’s like.
Please wear comfortable clothes, bring clean shoes to walk in and a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
Use the lower entrance at the Lake side of the building. The doors will be open at least 10 minutes before starting time.

TALK: Our Health Care Crisis and What Can Be Done About It
2026-04-08 17:30 - 18:30
Is the American Health Care system broken?
Why is it hard to find a primary care physician? Why do you have to wait weeks to get an appointment? Why do you get sent to an urgent care clinic or the ER when you are sick instead of seeing your primary care physician?
Why are infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates significantly higher in the US than in Canada or other wealthy countries? (Canada 3.74, New York State 4.1, Cortland County 8.5, Cayuga County 8.6, Tompkins County 6.0 –2024 or 2025)
The United States spends nearly twice what Canada and Europe and other wealthy countries spend per capita on health care–$14,800 in the US vs $7000-$9000 in Canada and Europe. And in those countries all citizens have comprehensive health care, including long term care. And in spite of the high cost of health care in the United States, we have shorter life expectancy.
Why do all citizens in every other wealthy country have access to health care but in the US, 27 million Americans do not have health insurance? The high cost of health insurance with high deductibles, high copays and out-of-network costs leave millions of Americans in debt and hesitant to use health care. Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy in the US– 62% of consumer bankruptcy.
Dozens of hospitals in rural Upstate New York are at risk of closing. Medicaid and Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals are at rates that are not sufficient to keep rural hospitals open and draw doctors to practice. Rural hospitals with more uninsured patients provide care for which they are not reimbursed. Many rural New York hospitals have closed or are closing some services. Cayuga Medical Center no longer admits children. Children who require hospitalization are sent to Syracuse or Rochester.
And why is doctor burn-out increasing. Young doctors are not going into primary care and experienced doctors are leaving practice.
And, why do we pay 2 to 4 times as much for medications in the US than in Canada?
Our current health care system is making it difficult for people to access health care, making it hard for rural hospitals and clinics to stay financially solvent, causing health care providers to feel burned out and leaving rural areas especially without sufficient doctors and nurses. Other countries provide health care to everyone and have solved many of the problems we have. The New York Health Act (NYHA) is a bill in the NY State Assembly and Senate that if passed would provide high quality, comprehensive health care for all NY citizens for less cost and would remove many of the barriers to care. If you would like to learn more about the NYHA, come join us for a discussion.
Join us for a Public Information/Talk on Weds April 8th at 5:30pm with Susan Beckley & Marguerite Uphoff MD.
Marguerite Uphoff, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. brief bio
I am a retired pediatrician. I graduated from the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Medical school in 1966. I did pediatric residency training at Stanford University Medical Center, at Korle Bu hospital in Ghana, and at Children’s Hospital in Oakland California and Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. And, I did a masters in Public Health at the University of California in Berkley.
In 1971, I joined Dr. C. Philip Meyer in pediatric practice in Ithaca. Together we built up Northeast Pediatrics Practice. In addition to pediatric practice, I was school physician for the Ithaca and Lansing school districts from the mid 1990’s until I retired in 2021.
I am concerned about how difficult it has become for ordinary Americans to access good health care. American health care has become increasingly corporatized over the past twenty years. The goal of making money for investors by managing health care does not align with our community’s need for health care. Our health care system is in crisis. Universal health care, comprehensive health care for all as written in the New York Health Act is the best possibility of saving and improving health care for patients and for the practitioners who provide health care.

Susan Beckley is a small business manager. Currently she is doing the administrative work for two local manufacturing companies, a landlord and a General Construction contractor. These and the additional businesses she has managed over the past 30 years have each had none or less than 10 employees and had not provided health insurance. Having also managed a physician’s practice, becoming a medical billing specialist and a medical billing coder. She is comfortable addressing health care needs not only from the economic standpoint of employers, employees and providers but also for the economic and healthcare coverage needs of patients and the general population. Ms. Beckley has been giving informational Power Point presentations since 2017 on the NY Health Act. This current legislation would provide universal health care coverage for all NY state residents, based upon ability to pay. If enacted, this comprehensive coverage would affect all NY state residents regardless of age, ability to pay or job status. Her presentation includes explanations of what the NY Health is and is not, the extent of coverage, and how the cost would impact all residents in the state. It is important for all of us to become familiar with this legislation, which has passed the NYS Assembly 4 years in a row and by over a 2 to 1 margin in 2017 and 2018. The bill currently is endorsed by over 50% of the State’s Senators and Assembly members. With a passing vote in the Senate Health Committee the bill would come out for a floor vote. With Senate and Assembly passage, the bill would then go to the Governor’s desk for signing. Information about this bill is too significant a factor in every NY state resident’s daily lives to lack information about it.

NO LBW Storytime today
2026-04-08 10:00 - 11:00

GROUP: Drop-in Knitting
2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-31 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-24 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-17 17:30 - 19:00
Join us every Tuesday evening from 5:30-7pm in the Robinson Room at the Library for some casual knitting & visiting. Meet up with old friends & make new. Bring any projects you’re working on, ideas, leftover materials, other people! If you crochet, that’s okay too

CLASSES: Gentle Yoga & Mediation
2026-04-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-30 16:00 - 18:00
Join Lauren Shaw, of Yoga at Grace Farm, in a Gentle Yoga class Mondays from 4-5pm, downstairs at the Library.
Following Gentle Yoga at 5:15pm, join Lauren Shaw for a weekly meditation group, upstairs in the Robinson Room.
You will be sitting comfortably in a chair while you meditate. Each session lasts 45 minutes.
Of course, you can attend one or the other of these classes; attendance at both is not required.
While the Yoga & Meditation classes are free, donations are always welcome to facilitate continuance of the classes.

SALE: Saturday Book Sale
2026-04-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-21 10:00 - 14:00
Our ‘Book Ends’ Book Sale Rooms are Open 10-2 every Saturday, downstairs at the library.
New materials are added weekly; always fresh materials to sift through.
Books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, puzzles & more.
Children’s/Young Readers room: board books to young adult.
Use the lower exterior entrance at the Lake side of the building.
All sales & proceeds benefit the Library programs; we appreciate your support.

PLAYTIME: Friday Morning Open Play
2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-20 10:00 - 11:00
Friday Morning Open Play! Just like it sounds, BethAn will have the Storytime area downstairs open for you to come & play. No structure, no agenda. Friday Morning Open Play is a time to play with your friends & make new friends too. Intended for ages 0-4 and their caregivers, of course all are welcome.

GROUP:THREADS fiber arts
2026-03-31 14:00 - 16:00
Textile craft art (knitting, crochet, weaving, tatting, macramé, gluing/painting/decoupage crafts, etc.)
Hand and machine quilting
Rug weaving and hooking
Embroidery and needlework
Applique techniques
Dry and wet felting
Spinning and Sewing
THREADS has an open gathering monthly at the library on the last Tuesday of each month (with the exception of July & August) from 2-4pm. We invite anyone interested in any of the fiber arts to join in, bring your work or just come to see what’s going on.

EASTER EGG HUNT!
2026-03-28 11:00 - 12:00
Join us on Saturday March 28th from 11am to Noon for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Just we can let the Easter Bunny know how many eggs to bring, please RSVP below or call the library at 607-569-2045. Free & open to all ages 0-12(ish)

CLASS: REFIT/REV&FLOW
2026-03-26 17:00 - 18:30
Join Lynn Hayes for some REFIT cardio and/or REV&FLOW strength training on the last Thursday of each month.
Lynn will hold two sessions from 5-6:30pm on the last Thursday of each month beginning Thursday, Jan 29th. The first session, from 5-5:30pm is called REFIT: cardio movement to music. The second session is 5:30-6:30pm and is called REV+FLOW: strength, balance, toning & flexibility development.
What to bring:
For REFIT: sneakers
For REV+FLOW: sneakers, yoga mat & 1-2 lb hand weights
If you’re able, a $5-10 donation is appreciated for the sessions

CLASS: Ceramics Painting w/Berry Pottery
2026-03-25 17:00 - 18:00
UPDATE: as of 3/34 the ceramics class is full. If you’d like to be put on a waiting list, please call the library at 607-569-2045

Create your own adorable mini Springtime vase with Aubrie Cole of Berry Pottery at 5pm on Weds. March 25th. There is a $5 materials fee for the class; please RSVP below so we can prepare required materials. Thanks!

STORYTIME: Little Bookworms w/BethAn
2026-03-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-18 10:00 - 11:00
Bring your Little Bookworm to the Library every Wednesday morning from 10am-11am for a creative, educational & hands-on Storytime.
Little Bookworms is for ages 0-4 and their caregivers. BethAn Parulski-Seager develops & implements each Storytime. BethAn’s 20 years of educational experience offers a wide range of learning events for your Little Bookworm.
There are monthly themes to aid in exploration aimed at a year-long experience that will build on your Little Bookworm’s ability to smoothly transition to pre-school, kindergarten or continue on your path of home-schooling.
Activities are designed to help with sensory, motor and literary development. Socialization with the other Bookworms is also vital and fun! Please RSVP so that we can anticipate activity supplies.
Downstairs at the library. You may use the lower exterior entrance at the Lake side of the building for easy access with little ones.

TALK: 259 Referendum Q&A
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:00
Attend a Community Q&A forum to learn about the proposed 259 Referendum for the Library this Spring. Open to all; everyone is encouraged to come!

CLASSES: Gentle Yoga & Meditation
2026-03-23 16:00 - 18:00

CLASS: Create Bookish Art
2026-03-18 17:00 - 18:00
Join Sally Jacoby Murphy to create tiny, framed Bookish Artworks at 5pm on Weds. March 18th. Materials are free & will be provided. Please RSVP below just for preparing quantities of material. Thanks!
