A New Chapter Begins...
Our library has always been a place for learning, connection, and community. With our new name, Your VVS Corner Library, we celebrate our commitment to the entire VVS area. No matter where you’re headed, we’re in your corner. Where here to connect, inspire, and support you. Our new name reflects our dedication to serving everyone, while keeping all the services, programs, and resources you love. Visit our FAQ to learn more about the change and what it means for you.
As we open our new chapter as Your VVS Corner Library, we also take a moment to honor our past. The library’s story began over a century ago with humble beginnings, shaped by the vision and dedication of community members and early leaders. Each chapter has built on the last, creating the welcoming, inspiring, and supportive place it is today. Let’s see how it all began.
Chapter one: A Library is Born
The first library in Sherrill began humbly in 1900 with a cupboard of books for public use. One was set up by Steven R. Leonard at the Oneida Community Limited Trap Factory, and another by Harriet E. Joslyn at the OCL Silk Factory, both intended for employees to enjoy and learn. When Mrs. Joslyn passed away in 1915, she generously left a donation of OCL stock to help establish a public library incorporated under New York State law. This marked the beginning of a library that would grow to serve the entire community.
Chapter Two: A Home of Our Own
In 1921, the library moved into its first dedicated building on East Noyes Boulevard, with Mrs. Florence McDonald serving as the first full-time librarian. After Mrs. McDonald retired in 1946, Mrs. Esther Lanz took over, followed in 1956 by Mrs. Jean Bigger. During Mrs. Bigger’s tenure, the library became a member of the Mid-York Library System, expanding its connections and resources to better serve the community.
Chapter Three: Growing Pains and a New Location
By 1970, the library needed more space to accommodate a growing collection and serve an expanding community. This led to the decision to build the current building on Sherrill Road, which could be seen from the old building. The community famously came together to help move the collection, forming a “book brigade” and passing books hand to hand from one building to the other. After 21 years of guiding the library through many changes, Jean Bigger retired. She was succeeded by Mrs. Judy Noyes, who led the library through the challenging economic times of the 1980s, when reduced financial aid postponed needed renovations and repairs. Despite these hurdles, the library continued to serve as a vital hub for learning and community connection.
Chapter Four: A Children's Room
Upon the retirement of Mrs. Judy Noyes in 1994, Melissa Hawthorne became the library manager, guiding the library until December 1997. During this time, the library continued to grow and evolve. In 1995, the library board launched a capital fund campaign to renovate the building, and one of the most exciting additions was the creation of a dedicated children’s room on the lower level. This new space provided young readers with a welcoming area to explore books, spark their imagination, and engage with the library from an early age.
Chapter Five: Leadership and Resilience
Bonnie Unsworth served as library manager from December 1997 to March 2011, guiding the library through continued growth and community engagement. Upon her retirement, Jennifer Milligan became library director, serving until June 2015. In July 2015, Mary Kay Junglen took on the role of library manager and led the library through one of its most challenging periods: the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time, the library faced funding reductions, and in 2022 the board sought stable support from the residents of the VVS Central School District. An annual tax levy was approved, securing the library’s first stable funding for 2023, ensuring continued services, programs, and resources for the community.
Mary Kay retired in June 2022, and William Loveland served as library director until May 2024. At that time, Cathi Brewer was hired as the current library director, continuing the library’s mission of connecting, inspiring, and supporting every member of the VVS community.