Penfield Public Library celebrates nearly 84 years of community service with a special Free Books Club tote bag giveaway

Penfield, New York – As the Penfield Public Library approaches a remarkable milestone, the sense of celebration is already building inside its walls. Nearly 84 years after first opening its doors, the library is marking not just longevity, but a period of renewed energy, growing readership, and deeper community connection. To say thank you, the Friends of Penfield Public Library are rolling out a small but meaningful gesture aimed squarely at the people who make it all possible: the patrons.

At the heart of this celebration is a Special Tote Bag Giveaway designed to honor what the library affectionately calls the “free books club.” Whether residents have been visiting the library for decades or just recently signed up for a card, library leaders say every reader plays a role in shaping the welcoming atmosphere that defines Penfield Public Library today. That sense of belonging, they note, is what allows the institution to continue offering essential services and resources to neighbors across the community.

The timing of the giveaway also coincides with impressive growth reflected in the library’s upcoming annual report. In 2025 alone, 182,117 people walked through the library’s doors, marking a 4.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. Even more striking is the surge in activity at the circulation desk. The number of library materials checked out jumped by an eye-catching 16 percent, a clear sign that reading, learning, and curiosity remain very much alive in Penfield.

To celebrate these milestones, the Friends of PPL have stepped in to sponsor a limited run of “Free Books Club tote bags.” The reusable bags are meant as both a thank-you and a badge of pride for library supporters, offering a practical way to carry borrowed books while spreading the message of community-powered literacy.

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Starting Friday, January 23, patrons who check out a book at the Penfield Public Library can request a “Free Books Club tote bag” directly at the circulation desk. Availability, however, is limited. Each bag is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with one tote per person who is physically present at the library. Reservations are not available, reinforcing the library’s emphasis on in-person connection and shared experience.

Library staff say the response so far reflects the same enthusiasm that has driven recent growth. The tote bags are expected to go quickly, but the deeper goal is to remind patrons that their visits, checkouts, and participation truly matter.

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As the new year begins, the message from the library is simple and sincere. “Happy New Year from everyone at the Penfield Public Library – we look forward to another great year of growth and readership with you, our Awesome Library Patrons!”