Potsdam Public Library (Potsdam, NY) is the premier media resource center serving the North Country, which is the northernmost region in New York State. The history of the Library can be traced back to 19th century when the library movement began in Potsdam. Potsdam Public Library has participated in the A.R.T. Library Program for more than 5 years.

A.R.T. Library Program Questionnaire gathers insights from librarians and publishers within the Program's distribution network to reconsider and reflect on what it means to make art books public today.

• How would you define the main role the library plays in your community?

Potsdam Public Library serves as a media hub for our community located in North County, which is the northernmost region in New York State. It is located in the same building providing other public functions, such as the police station, rescue squad, neighborhood center, village offices, museum, and planning board.

• How would you define your responsibility as a librarian?

As the family literacy specialist, I offer story time sessions, children's programs, homeschool classes. I also manage the donation of 3,000 books every month from Syracuse, NY to Burlington, VT.

• When was the first time you participated in the A.R.T. Library Program? Do you participate yearly?

We participated before Covid-19 hit. We’ve most definitely participated every year since then.

• What do art books provide that other books might not? Why is it important for your library to make art books available?

My homeschool art appreciation class relied heavily on A.R.T. books for reference and inspiration. We are a remote and rural location without access to art museums. The books that A.R.T. Library Program freely provided are crucial for our art educational programs.