Pictured: Denise Chilson, Hornell Public Library Director and NYLA Scholarship Winner; Brian Hildreth, STLS Executive Director; Eba Klindt, Programming Assistant and NYLA Scholarship Winner; and Elizabeth Rosales Cordova, Volunteer and 2025 STLS Volunteer of the Year.
From HPL,
The Hornell Public Library has enjoyed a remarkable season of recognition, as both individual staff members and the institution itself have earned several notable awards and honors at the regional, state, and national level.
Director Denise Chilson and Program Assistant Eba Klindt were recently awarded scholarships from the Southern Tier Library System (STLS) to attend the 2025 New York Library Association (NYLA) Conference. This annual statewide gathering is an opportunity for library professionals to explore new ideas, build skills, and bring innovative practices back to the communities they serve.
In addition, Program Assistant Jasmine Sims earned the NYLA Lake Placid First-Time Conference Stipend. Jasmine, who is currently pursuing her Master’s in Library Science from Albany University with a focus on rural public libraries, will join her colleagues at the conference for the first time. Her participation reflects the library’s growing investment in the professional development of its staff.
Hornell Public Library’s commitment to inclusion and community engagement also received state and national recognition. Klindt and library volunteer Elizabeth Rosales Cordova will present at NYLA about their successful Global Tales Multilingual Storytime program—a series supported by an ALA Capacity Building Grant. This program has helped Hornell become a more welcoming and inclusive space for residents of all backgrounds by expanding multilingual and multicultural programming.
That same commitment was recognized when the Hornell Public Library was awarded the 2025 PRISM Award by the South Central Regional Library Council. This honor is given for outstanding work in the areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice. With over 18 languages spoken in Hornell and the surrounding area, the library’s efforts to become a multicultural hub reflect the evolving and richly diverse makeup of the community.
Adding to the excitement, Elizabeth Rosales Cordova was honored with the 2025 STLS Volunteer Award, recognizing her dedication, creativity, and service to the library’s mission.
The library was also proud to welcome Lauren Moore, Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York State Librarian, on October 9, 2025. During her visit, Moore toured both the historic Carnegie library building and the newly launched Bookmobile. As someone who started her own career on a bookmobile, she expressed enthusiasm for the new addition, noting its potential to expand access to books, technology, and services for residents across the Hornell area.
These honors reflect not just the work of individuals, but the shared mission of the Hornell Public Library: to serve the community with care, creativity, and commitment. From technology help and resource connection to free Wi-Fi, high-interest reading materials, and a growing Library of Things collection, including games, tools, museum passes, and more, the library strives to meet the evolving needs of the people it serves.
Library cards are free and open doors to information, fun, and lifelong learning. Visit the Hornell Public Library in person, or find them online at www.hornellpubliclibrary.org, or on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to learn more.
