We're making progress.

This is my motto at the Seymour Public Library. I began working as the library director six months ago. Complete strangers approach me in the grocery store with smiling faces. While in church, my staff members are told that they like what is happening.

There is even hubbub in the library parking lot about progress within the walls of the library.

So here's my progress report. We've focused on customer service. Several policies relating to checking out materials have been changed. For example, in the past, children had to be able to write their names in order to get a library card. That is no longer the case, and younger siblings are now unlikely to throw a temper tantrum because they, too, are entitled to a library card.

We've also extended the time new books can be checked out from 10 days to 14 days. And patrons who want to place a hold on library materials can keep their change since we are no longer charging a fee for this service.

We've improved access to library materials by updating the library collection, displaying books face-out to show off the appealing covers, and increasing the hours in the Children's Room. Beginning in September, the Children's Room will be open to the public every Tuesday night.

We've expanded the library collection by leasing multiple copies of bestsellers. They arrive on our doorstep the same day as the bookstores receive them and are available almost immediately.

We've reached out to the community by working with area book groups to make sure we've got copies of books they'll be reading. I've been attending Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce events to spread the word about the library. Recently, I visited the Boyle Center and talked about our services.

My next outreach stop, in September, will be the Auburn Correctional Facility for the Employee Awareness Day.

My first visit to Auburn was in November 2005. While on a tour, Wegmans and the YMCA were both pointed out to me as popular places. When I relocated to Auburn from Dover, Del. in February 2007, I continuously heard that I was not really a citizen until I had two things, a Wegmans card and a YMCA membership card.

I want future and current residents to realize just how valuable the library is to the community, and for a library card to be on that list as well.

Sheila Anderson is the director of Seymour Library in Auburn.