Library Holds Meeting To Decide The Future Of Valuable Paintings

JAMESTOWN-The James Prendergast Library’s board will relist unsold paintings  with Sotheby’s, an international auction house, when it’s convenient for the library and the auctioneer, according to the library’s Executive Director, Tina Scott. 

Several months ago, at a board meeting,  a unanimous vote paved the way for an agreement between the library and the New York State Attorney General’s office that allowed the library to sell the art collection with one condition -that the artwork is sold via a reputable auction house.

Scott says the library has been dipping into its endowment fund to compensate for very drastic cuts to its funding.

“We are required to keep open the doors at least 55 hours a week and we do the best we can to keep those hours in order to serve the community,” said Tina Scott. “It is that place for the community to come and relax and enjoy it with their friends and family.”

In the coming months, the library will host more fundraisers to stave off dipping into its endowment but the future is uncertain given the drastic budget cuts from the City of Jamestown.

The library’s quarterly bargain book sale will run from December 7th through December 9th. Enjoy half off on all books, and fill a bag of books for just $10.