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Wood Library Association

EIN 16-0755896 · Canandaigua, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WOOD LIBRARY PROVIDES A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPARK THEIR IMAGINATIONS, SATISFY THEIR CURIOSITY, ENGAGE IN LIFELONG LEARNING, AND MAKE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
49.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
30
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$106,229, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 91 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. WOOD LIBRARY IS A FREE ASSOCIATION LIBRARY CHARTERED TO SERVE THE CANANDAIGUA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. AS A MEMBER OF THE FOUR-COUNTY 42 MEMBER OWWL LIBRARY SYSTEM, IT OFFERS FREE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF ONTARIO, WAYNE, WYOMING, AND LIVINGSTON COUNTRIES. IN 2024 WOOD LIBRARY SAW AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO VISITED THE LIBRARY, WITH 83,994 COMING THROUGH THE DOORS. 11,693 PATRONS USED THEIR LIBRARY CARD TO CHECK OUT 169,681 ITEMS. DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR WITH PATRONS DOWNLOADING 59,517 EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS. STAFF SUPPORTED REFERENCE REQUESTS, PROVIDED TECH HELP, AND NOTARY SERVICES, WHICH SAW AN INCREASE OF 22%. MORE PATRONS THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR ATTENDED WOOD LIBRARY'S PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. PROGRAMS INCLUDED BOOK DISCUSSIONS, FILM SERIES, CRAFT, COOKING CLASSES, STORY TIMES, BOOK REVIEWS, AUTHOR TALKS, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL LECTURES. ADULTS WHO ATTENDED DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES LEARNED COMPUTER BASICS AND SOFTWARE PROGRAMS. PROBLEM DEVICES COULD ALSO BE BROUGHT IN AND DISCUSSED WITH A TECH TUTOR. PUBLIC INTERNET COMPUTERS WERE USED 8,626 TIMES IN 2024, AND PATRONS LOGGED 9,288 WIRELESS SESSIONS, UP 7%. PATRONS RELY ON THE LIBRARY'S INTERNET ACCESS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, WRITE REPORTS AND RESUMES, PAY BILLS, APPLY FOR JOBS, MAKE RESERVATIONS, APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, BANK ONLINE, TAKE ONLINE COURSES AND CHECK EMAIL. THE LIBRARY'S MANY PUBLIC HOTSPOTS FOR LOAN ARE POPULAR AMONG LIBRARY PATRONS. CLOSE TO 500 PEOPLE RECEIVED TAX AIDE ASSITANCE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH AARP, AN INCREASE OF 2%. WOOD LIBRARY CONTINUES TO LOAN MUSEUM PASSES FOR AREA ATTRACTIONS. COMMUNITY ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE TO OUTSIDE GROUPS FOR FREE AND WERE RESERVED OVER 1,000 TIMES IN 2024. LOCAL ARTISTS CAN ALSO DISPLAY THEIR WORK TO GAIN EXPOSURE. NEW INITIATIVES WERE ADDED IN 2024, INCLUDING A LITTLE FREE FARM STAND FOR PATRONS TO SHARE EXTRA PRODUCE, A SEED LIBRARY WHERE GARDENING SEEDS ARE EXCHANGED WITH OTHERS, AND A NEW SOON-TO-BE UNVEILED OUTDOOR SPACE- THE WOOD LIBRARY READING GARDEN. AN UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN IS BEING DEVELOPED FOR 2025 TO ENSURE THAT WOOD LIBRARY CONTINUES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1945.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.