MASSENA - When Massena Public Library officials began an “adopt a magazine” program, they had 135 publications - magazines and newspapers - that they were asking users to consider absorbing the cost of a subscription for the library.

Library Director Elaine Dunne-Thayer says that list has now been whittled down significantly.

“We have just under 50 left, and we’re adding eight new titles. I think we’re doing very well,” she told members of the library’s board of trustees.

The library subscribes to a number of periodicals and, with their new cost-cutting initiative, they’re asking patrons to pay for a year’s subscription to their favorite magazine or newspaper.

Individuals or groups that “adopt” a periodical will be recognized on the cover of publication.

The list of periodicals that have not been “adopted” includes a number of long-time magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, People, Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated. Ms. Dunne-Thayer said they previously had a subscription to Entertainment Weekly, but dropped that in favor of retaining People magazine.

The cost of a year’s subscription varies by publication, from a low of $10 for magazines like Parenting, Motor Tend and Marie Claire, to a high of $249 for a year’s subscription to the Wall Street Journal - 304 issues all together in the year.

If a particular periodical isn’t in the library’s inventory, she said they could consider adding it if the person is willing to pay for the subscription for the year.

Ms. Dunne-Thayer said, as another way to cut the library’s costs, they’ll also be starting an “adopt an author” program similar to the periodicals effort. A person will be asked to purchase a book, read it and then bring it into the library for circulation.

“If there’s a particular author somebody likes, why don’t you pay for the book, read it and bring it in,” she said.

Looking for other ways to curb costs, Ms. Dunne-Thayer said they’re exploring author visits via Skype, a face-to-face visit that would cut down on the amount they would have to pay the author.

“They’re not live (at the library), but they’re live,” she said.

Their first Skype session will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday with Tom Angleberger, author of “The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda,” one of the books on the Battle of the Books list.

That visit will last for 30 minutes. The event is free, but registration is required and is limited to 15 children.

For more information on that session, contact Youth Services Library Assistant Kimberly Holmes at 769-9914.

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