History Olean Public Library

1 history

1.1 olean library association
1.2 forman library
1.3 old olean public library

1.3.1 features


1.4 new olean public library

history
olean library association

on march 25, 1871, olean library association established small group of public-spirited citizens. first meeting held in miss lyon s school house on laurens street. in may 1871, library settled in rear of john g. pelton s tailor shop (located on west side of north union street, midway between laurens , state streets). open 1 day per week, saturday 1-9 pm. annual dues $2.00 gentlemen , $1.00 ladies. 697 books formed collection.

on september 30, 1878, library moved new home under supervision of charles gillingham. located in room rented p.j. hastings in known berg (or birge, after norman birge, harness maker owned block). later, moved quarters on second floor of exchange bank building, , 102 hamilton street remained until 1889.

forman library

on june 12, 1888, library renamed in honor of george v. forman, donated property , building. forman founder of vandergrift, forman & company, became part of standard oil company. library moved new home on forman property on april 2, 1889.

old olean public library

on december 13, 1906, charter granted board of regents of new york state named institution “the olean public library” , became free library. in april 1909, library relocated second floor of city hall while carnegie library being built on forman property. cornerstone carnegie building laid on july 3, 1909.

features

the library historic, built in 1909, funds provided philanthropist andrew carnegie 1 of 3,000 such libraries constructed between 1885 , 1919, , 1 of 107 in new york state. carnegie provided $40,000 (equivalent $1,066,000 in 2016) toward construction of olean library. building designed architect edward l. tilton in beaux-arts style. interior features grand stairway , entrance, large rooms, , central atrium. carnegie building opened may 23, 1910 , period of growth in size , scope of collection , patronage began immediately. listed on national register of historic places in 1985.

new olean public library

in 1970s, new site secured library , on september 21, 1973, library opened @ 134 north second street in former loblaws supermarket. modern facility continues meet changing informational needs of community. mission of olean public library improve community s quality of life providing equal access materials in various formats, programming , services patrons of ages, , capable , professional staff available assist members of greater olean community in support of educational, informational, , leisure needs.