The Villager – April 2022
Kate Bartlett
This year marks the Ellicottville Memorial Library’s 60th year in the community. It has evolved from just a few informal bookshelves in a school library, to a beautiful log-cabin-like building with large collections of books (and other media), computers, meeting rooms, and numerous activities and events throughout the year.
Laura Flanagan is the current Director of the Ellicottville Library. She moved to Ellicottville with her family from the Adirondacks 26 years ago, where she worked as the Director of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. “I have been working as the Director of the Library for the last 16 years and loving (almost) every minute of it!” Laura prides herself on hard work and a job well done.
“Unofficially the library began in the late 1940’s when the school library allowed a small group of local women to have two shelves dedicated for their use. This first tiny Library was open on Saturdays from 2 – 4 pm for the community to borrow books. It wasn’t long before the group needed more space, so they decided to rent a room from Alice Fox adjacent to the Fox House on Jefferson Street for $15.00 a month. In 1961 the NYS Board of Regents approved a charter for the Library and the Ellicottville Memorial Library was born. It began in the small brick building that now houses the Historical Society before moving across the street in 1978 to the 1887 building where it remained for 28 years. The final move was in 2006, when we moved to our current location on Maples Road after many years of planning and fundraising. The success of the new library has been overwhelming to say the least.”
“Currently we have several programs for both adults and children. We recently started a chess club for kids in 1st through 12th grade. This group meets every Friday after school. There is also a middle school book club which meets once a month for snacks and a discussion of the featured book. For adults we have a knitting group, a weekly craft club, and various exercise classes such as Tai Chi and Yoga. Throughout the year we try to have special presentations on topics of interest to the community. We are always looking for community members who would like to share a hobby or a special area of interest. Check out our website at ellicottvillelibrary.org for information on all upcoming programs and events.”
“In addition to programs, the library continually improves our technology and Wi-Fi access – which is on 24 hours a day and is available in our parking lot after hours. Our fiber optic internet is safe and reliable and we improve the speed whenever possible to keep up with increased demand. We are so fortunate that the Rotary of Ellicottville Foundation for Youth provided a grant recently for various computer upgrades. This included the purchase of new 27-inch computer monitors for all 5 patron computers and upgrades to the hard drives. They also helped to improve our Wi-Fi access.”
“The Ellicottville Library was a popular place in 2021. We circulated over 22,000 items and over 6,000 of those items were a direct result of providing access to our digital materials, which patrons can download to a variety of eReader devices using the free Libby app. Thankfully we remained open for the entire year and were able to begin providing programs and events once again. We held 426 programs with over 2,700 people in attendance. Every day we provided technical assistance to patrons regarding computers and wireless devices as well as assistance with internet searches, forms and printing. Of course, sometimes the help we offered was as simple as a good book or movie. Our resources helped people get away from it all for a few minutes or a few hours. It is no small thing to offer people moments of relaxation during very challenging times.”
Laura likes to think of this Library as a quiet, faithful friend of the community. “Through the decades, many folks have taken leadership roles, volunteered and nurtured it to what has become a place of warmth and welcome, with the nostalgia and dignity which befits a small-town library. It is unique because of the people who have gotten it to this point as well as the people who continue to care about both the beautiful building and the people is serves.”
It is hard for Laura to pick just one thing that she loves about this community. “If I have to pick just one it is the generous people that reside here. So many people helped to make this library building a reality and they continue to support us in so many ways. This community always rallies to support a good cause or an individual or family in need.”
Her favorite thing about her job, besides the books, is being able to help people. “Everything from selecting/recommending a book, showing people how to access free digital materials on the Libby app, computer assistance, or sometimes just being a person to listen when someone’s having a bad day. In short, helping others always feels good and that is what makes my job enjoyable.”
What’s next for the library? “Our story this year is one of change and adaptation. Over the next year we will continue to adapt and shift our services in response to our community’s needs with both innovative services and the basics. We will connect people to information, experiences, and services that enhance their quality of life so our community can learn, enjoy, and thrive. We are here for you no matter what happens when we turn the page.
Upcoming events included their biggest event – the 5-week Summer Reading Program for kids. This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities” which promises to be a fun one. “Each year we have approximately 100 children who participate and they always enjoy the contests, scavenger hunts, mini golf, minute to win it games and of course reading books. These great readers tally over 60,000 minutes of reading during the 5 weeks! In addition, many outside groups are beginning to use the Community Room once again. Groups such as Girl Scouts, the Ellicottville Historical Society, and exercise classes help to keep the library a hub of activity in the community.”
To quote Albert Einstein, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” Visit the library 6499 Maples Road online @ ellicottvillelibrary.org, follow on Facebook or call 716-699-2842