Olean Public Library
Encyclopedia
The “Olean Library Association” was established on March 25, 1871 by a small group of public-spirited citizens. The first meeting was held in Miss Lyon's school house on Laurens Street. In May 1871, the Library settled in the rear of John G. Pelton's tailor shop (located on the west side of North Union Street, midway between Laurens and State streets). It was open only 1 day per week, Saturday from 1-9 PM. Annual dues were $2.00 for gentlemen and $1.00 for ladies. 697 books formed the collection.
On September 30, 1878 the Library moved to a new home under the supervision of Charles Gillingham. It is located in a room rented from P.J. Hastings in what was known as the Berg (or Birge, after Norman Birge, a harness maker who owned the block). Later, it moved to quarters on the second floor of the Exchange Bank building, and then to 102 Hamilton Street where it remained until 1889. On June 12, 1888, the Library is named in honor of George B. Forman, who donated the property and building.
The Library moved into its new home on Forman property on April 2, 1889. The charter, granted by the Board of Regents of New York State on December 13, 1906 named the institution “The Olean Public Library” and it became a free library. In April 1909 the Library relocated to the second floor of City Hall while the Carnegie library
was being built on the Forman property. The cornerstone for Carnegie building is laid on July 3, 1909.
The Old Olean Public Library (now known as the Old Library Restaurant) is a historic library
building located in Olean
in Cattaraugus County, New York
. It was designed and built in 1909, with funds provided by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
. It is one of 3,000 such libraries constructed between 1885 and 1919, and one of 107 in New York State. Carnegie provided $40,000 toward the construction of the Olean library. The building was designed by architect Edward L. Tilton
in the Beaux-Arts style. The interior features a grand stairway and entrance, large rooms, and central atrium. The Carnegie building was opened May 23, 1910 and a period of growth in the size and scope of the collection and patronage began almost immediately. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985.
In the early 1970s a new site was secured for the Library and on September 21, 1973, the library opened at 134 North Second Street in a former Loblaws Supermarket
. The modern facility continues to meet the changing informational needs of the community. The mission of the Olean Public Library is to improve the community's quality of life by providing equal access to materials in various formats, programming and services for patrons of all ages, and a capable and professional staff available to assist members of the greater Olean community in support of their educational, informational, and leisure needs.
On September 30, 1878 the Library moved to a new home under the supervision of Charles Gillingham. It is located in a room rented from P.J. Hastings in what was known as the Berg (or Birge, after Norman Birge, a harness maker who owned the block). Later, it moved to quarters on the second floor of the Exchange Bank building, and then to 102 Hamilton Street where it remained until 1889. On June 12, 1888, the Library is named in honor of George B. Forman, who donated the property and building.
The Library moved into its new home on Forman property on April 2, 1889. The charter, granted by the Board of Regents of New York State on December 13, 1906 named the institution “The Olean Public Library” and it became a free library. In April 1909 the Library relocated to the second floor of City Hall while the Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
was being built on the Forman property. The cornerstone for Carnegie building is laid on July 3, 1909.
The Old Olean Public Library (now known as the Old Library Restaurant) is a historic library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
building located in Olean
Olean, New York
Olean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County, and serves as the financial, business, transportation and entertainment center of the county. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.The city is...
in Cattaraugus County, New York
Cattaraugus County, New York
Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,317. The county seat is Little Valley.-History:...
. It was designed and built in 1909, with funds provided by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
. It is one of 3,000 such libraries constructed between 1885 and 1919, and one of 107 in New York State. Carnegie provided $40,000 toward the construction of the Olean library. The building was designed by architect Edward L. Tilton
Edward L. Tilton
Edward Lippincott Tilton was an American architect, with a practice in New York City, where he was born. He specialized in the design of libraries, such as the Olean Public Library and Mount Pleasant Library , two of about a hundred libraries, many of them Carnegie libraries, that he designed in...
in the Beaux-Arts style. The interior features a grand stairway and entrance, large rooms, and central atrium. The Carnegie building was opened May 23, 1910 and a period of growth in the size and scope of the collection and patronage began almost immediately. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1985.
In the early 1970s a new site was secured for the Library and on September 21, 1973, the library opened at 134 North Second Street in a former Loblaws Supermarket
Loblaws
Loblaws is a supermarket chain with over 70 stores in Canada, headquartered in Brampton, with stores across Ontario and Quebec. Loblaws is a division of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest food distributor...
. The modern facility continues to meet the changing informational needs of the community. The mission of the Olean Public Library is to improve the community's quality of life by providing equal access to materials in various formats, programming and services for patrons of all ages, and a capable and professional staff available to assist members of the greater Olean community in support of their educational, informational, and leisure needs.