Historical Timeline

1918

The faculty of the Earlville School met to develop a plan for making better literature available to young readers. One room in the Morgan Block, where the current library stands, was available if books and magazines could be obtained.

The formal opening was held on February 18, 1918. Tea was served.

1919

A Provisional or Temporary Charter for the Earlville Free Library was obtained on September 17, 1919.

1920

In 1920, the first rummage sale to support the library was held. The entire village participated. It lasted for three days and made $368.

1925

Another rummage sale in 1925 made $700 and was a major village event.

The Easter fire of 1925 burned the Morgan Block where the library was kept. Only a few hundred books were saved. The library rented rooms in the Cotton Laboratory.

1926

On February 5, 1926, the library room in the new Village Hall was formally opened.

1927

The Absolute Charter was issued on February 17,1927.ks. She read several stories to the children.

 1966

In January of 1966, the Library Board began to discuss ideas to enlarge the library.

The new expansion project started in March of 1966.

In 1967, the Library received funds from the Library Services and Construction Act Federal Grant in the amount of $37,692.

1969

On November 23, 1969, the new library opened with an Open House. It contained 4,000 square feet and had a new meeting room named Edna Lamb Room that would serve the community as a social room.

1972

In January of 1972, the Library Board was notified of a financial bequest through the wills of Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Keech. The Board used part of the money to purchase air conditioning for the library.

 1987

As the library’s circulation increased, four paid part-time staff positions were added.

1988

In January of 1988, the Library began on-line computer booking services with the Mid York Library System.

1990

Mrs. Wilcox, the librarian, started special Christmas programs that lead to the annual Earlville Christmas decorating contest.

 1997

The library received a grant to purchase a computer to be used primarily by children.

1998

The roof to the library was redone.

2000

The Gates Foundation provided the library with 5 new computers. The Mid-York Foundation covered the cost of moving the office and circulation desk to the right of the front door and turning the old office room into the computer lab for the community.

2003

The Library was named one of the top ten libraries in the country serving towns with populations of 1,000 and under.

The Library received a grant from the Mid-York Foundation for new draperies and rods.

The Library installed a new HVAC system.

2004

The Library was again named one of the top ten libraries in the country serving small populations.

Through funds from the XXX foundation, the library was able to create a small kitchen space in the meeting room.

2005

The Earlville Library became the first library in the area to offer wireless for patrons bringing their own computers.

The Library was awarded $6,750 from the State Education Department of NY, a construction aid grant for 2004-2005 for façade work (new windows, doors, painting, new sign, a new drop box, new community bulletin board, etc.) Matching funds came from the Partnership for Community Development as part of the Earlville Main Street Improvement Program.

2007

The Library received a grant from the Mid-York Foundation for a new desk and work area for the Library Director, a new meeting room Divider Door and for replacement shelving in the back storage room.

The Library was a recipient of a donation of a new circulation desk from Gaylord in Syracuse. Gaylord donated the desk to the Mid-York Library System and any library within the system was allowed to enter their name. We were chosen from a random drawing.

2008

On February 18, 2008, the Earlville Free Library will be 90 years old thanks to the rich tradition of community support and the hard work of numerous volunteers who have contributed to the success of “Our Library”.

2009

The Libri Foundation selected the Earlville Library to be a recipient of a grant for BOOKS for CHILDREN. A total value of $1,400 books. The grant required matching funds of $350. The Library raised $375 from several local businesses: Mang Insurance ($50), NBT Bank ($75) and Frontier Communications ($250).

On December 11, 3:30 pm, Laura Hand of the News Channel 3 in Syracuse, helped the Library unveil the new Libri boo