History of Geneva Public Library
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A Brief History
The Geneva Free Library was chartered as an association library by action of the Board of Regents on June 25, 1905, to serve the city and town of Geneva. In 1990 the library was designated as the Central Library of the Pioneer Library System and its then 41 member libraries in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston counties. On November 15, 2005, the voters of the Geneva City School District passed a public library referendum to create the Geneva Public Library. On February 14, 2006, the Board of Regents granted an absolute charter as a school district public library to serve all of the residents of the Geneva City School District. |
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A More In-Depth Look
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Seneca Chapter, were the first to work towards forming a Geneva Free Library. On June 6, 1905, at 4:00 p.m., a meeting was held in the office of Charles N. Hemiup, who acted as chairman, to “apply to the New York State Education Department for a charter as a public library...Officers and directors were chosen, and the Library was under way.”
“With only 714 volumes available, the forerunner of today’s institution formally opened May 14, 1906...in an upper room of the then Y.M.C.A. on Castle Street.” Soon outgrown, it was moved to an “upper back room in the Wheat building on Seneca Street.”
Our current library building began its life as a church in the early years of the Village of Geneva. “The Universalist Church was organized on November 8, 1834”, upholding the doctrine that all people are predestined for salvation. “The congregation built a church the following year on the northwest corner of Main and Castle Streets. The congregation disbanded in 1910”.
With the disbanding of the Universalist Church, the Geneva Free Library trustees saw an opportunity to use the building. On “November 3, the Library’s trustees held a special meeting. A committee was appointed to execute a lease at an annual rent of $250” for the church. Within the month, the library had moved into the church building.
In 1917, the Universalist Board of Trustees notified the library that they would no longer allow them to rent the space, and to vacate after a trial. Around the same time, “the Librarian had reported 317 volumes collected and sent to New York for use of soldiers and sailors” during the Great War. In 1919, a Soldiers and Sailors Memorial was discussed with the possibility that it take “the form of a library building.” By 1920,the church and two adjoining properties were finally able to be purchased for use as the library, and renovations slowly began.
In 1938, the “Library Association, in consideration of a gift (cash funds) from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, Inc. was to take the necessary steps to change the name of the library building to that of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial”, though this would not change the name of the Geneva Free Library corporation.
As new services and collections grew, so did the need for space. “A generous gift from Dr. Warren Hunting Smith, together with funds raised through popular subscription made it possible, in 1961, to renovate the existing building extensively, and to add the modern west wing which provided additional floor space and also offered room for office and work areas.”
Yet, by 1990 the library was once again outgrowing the space provided though previous renovations and a large campaign was initiated to gather funds for an addition to the west wing. This most recent addition to the original church building was finished in 1995.
The Geneva Free Library operated as an association library until a vote was cast to become part of the Geneva City School District. On February 14, 2006 the library became an “education cooperation under the corporate name of Geneva Public Library”.
Today our library holds over 64,714 items for your enjoyment.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Seneca Chapter, were the first to work towards forming a Geneva Free Library. On June 6, 1905, at 4:00 p.m., a meeting was held in the office of Charles N. Hemiup, who acted as chairman, to “apply to the New York State Education Department for a charter as a public library...Officers and directors were chosen, and the Library was under way.”
“With only 714 volumes available, the forerunner of today’s institution formally opened May 14, 1906...in an upper room of the then Y.M.C.A. on Castle Street.” Soon outgrown, it was moved to an “upper back room in the Wheat building on Seneca Street.”
Our current library building began its life as a church in the early years of the Village of Geneva. “The Universalist Church was organized on November 8, 1834”, upholding the doctrine that all people are predestined for salvation. “The congregation built a church the following year on the northwest corner of Main and Castle Streets. The congregation disbanded in 1910”.
With the disbanding of the Universalist Church, the Geneva Free Library trustees saw an opportunity to use the building. On “November 3, the Library’s trustees held a special meeting. A committee was appointed to execute a lease at an annual rent of $250” for the church. Within the month, the library had moved into the church building.
In 1917, the Universalist Board of Trustees notified the library that they would no longer allow them to rent the space, and to vacate after a trial. Around the same time, “the Librarian had reported 317 volumes collected and sent to New York for use of soldiers and sailors” during the Great War. In 1919, a Soldiers and Sailors Memorial was discussed with the possibility that it take “the form of a library building.” By 1920,the church and two adjoining properties were finally able to be purchased for use as the library, and renovations slowly began.
In 1938, the “Library Association, in consideration of a gift (cash funds) from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, Inc. was to take the necessary steps to change the name of the library building to that of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial”, though this would not change the name of the Geneva Free Library corporation.
As new services and collections grew, so did the need for space. “A generous gift from Dr. Warren Hunting Smith, together with funds raised through popular subscription made it possible, in 1961, to renovate the existing building extensively, and to add the modern west wing which provided additional floor space and also offered room for office and work areas.”
Yet, by 1990 the library was once again outgrowing the space provided though previous renovations and a large campaign was initiated to gather funds for an addition to the west wing. This most recent addition to the original church building was finished in 1995.
The Geneva Free Library operated as an association library until a vote was cast to become part of the Geneva City School District. On February 14, 2006 the library became an “education cooperation under the corporate name of Geneva Public Library”.
Today our library holds over 64,714 items for your enjoyment.
