Olean Public Library

Olean Public Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Old Olean Public Library, April 2010
Location:	116 S. Union St., Olean, New York
Coordinates:	42°4′36″N 78°25′50″W / 42.07667°N 78.43056°W / 42.07667; -78.43056Coordinates: 42°4′36″N 78°25′50″W / 42.07667°N 78.43056°W / 42.07667; -78.43056
Built:	1909
Architect:	Tilton, Edward L.
Architectural style:	Beaux Arts
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	85001498[1]
Added to NRHP:	July 11, 1985

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.^[2]

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.^[2]

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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[1]

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.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.oleanlibrary.org/history.html
3. ^ Claire Ross (February 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Olean Public Library". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=855. Retrieved 2009-06-14.  See also: "Accompanying 17 photos". http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=854. 
4. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Olean-NY/Olean-Public-Library/70788907016#!/pages/Olean-NY/Olean-Public-Library/70788907016?v=info

External links

• Olean Public Library Website
• Olean Public Library Facebook Page
• Olean Public Library on Twitter
• Olean Public Library on Flickr
• Olean Public Library Blog
• Historical marker/historic landmark for Olean Public Library in Olean, NY