Fayetteville Free Library

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300 Orchard Street
Fayetteville, NY 13066

Telephone: (315) 637-6374
Fax: (315) 637-2306
Website: www.fayettevillefreelibrary.org

HOURS

SUMMER HOURS
[July - Labor Day]

LIBRARY CLOSINGS

New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day (close at 5:00 PM), President's Day (close at 5:00 PM), Easter, Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day (close at 5:00 PM), Thanksgiving Eve (close at 3:00 PM), Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve (close at 3:00 PM).

GRACE DAYS: 3

STAFF

Executive Director: Sue Considine
Director of Reference: Ellen DuPree
Director of Information Services: Maija McLaughlin
Director of Community Relations: Brenda Shea
Director of Youth & Family Services: Genie DuPell
Director of Patron Service : Heather Matzel
Adult Services Librarian: Monica Kuryla

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President: Douglas Hill
Vice President: Laura Spring
Members: Richard Adler, Nancy Durkin, Stephen Klein, Ray Letterman, Guy Marhewka
Board Meetings: Third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Annual meeting: May

LEGISLATORS

Assembly District No. 121: Alfred A. Stirpe, Jr.
Senate District No. 49: David J. Valesky
County District No. 10: Kevin A. Holmquist

HISTORY

The Fayetteville Free Library began as a subscription reading room in 1906 when 50 public-minded citizens banded together to share their periodical subscriptions. The original library, which charged a fifty cent membership fee, was at 114 E. Genesee Street. The library grew rapidly and soon books, borrowed from the New York State Library, and children's services were added. In 1911, a permanent charter was received from the Board of Regents. The name was changed from "reading room" to "free library" meaning there was no longer any membership fee.

By 1922, the need for more space had become critical. The Board of Trustees purchased the McViccar home at 111 E. Genesee St. after the passing of Harriet McViccar, one of the library's early founders and its original librarian.

The Greek Revival house, built in the early 1800's, underwent a major expansion in 1968 and then a reorganization in 1992 in order to offer greater accessibility for all patrons.

In 1995, the library acquired the sheet music collection of the late Vincent Motto of Fayetteville. The music collection, now known as the Vincent Motto Sheet Music Library, is comprised of 35,000 sheets of music featuring popular American tunes from the last 150 years. The gift also included 550 books of musical reference.

In 2003, the Board of Trustees once again responded to the need for more space for the library's growing collections and programs and for improved parking access. The Stickley Furniture factory at 300 Orchard Street was purchased and renovated in the first of a multi-phased plan designed to accommodate patrons of all ages with state-of-the-art technology, media collections, and program opportunities as well as ample community meeting room spaces. The library remains true to its mission of providing free and open access and information in a lifelong learning center.

Last updated: July 31, 2008