About the Library

Mission Statement

The Ontario Public Library seeks to provide services in a congenial and supportive environment to promote basic literacy, assist learners in attaining their educational goals, and to enhance and enrich the quality of life through information both in print and electronic formats.

Ontario Public Library will assess and integrate new technologies to provide the individual with resources required to process and utilize information. Appraisal will be a continuous process to: reflect the changing needs of the community and the availability of new data sources in electronic form; and to improve the efficiency of library operations.

Governance

The Library Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Ontario Public Library, 1850 Ridge Road Ontario, NY 14519. The meeting dates for 2008 are:

• January 15
• *February 26 (meeting last Tuesday of the month)
• March 18
• *April 22 (meeting last Tuesday of the month)
• May 20
• June 17
• July 15
• August 19
• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• December 16

These meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome.

Ontario Public Library is located in the Town of Ontario and is a member of the Pioneer Library System

Library Board Members

Dennis Bielewicz, President

Gail Grinnell, Vice-President

Lois Mooney, Trustee

David Rauen, Trustee

Floyd Welker, Secretary

Library Director, Sandra Hylen

Staff

Lynne Brokaw, Library Clerk
Michele Goodenough, Library Clerk
Lidia Grzegorek, Library Clerk
Christine LaTerra, Youth Services Librarian
Kristen Moeller, Library Clerk
Nancy Obaid, Library Assistant, Bookkeeper
Ruth Schutt, Senior Library Clerk, Tech Services
Anne Tobin, Library Clerk, Adult Programming Coordinator

History

The library was first opened to the public in 1915 in Tummonds Block. The library moved to Furnace Street in 1919. In 1920, the New York State Department of Education gave the library a charter to become an "Association" Library. In 1925 the first librarian was hired for $150 a year. In 1926, the total circulation was 4026 items.

By 1956 the library had collected 5000 volumes. In 1965 story hours began. 100 children registered. In 1965, the library changed from an "Association" library to a "Public" Library, which meant it was to be supported by tax dollars. The library is still a municipal public library today.

For more history on the Ontario Public Library, please come visit our local history section.

*Last updated on May 2, 2008