A celebration of

Gowanda Free Library   

     When we last visited Gowanda Free Library’s history, the big news was the new addition.

     Adding on a 32-foot by 34-foot room spurred much excitement in the community and among patrons.

     Many donations from individuals and organizations, and memorial contributions joined funds raised by Boy Scout Troop 41, Marine Midland Bank, New York Telephone and Gowanda Electronics Corporation to help pay for the addition. And finally, on Dec. 2, 1987, the big moment arrived. An open house was held with tours and refreshments attracting a crowd to see the enlarged facility.

     Since that landmark day almost 20 years ago, many activities have taken place at the library for both young and old. These include the Summer Reading Program, student visits/field trips, the observation of National Library Week, Story Hour for Tots, special presentations such as “Meet Me at the Library” night, “The Goldome Money Collection” tour, and “Elect to Read” and “Elect to Listen” reading program and picnic. Antiques dealers, storytellers and naturalists have also given presentations and, in 1991, the Gowanda Garden Club brought the outside in when they held a spring flower show in the library.

     Santa and Mrs. Claus have also been popular visitors, reading to the children and handing out candy canes.

     Despite losing Erie County funding a few years ago, support for the Gowanda Free Library remains strong. Now a part of the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Library System, Gowanda continues to offer events that appeal to patrons and features a number of grant-funded programs as well.

     One of the activities that is popular with the creative crowd is Poetry Night on Thursdays.

     But, aside from all the events, programs and activities that have or are taking place, the backbone of Gowanda Free Library is still its collection of books. Despite the emergence of and growth of the electronics age, people like to read. Not only are books entertaining, they provide information that enhances knowledge and assists in the learning process.

     While volumes line the walls of the library, videotapes, DVDs and computers provide other mediums for patrons to enjoy.

     When asked what the future holds for Gowanda Free Library as it begins another 100 years, board members listed, these goals: to make the building handicapped accessible, to continue to be a cultural center by providing programs as in the past (Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, history programs, art programs, etc.), to continue joint ventures with area schools and encourage lifelong learning, to update their technology while offering the newest Internet services available, to continue to cooperate with Gowanda-area organizations, to develop a larger DVD collection, to provide all the forms of media that are appropriate for the times and, lastly, to provide oral history recording and to digitalize historical newspapers for future generations.

     The Gowanda Free Library was a dream of a small group of individuals long ago. Those people planted a seed that grew and flourished. And as the Gowanda Free Library embarks on its second 100 years, the efforts of staff, board members and patrons continue to cultivate and nurture the library’s mission to provide an environment for all to enjoy.