THE BOLIVAR LIBRARY - Brief History:
In 1897, a women's organization known as the Bolivar Sorosis, organized the first library in the back of the State Bank, with the entrance on Boss Street.
In 1898, the state agreed to give $200 to the library providing the town would agree to give $200. The books came from the NYS Traveling Library and from donations.
By 1900, the Librarian was paid $50.00 a year. In 1903, the library was moved to the WCTU Rooms on Boss Street which the lirbary rented for $4.00 a month.
The Library soon moved again to the old nickle plate building on the corner of Main and Plum Streets. For the first time a reading room was added. The library didn't remain here long either. It moved to Boss Street where J.J. Kennedy later had his tailor shop.
In 1910, on the Louis Seibert lot on the corner of Main and Olean Streets on the site of the old Opera House, ground was broken (with a horse and plow) for a new library. This is the same library that is here today.
In the cornerstone of the building there was placed a copy of the library charter, the history of the Sorosis Club and Library, the constitution of Sorosis, the June 9,1910 Bolivar Breeze Newspaper, a list of donors to the building fund, copies of the Sorosis yearbooks from 1908-1910 and a copy of J.B. Gray's speech he made as Bolivar's President.
UPDATE:
Be sure to keep checking back for our 100th year celebration in 2010.
The Library is currently under restoration to be completed for our 100th birthday. There will be updates to the ceiling and getting new lighting. Painting will be done as well as having new window sills and storm windows installed. This will all be done with keeping the historical nature of the facility.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BOLIVAR FREE LIBRARY
1910-2010
Thanks for all who came out for our celebration!
Patrons enjoyed a terrific show by Mike Randall as Mark Twain and then celebrated with the staff and board members afterwards at the library.
please click on slide show link (below) to view our event!
SLIDE SHOW