Minerva's Voice

The Newsletter of the Minerva Free Library

A Special Note

To The Members and Friends

Of The Minerva Club

For over a hundred years the Minerva Club has been helping the Minerva Library by acting as volunteers and by raising extra funds for it.

Right now we are selling Rada Cutlery and a Cookbook full of recipes given us by our members and community friends. Over the years donations have also been given to the Club to use for its library projects.

Now we are “wracking our brains” to come up with a new, larger fund raiser. The cost of keeping the library going has increased, as it has for everyone. Maintaining our library has risen to the point that it needs our help. There are no grants available for repairs and upkeep to the building itself. The grants are for books, computers, etc.

The town gives us a generous amount and several bequests have helped. The bequests were invested, but the interest is now gone and the “principle” has to be used to keep up with the library’s needs.

Our members have been volunteering their time, as they always have, and they have been a great help. We have a paid employee who is the part time librarian and also someone to substitute when she is unable to work. A part time cleaner is also on staff.

The Chautauqua – Cattaraugus Library System provides income for books and books are often given as memorials by our friends in the area.

We, as a club, have given generously to keep the building in good order. It is now a beautiful example of “turn of the century” architecture and Oliver Norton would be proud of it. Mr. Norton designed and had it built, then turned it over to the Minerva Club. We have seen that it’s beauty and antique appearance has been maintained inside and out, while modernizing the areas that need it.

We are proud of having this building in our small town. It serves, in many ways, as both a library and community center. It has hosted recitals and area meetings at various times. Hopefully we can continue its contributions to the life of this area far into the future.

LIBRARY HOURS

Tuesday: 4pm - 8pm

Thursday: 9am - 4pm & 6pm - 8pm

Friday: 9am - 3pm

Saturday: 9am - 12pm