Ashville Free Library
2200 North Maple Street | Ashville, New York 14710
(716) 763-9906
2024
2024 was a year of goodbyes and a year of new beginnings. We lost our precious library kitty, Libby, in late summer of this year. Knowing how important she was to us and to the community, we took some time to mourn before turning our efforts to find a new library cat. Thanks to the Humane Society, we’ve made a new forever home for a beautiful new library cat, Hank. Stop in to meet him!
This year provided the library with long-needed stability with the passing of a library tax. This tax, while representing only a small amount for each household, allows the library to function and to plan for the future. A library is the heart of any thriving community, and we’re proud to serve that role in Ashville.
- General Information
- Hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:30-7:00
- Thursday, Friday 9:30-5:00
- Saturday 10:00-1:00
- Sunday Closed
- Website www.ashvillelibrary.com
- Email address [email protected]
- Like us on Facebook/Instagram @ashvillefreelibrary
- Board of Trustee Meetings 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 pm
- Meetings are open to the public
- No meetings August and December
- The library has 9 computers for public use, including 2 laptops with air print
- The Community Room offers a large-screen tv, DVD player, and Zoom capabilities
- The library offers color printing and copying and faxing at low cost
- The library has central air conditioning
- The library has high-speed broadband connection
- The library has ADA-compliant entry, computer tables, elevator and bathroom
- The library is fine-free
- Hours
- Holdings
- Adult Fiction 5,875
- Adult Non-fiction 2,515
- Children’s Fiction 8,905
- Children’s Non-Fiction 3,302
- Total Cataloged Books 20,697
- Electronic Books 22,380
- Audio Books (Books on CD) 391
- DVD’s 2,227
- Statistics
- Print Material Borrowed 14,927
- Other materials (DVDs, Magazines, 17,740
Puzzles, Toys, and Games)
- Reference Questions Answered 11,203
- Program Attendance 4,482
- Registered Patrons 1,421
- Visits to the library 19,232
- Hours open 2,418
- Computer/Wifi uses 2,446
- Annual Visits to Website 6,717
- Facebook Followers 1,270
- Instagram Followers 162
- Personnel
- The library continues to be open because of the generosity of our volunteers. We were open for 2,418 hours last year with their help! We welcome you to join our team!
- List of 2024 Volunteers
- Pat Poignard
- Roberta Schruise
- Ruby Thorp
- Jim & Marianne Mattoon
- Becky Cable
- Marybeth Mazzone
- Leslie Levandoski
- Wendy Ryan
- Uma Vejendla
- Annette Goodman
- Kari Auer
- Eugenie Poignard
- Sharon Rauch
- In addition to Kristina Benson, the Library Director, we were able to hire another part-time employee. Kelly Steinman has a background in education and history, and has quickly become a valuable member of our team.
- Programs and Events
We’re thrilled to offer in-library programming. If your club needs meeting space, or if you’d like to volunteer to offer programming for the community, please contact us!
- Story Time with Mormor (Peg Hite) Thursdays 10:30am
- Summer Reading
- 68 Children registered and finished. Attendance at programs was 675!
- 4 weeks
- Children’s in SRP this year played games, borrowed books, and made art projects
- Ashville Library Book Club every-other month- contact Dianne Hovey [email protected]
- Panama Retired Teachers Book Club (private)
- Introverts Book Club (private)
- Bible Quizzers (private)
- LEGO Club and Minecraft Club Wednesdays 6-7pm
- Meditation for Pain and Illness (alternate Mondays)
- Art Club 2nd Tuesdays. Contact Elaine Caflish for details 716-763-3156
- Beginners’ Bridge Club- alternate Thursdays 3:30-5 pm – message us to join!
- Plus: we offered loads of stand-alone classes and groups, from air-dry clay to seed starting! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates to classes and events
- Summer Reading
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- Donations from generous patrons like you help keep our library operating and allow us to offer more programs and service! We hope you feel that the library is a valuable community asset when you are considering your giving budget.
- Services Available to You
- Internet
- B&W Printer and Copier
- Fax Machine
- Color Printer and Copier
- Interlibrary Loan
- Free Wi-Fi (available 24/7, accessible in building out to parking lot)
- Meeting Room
- Quiet 1st floor work/reading space
- DVD player loan
- CD player for loan
- Seed library (free seeds)
- Large Print Books
- Books on CD
- Toy Library
- Board of Trustees
- Donald Butler, President
- Michelle Arnone, Vice-President
- Peter Radka, Financial Officer
- MaryJo Eddy, Secretary
- Pat Poignard, Trustee
- Roberta Schruise, Trustee
- Melissa First, Trustee
- Adrienne Foos, Trustee
- Eugenie Poignard, Trustee
- Kathy Burns, Trustee
- Long Range (5 year) Plan
- Continue to maintain and update building and mechanicals
- Purchase updated computers for patron use
- Explore different programs and classes
- Add quality books, literacy builders and other items of interest to the community
We hope this report has given you a glimpse into the workings of your library! We look forward to an exciting 2025 with your help. Check us out!
Submitted by: Kristina Benson, Director