Report to the Community for 2025
We are happy to report a busy and fruitful year at the Ashville Library. New programs for adults and young people have revitalized us (and kept our parking lot full!). An expanded book budget has allowed us to purchase many popular new books and movies, and to build up our adult non-fiction sections. Thanks to a generous donation, we purchased new patron computers. Director Kristina Benson obtained grants which have allowed us the first outdoor expansion in our history: be sure to enjoy the new side patio built by Sivak Stonemasonry. Master Gardeners, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, and Garden Club workers will be busy this season planting a beautiful garden space for native plants, birds and beneficial insects. We invite you to come relax on our comfy outdoor chairs and read, chat, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of our lovely little town of Ashville. Our library cat, Henry (Hank) has settled into his first year; in March we celebrated his “Gotcha Day” with an open house. Hank even had a song created for him (“Henry, The Library Cat”). It has been a year of joy and community, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
- 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
- The Community Room offers a large-screen tv, DVD player, and Zoom capabilities
- The library offers color printing and copying at low cost, and free faxing
- 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 Books 10,697
- Children’s Books 10,766
- Electronic Books 22,380
- Audio Books (Books on CD) 289
- DVD’s 2,209
- Puzzles and Games 186
- Children’s Toys and Games to borrow 326
- Statistics
- Print Material Borrowed 17,545
- Other materials (DVDs, Magazines, 3,710
Puzzles, Toys, and Games)
- Reference Questions Answered 14,150
- Program Attendance 8,591
- Registered Patrons 1,411
- Visits to the library 21,533
- Computer/Wifi uses 2,582
- Annual Visits to Website 6,988
- Facebook & Instagram Followers 2,000
- 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 2025 Volunteers
- Pat Poignard
- Roberta Schruise
- Jim & Marianne Mattoon
- Becky Cable
- Marybeth Mazzone
- Leslie Levandoski
- Wendy Ryan
- Uma Vejendla
- Rachel Anderson
- Sharon Rauch
- Natalie Hart
In addition to Kristina Benson, the Library Director, Library Aide Katie Copley brings enthusiasm and library know-how to her position.
- 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
- Music and Makes with Ms Katie Fridays 10:30am
- Music Time with Marie 1st and 3rd Saturdays 11am
- Summer Reading: 66 Children registered and finished the 4-week program. Attendance at programs totaled 1,200! 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]
- Pre- teen and Teen D&D Clubs Selected Saturdays 10-1; contact us to get on the list
- LEGO Club and Minecraft Club Alternate Tuesdays 6p
- Art Club 2nd Tuesdays. Contact Elaine Caflish for details 716-763-3156
- Mah Jong: Tuesdays 9:15-12; Thursdays 1-3
- Plus: we offered loads of stand-alone classes and groups, from a Bigfoot event to a program geared for retired adults; from talks on Monarch Butterflies to lessons on Mah Jong! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates to classes and events.
- Donations from generous patrons like you help keep our library operating and allow us to offer more programs and services! 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 and Color Printer and Copier
- Fax Machine
- 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
- Seed library (free seeds)
- Large Print Books
- Books on CD
- Toy Library
- Board of Trustees
- Donald Butler, President
- Michelle Arnone, VP
- Peter Radka, CFO
- Pat Poignard, Trustee
- Roberta Schruise, Trustee
- Melissa First, Trustee
- Adrienne Foos, Trustee
- Eugenie Poignard, Secretary
- Kathy Burns, Trustee
- Long Range (5 year) Plan
- Continue to maintain and update building and mechanicals
- 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 2026 with your help. Check us out! Submitted by: Kristina Benson, Director