Here is a history of the Yates Community Library
as it appears in a special pamphlet in the library:

On November 10, 1948, a group of citizens of the Lyndonville
community gathered at the Town Hall for an informational
meeting about forming a library association for the purpose
of establishing a free public library.  Six more meetings
were held, with more and more interested residents attending.

After receiving its provisional charter from New York State,
the Yates Community Library opened on July 16, 1949 with
approximately 900 donated books from local citizens.  The
new library was open ten hours per week, averaging 160
books circulated each month.  The library was located in
a small frame building on Main Street originally used as
an office for Dr. David Fraser in the 19th century, and
is currently home to Bill’s Sub Shop.

The library soon outgrew the small building and in 1952
moved into two rooms on the second floor of Yates
Town Hall.  In June of 1959, with an inventory of nearly 2,600
books, the library moved to larger accomodations in
the Weber Building on the left side of the coffee shop,
now the hardware section of the Pennysaver Market.

In May 1959, the library board voted to join with
other libraries in Orleans County, along with those
in Genesee and Niagara counties, to form the
Nioga Library System.

 In 1969, Mr. William Smith approached the library board
with an offer to give land, along with a gift of $30,000 for
the construction of a new library, providing the community
would raise matching funds.  The library board accepted
the offer and the townspeople responded generously to
the fund drive.

Within a few short months, $45,000 was pledged for the
construction of the Mary M. Smith Memorial Building,
named for Mr. Smith’s deceased wife.

 Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in the
spring of 1970.  The building was completed and dedicated
on May 2, 1971 with Congressman Barber Conable as
the featured speaker.  The new library was a
local project; no state or federal funds were
used.  Beginning with Mr. Smith’s offer through
construction, relocation, and completion, the entire
undertaking was accomplished in only two years.

 Total circulation in 1998 was in excess of 17,000
and in the past fifteen years the library has witnessed
much growth and activity.  The library has beocme
a fully funcitonal “online” library, with Internet
services used by 5,500 persons annually, an
electronic card catalog, and inter-library loans
with all libraries in the three-county system.
In the 1990s, the purchase of the MacDonald Hardware
Building on the south side of the parking lot enlarged our
property.  THe building was razed and a blacktop
parking lot was enlarged for library use as well as the
use of the community business district.

In 2001 the library hired an architect to advise on the
feasibility of enlarging our building.  After studying
the plans and proposals for three years, the board
decided on an extensive renovation of the current
facility.  In 2008, the Book House was added to the
property so that the community has access to
purchasing gently used books at minimal expense.

The community garden, giving visual interest to
Main Street, was added in 2009 and has been
well-received by the community for honoring
local citizens and enhancing Main Street.

Today, the library’s collection - including books,
audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines - numbers
over 17,000 items.  The library is open 41
hours per week to serve its 1,600 patrons.

In the coming years, the library board hopes to
continue the mission set before us to strengthen
the community through education, cultural
entertainment, outreach, and civic committment
to our community.

The Board of Trustees and Staff of
Yates Community Library
wish to thank you for sixty years
of invaluable support.

YCL Board of Trustees:

Tom Wenhold, President
Jim Watson, Vice President
Pam Durow, Secretary
Ginny Hughes, Treasurer
Gail Foss
Ed Michel
Jim Simon

YCL Staff:

Emily Cebula, Director
Nancy Bartlett
Ryan Burgess
Kelly Cousins
Margaret French