North Tonawanda Public Library
A Short History of the North Tonawanda Public Library
(from Library News and Notes, Winter 2004)
"Although the document is bright and black, the signature of Melville Dewey (of the Dewey Decimal System) and the date, December 13, 1893, have faded to a barely legible brown on the 110 year old North Tonawanda Public Library charter. Yet the Library's mission--information, education, recreation--remains as valid in 2003 as it was in 1893.
Initially housed in a room of the old Union School on Goundry Street, the Library paid its first bill ($2.50 for an ornate frame for the charter) and issued its first printed catalog in 1894. Within ten years, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie granted the city $20,000 for a new building; on December 5, 1904, the Carnegie Library was thrown open for citizen inspection.
By the 1970's the Carnegie building was badly overcrowded. Library Director Robert Coumbe moved the Library to its present Meadow Drive location on July 4, 1975. Daniel R. Killian succeeded him in 1977.
Extensive reconfiguration has since changed the building from its original plan to the building (they) are in today.