Our Library
Located in the Town of Ontario, NY, Ontario Public Library is a member of the Pioneer Library System (PLS), a cooperative public library system serving Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston (OWWL) counties.
Currently our staff includes two fulltime librarians, a library assistant, two fulltime clerks and nine part-time clerical and page employees. At the close of 2009 the collection included over 52,000 circulating items. In addition to online catalog access, the library has 9 computers for public use. Wi-Fi access is also available.
We offer many children, teen and adult programs. Special summer programs are scheduled. Our calendar of events is available online and a monthly brochure of events is printed and available at the Circulation Desk.
When not scheduled for use by the library, our Community Meeting Room is available for use by local not-for-profit groups. Please call the Circulation Desk (315-524-8381) for more information.
Our Mission
The mission of the Ontario Public Library is to bring people and the resources of the library together in a congenial and supportive environment. All library operations exist to support the delivery of information, materials, and services to people of all ages in their pursuit of self-directed educational and recreational interests.
Our History
The library was first opened to the public in 1915 in Tummonds Block (Knickerbocker Rd, formerly Mills Street). The library moved to Furnace Street in 1919. In 1920, the New York State Department of Education gave the library a charter as a free association library. In 1925, Mrs. Cora Ransley, the first librarian of the Ontario Free Library, was hired for $150 a year. In 1926, the total circulation was 4026 items.
By 1956 the library had collected 5000 volumes. In 1965 story hours began and 100 children registered.
In 1968, the N.Y.S. Department of Education granted a provisional charter for the Ontario Public Library. An Absolute Charter was granted in 1973.
For more history on the Ontario Public Library, please come to the library and visit our local history section.
