Dunkirk Free Library (Dunkirk, New York)

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The Dunkirk free library was built in 1904 with $25,000 seed money from Andrew Carnegie. Over the years changes have occurred. From 1985-1987 major repairs and energy saving renovations were made to the building with library services and Construction Grants. In 1980 the downstairs storage area was converted into a children's room and a full time Children's Librarian was hired to help develop children's programs.

The mission of the Library is to advance the quality of life in the community and provide unrestricted access to information in a a variety of formats. The library assists users of all ages by developing its collections, providing services and developing programs that support the development of an individuals full potential.

The Library services the city of Dunkirk and northern Chautauqua county. In January 1997 the library was hooked up to the internet and began answering references questions using the internet. Also at the end of 1997 we were able to provide a computer for public use with a grant from Lake Shore Savings & Loan and the Northern Chautauqua community foundation working in partnership. That one computer was booked almost every hour the library was open.

In 2000, our library received 4 computers through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A grant from Senator Pat McGee provided free computer instruction for adults on these computers. In 5 years 5,000 adults signed up for free computer classes. today free computer classes are still offered through other ongoing grants. the Library now has 12 computers and they are used between 800-1,000 times a month.

The Library is in the process of automating and bar-coding its 50,000 books and non book items. This process began in the children's room several years ago and has now moved on to the adult and youth collection.

The children's room was upgraded with a $20,000 grant from the Dunkirk Rotary and District Rotary in 2004. Ten Oak bookshelves were built by a master carpenter and new carpeting was installed.

A three year Capital Campaign for handicapped access was successful and Picone Construction was hired to begin the project April 7, 2007 and it will be completed by September 26, 2007.

www.cclslib.org/Dunkirk/