Baldwinsville Public Library

Open Now
Sun: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Mon - Thu: 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Fri: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Library Information

Address: 
33 East Genesee St.
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Phone: 
(315) 635-5631
Fax: 
(315) 635-6760
Email: 
info@bville.lib.ny.us
Accessibility: 
Full

Holiday Closings

Christmas Eve 202312/24/23
Christmas 202312/25/23
Christmas Holiday 202312/26/23
New Year's Day01/01/24
Presidents' Day02/19/24
Easter03/31/24
Memorial Day05/27/24
Juneteenth06/19/24
Independence Day07/04/24
Labor Day09/02/24
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day10/14/24
Thanksgiving Eve (closes at 5:00 PM)11/27/24
Thanksgiving11/28/24
Christmas Eve 202412/24/24
Christmas 202412/25/24
Christmas Holiday 202412/26/24
New Year's Eve 2024 (closes at 5:00 PM)12/31/24
  • Completely Fine Free
  • Fees charged for lost or damaged items

In addition to providing informational and recreational materials in a variety of formats the library maintains a local history room. The local history collection contains historical and genealogical information about Baldwinsville, Clay, Lysander, and Van Buren. It is continually being enhanced so that information about the past, as well as current events may be preserved for future generations.

There is high speed internet access, wifi, computers with the MS Office Suite, b&w and color printing and scanning.  Special services include; resume review, tech help, circulating rhythm kits, preloaded Nooks, themed kits for kids.  There are meeting rooms with wifi and AV equipment, a training lab all of which may be reserved.  The library also sponsored a Little Free Library which looks like the actual Baldwinsville Library near the Visitor’s Center and Lock 24.

The community art gallery features local professional and amateur artists. Active in the community library staff participate in community events (e.g. Peony Fest, Seneca River Day, Farmers Market). There is a hotspot for use at events off site and there are plans to install a second one at the Visitor’s Center.  The library offers a wide variety of programs for all ages. Two major regular events are the semi-annual book sale and the ComiConversation the last or second to last Sunday every August.  All events are designed to provide community residents with activities which support their pursuit of personal, educational, and professional interests, as well as cultural, recreational, and leisure activities.

History: 

In the fall of 1946, the Baldwinsville Travelers Club formed a committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a library in the village. The library opened its doors for the first time on January 6, 1948 in two rooms of the Lysander Town Building, formerly a trolley station. The library was open for service three days a week for a total of 20-1/2 hours with a collection of 1,000 books. As the Baldwinsville community grew so did the need for a larger facility. In 1956 the library moved to a renovated house on Charlotte Street. In 1974 the library became, and still is, a school district public library financed by taxpayers in the Baldwinsville Central School District. The library then moved into the old Woolworth’s store on Oswego Street in 1975.

By the early nineties the library had grown in terms of usage and the variety of services being offered. The library Board of Trustees determined that the Oswego Street building was no longer adequate for the increased use of the library and the changes in technology. In the fall of 1993 a public referendum was overwhelmingly passed for the purpose of constructing a new facility.

On October 29, 1994 the community gathered at the Oswego Street facility and attached commemorative bookmarks and ribbons to the shovels they brought with them. Then the “Shovels on Parade” proceeded to the construction site on East Genesee Street. Following a few words of greeting, those gathered used their shovels to turn over the dirt. After refreshments everyone left with a sense of excitement at having been present for the start of the newest chapter in the life of the Baldwinsville Public Library.

One year to the day, on October 29, 1995, over 2,500 people participated in the Grand Opening of the new library. Since that date, the library has endeavored to keep up with the increased needs and demands of the Baldwinsville community.

Staff: 
  • Director: Margaret Van Patten
  • Assistant Director: Nancy Howe
  • Children’s Librarian: KC VerHage
  • Network Services Librarian: Robert Loftus
  • Young Adult Librarian:  Dania Souid
  • Adult Services: Jacquie Owens
  • Experiential Learning Librarian: Julia Schult
Board of Trustees: 
  • President: Craig Maguire
  • Vice President: Linda Clarkson
  • Members: Mary Lou Carpinella, Pamela Falleson, Mary Schmutz, MaryAnne Williams

Board Meetings: Second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM.

Annual meeting: July