About the Library

The library in Ulysses was built in 1918 with a bequest as a memorial to Willis I. Lewis, a descendant of a Ulysses founding family. Previously, the ladies of the community struggled to maintain an inadequately housed collection of books. The building was 550 square feet and was designed to house 4,000 volumes.

In 1989 Laura Lewis bequeathed a sum of money to the Library Association. This was the start of our building fund. In 1999 a building committee was formed. On August 3, 2001, a contract for $196,000 was signed to construct the new 2800 square foot building. In April of 2002 we moved into this new building by forming a human chain to transfer the books. Due to the budget cuts we will need to raise more money next year for operating expenses.

Circulation

Since moving into the new building we have found that circulation has increased by over 50%. In 2001 the total circulation was 7,324 and in 2007 it had increased to 14,928.  Past records show that in 1983 the total circulation was 3,294. 

Mission Statement

The purpose and major responsibility of the board is the maintenance of a free, public, nonsectarian library which serves the informational, educational and recreational needs of all the residents of the area for which the board is responsible by providing free access: (1) to an organized and currently useful collection of printed items and other materials, and (2) to the services of a staff trained to recognize and provide for those needs.

It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to meet those standards for public libraries as established by Borough, County, State, or other governmental bodies, in order that the Ulysses Library be recognized as a free, public library, registered with the State as a charitable institution; and as a free and independent institution for the public welfare.

(The library board meets the third Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 7 p.m. in the library)