DELAWARE COUNTY - Did you know that there is a special place in the gently rolling hills of Delaware County just waiting to be discovered. Did you know that the attractive little building that sets back from the road at 15565 NYS Rt. 8 is one of the best kept secrets in Delaware County? This is the Masonville Branch Library on NYS Rt. 8 as you are coming into the hamlet of Masonville from Sidney.

In “A History of the Masonville Public Library” by Grace Terwilliger Grace writes that in 1924 Masonville was without a library, the nearest lending library six miles away over a dirt road. Several people in town had a dream of a public library and then in 1924 a new young minister, Rev. J.T.M. Wilson came to town. Wilson had some experience with library work and with his guidance committees were formed and plans took define shape. The first library was set up in the front room of the parsonage. Community members donated books and volunteers ran the library. As the library grew it became evident that a paid librarian was needed for the many hours for the running of the library. A larger space was also needed and a room upstairs in one of the stores was refurbished. As the library grew it eventually outgrew the room above the store. About the same time a small building near the center of town became vacant and for sale. One of the library directors purchased the building and the library found a new home on the first floor. In 1945, after school centralization between Masonville, Sidney Center and Sidney; Masonville Public Library was invited to become a branch of the Sidney Library Association.

In 1997 the Masonville Library began seeking a new building to call home as its current residence had deteriorated beyond what was considered reasonable condition for a public building. Fast forward to August 1999 and we find a brand-new building located on Rt. 8 built by the Jack Butts family on land owned by Jane Butts being dedicated as the brand new Masonville Branch Library.

It is this charming, bright and airy library with a wide range of adult, young adult and children’s books, as well as books on CD and DVDS and two public access computers. The best part is that the library is so much more than the four walls that contain the building. As a Branch of the Sidney Memorial Public Library it is also part of the Four County Library System and receives a delivery from the Four County delivery van every Friday. Anyone can access the online card catalog and reserve books, DVDs and other items from any of the 42 other member libraries and have these items delivered to the Masonville Branch library for your convenience.

There are other resources available with your library card as well. Did you know that as a library card holder you have access to an extensive Research Center? The Four County Library System provides access to a collection of high-quality, accurate, electronic resources?  Some of these databases are made possible through NOVELny, the New York Online Virtual Library, a public information network for New Yorkers.  Others are provided by the Four County Library System and there are also resources available through the Sidney Library. Whether you are a scholar, a family researcher, or a parent helping your child with a research project, the Research Center has a database for you.  All free and available at home or your local library, our fleet of resources offers everything from medical information, to genealogical resources, as well as local newspaper archives, test-prep resources, language help, and much more.  All are conveniently available online at the Research Center. Through the Four County System we are also able to offer thousands of online magazines and downloadable audio and e-books. Check it out at the Four County Library System On-Line Card Catalog.

Did you know that if you come to the library and use one of our public computers you can access Ancestry.com? Ancestry along with several other genealogy sites is available for genealogy research. Two new resources through the Sidney library you can access are Creativebug and ComisPlus. To learn more about these special resources check us out at www.sidneylibrary.org or give us a call at 607-265-3330 or 607-563-1200 but better yet pay us a visit and check us out.

The Masonville Branch Library is also a great place to meet for special events such as story times, movies, yarn club or just to get together with friends. We have a warm and friendly staff that would love to have you drop in and check out the library.

The Masonville Branch Library is your home town community center for information and entertainment. A great place to meet friends and neighbors.