• The Board of Trustees meets on the second Monday of the month at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings.

• This sale is held on the Town Hall lawn, usually the second Saturday of July
• It is a part of the Library sponsored  DeRuyter Sidewalk Sales Day
• We have volunteers, adults and children, carrying books, tables, setting up a tent, and helping to sell the books
• Along with the books, we also sell hot dogs and soda

• This sale is held in August as part of the DeRuyter Firemans Fair

• The annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale is held each November to help support the Library and the local American Legion post.
• There are crafts, baked goods, and hot and cold foods available during this two day event.

SHORT HISTORY OF DERUYTER LIBRARY

The DeRuyter Public Library began in 1931 when the Home Bureau started a small library in the back of what is now Red & White Video.  It was November 1932 before it was officially organized at which time it was located on the second floor of Lyman Coon’s IGA store.  Fire on New Years Eve 1946 destroyed almost the whole block on which it was situated.  In March 1949 the library was opened on the second floor of the old post office on the corner of Division and Cortland St.  The rent was $125 per year. The library had 1544 books, mostly donated by members of the community.  There were 203 library members and circulation was about 750.  The elected position of librarian was held by various people, including Ina Wilcox, Mabel Osborn, Margaret Hamlin, Ruth Armsby, Jean Wells, Hazel Wood, Doris Ames, Ruth Kniskern, Jeanette Brown, and Ruby Gardner.  The first paid librarian was Joan Ball.

In 1955, the library was moved to the present Town Hall in the room currently occupied by the Town Clerk.  The name was changed from DeRuyter Library Club to DeRuyter Public Library.  In 1976, the library was granted a provisional charter by New York State, and in 1983 received an absolute charter.  In 1985, renovations took place and the library moved to its current rooms.  Joan Ball became director in 1965, serving until January of 1992. She was the person primarily responsible for the renovations, and for the growth of library programs, especially children’s programs.

The library, now called DeRuyter Free Library is no longer just a room full of books with a desk and files of cards.  The library now offers videos and DVD’s, books on tape and CD, music CD’s, magazines, public access computers, and wireless internet access.  In January, Joan Ball retired, and Nancy Nivison was hired. Through her leadership the library has become computerized.  In 1996, with the financial aid from Madison County, the library installed a separate phone line for an on-line computer terminal, giving patrons limited access to the internet as well as educational games.  It also allowed patrons to order books from other libraries through the online catalog.  In May 1997, the circulation became automated, doing away with card files.  All patrons records are more accurately maintained on the computer.  A new desk was purchases to accommodate the new equipment.  In February 2001, thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, two new Gateway computers were installed which allows full internet access, as well as several software programs.  New book shelves have been added recently to hold books on tape and CD’s.

In November, 2003, Eileen Hills took over the reins of Director, as Nancy retired.  At present, the library is filled to capacity with materials.  In the near future, plans must be made to find more space to accommodate the growing collections and programs.  The library continues to provide programs for all ages, including Summer Reading Program, an After School program in the Fall and Spring, Crochet Club, Book Discussion Group, and a year round Pre-school program.   Recently DeRuyter was chosen to be a resource center for an Early Literacy Program, Growing a Reader, which will lead to stronger and broader early childhood programs for children and their families.

The library has seen continual growth over the years.  Fifty years ago, the budget was approximately $1250, with about 2500 books, and a circulation of 750.  Twenty-five years ago the budget was about $2000, and circulation was 12,000.  In 2001 the budget was $34500, circulation was 22,315 and holdings were approximately 18000. The 2006 budget is approximately $40,000, with circulation, holdings, and programs, increasing steadily.