Patterson Library

Higher EducationNew York, United States11-50 Employees

Patterson Library is a public library in WNY founded in 1908 in Westfield, NY.  Its design is of Greek revival,its motif the Erechtheum at Athens.  The style was popular for libraries and public buildings at the time, and the style would never grow old.  The most impressive element of the interior is the eight corinthian columns in the rotunda runing the full height and crowned with gold capitals. It is a member of the Cattaraugus Library System since 1960. It contains a fabulous collection of sea shells, fossils, rocks, 255 variety of birds, and mammals.  There is an extensive collection of local history and genealogy materials,period photographs, diaries, and local historical materials.  The world war ! posters were saved by the first librarian and are now in view throughout the library.  Most of the 19th 
century paintings have been restored, and many other paintings have been gifted to the Patterson from regional artists  and can be viewed in the stacks.  The Octagon Art Gallery opened in 1972 and features 12 exhibits annually of regional and national artists . The gallery is also used for adult art classes and lectures. The main reading room is a recital halls that is one of the finest in Chautauqua County for solo recitals and small chamber ensembles. The reference room is now the audio visual room holding dvd,cd's, books on tape, and public computers.  The stacks contain fiction, non fiction, biographies, and local history files.  The Library is lucky to have an incredible volunteer base who assist in every day tasks, as well as difficult ones.  As of 2015 the Patterson Library now hold : 15,001 fiction, 19,980 non fiction, 17,249 children's books, 6,756 electronic books, 4 local data bases, 11 NOVEL databases, 2,546 audio books, 3,262 videos, and 21,674 number of uses of public internet computers.  The library has a large children s library on the basement level with year round programming.  Next time you are in the area, stop by the Patterson Library !

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