By TRUDY COULCHER
I'd like to clarify a few things concerning the libraries in Stockton and Cassadaga:
The Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library board of trustees is the entity responsible for both libraries. Both libraries are chartered by the state of New York. The library in Cassadaga is chartered as a branch of the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library.
The Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library in Stockton was created over 100 years ago under Henry Seymour's will. He built the building with businesses in the lower floor which created the revenue to support the second floor library.
Today the town of Stockton occupies the lower floor and is the major source of operating funds for both libraries.
The Cassadaga Branch Library was started by The Ladies Chorus in 1946 and was chartered in 1949. It was housed in the Cassadaga Elementary School on Main Street, moved to the new Cassadaga Elementary School on Maple Avenue then moved to a small building on Main Street donated by Ray and Lucille Meyers.
Twenty years ago, the town of Stockton bought and cleared the property on Maple Avenue where the library is presently located. The Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library Board of Trustees raised the money to build the building. No tax dollars were used in the construction of the building.
The Cassadaga Branch Library Association is a "friends of the library" group. This group sponsors the annual "Walk-Around-the-Lake" along with other fund raising endeavors.
The Friends of Mary's Book Club is a reading group at the library in Stockton, as well as a "friends" group also sponsoring fund raising endeavors.
The Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library Board of Trustees is seeking grants and private donations to be used for renovating the Cassadaga Branch Library. This board is committed to providing quality library services in both the community of Stockton and Cassadaga.
Trudy Coulcher is part of the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Library Association and a Cassadaga resident.
