King Memorial Library 2004	A Memorial to Helen Ponton, by the Friends of the Lake.  Helen was an active member of the King Memorial Library and Lime Lake Cottage Owner's Association.

KING MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The first meeting of the board of trustees for King Library was held at Machias Town Hall November 9 , 1943 at seven p.m.  The purpose of the meeting was to elect officers and discuss ways and means by which funds might be secured. Such funds must be on hand in order that state aid may be requested and secured to classify and catalog the collection preparatory to making it a public library

Officers:

President: Mrs. Pauline Wildrick
 Vice President : Mrs. Martha Rose
 Secretary: Mrs. Lila Chriseau 
Treasurer: Rev. J. W. Norris 
Librarian: Mrs. Mildred Pierce 

At this time people could make donations or memorial gifts. It was also decided at the next meeting of the Book Club as sponsoring organization, the matter be brought up and committees appointed to work out a plan. The balance on hand in the book fund and accumulated fines were turned over to the treasurer. 

Mrs. Pierce to spend balance on books needed before the end of fiscal year . 

March 15, 1946, Mr. George Robeson, Town Clerk, was selected chairman of the find drive of the "Friends of the Library". This was how the Town Board eventually became involved in the support of the library. 

August 15, 1946, Miss Florence Ganyard, former school librarian aided In improving the proposed library organization and instigated an increase in the fiction department . She outlined methods for simplifying the administration of the library known as the by-laws. Miss Ganyard also assisted in purchasing books for the library. 

Miss Marie Gustafsen classified the King Collection, at this time she was Supervisor of the State Education Department . 

In 1946, the Town Board allotted on October 7, the sum of $200.00 for books and $100.00 for decorations for the room housing the library. 


In 1951, the library was open an eight hour week and the librarian, Lila Joslyn received 75¢ per hour. 

Today the library is a very busy place. It has something to offer for all ages. There are toys for the toddlers, books for young children and books for teens. There are hard cover and paperback books covering nearly every subject one could imagine for adults. The library is an active part of the summer program, for the children of the tot-;n, and in the spring, there is a program for the preschoolers. Movies and cartoons are shown in the children's room in the summer. There is even a room which may be used by any organization by request for meetings. To the delight of children and adults, our gifted lebrarian, Mrs. Russell Asquith., and her helpers, put on puppet shows. Most of the puppets are made by her and the shows are written by her. These shows are not only for entertainment but for teaching and offering community awareness. There are contests for children to read more books, poster contests for safety, and pattern and coupon swapping. Books to aid in genealogical research are available for those interested in their family tree. The library board meets the last Thursday of every month . 

The library was recently renovated and a special children's room was added to the library.  The Library is funded by the Town of Machias, by bake sales and treasure Bales by the library board, and by fines, donations and memorials. Books are also available through the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library system. 

At the library, you may take out several records for your listening  enjoyment. Art prints and magazines are also available to be taken out and appreciated. 

The King Memorial Library has 6,305 hard cover books, 1,070 paperback and 325 records. The total circulation for the year 1976 was 8,466.  

 King Memorial Library was named for Dr. Clarence King. It is located in basement of the Town Hall. 

The above information was obtained from the Machias, New York, Chickasaw Sesquicentennial 1827-1977 book.