Cortland Free Library’s roots extend back to 1886 when a South Cortland Farmer, Franklin Hatch, realized his dream of endowing a public library. Hatch’s library, located on Court Street opposite the fire station, served Cortland residents for nearly 40 years. During the early 1920s, Hatch Library Board President John Suggett joined citizens to reorganize the Hatch Library as Cortland Free Library. The Library was chartered by New York State Department of Education on July 20, 1925. It sits on the site of the former county jail and courthouse.
Scope of Collection
This collections shows the collection and activities of a public library in the early 20th century. The Supplement to the Catalogue lists the books purchased by librarians. The pages of publicity scrapbooks shows the kinds of programs and new projects undertaken by librarians, like the earliest story times (Picture Book Story Hour) in the 1930s and the book review presentations that attracted 260 people.
