When you think of libraries, do you think of rows of books and people quietly reading and checking out stacks of books? For many people, that is their image of libraries, but libraries in Chautauqua County offer so much more than books. Your library card opens a world of print and digital resources, and libraries welcome everyone for free programs and experiences.

Take the digital collection. Your library card gives you access to eBooks and eAudiobooks through the Libby App. With over 32,000 titles already in the collection, you can browse and check out books 24/7, even when the snow has closed down the local community. You can also stream films through Kanopy, or learn a new craft through Craftsy videos, or even take courses through The Great Courses Library Collection. All of these collections are free with your card and accessible through the Libby App.

There are also digital resources to teach new tech skills through the Tech-Talk database. There are even services that don’t require a library card, including the New York Times digital access through Prendergast Library website or reading about upcoming books to get excited about in Booklist Online Magazine. For researchers, the New York State Library database NovelNY provides free access to major EBSCO databases for any NY resident and helps you dive deep into any topic you are interested in.

If you are looking to explore your family history, visit any library in the system to access Ancestry Library for free. While you’re visiting your library, make sure to check out upcoming events and programs! Each library offers different programs, and you’ll be surprised by what’s available around the county. From felt creations, yoga classes, to plant swaps, cooking classes, author talks, family movie events, and even art galleries. Library staff are always looking to offer new programs, and may even welcome in a guest speaker if you have a topic you’re passionate about!

If reading isn’t your thing, some libraries offer a Library of Things! Fishing poles, games, puzzles, household items, a blood pressure monitor, and even seeds for your garden. Or check out a Day Adventure Pass. This program partners with local organizations to offer discounts or free entry through the pass. Designed to help the community explore what’s in our backyard and encourage more usage of local gems. Some of the passes include The National Comedy Center / Lucy Desi Museum, The Buffalo Zoo, The Audubon, and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

We can’t forget the staples of libraries, and we encourage you to revisit and enjoy them. Such as storytime for the littles in your life, book clubs, book sales, and a community space where you can come and be yourself. Speaking of books, one library card grants you access to 36 library collections. If a book you’re looking for isn’t available at your local library, just request the title, and our delivery service will bring the book(s) to your library from a library that has it. With the digital collection on Libby, the delivery service of library materials is one of the most widely used services of library users.

Of course, you’ll still find books and librarians ready to help. Stop in your library this summer, or explore all the libraries across the county! You can visit your library’s webpage or Facebook page to see upcoming events, or check out the list of all member libraries in Chautauqua County — cclsny.org/memberlibraries/

When Annee Testa’s class was asked where they would turn if they ever felt scared or in trouble, the 12-year-old didn’t hesitate. Her answer wasn’t a place. It was a person: Mrs. Melissa, at the library.

For Annee, that answer made perfect sense. When her family moved to Mayville from Montana about four years ago, one of the first things she noticed was that the library sat just down the street from her new home. It quickly became her second one. During the summer, she’s there nearly every day, especially on Mondays, when the library’s summer programming is in full swing.

Her mother, Cristee Testa, has become an avid library user herself, and while she and her husband regularly stop in to check out books, she’s the first to admit that Annee is the family’s true regular. Asked how she’d describe the library to friends and family who don’t visit, Cristee doesn’t mince words.

“They are missing out on a great treasure in our community! Being able to check out everything from fishing equipment to games to books is a special opportunity!”

A Hub for Every Season

The Testas’ story is playing out in libraries all across Chautauqua County. On any given day, a successful one might include toddlers wiggling through storytime, children building crafts in the play space, teens gathering after school for a round of Dungeons & Dragons and snacks, and adults settling in for a session on native plants.

That range is no accident. Library staff across the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System work deliberately to offer resources, services, and programs for anyone who walks through the doors, and a striking number of those patrons are under 18. The buildings themselves serve a purpose beyond the programming. In the summer, they’re a cool escape from the heat. In the winter, a warm and cozy refuge. Year-round, they’re one of the few places in any community where neighbors can gather, meet like-minded people, and simply belong, no purchase required.

A Classroom Without Walls

For the county’s homeschool families, local libraries have become something more: a treasure trove of curriculum support. Many libraries across the county supplement learning at home with books and hands-on activities, host field trips, and offer programs building literacy, creativity, and even STEAM skills. These are resources that would otherwise be out of reach for many families.

For the Community, By the Community

What ties it all together is a simple philosophy: Chautauqua County’s libraries belong to the people who use them. They’re where local organizations hold their meetings. They’re where a resident searching for a specific service gets connected to the organization that provides it. They’re where a new family, still learning the rhythms of a new town, can walk in and find a foothold.

For anyone new to a community, or anyone who simply hasn’t been in a while, the invitation is standing: stop by your local library and see what’s waiting. Ask what programs are running. Ask which groups meet there. Ask Mrs. Melissa, or whoever your community’s Mrs. Melissa happens to be.

As the Testa family discovered when they arrived from Montana, there’s a treasure of connection waiting to be discovered at your local library. Sometimes it’s fishing gear. Sometimes it’s a Monday program. And sometimes, it’s a trusted adult who knows your name.