Chili Public Library’s Barbara M. Ireland Community Room

The Chili Public Library recognized one of its long-standing supporters by holding a dedication of the Barbara M. Ireland Community Room on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Pictured above is Supervisor Dunning, Library Board President, Ed Schuler, Chili Public Library Director, Jeff Baker, and Richard Meade (son of Mrs. Ireland) at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Though many persons have played an important role in the library’s history, Mrs. Ireland holds a special place among them. It was through her vision, dedication and energy that the town of Chili moved forward and created a public library. In 1961, the Chili Public Library became the last library to become a member of the Monroe County Library System and officially opened its doors to the public on October 15, 1962.

It was back in the 1950’s when Mrs. Ireland first approached the town supervisor with the idea of having a library in Chili. In June 1959, she was appointed chairman of the Chili Library Committee, a 10-member committee whose task it was to investigate the need for a library, and to perform those tasks necessary for establishing a library for the community.

After much work the committee submitted its findings to the Town Board stating a “definite need” for a library in the town of Chili, due to the growing population and lack of cultural institutions. The result was a library occupying 1,000 square feet of space within the Town Hall and having a collection of 5,000 books. Mrs. Ireland became the library’s first library board chairman.

That was just the beginning of her leadership. In her own words, “But that one room was only a start. Too small. Too soon – more work – another referendum – more people.” In the 1960’s Mrs. Ireland was instrumental in advocating for a new 7,000 square foot library extension to the former Town Hall which opened in August 1968.

The library continued to grow and ultimately Mrs. Ireland retired from the library board. She kept active as a Friend of the Chili Public Library for many years. Unfortunately, she passed away in January of this year.

In December 1998, the library moved to its present location. A testament to Mrs. Ireland’s vision, the 16,000 square foot library has grown to over 90,000 materials with a yearly circulation of over 350,000 items. The library welcomes over 190,000 library visits, answers 25,000 reference questions, and has over 400 programs for youth and adults with over 11,000 in attendance each year.

To honor Mrs. Ireland’s accomplishments, the library dedicated its multipurpose room to her, and changed its name to the Barbara M. Ireland Community Room. It is appropriate that this multipurpose room, which can be found on a typical day full of activity with children, young adults, and adults taking part in the many varied activities of the library, should be dedicated to this Renaissance woman. At the library’s 40th anniversary celebration Mrs. Ireland spoke before her audience. “It is people. It remains so today. The people. It is a public library. It gives me great joy and satisfaction to see what the people of Chili have done for themselves and is still doing.” The library in turn took great joy in celebrating the accomplishments of Mrs. Ireland at this dedication.