Tully Free Library

History

There was the dream of a library in Tully as early as 1903 when Mrs. McGahon organized a book exchange club. And, as long ago as 1913 an Old Home Day speaker made the statement that Tully was in need of a "Carnegie". It was inevitable that our community would one day have a public library, but it was no one Carnegie, but many public-spirited citizens who brought it into reality.

The Tekaneata Club, a local women's literary organization, and its president, Katherine Wheeler, spearheaded the drive for a library in early 1935. The Chamber of Commerce was an energetic backer of the project and made the first contribution of $25.00.

After carefully planned organizational meetings and a concentrated drive to procure funds, and 300 books, the Tully Free Library opened its doors on May 15, 1935. At a cost of $100, 100 books were borrowed from the Syracuse Public Library for one year, the books to be exchanged as often as demand warranted. Tully Library was referred to as a "station" of the Syracuse Library.

The original trustees of the library were Mrs. R. Walter Riehlman, President, Mrs. Leon Baldwin, Secretary, Mrs. Louis Wheeler (Katherine), Willard C. Wheeler, editor and publisher of the Tully Times, Mrs. Bailey Hess, Mrs. Norbert Finkler and Leicester Green, school principal. Cecilia Murphy, a teacher then in the Tully Valley school, Mrs. Jesse Garrett of Apulia, and Nathaniel Pierce of Solvay Process and later French's Store in Vesper completed the Board of Trustees.

The new Mayor was Leon Baldwin who was also Tully's mortician. His interest in a library was so keen that he offered a room in his funeral home for its use. Thus the first of several homes for the library was in the north front room in the Leon and Dorothy Baldwin residence, 5 State Street. This north room also served as a funeral parlor. The library books were stacked on movable shelves. When there was a wake, the library, as it were, was rolled to another room.

The library was open Wednesdays and Saturdays 3 - 5 and 7 - 9. Members of the Tekaneata Club served as librarians and many residents donated books and magazines. 100 books were borrowed the first two days and in one year 1300 books were available at the library.

In November 1936 the library received approval from the State Education Department in Albany for a provisional charter renewable every five years. Perhaps more important, the library was now eligible for assistance from Albany.

In 1937 the library moved down the street to a room in the Masonic Templey; a year later it settled into the basement of the then Tully Trust Company Bank, now Marine Midland. There the library stayed, rent free, for 20 years. The basement was damp and dark. Volunteers lit the oil space heater, took care of the dehumidifier and provided all the library services.

In the late 1930's and early 40's there were few cars and gas was rationed during the war. Branch libraries were established in Apulia Station at Monroe's Store, in Vesper at French's and Eibert's and in Tully Valley at Galusha's Store.

Story hours for children began. A committee chose books, primarily from the New York Times Book section. Books were also rented from a company on Clinton Street in Syracuse. Library hours were extended to 3 days a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and evenings.

The library was bursting and books were stored in various houses and barns in the village. But, the library was always in financial distress. The library always had volunteers, patrons and friends. What it was in desperate need of was funding. The minutes of every meeting, and in some years there were many special meetings, reflect the dire financial situation.

In 1958 the bank needed its basement. Finding a new location for the library , one that was accessible and near the center of the village, was not easy. The library moved a few doors up Warren Street to what was known as Hart's Garage. But, within two years the building had been sold and the library was on the move again. This was not altogether unfortunate as there had been a severe water problem - flooding - in the building.

It was mentioned that Katherine Wheeler and her husband had been instrumental in starting the Tully Library. Mrs. Wheeler passed away in 1936. Dr. Wheeler was a trustee until his death in 1940. In his will he bequeathed his home on Elm Street to the library with the stipulation that the money from its sale be added to until such time as the library could afford to purchase or construct its own building.

The Library board purchased an old home in the village in the early 1950's. The trustees were landlords, with three apartments, two in the house that is now the library, and one in a rear building. The main building was in poor condition, but it had an excellent location and was adjacent to the school.

With no place to move to, the library took over a small portion of the house it owned, curtailed services and did the best it could to provide the community with library services. At about this time, 1961, the Onondaga Library System was being organized. Tully trustees did not take warmly to the idea of joining. But, they came to the realization that in order to approach good library service for Tully, joining the system was a necessity.

The County system was of immediate help to Tully. Consultants suggested the rearrangement of rooms and books, and helped weed the collection. The building was evaluated as worth preserving and remodeling as a permanent home.

The Trustees were encouraged by the County's assistance. A fund drive was launched to match the $5,000 grant by the County. The library was closed for some months as renovation took place. System consultants gave encouragement and made recommendations about remodeling, new equipment and the library budget. As of 1963 the library hired a librarian for 12 hours a week, thus ensuring the coordination of the best possible service for the community.

The Tully Free Library was permanently chartered by the State of New York in 1967. We are chartered to serve the area covering the Tully Central School district. We serve a population of 5,400 spread over an area of 82 square miles.

A report to the Community is issued each year in late January . This report is sent to state, county and local legislators, town and village officials, Tully Central School Board members, and is available to anyone in the community at the library. What is included in the report is an overview of the library's services during the past year.

The Tully Free Library represented in its inception and during these 60 years a labor of love by a community which recognized the library as a vital source of learning and leisure for its citizens.

Having concluded the first fifty years of library service in Tully, the Board was in a position to give concentrated effort to a building project. Recognizing the limitations of the Mason building and the need for additional and better designed space, the Board had undertaken a feasibility study in the fall of 1983.

In early 1984, Wilma Fessenden, Board president and Tom Carlsen, an interested library supporter, met with OLS director, Mr. Kinchen, "to discuss possibilities for expansion."

After months of examining the options, the Board agreed to have an architect look over and assess the present facility. Investigations proved that the rear portion of the building, particularly the foundation was in bad shape. The architect recommended it be demolished. With this information, the decision was made to refurbish the front part of the present building to house the office and reading room. The area to be added to this would consist of space for all book stacks, a large community room with efficiency kitchen facilities and an entryway.

By June 1985 enough research had been done to give the Board president and trustees confidence that the needed funds could be raised to complete and equip a building. The total cost was projected at $150,000. Over the next year, many fund raising events were scheduled to help raise money for the proposed renovations. Finally, by the Fall of 1986, it was possible to advertise for bids, which were opened October 30, 1986. The contracts were signed by the president in November 1986.

A Norway Spruce tree had grown in the backyard of the library edging the back wall, and had to be removed before construction could start.

In April 1986, a letter was send to Syracuse Mayor Tom Young, offering the tree to the city as its Christmas tree in Clinton Square for the holidays of 1986. The tree was accepted in November of that year.

In February 1987, demolition of the back part of the library began. Decisions about color or roof shingles, selection of hardware, carpeting, flooring, and other similar decisions were made by the sub-committee; Ruth Poellot, Ann Padget, Ed Hillengrand and Wilma Fessendan.