The library is a member of the Southern Tier Library System. Support comes from the residents of the Odessa-Montour Central School District. Peterson Memorial Library is a community institution that provides inclusive, accessible services to support life-long learning and fulfillment. As a storehouse of knowledge, our library encourages informed citizenship and provides diverse educational, recrea
tional, and cultural resources. In the 1970s Odessa was a successful stop on the Southern Tier Library System's Bookmobile run. When the bookmobile was discontinued, a reading center was opened in the home of Ida Millspaugh, Town of Catharine Clerk, on Merchant Ave. The reading center was named "ODALCA" as it served Odessa, Alpine, Catharine and Cayuta. The Town of Catharine's new town hall and highway barn became the next home of ODALCA, but by the mid-1980s, still more space was needed for the expanding reading center. In 1986, as the result of donations, grants, and the labor and love of local residents, the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library opened for business at the corner of First and Church Streets in Odessa. The library was named for the late Dutton S. Peterson, a former resident, minister, and NYS Senator. The library is run by one full-time Director, one part-time Youth Services Specialist, a nine member board of trustees, and a group of dedicated volunteers. The library board meets the third Thursday of each month (excluding July & December) at 6:00 PM, in the library. Key services include:
Pre-school Story Hour (Tuesdays at 10:00AM through the school year)
After-school programs
Summer Learning Program
Book Sales
Online catalog at http://starcat.stls.org
Downloadable audio and e-books available via stls.org
A/V Materials
Public Computer and Internet
Copier and FAX service for minimal charge
Federal and NYS Tax Forms
