Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library

Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library NYS Chartered Municipal Public Library serving the Village of Odessa, and the Towns of Catharine and Cayuta. The Dutton S. in Odessa.

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

Goodbye Spring, Hello SummerBy Kenard Pak
06/21/2026

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer
By Kenard Pak

06/20/2026

📚✨ Celebrate Juneteenth by exploring stories of freedom, resilience, and Black history through literature. Browse for these stories and more in our digital collection:
🌟 https://ow.ly/nsxS50VY2gZ

Unearth a Story this summer at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Readers of all ages are invited to participate in ou...
06/18/2026

Unearth a Story this summer at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Readers of all ages are invited to participate in our annual summer reading challenge.
For ages 0-11, for every 5 minutes read you will fill in a fruit on your sheet. When an entire row is filled in, stop in for a small prize. If you finish your sheet, turn it in for an entry for our Grand Prize Drawing.
For ages 12-17, for every 15 minutes read, fill in a fruit on your sheet. When an entire row is filled in, stop in for a small prize. If you finish your sheet, turn it in for an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing.
For ages 18+, for each book read fill in a book on your sheet, for each book filled in you will receive an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing. If you finish your sheet, turn it in for another entry into the Grand Prize Drawing.
For all ages, turn your sheets in by August 17th, for a final entry into the Grand Prize Drawing. Sheets turned in at the end of the Summer Reading Challenge do not have to be completed to receive your entry for the prize drawings.

Please join us at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library on Tuesday July 7th at 10am, for a special story time. Local autho...
06/18/2026

Please join us at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library on Tuesday July 7th at 10am, for a special story time. Local author Abby Watson will be reading from her book.

Make a Paper Collage Art piece at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Monday June 22nd, from 6-8pm. Please call 607-594...
06/18/2026

Make a Paper Collage Art piece at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Monday June 22nd, from 6-8pm. Please call 607-594-2791 to register. If the library is closed when you call, please leave a message that you would like to attend.

Come see us this Saturday from 12-4p at the Waterfront Festival!
06/17/2026

Come see us this Saturday from 12-4p at the Waterfront Festival!

Don't forget to check out our FREE Family Zone from 12PM - 4PM!

We’ve made sure this year's Waterfront Festival has something for absolutely everyone. Bring the kids down for a day of completely free fun:

🎨 Face painting by Painted Love
🎈 Balloon creations with Amazing Pete
🛶 A special waterfront-themed craft with Schuyler County Libraries

🧩 Making the Festival Accessible to All:
We are also debuting our NEW Sensory Tent! This dedicated space offers sensory-friendly items and activities, providing a comfortable spot for families who need a break from the hustle and bustle.

This inclusive addition, along with all of our new accessible festival upgrades, is proudly sponsored by the Erie Canal Grant. Thank you for helping us make our festival a place where every family can make memories!

Festival Quick Facts:
Saturday, June 20th
Seneca Harbor Park
11AM - 7PM
Cardboard Boat Regatta at 2pm

The library will be closed June 19-21 in honor of Juneteenth. Stop by your local library to learn more about this histor...
06/17/2026

The library will be closed June 19-21 in honor of Juneteenth. Stop by your local library to learn more about this historic day of celebration.

Thank you everyone for showing up in joyful support for our 2SLGBTQAI+ community!The weather was challenging, but that d...
06/14/2026

Thank you everyone for showing up in joyful support for our 2SLGBTQAI+ community!
The weather was challenging, but that didn't deter the committed vendors, musicians, and attendees from making the First Annual Schuyler Pride Celebration a meaningful and memorable event. We'll see you again next year!
In the meantime, stop by your local Schuyler Library, where you are always safe and always welcome. ! 🏳️‍🌈

Montour Falls Farmers Market
Village Of Montour Falls
Montour Falls Library
Watkins Glen Public Library
Elizabeth B Pert Library
Southern Finger Lakes Pride
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes

Please join us at our summer events!June 22nd, Paper Collage Art from 6-8pm at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Plea...
06/11/2026

Please join us at our summer events!
June 22nd, Paper Collage Art from 6-8pm at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library. Please call 607-594-2791 to register.
June 23rd, Civics Trivia from 4:30-6pm at Watkins Glen Public Library. Please call 607-535-2346 for details.
July 2nd, Storyteller Perry Ground will be at the Village of Odessa's Community Room from 7-8pm.
July 7th, we will have local author Abby Watson reading at storytime. 10am at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library.
July 11th, Daisy's Dinosaur Puppet Show at 1pm, at the Village of Odessa's Community Room.
July 16th, Dinosaur Expedition Adventure at 10am at Burdett Fire Hall. Please call 607-535-2346 if you would like to register for the dig after the show.
July 21st, Local author, Meghan D. Coates will read at storytime. 10:00am at Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library.
July 25th, Odessa Community Day from 12-5 on Church Street, Odessa. Join us for our Time Capsule.
July 28th, at 10am Music and Movement with Alicia. Village of Odessa's Community Room.
August 4th, Tanglewood Nature Center and a few animal ambassadors will be here for story time, at 10am.
August 13th, join us at the Montour Falls Farmers Market from 4:30-6:30 for a collaborative End of Summer Learning Party.
August 30th from 2-4pm at the Village of Odessa's Community Room we will be having our 2nd Annual Community Potluck Picnic and Pie Bake Off. Bring a dish to pass and a chair if you would like to sit outside.

Address

106 First Street
Odessa, NY
14869

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 12pm

Telephone

+16075942791

Website

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