The Smith Memorial Library

02/06/2026

While the Monday New York Times is no longer delivered to the region, remember you can always access it online through smithlibrary.com.

All patrons of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System have access to The New York Times. Visit the James Prendergast Library website for details. https://www.prendergastlibrary.org/nytimes/

27/05/2026

Libby’s not hiding, but she is experiencing some technical difficulties. Many smart friends are hard at work getting the app back to fighting shape—but in the meantime, note that you can access the digital collection via browser at libbyapp.com.

26/05/2026

We love lists!

🚨 ALERT! 🚨

Chautauqua Institution is pleased to announce 7 exceptional books as the 2026 finalists for The Chautauqua Prize, now in its 15th year:
Universality: A Novel by Natasha Brown (Random House)
Flashlight: A Novel by Susan Choi (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
O Sinners! A Novel by Nicole Cuffy (One World)
Old School Indian: A Novel by Aaron John Curtis (Zando - Hillman Grad Books)
Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd (Haymarket Books)
The River is Waiting: A Novel by Wally Lamb (Scribner)
This is Your Mother: A Memoir by Erika J. Simpson (Scribner)

Awarded annually since 2012, this award draws upon Chautauqua Institution’s considerable literary legacy to celebrate a book that provides a richly rewarding reading experience and to honor the author for a significant contribution to the literary arts. The winning book will be selected from this list of finalists and announced in early June. Read more at: https://bit.ly/4dNuu34.

All these books are available for purchase in-person and online at The Chautauqua Bookstore: https://bit.ly/4nRMyxP

Chautauqua Literary Arts

21/05/2026

We’d love to see you Wednesday May 27th at 5 for our Latinoland discussion! If you’ve not yet registered, simply contact the library—we’ll put you on the list 😊

YWCA Jamestown and Chautauqua Institution selected “LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority” by Marie Arana as the common read book.

For information about the CHQ Book Read and to register to attend the book discussion, please visit the link below:
https://www.ywcajamestown.com/chqbookread

21/05/2026

The library will be closed Sunday and Monday for Memorial Day. Visit us this holiday weekend on Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 3!

18/05/2026

We love book discussions that instruct and delight! Can’t wait to host a couple more this month.

14/05/2026

We are delighted to offer library patrons passes to many cultural attractions in our region. Stop by the library to check out your next adventure!

Our CCLS Member Libraries have Day Adventure Passes! Check out a Day Adventure Pass from a CCLS Member Library for free or reduced-price admission to local partner organizations. Learn about the program at https://cclsny.org/day-adventure-pass-program/

13/05/2026

Follow the link to register for the May 27th session at The Smith or another time and place of your choosing.

YWCA Jamestown and Chautauqua Institution selected “LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority” by Marie Arana as the common read book.

For information about the CHQ Book Read and to register to attend the book discussion, please visit the link below:
https://www.ywcajamestown.com/chqbookread

10/05/2026

From Silent Gen to Gen Alpha—whether you think “no cap” means hat free or seriously—we are holding space for you 😊

brb holdmaxxing

07/05/2026

The library will be closed for the holiday on Sunday May 10th.