Starting in the park, take a left down Main Street and walk two blocks until you reach the corner of Main Street and Chestnut Street.
The Belfast Public Library is a neo-classical yellow brick rectangular building with large windows and a distinctive green terracotta roof. The interior features original woodwork and a marble staircase.
Built in 1915, the project was funded by Belfast native Mr. Frank Bartlett in memory of his parents. It was built on land given to the town by Sarah Ford Crosby.
In 2001, the library expanded into the neighboring house, which was converted into the library's children’s annex. Recently, the library board has developed plans to renovate the library to include extra parking, handicap accessibility, a connected children's library, a community room, and more.
The Belfast Library is one of the more highly utilized public libraries in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. It ranks in the top 10 in terms of library material usage, annual visitors, and number of library card holders in comparison to 30 other libraries.
For the Bicentennial, the library comissioned a sidewalk mural and sensory path featuring three prominent features of Belfast throughout history -- the Genesee Valley Canal, the Genesee River, and the Railroad. The mural was painted by Belfast Central School Seniors Sophie Zillgitt and Kate Calanni.
The library has been an important part of Belfast for over 100 years and has certainly stood the test of time.
-by Jake Borden, Belfast Central School Class of 2024, read by Sheila Weaver