History

The Wimodaughsian Free Library was formed in 1892 when a group of village women got together to start a library. They obtained a charter from New York State on November 4, 1897. The group chose a name made up of the composite letters of WIves, MOthers, DAUGHters and SIsters known as the Wimodaughsian Society. The object of the society was to improve literary work, social enjoyment and the maintenance of a public library.

In the years since the charter was granted the library has moved several times. The first library was housed on the second floor of the Allison Building (now Canisteo Savings and Loan). As the collections grew larger and more patrons were added, the library was moved to the Powell-Linderman Building in 1908. The library was again moved in 1911 to the Walter Laine Building. In 1924 the library was moved to the Canisteo Grange Building after plans to build a library building fell through. In 1933 the Society acquired a home of its own when the N. C. Taylor house on Main Street was purchased from the Masonic Lodge for $4,000. After much redecorating the library moved in.

Over the years improvements have been made, always with an eye to retaining the Victorian flavor of the building. Wainscoated ceilings, many fireplaces and ornate woodwork abound. In the 1990’s a new circulation desk was built and installed and more recently a handicapped accessible restroom was added. The Children’s Room was relocated, redecorated and dedicated to Elizabeth Davidson in 2004 thanks to a generous donation from her family and friends. A renovation project is currently underway to take advantage of the second floor of the building. A new Reference Room, Community Meeting Room and Teen Room are being planned.

In April, 2002 the Wimodaughsian Free Library expanded it's charter area to serve the Town of Canisteo as well as the Village. The Wimodaughsian Society has recently undergone  reorganization and has opened membership to the residents of the Canisteo-Greenwood School District. After a public vote in 2002 the funding for the library comes from the tax payers of the Canisteo-Greenwood School District. Funds also come from Steuben County and New York State.

The Wimodaughsian Free Library is currently open 35 hours a week and is a member of the Southern Tier Library System. With help from the volunteers of the Wimodaughsian Association, the library continues to provide free  access to the library collections and services for the community of Canisteo.   

updated 10/18/2007