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5.0 Community Facilities & Services

The quality, supply and variety of a community's services and facilities are important to the overall quality of life a community can offer its residents. Education, emergency services, recreational opportunities and cultural enrichment have a substantial impact on the appeal of a community as a place to live. This chapter explores the resources available to residents in the Village of Pittsford, including historic resources, educational facilities, libraries, emergency services, recreational facilities and social services.

5.3 Public Library Resources

The Village of Pittsford was the location of private libraries through much of the 19th Century. The Pittsford Village Library was begun in 1920 by Una Hutchison and was chartered in 1924 under the Board of Regents of New York State. The library has had several locations including: the Parker Block at the Four Corners, the Little House at 17 Monroe Avenue and in the Wiltsie Building the current Village Hall at 21 North Main Street.

The Village operated the library until 1972 when the Town of Pittsford purchased a former grocery store at 24 State Street and converted it into the current Pittsford Community Library. At that time, the Village relinquished control of the library to the Town. The library is open 67 hours per week including four evenings and Saturday and Sunday. The library's approximate collection is 80,637 books with a circulation of approximately 360,032. The library also offers 330 programs such as pre-school story hour and school visits. A Citizens Committee has been set up to put together a needs assessment for the Pittsford Library to ascertain if the current facility meets the needs of the community.

The Janes Branch Library is located at 200 Fairport Road in the Town of Pittsford and is a limited service library that was dedicated in 1979 and was a bequest of former Senator, Rodney Janes. The Pittsford Community Library is a member of the Monroe County Library System.

There has been considerable discussion concerning the future location of this public library in the Town and Village. Because there is insufficient interior space and parking is sometimes an issue, expansion of the existing facility or a new location is being considered. Input from Village and Town residents, community and business organizations supports the Comprehensive Planning Committee's conclusion that the library is an important part of the Village and acts as an attraction and destination for both residents and visitors. Therefore it is strongly suggested that the expansion of the existing library on the current site be the primary consideration to ensure the facility remains in the Village Central Business District.

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