Hazard Library

The Hazard Library Association received it's Charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York on June 26, 1895. The Association is the direct descendant of the Reading Room established by William R. Hazard in 1874. Mr. Hazard donated his personal library of some 700 volumes as well as property, 16 by 20 rods, with a brick building and a hotel. The result as described in the flowery language of an 1879 history, "This library, . . . is thoroughly appreciated by the intelligent class of citizens residing in the community, where his memory is gratefully cherished, and his name spoken only in terms of reverence and love."

Today the Association operates a vibrant, busy public library serving four towns, Genoa, Ledyard, Scipio and Venice, in rural Cayuga County. Located between Cayuga and Owasco Lakes in the Finger Lakes Region, the building is still on the northwest corner of Poplar Ridge Road and State Route 34B. Much of the property was sold and used to double the size of the building in 1913. The building today is shared with the Poplar Ridge Post Office.

The mission of today's library states, in part, "The Hazard Library Association exists solely to provide the best possible free library service to the residents of the surrounding community. The Library's purpose is to inform and edify, as well as entertain, all those residents . . . who choose to avail themselves of its services."

New York State Education Law provides that, as an Association Library, everyone who has a Hazard Library card is a member of the Association. Every year there is a general meeting at which the Annual Report is presented and the Board of Trustees is elected. More than that, the meeting includes a dish to pass supper, prepared by the world's best cooks, a short program of fine entertainment, and a chance to meet and mingle with your neighbors who also love books and reading.