Southworth Library Association
🏢 Finger Lakes Library System · Dryden, New York
Southworth Library Association
Founded in 1883 with a $30,000 trust left by Jennie McGraw Fiske, the Southworth Library Association has served Dryden from its stately 1894 Romanesque Revival building — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — for over 130 years.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 24 West Main Street, DRYDEN, NY 13053
Phone: (607) 844-4782
Website: southworthlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87J5FPR2+89 (DRYDEN, NY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Southworth Library Association
The Southworth Library Association was incorporated on April 22, 1883, when heiress Jennie McGraw Fiske endowed it with $30,000 as a lasting memorial to her mother and her maternal grandfather, whose family name the library bears. The collection began with about 2,000 books, and the permanent building at 24 West Main Street — designed by architect William Henry Miller in Romanesque Revival style — opened in 1894 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A major expansion, the Lincoln Center Addition, opened in 2010, funded in part by the sale of an Abraham Lincoln handwritten 1865 re-election speech at Christie's auction. Today the library holds more than 35,000 items — books, large print, audiobooks, sheet music, and digital titles — and belongs to the Finger Lakes Library System, giving Dryden cardholders access to nearly one million items across 33 Central New York member libraries.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1883 — one of the oldest public libraries in Tompkins County — with a $30,000 endowment from Jennie McGraw Fiske
- 1894 Romanesque Revival building at 24 W. Main Street designed by William Henry Miller and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Lincoln Center Addition (2010) partly funded by the Christie's sale of an Abraham Lincoln handwritten 1865 re-election speech
- 3D printing available on-site, plus a notable sheet music collection and local history newspaper archives
- Member of the Finger Lakes Library System (FLLS): one card unlocks nearly one million items across 33 member libraries
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Dryden cardholders can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and research resources free through FLLS and New York State:
📚 Services
- 3D printing services for patrons
- 14 public computers with free internet access and Wi-Fi
- Sheet music collection for musicians and students
- Local history books and digitized historic area newspaper archives
- Large print books and Playaway pre-loaded audiobooks
- Interlibrary loan through the Finger Lakes Library System
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Books & Brew adult book club and Silent Book Club
- Preschool storytime (Fridays 10am)
- Paws to Read and Comics 'N Creatures children's programs
- Miss Angie's Music & Movement for young children
- School's Out Kids Club for school-age children
- Adult educational programs including AI discussions and wellness seminars
- Teen reading challenges and summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central New York
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Southworth Library's building historically significant?
The 1894 Romanesque Revival building at 24 West Main Street was designed by architect William Henry Miller and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 2010 Lincoln Center Addition was partly funded by the proceeds from the Christie's auction of an Abraham Lincoln handwritten 1865 re-election speech.
Can I borrow items from other libraries with my Dryden library card?
Yes. Southworth Library belongs to the Finger Lakes Library System (FLLS), a consortium of 33 member libraries in Central New York. One card gives you access to nearly one million items that can be requested from any member library. You can also borrow ebooks and audiobooks through Libby at no charge.
Does Southworth Library offer 3D printing?
Yes, the library offers 3D printing services for patrons. Contact the library at (607) 844-4782 or visit southworthlibrary.org for current details on materials, file formats accepted, and any associated fees.
Who was the Southworth Library named after?
The library was named for the maternal family (Southworth) of its founder, Jennie McGraw Fiske. She established the endowment in 1883 as a lasting memorial to her mother and grandfather. The family name Southworth is from her maternal line.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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