No, that's not a headline from the mid-1990s. Or a headline from an 'Onion' article. The 468-square-foot Baiting Hollow Free Library, tucked on the corner of Warner Lane and Sound Avenue and open just two days a week, is stepping into the 21st century, the same year it celebrates its 110th birthday.
Librarian Charlotte Jacques has worked the library, which runs on a budget of under $12,000 and rivals Fishers Island for the smallest in Suffolk County, for the last 12 years after years of filling in for her cousin and great-aunt. With her husband serving as the library district's treasurer as well as one of its five trustees, Jacques said she is looking forward to being able to sign on and scan books in, in time.
All 6,040 of them.
"There were 6,040 of them last time I counted," she said. "I count them every January."
Jacques adds that her favorite part of the part-time job is helping people get books they are looking for. Typical favorites include mysteries and biographies, though there is a relatively large section devoted to local history - of which she is more than familiar with.
The library started on the porch of the Rev. Frank Voorhes of Baiting Hollow Congregational Church in 1903. His wife served as first librarian after the church, which actively held lectures and music programs at the time, decided to expand its offerings. The Warner family later donated the land, writing in the deed that it remain a library for future use.
Now access to the Internet will make it accessible far beyond Baiting Hollow.
The library is open Thursdays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.
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