A Dream for the Future

Our Mission

To bring people, information, ideas and experiences together to establish the library as the living center of the Parma community.

The Dream

We believe that the Parma community as a whole has a desire for an updated library, which includes more room and flexibility to curate purposeful spaces for the needs of community members. Our dream is to build that library.

Where We Are

A new library is part of the Town of Parma Comprehensive Plan. Although there are no formal details for a library project at this time, we are in the active process of seeking community feedback, identifying needs, and looking at the many advantages of relocating to the Town of Parma park campus.

Important Things to Know About Our Current Space

• The library is chartered to serve the entire town of Parma, about 17,000 people, and is primarily funded with town taxes.

• The Parma Public Library has been at the West Avenue location since 1978. According to documentation, the need for growth began as early as 1999, over 25 years ago.

• Our legal building capacity is 122 people, which does not meet the turn out for large-scale events, like summer reading performers. With chairs, the capacity of our one meeting room is about 32 people.

• The library does not have dedicated parking. The Hilton United Methodist Church generously shares their parking with us, which does limit access.

Crunchy Sam presenting in the center of the library, April 2024

Endless Possibilities

Library staff preparing for the Hilton Parade, July 2025

Doug Farley of the Cobblestone Museum presenting in the library meeting room, August 2025

Our library staff are often commended for how much we are able to offer our patrons with what little space we have. 

In a larger building with curated spaces for community needs, we could offer so much more. Some examples include, and are certainly not limited to...

• Study rooms for tutors, remote workers, or patrons in need of quiet, private space
• Larger capacity meeting rooms & event space for high-interest library programs
• Dedicated teen room for teen & student use after school
• Dedicated computer area away from bustling foot traffic
• Reservable small meeting rooms for community groups
• Increased space for shelving and storage of library materials and special collections
• Outdoor green space for library or community events
• Convenient drive-up item return
• Dedicated parking for library users

We Hear You

Our responses to some commonly shared questions & concerns.

Would the library relocate to somewhere else in the village?

We believe the space at the town campus would offer the library the most central visibility within the entire town we serve with convenient access to other park amenities. With few options for open land in Hilton, relocating within the village boxes us in to spots where future growth is very difficult. We are not currently considering renovating existing buildings due to many factors.

If you leave the village, what about students and other people who walk to the library?

We are dedicated to the accessibility of the library by all. We are communicating with Hilton Central School District to brainstorm options for students. Data shows that the percentage of other residents who actually walk to the Parma Library is very low.

When would this happen and how much would it cost taxpayers?

This is not a project that can happen tomorrow. Any large project would include a multi-year and official process with further public input including any financial impact on community members, grant funding, and a potential referendum.

New shelving added to meet the demands of a growing Middle Grade section, November 2024

What will become of the current library building if you move?

The library does not have control of this decision. We encourage residents to share thoughts with the Hilton Village Board or Parma Town Board.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the future of the library. Maybe you share in our dream, and maybe you don't. That's okay! Our goal was to provide you with as much information as we have at this time. In any case, we are asking for your participation in the Town of Parma Campus Master Plan Survey to share your thoughts and help shape the future of your community spaces!

📍 What’s this all about?

This plan will guide improvements to Parma Town Park and the Town Hall campus, including ideas like a community center, new library, and more.

🗣️ Your feedback matters. Every voice helps us build a stronger, more connected community!

💬 The survey only takes 10 minutes and will be open through early December.

Let’s dream big and build a future for Parma that we’re all proud of!

Questions or concerns?

Contact Grace Engelbrecht

Library Director

(585) 392-8350

grace.engelbrecht@libraryweb.org

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:

The Board of Trustees of the Parma Public Library meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm at the library, unless otherwise specified. Find the most up to date schedule on our website www.parmapubliclibrary.org