This Branch of the Steele Memorial Library has been closed.
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Financial pressures facing Chemung County will prompt the closure of two branch libraries in late August, 2003. The Elmira Heights Library, located at 266 East 14th Street, Elmira Heights, will close permanently at 5pm on Wednesday, August 27th. The Southside Library, located at 378 South Main Street in the City of Elmira will close permanently at 5pm on Thursday, August 28th. The closing of these two libraries came after months of deliberation by the County Executive's Task Force on Libraries and several public meetings by the Chemung County Legislature, which culminated in Resolution 03-259 authorizing layoffs of library and other County departmental personnel. In that resolution, Chemung County Executive Thomas Santulli attributed deficits to "…in large part to the exploding and uncontrolled Medicaid costs placed on County government by the State of New York." Following their closure, the book collections of the Elmira Heights and the Southside libraries will be distributed to the Bookmobile, the remaining branch libraries, the Horseheads Free Library, and the Steele Memorial Library. Because it is anticipated that there will be a substantial number of books remaining, the library will hold a "going out of business" sale beginning on Monday, September 15th at 9am. Proceeds from this book sale will benefit the Steele Memorial Library book fund, used for the purchase of new books in the future. Noting that public library service in the Village of Elmira Heights began in 1949 and on the Southside of the City of Elmira in 1931, library director Jim Sleeth said "This is a sad day in the history of public libraries in Chemung County. Nevertheless, we hope that Southside and Heights' borrowers will begin visiting other public library locations in the County where I know the staff will make everyone feel welcome."