CHERRY CREEK — According to a former librarian, the funding and membership issues many libraries face appear to have contributed to the closure of a library in Cherry Creek.

Sharon Howe Sweeting, a former Smithsonian Librarian, claims that the Cherry Creek Main Street Library has closed due to lack of funding and readers. Howe Sweeting claims the building is for sale with no other place to move on Main Street.

The original library in Cherry Creek was founded in the mid 1960s by Helen Howe, located at the western corner of South Side Avenue and Main Street in the old Fire Hall. Sharon Howe Sweeting helped out when she visited home from college at SUNY Geneseo, where she earned a degree in Library Science. The library later moved to the old Post Office on the north side of Main Street. Howe Sweeting and RuthAnn Smith later spent two years cleaning up the space.

With the help of Pine Valley Central School, the library found a new home across Main Street, at the corner of Center Street, at the flashing caution light in the old Bentham Hardware Store building owned by GDH Construction. The space was then carpeted and shelved, with the woodworking shop at Pine Valley helping to build the shelves. Wooden doors were crafted by the local Amish. Some old counters were reused, while electricity and lighting was installed.

The library was independent of the Chautauqua library system because of a lack of funding from the town. Howe Sweeting stated the only substantial funding the library received was under the direction of Paul Smith when funds were dedicated to purchasing books.

In recent years, computers were donated by Ric Kropat, but later removed after heavy usage and abuse of the privileges. Children’s programs were very active in years past, but programs have diminished.

Howe Sweeting blames accessibility to personal computers for the lack of involvement with the library. She stated that the main readers in the area now are the Amish.

It is unclear if the library has plans to reopen in the future.