WHAT WE DO AND MATERIALS WE HAVE

Of this total, 33,280 volumes represent books in both the adult and children's sections of the library. Our library is primarily a reading library, as opposed to a reference center, concentrating on the popular and classic novels that our readers demand. A large collection of picture books for young children, containing most of the Newberry & Caldecott award-winning titles can be found on our lower level.

Although primarily used as a reading library, the book collection is evenly divided between fiction & non-fiction titles. Purchase of non-fiction titles is determined with an eye toward the local school curriculum, assisting the local students in completing their studies.

In addition to the book collection, the Hudson Falls Free Library also maintains an extensive audio-visual collection made up of audio tapes (both easy listening & talking books), CDs (popular, classical, and show music titles), and video tapes (some self-help but mostly feature films which include both classic and current titles).

"Special collections," peculiar to the Hudson Falls Free Library, include an almost-complete collection of Hudson Falls High School yearbooks going back to 1923 and a series of scrapbook-type reference materials on local history cut from the area newspapers.

These latter materials include a complete history of the Hudson Falls trash burning plant as well as local obituaries, churches, history, schools, the development of Main Street & the businesses in the area, parks, and monuments. In addition to newspaper clippings, also found here are programs and fliers promoting different local events.

The Hudson Falls Free Library began in 1910 when a group of interested citizens formed the Public Library Association and elected the first five trustees: Josephine H. Allen, Emily M. Devine, Charles D. Kellogg, Erskine C. Rogers, and Willoughby Sawyer. The first treasurer was Mrs. Marcus Allen who served from 1910 until her death in 1962.

As librarian, the trustees appointed Miss Genevieve Clark, a junior high school English teacher who, for $750 a year, furnished a room for the library in her home at 110 Main Street and her services as a librarian six afternoons and evenings a week. This library was chartered by the Board of Regents on October 27, 1910, to serve the people of the township of Kingsbury.

The current library building was completed in February, 1916, at a cost of $13,216. The Women's Civic League played a major part in collecting funds for this building which was made possible through the gifts of many organizations and individuals in the area.

Miss Esther Sherman became librarian upon Miss Clark's retirement in 1928 and served until her own retirement in 1973. In January of 1973, Miss Marie L. Gandron, the current library director, was appointed.

Over the years, three major renovation projects have taken place. In 1960, the entire first floor of the building was redesigned and the basement was converted from storage area to a children's room. In the late 1980's, the first floor was again remodeled, moving the circulation desk, adding shelving, and installing a central-air conditioning system.

Most recently, the library has seen the installation of an elevator, making the 1915 building accessible to those with physical disabilities.

In the year 2000, the library celebrates its 90th year of service. We will enter the new millenium in a big way. Plans are already underway to fully automate the check out/check in process. All library materials will be bar coded and all patrons will be issued new computer-friendly library cards.

The library receives the major part of its funding from the Village of Hudson Falls, the Town of Kingsbury, and the Hudson Falls school district. Book sales and a membership drive make up the library's primary fund-raising events.