DescriptionGeneral Facts
The West Hurley Public Library is a special district library supported by patrons
from the Hurley voting districts of 1,3, 5, and 7. Registered voters in the above districts decide on board members and budget increases in a special election in September. Board
members serve for three year terms. Unfilled vacancies are appointed by the board inbetween elections.
- Population = 3504
- Legislature Districts = Assembly- #101 · Senate: 40 · Congressional: 28
- Library System = MidHudson
Board Members
- Phil Meagher, President
- Vasile Bizovi, Vice-President
- Richard Scherbarth, Treasurer
- Francine Ladenheim
- Dan Strickland
- Harold Kleinfeld
- Raquel Kleinfeld
- Abby Gross
- Ann Bergin, Secretary
**Two Vacancies
Staff
- Kara Lustiber, Director
- Clare McDonald
- Eileen Smith
- Marlene Cowan
- Elizabeth Massee
- Heidi Friedman
History of Library
The West Hurley Public Library was founded
in 1956. The first home of the library was the West Hurley Public
School and the first board of trustees was drawn from community civic and
religious organizations. Used books, donated by local residents,
were the core of the library’s first collection; early additions to the
collection came from another library’s castoffs and the monthly purchase
of two new books, funded by a $1.00 family membership fee. When the
library moved to the former Hurley Town Hall, on Route 28, the hours of
operation were increased from two to four.
During the sixties, the library received a temporary charter, joined the Mid-Hudson Library System, hired its first full-time librarian, installed new lighting and heating equipment in the Town Hall, and built its collection to over 6,000. In response to the need for a more adequate facility, the board of trustees voted in March of 1974 to launch a building program for a new library. The program received the full support of the community and was funded by local fund raising and federal revenues. The present building was dedicated on November 16, 1975.
In the late eighties, the library began the process of converting its systems to computer. On June 6, 1988, Governor Mario Cuomo signed a bill which established a library district in the Town of Hurley. During the 1990’s, the focus of the board of trustees was on the maintenance and beautification of the physical plant, on upgrades and additions to the computer system, and on the development of a written library philosophy, including the following Mission Statement:
The mission of the West Hurley Public Library is to collect, preserve, and make available library materials in print and in electronic formats to serve the recreational, informational, educational and leisure needs of the community. The West Hurley Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.
In 1995, the library became an “electronic doorway library” through the creation of an automated card catalog and circulation system, participation in the MHLS online card catalog, provision of access to databases outside the library, and its commitment to the use of technology to provide quality library service. The following WHPL statistics are from a report published in 1997 by MHLS on member libraries.
Total Holdings: 18,520
Library Visits: 16,284
Grand Total Circulation: 32,429
By the late nineties, the library had become fully automated and had its own website. In partnership with the community, it produced a video about the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir. On April 25, 1998, an Open House was held to exhibit the new automation system and to present the video to the community. Highlights of the year 2000 included the implementation of Direct Access and the establishment of a fund dedicated to the development of advanced patron services. At the end of the year, Kara Lustiber, the library director, wrote the following:
The library is facing the beginning of the twenty-first century with excitement and change. The Internet is now available on three patron computers and basic computer tutoring is available for library users. Patrons also have access to fax service, a scanner, and an expanded selection of audio books. In addition, our collection has ‘expanded’ through the use of electronic Inter-Library Loans (ILL). Library patrons can now get more material, faster, and with the library’s participation in Home Access, they can use the Internet to access commercial periodical databases from home. Children’s services include a weekly story-hour, a summer reading program, and a computer dedicated solely to educational CD-ROM’s.
In November of the year 2000, the library held an Open House to celebrate twenty-five years at the location on Clover Street. Guests were invited to view the Ashokan Reservoir video and the library’s local history reference section, to give feedback on library services and to view plans for expansion of the current building.
During the sixties, the library received a temporary charter, joined the Mid-Hudson Library System, hired its first full-time librarian, installed new lighting and heating equipment in the Town Hall, and built its collection to over 6,000. In response to the need for a more adequate facility, the board of trustees voted in March of 1974 to launch a building program for a new library. The program received the full support of the community and was funded by local fund raising and federal revenues. The present building was dedicated on November 16, 1975.
In the late eighties, the library began the process of converting its systems to computer. On June 6, 1988, Governor Mario Cuomo signed a bill which established a library district in the Town of Hurley. During the 1990’s, the focus of the board of trustees was on the maintenance and beautification of the physical plant, on upgrades and additions to the computer system, and on the development of a written library philosophy, including the following Mission Statement:
The mission of the West Hurley Public Library is to collect, preserve, and make available library materials in print and in electronic formats to serve the recreational, informational, educational and leisure needs of the community. The West Hurley Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.
In 1995, the library became an “electronic doorway library” through the creation of an automated card catalog and circulation system, participation in the MHLS online card catalog, provision of access to databases outside the library, and its commitment to the use of technology to provide quality library service. The following WHPL statistics are from a report published in 1997 by MHLS on member libraries.
Total Holdings: 18,520
Library Visits: 16,284
Grand Total Circulation: 32,429
By the late nineties, the library had become fully automated and had its own website. In partnership with the community, it produced a video about the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir. On April 25, 1998, an Open House was held to exhibit the new automation system and to present the video to the community. Highlights of the year 2000 included the implementation of Direct Access and the establishment of a fund dedicated to the development of advanced patron services. At the end of the year, Kara Lustiber, the library director, wrote the following:
The library is facing the beginning of the twenty-first century with excitement and change. The Internet is now available on three patron computers and basic computer tutoring is available for library users. Patrons also have access to fax service, a scanner, and an expanded selection of audio books. In addition, our collection has ‘expanded’ through the use of electronic Inter-Library Loans (ILL). Library patrons can now get more material, faster, and with the library’s participation in Home Access, they can use the Internet to access commercial periodical databases from home. Children’s services include a weekly story-hour, a summer reading program, and a computer dedicated solely to educational CD-ROM’s.
In November of the year 2000, the library held an Open House to celebrate twenty-five years at the location on Clover Street. Guests were invited to view the Ashokan Reservoir video and the library’s local history reference section, to give feedback on library services and to view plans for expansion of the current building.
2008 Proposed Budget
2008 Proposed Budget
The 2008 proposed budget is presented as an Adobe Acrobat document. You may download and install Adobe Acrobat from this link:
Otherwise, copies are available at the library.
The budget vote was on September 6, 2007.
The 2008 proposed budget is presented as an Adobe Acrobat document. You may download and install Adobe Acrobat from this link:
Otherwise, copies are available at the library.
The budget vote was on September 6, 2007.
