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

• Phil Meagher, President
  • Finance Committee
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Personnel/Nominating Committee Chair
• Vasile Bizovi, Vice-President
  • Building and Technology Committee Chair
  • Long Range Planning Committee
• Michele Shannon, Treasurer
  • Finance Committee Chair
• Dan Strickland
  • Long Range Planning Committee Chair
• Abby Gross
  • By-Laws Committee Chair
  • Friends Group Liaison
  • Finance Committee
  • Personnel/Nominating Committee
• Dan Smith
  • Building and Technology Committee
  • Community Relations Committee
• Jocelyn Cariello
  • Community Relations Committee
  • Personnel/Nominating Committee
• Maayana Howard
  • Community Relations Committee
  • Personnel/Nominating Committee
• Roberta Kiersted
  • Memorial Committee
  • Grants Committee
  • UCLA Representative
• Ann Bergin, Secretary

• Kara Lustiber, Director
• Eileen Smith
• Marlene Cowan
• Anne Bergin
• MaryAnn Hotvedt

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.

On June 6, 1988, Governor Mario Cuomo signed a bill which established a library district in the Town of Hurley.

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.

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 March 3, 2006, the library held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 1,704-square-foot addition. With the help of volunteers and Chris Swanson's eagle-scout project, the library was completely emptied in preparation for a remodel. Volunteers then repainted all the adult shelving. The library continued to operate on a limited basis at the West Hurley Elementary School.

With help from more volunteers and Matthew Panico's Eagle Scout Project, the library reopened at 42 Clover St in November 2006. The new addition increased the size of the building to 3,720 square feet. The new library building featured an almost 50 percent increase in shelf space, six public computers with high-speed Internet access, wireless Internet capability, wiring at reading tables for laptops, cushy reading chairs, new kid-friendly low bookshelves in the juvenile collection, and a separate room for children's programs, equipped with educational toys and brightly colored furniture.

Draft of Board Minutes

The draft of the minutes of the last board meeting are presented as an Adobe Acrobat document. You may download and install Adobe Acrobat from this link:


Otherwise, copies are available at the library.

2010 Budget

The West Hurley Library budget passed with 44 votes for the budget and 1 against. All four candidates were elected into office. There were no write-ins.

The 2009 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.