Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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A cafe and a used bookstore
By plnkh | March 6, 2008
In making suggestions for amenities to be included in their new library, a coffee shop was high on the list for many residents. Thinking of their experiences at many bookstores, museums and other regional libraries, they recognized that a cafe in the library, a place where people often spend many hours at a time - is a good idea. Goshen’s proposed new library is next to a park, at the north end of the village where there are no other cafes. The library is open on weekends, when families might be enjoying the park and the library cafe could provide a welcome oasis.
An important, yet overlooked aspect of a cafe is its income generating possibility. Newburgh Free Library has a tiny, staff run coffee shop in its foyer, which is a popular amenity and makes about $1200 a month. Your tax money will not be used to buy coffee and snacks and pay food service staff. If the cafe is included in the final building plan, an outside vendor would be sought to set it up and run it under contract with the library.
Also in the building program is an area for the Friends of the library to operate a used bookstore. The proceeds of the Friends booksales already support the summer reading club (a value of $2500 - $3000 per year). With an accessible space in which to sort and display their offerings, Friends support might grow to compare to that of the Thrall Library Friends who donate about $20,000 a year for library programs and services.
In addition to Newburgh, public libraries in Binghamton, Saratoga, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Princeton, Suffern (all of which I have visited) have cafes which support the library and provide library patrons a place to meet, read, compute and refresh. Many of those libraries also have Friends stores. These libraries are vibrant, responsive centers enhancing the quality of life for residents and serving as a destination for visitors to their communities.
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