Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
Who uses the library?
By plnkh | March 1, 2007
I recently finished our annual report for the state, detailing library use for our fiscal year July 2005 to June 2006. The numbers tell the story of how busy to bursting our library is.
141,535 items: books, audiobooks, videos, DVDs and music CDs were checked out. We borrowed 21,824 items from other libraries for our patrons, and lent 11,054 from our collections to patrons of other libraries. 20,728 people used our public computers to, among other things, edit photos, write resumes, research school papers, check and send email (”my computer died and I have to email this file to a business contact”), and print out documents (”I don’t have a printer at home and I need to print this report for class”). Over the course of the year 6613 came to the 397 programs we sponsored. We also assisted with 10,353 reference inquiries.
These numbers clearly tell the story that our library is a valued community resource.
To those of you who have visited the library or accessed us online, thank you. The input of our patrons is necessary and welcome. To those of you who haven’t been here in a while, or who think the library has nothing to offer, I invite to to visit and check us out.
Topics: General | No Comments »
Now that we own the land can we move forward
By plnkh | February 6, 2007
In 2004 the Library Board conducted a feasibility study to determine the the likely success of a capital campaign to offset 20 to 25 percent of the cost for a new building. The The study concluded that there was a strong likelihood we could raise $3.5 million, but not until we had identified the location of the library and, preferably had a rendering of it’s exterior design. Well we’ve purchased the land - which was the location of choice - and we are now organizing our campaign. Community response to our plans has been terrific.
In 2006 the state approved the largest allocation of construction funding for libraries in its history. That funding has been included, once again, in Governor Spitzer’s 2007-08 Executive Budget. We’re hopeful that funding will be included in the final budget so that we can apply for some of those funds. But we’re not resting there. As we develop our plans, we’ll be seeking out other grants for which our project may be eligible.
In 2007, we can finally begin answering the questions that many of our 8,400 Goshen library card holders have asked– “when are we getting our new library” and “what can I do to help.” When? If all goes according to plan we’ll have a new library within three to five years. What can you do? Become a library volunteer, talk to your neighbors about how important a new library is, make a pledge to the Capital Campaign when you are asked. These are just a few of the things you can do. If you want to get involved, just respond to this blog posting or e-mail me via my contact form.
Topics: Building | No Comments »
Library Purchases 5 acre site
By plnkh | January 26, 2007
The following press release was sent to the local papers by the library board:
On December 26 the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society took its first step toward a new library that will serve the needs of our community well into the future. We closed on the purchase of a five acre parcel of land adjacent to the Salesian Park.
The $600,000 purchase price is financed by a two year, interest only mortgage provided by Union State Bank. This mortgage allows the Library the time we need–24 months–to embark on a capital campaign that will raise philanthropic funds to cover the cost of the land. Capital campaign fund raising will also help to pay for a portion of the new construction. The balance of the construction will be financed through a public referendum to be held within the next two years.
The Library is taking this important step forward because we were encouraged to do so by community leaders. The need for a new library was clearly defined by the community advisory committee that helped draft the strategic plan we published in 2005. (You can download a copy of the plan from our website, http://goshenpubliclibrary.org )
Since the owner of the site was unwilling to accept the contingencies required to put the purchase to a referendum, we moved quickly to secure the site for our community’s future. The location and cost meet all the parameters established by community groups (site selection committee, community advisory group, Library Board) for the location of the library and protects the remaining village parcel of the historic Salesian land from development.
After researching all the legal options, it was determined that the Library, acting on behalf of the community, has the authority to use any library assets to purchase land. The Salesian acreage is appraised at $615,000, and has an equalized village assessment of $686.00–the purchase price is a good value and will appreciate as a community asset over time. The mortgage payments will be paid from the Library’s operating budget of $1,078,316 which was approved by taxpayer in April 2006. That budget approval included a line for new building expenses.
Inherent in the Library’s plan for a new building is the sale of our present historic 1918 home. The Library has already been approached by more than one party interested in purchasing the building to preserve it. Our current site is appraised at $730,000 with an equalized village assessment of $1,194,545. The proceeds of the sale will be added to the capital campaign funds and used to pay down the cost of the new building. In addition, when sold, the building most likely will be added to the village tax tables.
Topics: Building | 2 Comments »
Why does the community need a new library when it has amazon.com and Netflix?
By plnkh | January 25, 2007
The public library is often referred to as the People’s university. In 1852, in a report to the City Council, trustees of the Boston Public Library “noted that the role of the public library extended far beyond the support of formal education when they stated that the library ‘was also seen to be the next natural step to be taken for the intellectual advancement of this whole community.’”
The public library is one service offered by a community that seeks to reach everyone, regardless of age, sex, economic class, religion, race or ethnic background. It provides books and magazines for those who like to read, audio books for commuters, videos, computers, cultural and educational programs, discussion groups and space for the community to gather. It is the only tax supported service from which many adults derive regular benefit.
The shared, publicly owned collections of the public library are a sound investment. Not all residents of this community buy all of the books and magazines they like to read; nor do they rent all the videos and audio books they view or hear. Not all students can fulfill their reading and research needs in their school library, which is generally unavailable to them outside of school hours. Goshen has no community center, movie theater, art gallery, theater company, or concert hall; but the library provides opportunities for the community to enjoy the arts.
Who uses the library? Senior citizens, families with children, a host of adults. In the past month we have served a doctor studying for a re-certification exam (away from home and office though hardly quiet); a senior citizen reading the magazines he can’t subscribe to (in a chair in the aisle inside the back door); a college student writing a paper on her laptop (using battery power, she could not plug it in because the cord obstructed the aisle); a great many people wanting a free computer; a local historian preparing a book on Goshen (kneeling on the floor next to the cabinet of files he needed) . People in this community deserve a library in which they can sit and read, work or visit with friends; in which all of the community owned materials are conveniently accessible in sufficient quantity to satisfy initial demand.
Our lovely building was built in 1918 to serve a population of 2000 residents; we now serve nearly 20,000. It was not wired for lighting to serve night-time reading much less computers. It was not designed with children or the handicapped in mind. It was not designed to accommodate more that a dozen patron and one librarian at a time. We are not trying to change our role in the community because books can now be gotten online. We are changing our role because society has changed, information has changed and the expectations of the community are not the same as they were in 1918. You have told us that and we have listened.
Topics: General | No Comments »
A library is…
By plnkh | December 11, 2006
In April 1992 there was an article in American Libraries titled “Ten Ways to Look at a Library.” [author Joe Rizzo of the Hillier Group, Princeton, NJ architectural firm]. His premise is that as your library’s mission is to serve everyone in the community regardless of age, ethnicity, profession, economic circumstances, religion, political affiliation (have I forgotten something?) the library building must reflect the choices that residents will make when using it.
To borrow from Rizzo, the library is a study hall, a workplace, a distribution center, a cost center, a community center, a museum, a child care center, a store, a cultural center, an evolving organism - something for everybody. And each of these concepts of a library is as individual as the person coming to it for that purpose.
Take a study hall. Some people like to study in isolation needing quiet and solitude to concentrate; others prefer to study in groups where information is shared; some like to listen to music; some study with books, others use computer files. So the library needs secluded individual spaces, group spaces, proximity to the reference section and connectivity for computers. It needs good lighting, comfortable seating and space for each student to spread out. The student may be a third grader writing a report on an animal of choice, a college student rearching a thesis or a doctor studying for a board certification.
Or take a cultural center. This encompasses wall space for art and photography, display cases for collections of objects, space for performances , storage for local history materials (which might overlap the museum application); gathering space to learn arts, crafts, hold cooking demonstrations, watch movies, hear lectures.
In planning Goshen’s new building, the library architect and Board must envision the library through the eyes of patrons (using comments from th focus groups and community meetings that lead to our strategic plan) and staff to design a building that will work effectively and “look like Goshen.” We expect to have a plan to present by late winter. We don’t expect it will be perfect, but it will reflect our best effort to provide the community what it has said it wants.
Topics: Building, General | No Comments »
Paying the Piper
By plnkh | December 5, 2006
The local papers are focused on the story of Goshen’s new sewer treatment plant. $23 million over 30 years with village water bills going from $100 per year to $400 per year. Planning for a new sewage treatment plant began 11 years ago. “What’s that got to do with the library?” you ask.
Nothing. Yet it is an indicator of the impact of growth on the community. Payments to the village will increase and other community needs (your new library) will be weighed in the balance with this one. It’s also a demonstration of how long it takes a public works project to come to fruition.
Publicly elected local officials (village, town, library, school) are charged with the well being of the community. They are responsible for understanding the laws and regulations that apply to their agency - and in New York State there is a major learning curve. They must be visionary, able to look further down the road than John and Mary Citizen, anticipating needs for change and infrastructure improvements, because the wheels of public action move very slowly. They must have courage and commitment to speak out for unwelcome improvements they know are necessary because they have studied the need. They are your neighbors and friends who are trying to do the best for their community. They deserve a standing ovation for their dedication to preserving the quality of life in our once rural communities.
Community residents are charged with electing responsible officials. The Library Board has spent 13 years studying the need for a new library. In those 13 years, 18 residents have served on the 7 member Board. The study began with the thought that we could add on to this building and has evolved to the current plan calling for a 30,000 square foot building for the 21st century. The same new residents who are driving the need for village water and sewer improvements, upgraded fire houses and district schools are driving the need for a new library. Unlike any of those services the library is charged with serving every person in every house in the Goshen Central School District. Your elected library trustees will be calling on you in the near future to sustain their conclusion that the time to move forward with a new library is now.
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Time Line
By plnkh | November 6, 2006
The Library Board has adopted an ambitious schedule to move forward with the new building project. In October engineering studies were conducted on the building site to determine if there were any environmental hazards that would translate into hidden costs a meeting was held with representatives of the village and the town to discuss access and parking for the park and the new library. Also in October the Board reaffirmed its commitment to fund raising by inviting interested members of the community to meet to formulate a capital campaign.
In November our architect (Peter R. Hoffmann) began work on the preliminary design while the Board discussed square footage and key service areas. We secured short term financing for the land purchase to allow us to proceed while the capital campaign takes shape. We hope to close on the land by the end of the year, so that it will be off the tax rolls for 2007 (a $15000 +/-).
Our hope is to bring our project to the voters within the next year. The village of Goshen is celebrating its bi-centennial in 2009. Ground breaking for the new library would be a wonderful complement to the celebrations being planned.
I’ve been chastized for the length of time between posts. Rest assured that significant milestones will be posted, and in between I will make a stronger effort to remind you of every day life in your library.
Topics: Building | No Comments »
Land Ho!
By plnkh | September 15, 2006
Land Ho!
The Library took a giant step toward getting a new building on Sept. 1 when library trustees signed a contract to buy a piece of land in the village. The 5 acre lot sits on Main Street next to the park created by the town and village on the old Salesian site. Due to the generosity of the property’s owner, Dr. David Cohen of Long Island, the library will be paying just $600,000, about two thirds of the land’s appraised value.
“It’s truly a win-win situation for library patrons and for Goshen,” says library board president Patty Garnett. “The library gets the land it desperately needs for a new building and the remainder of the former Salesian land in the village gets preserved for public use,” Garnett, who spearheaded the effort to get the land for the library, sees this as a culmination of 13 years of work searching for an answer to the library’s critical space shortage.
“Library boards over the years have reviewed what they felt was every possible solution, going over each one carefully and coming at them from every angle,” says Garnett. “Building a new library from the ground up is the only solution that has made economic sense. Getting a lot of this size in such a great village location is a real boon for the library and for the village,” she adds.
Garnett is also keenly aware of the concerns residents of the school district have about how much taxes might increase with the land purchase and, ultimately, the building of a new library.”Our main goals are, first, to build a library that adequately serves residents and, second, to minimize any tax impact through fundraising and grants,” says Garnett. “I’m confident we’ll be able to fund a large portion of this project with an energetic, community-driven capital campaign,” she notes.
Residents will be invited to attend an information session about the land purchase and building project in late fall. New information will be posted as it becomes available on the library website.
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Portico Repair Photos
By plnkh | August 25, 2006
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog
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Repairing the Portico
By plnkh | August 21, 2006
If you’ve driven by (or come to) the library today, you will have noticed that the front entranc is closed off and the columns are coming down on the portico. Some time ago is was determined that the capitals and plinths were visibly rotting and the condition of the columns themselves was questionable. They are now being replaced with composite parts that will look just like those that have held up the portico roof for the past 78 years.
While the work is in progress, the front entrance and book drop will remain closed for your safety. Please use the rear entrance and book drop.
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