I spent a lovely day, the first day of summer, driving around the winding countryside roads of Albany County. It was the first day off of school for my son, and I convinced him to come with me, saying vaguely that we were visiting a library. We visited 4. One was to pick up a paperback rack from Voorheesvillle (thanks!) and the rest were the “hill town libraries” of Rensselaerville, Westerlo and Berne.
After leaving Voorheesville, we stopped at a Stewart’s and my son had a huge ice cream which helped smooth over the fact that we were going to another library instead of going home. We drove through countryside that could be used in fantasy movies, soft green hills and woods, with the ever present Helderberg mountain range in the background like a massive green wall.
The Berne Library has recently moved to a former church across from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school, which is convenient for the new Director (former Children’s Librarian) Kathy, who is also a bus driver. She was happy to show me around, and my son was reluctant to leave after being handed a magnetic block set to play with. They also have other STEM kits like snap circuits, coding robots and a 3D printing pen.
The three libraries are collaborating services to do cross-promotion of events, a special limited card for children among the three libraries that can be obtained without a parent’s signature, and a shared Children’s Librarian.
I dragged my son away and we wound our way through the country, seeing a hay cart, driving down a narrow road with no lines. This was not new to me, I learned how to drive in the country, so I just shrugged and was grateful that at least it was paved.
When Siri announced we had arrived at the Rensselaerville library, I looked around in confusion, because the Library looks like a house or perhaps a tavern. Inside, it is definitely a library, with floor to ceiling shelves and a balcony overlooking the first floor. The building is not wheelchair accessible, and was erected in the 1800’s and expanded in 1996. It is three stories, full of little reading nooks, and has the feel of someone’s living room, with NPR playing softly in the background and magazines spread on a coffee table. Going out the back door, we looked out on a steep hill that led down to a garden and a brook with little falls. “Best library ever!” my son declared. He looked at my expression. “Second best library ever!”
The Library sells t-shirts and candy. “We realized the delivery courier was buying candy- he’d leave money and a bar would be gone,” a clerk said.
Then we moved on to the last library on the tour- Westerlo. Not far from Rensselaerville, it is also unique, a former storefront. Library Director Sue happily showed me all the recent improvements, including changing the entrance and heating/cooling system. The collection was organized, bright and cheery, and I liked the historical items on display on the top shelves. We had a lovely time chatting, until I realized my son had been too quiet. I found him on the porch, playing with flowers. “I invented dye!” he announced, showing me his red hands. Time to go home!
Jane is visiting all 36 locations of the Upper Hudson Library System (see introduction)
What beautiful libraries!
Having grown up with a tiny library built in a former (tiny) house, and then going to a rural college with a library in a historical mansion-like house, I have a soft place in my heart for these libraries.
But I still prefer the gigantic libraries that have the book I want, on the shelf, the moment I decide I must read it. Perhaps I need to learn patience, or regain a soul, or something. Thanks for the photos.