Library History

See an excerpt about the Pine Plains Free Library from The History of Little Nine Partners by Isaac Huntting. Go to Historic Highlights of Pine Plains and Vicinity for more local history.

·        First Library (Union Library of Pine Plains) established February 17, 1798 at Stissing House. Opened November, 1798.

·        Each of the 40 patrons pledged $2.50 to start the library.  They purchased 95 volumes and 18 more were contributed for a total of 113 volumes.

·        Ebenezer Baldwin - first librarian November 1798 - January 1800.

·        Israel Reynolds, second librarian, appointed January 1800.

·        Books could be held for 6 weeks, and had a fine of 1 cent per day.

·        Board of Trustees were set up and started, Stephen Eno, Librarian, January 1804 - 1829.

·        In 1874 the status of the library changed from a membership library to a tax supported library, as well as a new name- the Pine Plains Free Library.

·        March 6, 1885, library moves into Cole's drug store (across from Peck's on Main Street).

·        November 1886 library moves into Mrs. Cole's residence on Main Street.

·        January 7, 1887 open every day except Sunday.

·        Original charter for library given in June, 1895.

·        November 2, 1922, residents urged to vote -- library gets 50 cents for every vote polled, no other source of income.

·        February 23, 1950 Provisional Charter as Free Public Library granted by board of regents.

·        January 31, 1952 Helen Cole- Netter Appointed Librarian.

·        October 15.1959 Plan for 5-county library system adopted by representatives of thirty

      libraries:  Pine Plains Free Library voted to join Mid-Hudson Library System.

 

·        June 24, 1960 New Charter granted as a Public Library.

·        March 11, 1965 Christine Crouch appointed acting Librarian.

·        March 7, 1966 Mrs. Frank Alm appointed acting librarian.

·        January 25, 1968 Trustees purchase MacGhee building.

·        October 3, 1968 Library moves to new building.

·        August 6, 1970 Town Board agrees to buy library building.

·        November 8, 1973 Library building given to town, town takes over mortgage of $4,899.96

·        August 8, 1974 Town used revenue sharing money to pay off mortgage, town now owns building.

·        February 8, 1979 Microfilm reader installed.

·        December, 1994 Computer system added to link library to other systems for interlibrary loan.

·        January 1995 Marguerite Hill appointed librarian.

·        May 23, 1996 Library gains internet access.

·        October 24, 1996 Library has own web page, first for small libraries in Dutchess County.

·        August, 1996 Three computers available to patrons for Internet.

·        August 14, 1997 Received state grant through the efforts of Senator Leibell. Money will be used to barcode the collection, as it prepares to be linked to other libraries. 

·        January, 1998 Children's computer added.

·        February, 1998 Library celebrates 200th anniversary!

 

·        November, 1999 Library totally automated with the Mid-Hudson Library System.

 

·        August 2000 Library adds computer for job searches funded by New York State Dept. of   Labor

 

As you can see, we have come a long way from 1798 to accomplish these goals and have moved into the twenty first century. In Feb of 2000, the library became an "electronic doorway library" and a New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL) in July of 2003. This was through the creation of a webpage, having an automated card catalog and circulation system, participating 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. Our mission stays the same to serve the community by being a source and focal point of reading and education accessible in a variety of forms, to both children and adults.