An Attempt to Provide a Context: Hidden and Forgotten Moments in The History of The Woodstock Library

I am looking at my previous posts about the Woodstock Library.  These are a few years old, but are just as important now as they were then.  DJ Boggs  2016

Much is hidden and forgotten about our attempts to improve the Woodstock Library.  By the end of the 90’s, our building was not adequate to the demand we could feel growing around us.  The community was changing.  There was not much value in asking people to sit and read quietly.  That time had passed sometime in the 1950’s.  We added a bit in the late 80’s, but, even then, we knew it was not enough. 

In the early 90’s we started to think about further additions.  Tom Collins, who was President at the time, asked our neighbor, then Mr. Boyd, if he would be interested in selling us the field on the southern side of the library.  It would have been the easiest way to add with the least amount of destruction of the present building.  We received a definite “No” as an answer, and, I believe we asked again in early 2006, but this question has not been asked in a long time and should be reconsidered.

Next, when Mr. Ottoson, our neighbor directly next to us on Library Lane, passed away, the Friends made an attempt to purchase the two buildings on that property.  The idea was that the Friends could get a mortgage and manage their own properties. The Friends would move their activities to the front building, rent the second building for income, and vacate the room being used by the Friends for library use.  We were out-bid, and the project fell through. Our friends’ organization lost its creative, ambitious edge with the resignation of some key people, and, shortly thereafter, became content to occupy the book barn and produce book sales. 

And, then… we looked around and noticed the vacant fire house.  Trustee, Janine Mower and I made a proposal, all neatly written and presented in a nice binder, to Jeremy Wilber and council person Steve Knight, asking that the Library acquire the fire house to use for archival storage for the Historical Society, Library and any other town entity that had significant historical collections.  In addition, it could be used for programs, displays and an interpretive center for the town.  It would be a tourist destination on the usual walk through the village.   We also hosted a well-attended series on historical preservation for all local entities that had archives.   Jeremy and Steve responded by ignoring the proposal completely.  When I inquired, I received the answer that any proposals were very premature.  We were hopeful that a new, adequate and functional building would be built for the police on the lower parking lot of the Comeau. 

In the mean time, we noticed that the floor in the children’s room was on the point of collapse.  We had to move out the entire children’s collection and replace the floor, joists and all.  We also noted that when moving the door to the children’s room in the 1970’s, they had cut into an important supporting beam.  Although we received assurances that the roof remained safe, there still are an unsettling amount of cracks in the walls of that room.  Then, in a hasty move for cosmetic improvement, the Board replaced the old linoleum in the front room, but did not give full consideration to the underlying support beams. 

At present, the document produced by Architecture Plus, the Schenectady firm that was chosen to develop plans for a new library building, is being called a “feasibility plan”.  It is worth looking at the whole plan again.  It is the library Woodstock really needs. Of course, the old plan contained many extras that would have been eliminated or modified to bring down costs.  The board added some $700,000 to the budget representing a onetime cost to start the process of floating a bond.  It was a huge mistake and caused our budget to be soundly defeated.   We should have done it a different way and not added cost to the budget even though, in doing so, we would have saved quite a bit of money. Using cash to start the process saves on the interest costs.  However, Woodstock voters, and, by that I mean the people who actually vote, tend to be very wary of higher taxes.  Any campaign that raises the fear of a higher tax bill will bring out an additional three hundred voters, minimum.   

We don’t need to tack another building on the old building.  The old building is finished.  There would be many ways of preserving the small part of the building that is part of the old Dr.Hall residence actually historic to Woodstock.  The community could float a bond and, once and for all,   give up the idea that sufficient funds can be raised from private sources to fund a public library building.  Many of our residents are second home owners and, although they make use of the library services, they might remain unaware of the mechanism of funding a special district. The question is do they remain uninformed at their own choosing? An analysis of local voters is necessary as is an accurate look at our local population statistics showing how many people are usually here using our local resources.

 Grants are useful, but they are a pittance compared to the amount actually needed, and competition for privately raised funds is intense as the Historical Society also needs an addition to their building, and the Town of Woodstock is asking for contributions to improve the Community Center. 

At the moment, the idea of discussion with the public by appointment of an entity called a “task force” to write a document of advice is in favor.  There are many bright people in Woodstock who like community affairs, but have not spent one moment trying to understand the nature of public library service and what is necessary in a building.   Many are quite fond of their own personal evaluations and choices.  They over-value public debate while thinking logic and power will win out and resolve the problem. Yes, we all know in our hearts that listening is necessary for dialogue, but first listen to yourself, understand your assumptions, and, then, listen to others.   The Library Board is the publicly elected entity that makes the decisions, so elect good people.

Then again, there is always the “A Modest Proposal” sort of idea which would eliminate most of the book collection in favor of electronic forms of information acquisition.  The space could stay the same.  Modern public libraries are not always custodians of books.  Of course, the children’s collection, local history, and a collection of popular fiction would have to be retained, but most of the rest could go.  The art books could be offered to SUNY Ulster, Bard and Vassar.  Out of the question?  It would not surprise me a bit.   Millions of people attend events that host electronic games played in stadiums.  You probably have a Kindle or read “books” on your phone.  Perhaps, it is purchasing electronic files for the community that is the major role in the long run.  There is going to have to be a thoughtful effort to pull our library into the twenty first century.  I hope harassers and bullies don’t harm the library and cause it to lose its fine advantage of excellent staff and service.

As always, I wish the Library Board good fortune, and a speedy recovery from the unwarranted, mean spirited attack they have had to endure.