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. 

Why Don't They Just...

Why Don’t They Just ……………………?

Suggestions for library improvement have been flooding the local paper.  For the most part, these are not new ideas.   Past boards have considered the possibilities for the past decade. 

The idea of revising the appended garage and fair barn is not new but has issues.   A public building is required to solve problems of floor level, fire walls, sprinkler systems, and heating.  There are rules about firewalls and sprinkler systems.  I believe a firewall is required when adding a new structure to an old one.     The difference in floor elevation would have to be solved in order to be accessible. 

Heating is a problem right now.  During my time as Director, we had to replace the furnace twice.  The furnace is up on stilts because it is constantly threatened by water.  I mentioned the ‘60’s renovation cut a basement that intersected an underground stream.  Without constant pumping, there would be about a foot of water in the basement at all times. The stream in the basement problem is very complex.  I am fairly sure there is no easy fix to it.

  

Duct work was cut into the slab that forms the floor of the 1980’s addition, but the architects of the proposed 2009 addition added a utility room. I am sure a revision of the two buildings would require an entirely new take on heating.

Providing staff for rooms that just continue in a straight line is even more problematic than monitoring a separate building that can be closed when not in use.  It would create a librarians’ nightmare.

“Fixing” the present building, especially when it comes to roof modification would require tearing down and re-building.  The nice view of the roof from ground level is purely cosmetic. 

Any good library is a destination within a community.  It fits the definition of “A Great Good Place.” [i] Our library is that place.  Unless it is to attend a scheduled meeting, how many people say “I think I will drop in at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center while I am in town.”?  Some might say they drop in at the Fire House, but they are members.  Do you plan to drop in at the town clerk's office unless you are going to witness a meeting or pay your taxes?  How many tourists drop by the police station to use the Wi-Fi during their visit to town?

I hope the library board will create a new library space.  Don’t give up.  Community members who think the library board is secretive should be ashamed of their oddly entitled attitude.  Citizens can keep track of things and go to the meetings. Meetings are announced.  When I wanted to understand the Fire Department, I actually went to their budget hearing.  Have you gone to the budget hearings of the Fire Department or library?

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[i] From Wikipedia:  The third place (also known as third space) is a term used in the concept of community building to refer to social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and the workplace. In his influential book The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg (1989, 1991) argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and establishing feelings of a sense of place.

Oldenburg calls one's "first place" the home and those that one lives with. The "second place" is the workplace — where people may actually spend most of their time. Third places, then, are "anchors" of community life and facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction. All societies already have informal meeting places; what is new in modern times is the intentionality of seeking them out as vital to current societal needs. Oldenburg suggests the following hallmarks of a true "third place":

• Free or inexpensive
• Food and drink, while not essential, are important
• Highly accessible: proximate for many (walking distance)
• Involve regulars – those who habitually congregate there
• Welcoming and comfortable
• Both new friends and old should be found there.

The Woodstock Library. 101 Years Of Community Service.

Hooray!  It is the hundred and second birthday of the Woodstock Library.  This time, let’s see an exhibit of the History of Library Service rather than a bunch of pictures of the library building through the years.  The building alone does not make the library a community treasure.  It is probable that people either love or hate their library depending on the helpful and welcoming nature of the whole library environment. The value of the proposed annex might make more sense in light of the changing nature of library service.  Today’s library is a community destination and gathering point.  No other public building serves this need.  A new building or annex of either modern or traditional design will be equally treasured.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the 5 Library Lane location, and our building has been a brave girl.  However, there is very little of the original building left:  only the librarian’s office in the front.  Everything else has been torn down and re-built.  It is not as “historic” as some think.  The part from the ‘50’s is cement block.  The part from the 60’s is over a basement that managed to cut into an underground stream.  The part from the 80’s, that was built when I was Director, sports not just a flat roof, but a concave roof that is like a swimming pool after even a moderate rainfall.  These additions were built by local firms and designed by local architects.  The 80’s addition went through the whole town process.  With the best of intention, the designs were supposed to work for a library not a residence.  The earlier developments, I remember from my childhood and youth in Woodstock.  The later part, I experienced as a staff member and Director. 

When I was Director, a good deal of time was spent on maintaining the building.  In younger days, staff members have been on the roof to unstop gutters, in the basement wading through water to check the pumps, and called on at any time of the day to investigate alarms.  We have faced an infestation of raccoons, and at least two intruders. 

Before becoming very sentimental about the cute little library of the past, consider the way it really ran.  If you were a newcomer in the 70’s, you would have been greeted by a library with very restrictive policies.   It might interest you to know that prior to 1981; it was difficult to get a library card. Two local references and ID with your local address were demanded.  Even if you owned a house here, without the references and ID, only a temporary card with a fee would have been available.  You could not borrow the more expensive art books unless you had special permission from a trustee.  Forget getting a card at all if you lived at 5 Rock City Road.  That was considered a temporary place, so you could not borrow books.  No cards were given to children.  Fiction was considered frivolous, and unless you were some sort of Henry James scholar and could prove it, you could not interlibrary loan fiction.  All children’s programs were held outside of regular library hours so that the serious readers would not be disturbed. 

The biggest challenge for Library Directors is attempting to understand what is coming at you in the future.  Assistant Director, Judy Fischetti, and I were both professional librarians, and we appreciated and welcomed the changes that came our way during the three decades we worked at the library.

 In our case, it was automation and population change.  The population of Woodstock almost doubled, and most of the people were young and college educated.  They had expectations of their library.  Our Board was progressive, and ready to embrace new ideas and create new policies.  We were early to offer internet access and online access to our collection.  Also, we doubled our children’s services.  

The building was another story.  We struggled to make things work.  We did it with modest and even freebie furniture, extension cords and a very cordial and accommodating staff.  We had horrible shelving and many leaks in the roof (although none as bad as the one Amy faced a couple of years ago).  In spite of the shortcomings of the building, we added more children’s programs, as many computers as possible, Wi-Fi when it became available, and always a terrific selection of books.  In 1987, we added some space.  It was immediately put to good use as seating space for readers, program space, and meeting space for the community. We believed that “…the pursuit of happiness” as embodied in library service continued to be an important part of American life.

However, Woodstock voters absolutely crushed our excellent plans for a needed new library.  Then, to top it off, there was a campaign to vote down our budget.  It was a mean campaign filled with untruth and distortion.  It was Woodstock’s “mean with a high IQ” politics at its best.  It resulted in a yearlong gap in book purchases, and a residual horror of finger pointing and recriminations called “focus groups”.  I retired and have turned my attention to other things, but I am bothered by that familiar slithering chain of distortion and complaint I see in the Woodstock Times.  Remain calm, fellow citizens, and, above all, don’t harm your beautiful library service.