Local Libraries: Germantown & Stanford
by Evelyn Bartin

This is the final installment in our series of portraits of our village and town libraries.

Germantown Library
One of the most striking exhibits celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Palatine Settlements in Germantown is the archaeological display at the Germantown Library now through October: “300 Years of Palatine History—and the Maple Avenue Parsonage.” To further mark the anniversary, the library also has available (via a laptop perched on the front desk) a wonderful PowerPoint presentation chock full of historical information. And the library is also spearheading a collection of video interviews with local people who have particular knowledge of the Palatines.

But the Germantown Library is much more than a building housing anniversary hoopla. Lynn Place, the library’s director for the past four years or so, says that once the library moved to its new quarters in 2008, it became the hub of the community: “Now, we’re more a destination. People will sit and read the newspaper and chat with neighbors.” Place also mentions the downstairs Hover Meeting Room, where all library programs take place, from classes to meetings to guest lectures to films. Non-library-sponsored clubs and organizations also regularly use the room.

Place also says she particularly enjoys knowing that the Germantown Library is a “friendly” library. Indeed, she and her staff regularly help seniors get up and running on PCs and other current technologies. According to Place, “We’re a hands-on library.”

31 Palatine Park Road, Germantown, NY 12526, www.germantownlibrary.org, Lynn Place, Director.

Stanford Free Library
On October 3, 1964, Leon Karpel, then Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System, spoke to a small group of people and outlined the procedures necessary to start the Stanford Library. Thanks to his guidance and the generosity of Stanford’s citizens, so began the town’s first free library.

Stanford Library soon outgrew its first quarters, and in 1970 moved to its current location on Creamery Road. And now Stanford is about to grow again, with new land on Route 82 ready for ground-breaking—that is, according to twelve-year Director, Arlene Christensen, “as soon as there’s enough money.” The new building plans (which Christensen describes as “beautiful”) call for a near-doubling of space, as the library has become more and more popular over the years.

In fact, Stanford Library has just come off a rousing spring and summer, with several special programs well-attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all age groups, from pre-schoolers to adults. Christensen was particularly pleased with the “tween” attendance, and hopes to have special programs for the group in place for the fall and winter seasons.

But year-round programs also abound—a strong portfolio of kids’ programs, with a featured event held just about every month. And a regular staple of the library, Story Hour, is held every Wednesday and Thursday mornings for pre-schoolers. On the adult front, Stanford offers its Sunday Series lectures on the fourth Sunday of each month; Brain Games for Seniors; a Knitting group; a Watercolor group; and Book Club meetings.

As the facility continues to get by in its current tight quarters, Christensen says that she and her staff of volunteers will be happy to get you anything available in the entire Mid-Hudson system. “After all,” she says, “we aim to please!”

14 Creamery Road, Stanfordville, NY 12581, www.stanfordlibrary.org, Arlene Christensen, Director.