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The “Growing
Place” is the perfect name for the New Woodstock Free Library.
Chartered on June 16, 1939 by New York State, the library has been in
continuous community service. As the community grew, so did the library. With
this growth came a need for volunteers. The community has not let the library
down. Volunteers have manned the library since its inception. The current
librarian, Norm Parry, called the volunteers the “heart and soul”
of the library. The library’s first home was the New Woodstock high school (currently owned by Robert and Sara Chevako). The library was given permission to use a room on the first floor of the school if the library was made available to students too. The first year’s budget was a bit shaky. They raised $100 from membership dues, got $100 from the state to buy books, and the Town Board gave $50. Rosa Collins was the first librarian, and continued in that position from 1939-1970. Jeannette Tyler started volunteering in the old school building. She has hammered, scraped, painted, cleaned and sat at the desk from 1939-1979, 40 years of service to her community!!
Red and White grocery store
Former Library Currently owned by Roger
and Judy Davenport Next, the library moved into the Red and White grocery store (currently housing Ridgeway and Conger Investments). The next home was the little building (currently owned by Roger and Judy Davenport). The librarians called it the “Ice House” because it was so cold and damp. In the 1960’s the library was moved into the former telephone building (currently owned by Michael Casler). This was the library’s home until 1996. Paulina Slocum was the librarian from 1970-1979.
The former telephone building Library 1960-1996
Frances
Fuggle (back) Jeanette
Tyler (right) Rosa Collins
(middle) Paulina
Slocum (left) As the community grew, so did the need for a larger facility. Frances Fuggle was the librarian from 1979-1994. The tiny building housed 9,000 books in 1979 and had a circulation of 17,000. By 1994 the number of books had grown to 12,000, and the circulation had increased steadily to 20,000. There were numerous programs at the library even though it was only 900 square feet occupying 2 floors. The building was not handicapped accessible and the tiny bathroom was the only place for storage. It was often difficult for patrons to move around among the shelves. Norm joked that it was a “single file” library. There was always talk about having a larger facility, but finally the discussion became serious. The possibility of a new building was made even more feasible because Mrs. Fuggle had not accepted any salary during her tenure as librarian. Those funds, along with being added to the Cazenovia School Budget vote helped to make the plan a reality!
Mrs. Fuggle retired in 1994 after 14 year as director, and the search began for a replacement. After an exhaustive search, including members of the local community, the board was very pleased to choose Norm Parry. He became the first library director with a Master’s degree in library science from Syracuse University. He began his duties May 16, 1994. With the arrival of Norm, it was evident that the New Woodstock Free Library would continue as a “small town” library, but with a larger view of the world. Mr. Parry stated, “I don’t believe in change for change’s sake, I do believe in growth, especially in services for the community. If everyone can continue to grow through what we offer them, the library will have satisfied its mission.”
The Library Board of Trustees hired an architect (Dick Rust), who drew up building plans. Eventually a piece of land at the corner of Railroad Street and Route 80 (near the New Woodstock Historical Society Depot) was purchased. As the Board discussed the various plans that had been drawn up, the members of the Federated Church of New Woodstock were struggling with what to do with 2 churches. Tim King, president of the church’s board of trustees stated, “It doesn’t make sense to maintain 2 buildings. We could think of no suitable use for it that would match the desires of the congregation. It was very unlikely that we could put it up for sale through a real estate broker.” The proposed library, however, had been the subject of controversy in the hamlet, both for its location (the green space on the main street), and the proposed design of the building. Therefore, the Library Board was relieved and grateful to learn that the Methodist Church building was going to be sold. “I think the decision was easier for the congregation since the building was going to be the new home of the library not just sold,” stated Barbara Cook, board president.
The official transfer of the property took place in September 1994. Mike Palmer, Library Board of Trustees President said, “It’s final, we own the building!” Fred Palmer donated his legal services over the past year to assure clear title and to complete complicated procedural steps necessary to close the deal. Tim King, the president of the board of trustees of the New Woodstock Federated Church, said, “The occupation of the church building by the library was the one and only acceptable use I can imagine…It was a very generous and unselfish move on the part of the congregation.”
The new facility would have 3,990 square feet of space. The historical integrity was of utmost importance, while still updating the building to modern standards. The choir loft became an electronics and OPAC terminal workstation. The sanctuary, with its hard wood floors, 18-foot ceilings, 12-foot stained-glass windows and unique plaster tracery became the adult stacks area. With minor structural modifications the kitchen and meeting room were reworked into the children and program rooms. The community/reception room was dedicated to Frances Fuggle. There were even handicapped accessible bathrooms installed!
The move across Route 13 might seem like an easy task, but think of moving 12,000+ books. It takes a lot of coordination and teamwork. Norm had a plan. Pure muscle was not enough. Barbara Church was in charge of getting the shelving cleaned and refurbished. Roger Davenport’s job was to make sure that all of the new shelving was assembled and ready to be occupied. It was important to have the books put into the new building in a systematic way. Beth Beardsley was in charge of that aspect of the plan. Close to 100 volunteers came out on June 29 to assist in the move. At noon everyone took time out to enjoy a delicious old-fashioned picnic lunch organized by Janice Hayes. The day was a smashing success and it didn’t rain. Marilyn Fais said, “I think Janice Hayes had something to do with that, as she was having a little chat with God while she was helping to set up for the picnic.” By mid-afternoon many of the bookshelves were already filled. The books were standing tall and proud, just like the New Woodstock volunteers in their new library. On July 8, 1996 the new home of the New Woodstock Free Library opened for business.
The new “Growing Place” was dedicated on October 4, 1996 with a formal evening reception hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Kyle Doan. Over 100 members of the extended community attended! Many of the individuals that were instrumental in the transformation of the Methodist Church into the New Woodstock Free Library were also present. There were delicious hors d’oeuvers, desserts from Johnny Appleseed Farms, and wine from MacKinnon’s Liquor. Delightful musical entertainment was provided by a string quartet.
In October the library was honored with a new stained glass window by William and Marilyn Fais. |
