Our nine members provide public library services to the residents of Greene County, New York.
Information: In 1980, the nine public libraries in Greene County formed an association to help identify, coordinate and fund more effective public library services in Greene County. In 1981, the Greene County Legislature began providing a grant from the countywide tax base to support this effort. Mid-Hudson Library System has also consistently provided consultative and financial assistance.
History: The year was 1980, a group of concerned Library Directors and Trustees met to address the need to foster cooperation among the Greene County libraries and promote support for library services in the eight libraries and one ranch. It was apparent that increased demand for services, including electronic services, would necessitate a broader funding base. Realizing that Greene County libraries were the only libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System that did not receive direct county support, the Association asked for support from the Greene County taxpayers through their legislature.
Officers were elected, bylaws adopted,
and nonprofit status was obtained in 1981. In November of 1981, it was apparent
that there was strong
public support for county funding and the legislature authorized $10,000 for
the eight public libraries. The following year the Association was
granted an increase of $5,000 and became a line item of the Greene County budget.
Since then, a budget request is submitted each year.
Representatives from the county's
libraries meet monthly with the legislature's Education Committee to keep it
informed about the
Association's progress and continued efforts to improve countywide services
to the county's residents. The association meets monthly to explore ways to
cooperate and maximize use of resources.