By Mark Reynolds
On October 20 the Sarah Hull Hallock Free Library in Milton was filled with supporters and friends to welcome Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson. Hinchey announced that she was able to secure $50,000 to have ADA accessibility modifications made at the Milton Library.
Marybeth King, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, said the library budget is $185,000 per year and because they are an Association, their funding comes directly from taxpayers.
King said the recent library renovations cost about $90,000 and they reached out to the area’s legislators to assist them when needed. She acknowledged past library support from NYS Sen. William Larkin [1928-2019] and Assemblyman Frank Skartados [1956-2018] as well as from current Sen. Michelle Hinchey and NYS Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson.
Sen. Hinchey said support for libraries benefits the entire community.
“Our libraries are such critical components of our communities and it’s really important to me personally to make sure that we’re uplifting our libraries to provide resources to folks regardless of their background or economic status. Our libraries are one of the places that serve everybody in the community. They help you learn, they provide internet services and digital literacy classes and the opportunities are endless for what libraries can provide.”
King said under Rosemary Wein’s leadership of the Trustees, the renovations took place. Wein recalled that when NYS Sen. James Skoufis [D-42] was elected, he was the first official to secure funding for the annex renovations. The Senator’s Director of Communications, Nicole Clarke, said Sen. Skoufis secured $60,000 to enable the library to create a new children’s space.
“Libraries are community hubs where we come to learn skills and we are thrilled to see the results and are confident this library will continue to serve families for many years to come,” she said.
Assemblyman Jacobson stressed the importance of being able to work, not only on state-wide issues, but on local needs that impact the lives of his constituents on a daily basis.
“When you give money to a library you know there is no bureaucracy. You know the money is going to be spent wisely and you know it’s going to be spent for the purpose that you’re giving it to,” he said. “It’s great to be here and to see the improvements and see the support from the community.”
Marybeth King publicly thanked those who worked on the renovations, starting with Mike Uphoff, of MJ & Son Mechanical Services, who when asked to check the library’s ventilation system discovered they had no system at all. Assemblyman Jacobson was also able to secure $10,000 to pay MJ Mechanical for a system that exchanges fresh air from outside to inside the library and to include other energy efficient additions.
Michael Charter painted the inside the library and Marybeth acknowledged his professional attention to the details of his work.
“It was a huge job and he did it with just a few days of the library having to be closed,” she said.
Realtor Lucia Granieri donated lighting for the annex that was unexpected and appreciated by the library staff and patrons. Electrician Dave Pulliam donated his labor to install them.
Gael Appler Jr. built a new circulation desk that is seen upon entering the library. It has been recognized by many as ‘magnificent’ and ‘pretty spectacular.’ King also thanked Steve Rivieccio for landscaping and maintaining, “the beautiful setting of our library.”
King introduced new Library Director Raven Fonfa, saying she was born and grew up in Woodstock and holds a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from UCLA.
“Most of her work has been as a Reference Librarian in Academia for about 25 years, and this is her first tip-toe into a Public Library, but she is enjoying it and has two children and lives in Milton,” she said.
Fonfa had often thought about working at a public library.
“It was something that I always wanted to try and this is a perfect time in my career to do that,” she said. “I am fairly fortunate to have a Library Board that is amazing, engaged and positive; it’s wonderful... I have felt so welcome and supported and I am really happy to be here.”
Wein thanked Legislator Tom Corcoran for helping recoup some funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, aimed at helping non-profits.
Corcoran said, “I do love his community and that is why I went into public service.”
Corcoran has worked as Marlborough’s Fire and Building Inspector for the past 25 years and as a Legislator for 6 years. He said Hinchey and Jacobson, “are great people. They represent us well in Albany and when I get to see them, there is usually a big check [for the town] and I appreciate that.” He thanked the local contractors for their work at the library, saying he is not surprised that all of them have done so much for the town and often donate their time when needed.
Before closing, King handed out the library’s annual Pat Russo Award to Rosemary Wein and Sue Trapani. The award honors their long commitment, dedication and volunteer service to the library.
Tim Lawton, who served on the library board for 10 years, said honoring the 100 year anniversary is important, “but I think what is more important are the people that actually came to acknowledge it...This little library, through lots of trials and tribulations, still maintains, still delivers the services they promise and they do it on a shoe-string budget.”
Lawton summed up the significance of libraries.
“You have to have reading space. You have to have exploration space and you have to have safe space; that’s what libraries are,” he said. “Libraries are non-partisan, there’s nothing political about them and they are here to serve the community in whatever fashion the community demands and in whatever way they can.”