The Kinderhook Memorial Library serves to enrich the quality of life for a diverse and growing
constituency of all ages by providing resources and services which contribute to individual literacy,
education and entertainment. The library is dedicated to encouraging children and adults in a love
of reading and an appreciation for libraries. Resources and services are provided free or at a
nominal cost to patrons.
Despite a long history dating back to the 1600s, the village of Kinderhook was without a public
library until 1928, when a group of residents determined the need was there and petitioned the
state for permission to establish one. On October 18, 1928, the Kinderhook Free Library was granted
its provisional charter as an association library. Space to house the library was found in the
Masonic Temple and the nucleus of a collection started from books donated by friends, with many
of the books contributed by the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Additional volumes were
purchased with monies realized from dues of the Association. Anyone sixteen years of age or older
could become a member of the library upon payment of an annual fee of one dollar. Membership in the
Association at that time numbered one hundred persons.
By June 1929, the number of books and magazines in the library had grown to 1,600 and the
collection was increasing at a steady rate. Shortly after this, its collection and program were
judged to have met the necessary standards, and the library received from the State a certificate
of registration which entitled the Board of Trustees to receive tax monies to support its operation.
In 1931, three years after the creation of the library, Mrs. Caroline Davie Lloyd decided to
erect a new library and donate it to the Village in memory of her father, Mr. George Davie. The
present site on the corner of Hudson Street and Sylvester Lane was acquired and the new building
dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1933. On June 18, 1934 the Library Board's request to the State was
granted and an amended provisional charter issued, changing the library's name from the Kinderhook
Free Library to the Kinderhook Memorial Library. On December 21, 1951, the library received its
permanent charter.
The Library is part of the 72-member Mid-Hudson Library System, which covers Columbia, Dutchess,
Greene, Putnam and Ulster counties.
Gary Spielmann, President
Karen Vecellio, Vice-President
Michael Wheeler, Treasurer
Lee F. Jamison , Secretary
Dorothy Balko
Jennifer Birckmeyer
Bruce Charbonneau
Patricia Easton
Bill Laraway
Andrew Pellettieri
Christian Sweningsen
F. James Tuttle
Regular meetings of the Kinderhook Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees take place at
7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month except August. In the case of inclement weather, or if a legal holiday falls on that date, the meeting is held on the second Monday.
