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.
1928
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.
1929
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 a certificate of registration from the State which entitled the Board of Trustees to receive tax monies to support its operation.
1931
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.
1934
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.
1951
On December 21, 1951, the library received its permanent charter.
2009
In 2009, the Board determined that due to a growing collection and increased usage, there was a need to expand the building’s physical space.
2018
In 2018, after raising over $2.4 million dollars through grants and donations, the library was able to double in size to become the community hub that it is today.
The Library is part of the 66-member Mid-Hudson Library System, which covers Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam and Ulster counties.
