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Our Story

To be a community partner and provider of resources, programs, and services that bring people together, foster creativity, and encourage lifelong learning.

An informed, engaged, and connected community that is enriched by the library.
  • Service: Providing a friendly, capable, and knowledgeable staff and a welcoming library environment.
  • Collaboration: A commitment to building partnerships that enrich our community.
  • Stewardship: Ensuring the longevity of the library as a community resource.
  • Access: Ensuring unfettered access and privacy for our library patrons.

History

Before it was the Fairview Public Library, Margaretville had several early libraries located in a loft above the garage at the residence of Harold Smith on Maple Street; another was in L. Bussy & Co. Store on the corner of Walnut and Main Streets; finally one was established at the former Margaretville High school building which is now the Margaretville Fire Hall on Church Street.

When the library at the former high school closed in 1968, several members of the community began planning for a new library. Six years later, in 1974, the Fairview Public Library was chartered by the New York State Board of Regents to serve the residents of the Town of Middletown. Fairview Public Library opened July 1, 1974 in four rooms in the newly renovated Fairview House, a former Arkville hotel that had been built by Revolutionary War hero Noah Dimmick. The library shared the space with the Erpf Catskill Cultural Center. The building is now more commonly known as the Erpf Center.

The first Fairview Public Library Board of Trustees included Dawn Roadman, Margaret Gottfried, Ernest Hyatt, Peg Barnes and Gary Atkin. Cynthia Kehoe was the first volunteer librarian at Fairview Public Library and was assisted by MCS librarian Caryl Jenkins who helped with the children’s room. Imogene (Jean) Patrick became librarian in the fall of 1974 held the post until 1983. Several early library directors included Leslie Seidman (1982-84), Barbara Scudder (1985-87) and Naomi Weiss (1987-2001).

The library outgrew its 700-square-foot Fairview House facility and in 1992 purchased the Joseph Christian house on Walnut Street with a grant from the Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation of Chicago. A major campaign raised the funds to renovate the house and add the main stacks area, meeting room and the space currently used for the circulation desk. That addition was dedicated on August 6, 1994. In 2015, with the help of a New York State Library Construction Grant, the Fairview Public Library was able to add a ramp and a new entrance to the building to make the library fully accessible.

Today Fairview Public Library serves the Town of Middletown by providing access to over 20,000 items in our collection and four public access computers as well as fax, copy, and print services.

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