Tours of the Library Scheduled

The Building Expansion Fundraising Committee is embarking on a series of tours of the Pleasant Valley Free Library. The purpose is to acquaint residents of Pleasant Valley with the features of the Library and with the problems that the Library faces, problems that have led to recognition of the need for expansion.  These tours will be by invitation.  Below is a brief summary of what we expect to cover.

The tour guides will be persons acquainted with all aspects of the Library, including usually the Library Director, the President of the Board of Trustees, and representatives from the Building Expansion committee. Tours will begin in the Reading Room (just to the right of the front entrance to the Library). There will be a brief history of the Library and of the Manse. The Library will be put into the context of the other Mid-Hudson libraries, and the main resources available on the first floor will be discussed. Problems in the functioning of the first floor facilities will be discussed, including the lack of adequate space for the staff to work, the general situation caused by lack of room for adding materials, and difficulties for the handicapped. Among the recent improvements, participants should note the new windows. 

Weather permitting, the tour will examine the grounds that we lease from the Presbyterian Church--while we own the building we have a 99-year lease with extension to a second 99 years on the land.  The tour should note the historic Victorian features of the Manse, one of the few such buildings remaining in downtown Pleasant Valley. 

The property around the church and the exterior of the building are being improved. New plantings have been replaced older ones that had maintenance and appearance problems.  There is new signage as well.  Still, there are many problems to be addressed, including improvements needed in the paths and repairs on various deteriorating portions of the exterior of the Manse. The parking lot we share with the Presbyterians is often full and more spaces would be useful, but to expand the parking we would need to get rid of the house the Presbyterians own behind the Manse. Again there are handicapped issues to observe and also it should be noted that the fire escape is no longer up to code.

Reentering by the side door (now used as a second entrance all the time and as the only entrance when the front path is iced over), the tour will go downstairs for a brief view of the donated books that completely fill the basement, then upstairs for another brief view of the attic, where the participants can see the new joists put in keep the upper walls steady. 

The Children's Room has been reconfigured to provide more space--two rooms have effectively been changed into one. The tour guides will point out the various improvements made. Then the group will enter the meeting room, where plans for expanding the Manse will be discussed, complete with possible floor plans.  These plans are still being reviewed in the light of current economic conditions--the committee recognizes that we may not be able to do everything we would like.  At this point we will solicit feedback from the group on what features are most needed.  The tour will end with a brief social, giving the participants a chance to discuss the Library with each other over drinks and snacks.