The Plattekill Library was established as a reading center in 1972. The Plattekill Reading Center opened it’s doors in 1973.
The Library building was built in 1927, it was originally a primary school, which was closed as a school by the Wallkill School District in June, 1973, whereupon the Plattekill Reading Center moved into the building and began paying rent to the district. In 1982, the district deeded the property to the Town for the Reading Center.
A Provisional Charter, number 18,649 was granted by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York on March 23, 1984 to incorporate
“Anna Madariaga, Janis Stock, Don Fried, Emilie Rappleyea, Elizabeth McClellin, David Gregory, Zena Taylor, Joseph Reigada and Kristine Abramson and their associates and successors in office as a free association library, in accordance with the vote establishing the same, under the corporate name of Plattekill Library, to be located in Modena, county of Ulster, state of New York.”
An Absolute Charter, number 20,422, was granted on April 14, 1989.
In 2002, the 30th anniversary of the Library, a public vote on making the library a public institution directly under the control of the residents of the Town of Plattekill passed by 143 to 84 votes. The library became a public library on January 1, 2003.
In 2019, the library building and the associated property were purchased from the Town of Plattekill.
Surviving facts:
- In 1975, the Town of Plattekill had a population of 4,458.
- In 1985, the Librarian was Angie Ruvolo, Assistant Librarian: Zena Taylor; Budget: $18,000 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 1-5:30pm; Thu. & Fri. 1-8pm ; Sat. 9am-12:30pm
- In 1988, a Wallkill school publication reported the library budget as $29,500.00.
- In 1993, the Town provided $31,000.00 for the library; the population served was 8,891.
- In 1999, the Town provided $50,000 for the library.
- In 2000, the Town provided $58,000 for the library; the population served was just under 10,000.
- On May 8, 2000, Joan F. Gierisch, who was once Plattekill’s assistant librarian, passed on. The Times Herald Record printed her obituary on May 11. The Library was closed during her memorial service in honor to a beloved friend. Over $840 was donated to the Library in memorial.
- In 2001, the Town provided $68,000 for the library; and the Wallkill School district provided $14,000, and Ulster County provided $10,000. Our State legislators added $20,000.