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Red Hook Public Library Report for April 2026

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Original file not available online (local: data/sources/village_docs/dc_2785_rhpl_report_may11.pdf)View version history →Meeting on 2026-05-11 →

[Sourced from 2026 RHPL budget, board minutes, and my notes. AI assistance from Claude.]

Red Hook Public Library Report for April 2026

by Trustee Uku, Liaison · May 11, 2026

I met with Library Director Alex Geller on April 25 for an introductory tour and overview of current initiatives. The Library Board of Trustees meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 PM. Due to a time conflict with the April Village Green Committee meeting, I was unable to attend the Library’s in person. Going forward, the Director and I will meet on the third or fourth Friday of the month, schedules permitting.

Budget

The Library’s 2026–27 budget is $562,950, funded primarily by the Red Hook Central School District ($269,400) and Town of Red Hook ($225,000). The Village does not directly fund the Library. The annual appeal has raised $47,600. A major milestone is approaching: the Library’s mortgage ($66,490/year in interest alone) is nearly paid off.

Hello, Dolly!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is finally coming to Red Hook, thanks to Alex’s commitment to coordinating between RHPL, Tivoli Library, the Town, and United Way. The program mails free books monthly to children from birth to age five.

Programs & Services

The Library ran 51 programs in March with 861 attendees, up from 47 programs and 674 attendees a year ago. E-circulation is up 10% year over year. Of note:

  • The 2026 Ascienzo Naturalist in Residence, Randy German, began the residency on April 11. The program offers guided nature and birding walks, talks, and environmental education for the community.

  • Staff member Trish has been accepted into the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley Program and will provide one-on-one tech support for the community.

Sustainability

As part of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, the Library Board adopted a transportation and anti-idling policy at its March meeting, reducing emissions on Library property. The ADA-accessible door delivery has been delayed but is expected in May.

Community Outreach

The Library is looking to reimagine its outdoor garden space, which is heavily used in summer. The goal — new furniture, a sensory play area, and garden improvements — by July 1. Got deep pockets? Handy with a hammer? Please don’t be shy.

The Library Board will be recruiting two new board members this summer, with announcements going live soon. Please spread the word. Under Article IV of the Library’s bylaws, the Library Board nominates trustee candidates and the Village Board confirms them by majority vote. Library Trustees need not reside in the Village.

Next Library Board of Trustees meeting: Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 PM on the uppermost floor.

Changes between versions

2026-05-112026-05-11
clerical+00

The document header changed from 'Red Hook Public Library Report' to 'Village Green Committee Report'.

  • Document header changed from 'Red Hook Public Library Report — April 2026' to 'Village Green Committee Report — April 2026'
Show red-line diff
[Sourced from 2026 RHPL budget, board minutes, and my notes. AI assistance from Claude.] ## **Red Hook Public Library Report for April 2026** by Trustee Uku, Liaison · May 11, 2026 I met with Library Director Alex Geller on April 25 for an introductory tour and overview of current initiatives. The Library Board of Trustees meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 PM. Due to a time conflict with the April Village Green Committee meeting, I was unable to attend the Library’s in person. Going forward, the Director and I will meet on the third or fourth Friday of the month, schedules permitting. ## **Budget** The Library’s 2026–27 budget is $562,950, funded primarily by the Red Hook Central School District ($269,400) and Town of Red Hook ($225,000). The Village does not directly fund the Library. The annual appeal has raised $47,600. _A major milestone is approaching: the Library’s mortgage ($66,490/year in interest alone) is nearly paid off._ ## **Hello, Dolly!** _Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is finally coming to Red Hook,_ thanks to Alex’s commitment to coordinating between RHPL, Tivoli Library, the Town, and United Way. The program mails free books monthly to children from birth to age five. ## **Programs & Services** The Library ran 51 programs in March with 861 attendees, up from 47 programs and 674 attendees a year ago. E-circulation is up 10% year over year. Of note: - The 2026 Ascienzo Naturalist in Residence, Randy German, began the residency on April 11. The program offers guided nature and birding walks, talks, and environmental education for the community. - Staff member Trish has been accepted into the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley Program and will provide one-on-one tech support for the community. ## **Sustainability** As part of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, the Library Board adopted a transportation and anti-idling policy at its March meeting, reducing emissions on Library property. The ADA-accessible door delivery has been delayed but is expected in May. ## **Community Outreach** _The Library is looking to reimagine its outdoor garden space,_ which is heavily used in summer. The goal — new furniture, a sensory play area, and garden improvements — by July 1. Got deep pockets? Handy with a hammer? Please don’t be shy. _The Library Board will be recruiting two new board members this summer,_ with announcements going live soon. Please spread the word. Under Article IV of the Library’s bylaws, the Library Board nominates trustee candidates and the Village Board confirms them by majority vote. Library Trustees need not reside in the Village. Next Library Board of Trustees meeting: **Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 PM** on the uppermost floor.
2026-05-112026-05-11
clerical+00

No substantive changes were made to the report content.

Show red-line diff
[Sourced from 2026 RHPL budget, board minutes, and my notes. AI assistance from Claude.] ## **Red Hook Public Library Report for April 2026** by Trustee Uku, Liaison · May 11, 2026 I met with Library Director Alex Geller on April 25 for an introductory tour and overview of current initiatives. The Library Board of Trustees meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 PM. Due to a time conflict with the April Village Green Committee meeting, I was unable to attend the Library’s in person. Going forward, the Director and I will meet on the third or fourth Friday of the month, schedules permitting. ## **Budget** The Library’s 2026–27 budget is $562,950, funded primarily by the Red Hook Central School District ($269,400) and Town of Red Hook ($225,000). The Village does not directly fund the Library. The annual appeal has raised $47,600. _A major milestone is approaching: the Library’s mortgage ($66,490/year in interest alone) is nearly paid off._ ## **Hello, Dolly!** _Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is finally coming to Red Hook,_ thanks to Alex’s commitment to coordinating between RHPL, Tivoli Library, the Town, and United Way. The program mails free books monthly to children from birth to age five. ## **Programs & Services** The Library ran 51 programs in March with 861 attendees, up from 47 programs and 674 attendees a year ago. E-circulation is up 10% year over year. Of note: - The 2026 Ascienzo Naturalist in Residence, Randy German, began the residency on April 11. The program offers guided nature and birding walks, talks, and environmental education for the community. - Staff member Trish has been accepted into the Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley Program and will provide one-on-one tech support for the community. ## **Sustainability** As part of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, the Library Board adopted a transportation and anti-idling policy at its March meeting, reducing emissions on Library property. The ADA-accessible door delivery has been delayed but is expected in May. ## **Community Outreach** _The Library is looking to reimagine its outdoor garden space,_ which is heavily used in summer. The goal — new furniture, a sensory play area, and garden improvements — by July 1. Got deep pockets? Handy with a hammer? Please don’t be shy. _The Library Board will be recruiting two new board members this summer,_ with announcements going live soon. Please spread the word. Under Article IV of the Library’s bylaws, the Library Board nominates trustee candidates and the Village Board confirms them by majority vote. Library Trustees need not reside in the Village. Next Library Board of Trustees meeting: **Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 PM** on the uppermost floor.

References

This document cites or incorporates the following separate documents:

  • 2025-10-06Village of Red Hook Resource Recovery Data/Report — 2024/2025
    Document B is a standalone resource recovery data table covering fiscal year 2024–2025 (and partial 2025–2026); Document A is a May 2026 Highway Department report that references and incorporates data from B as supporting material, but they are separate artifacts with different authorship, scope, and board function.