The Little Library that Could by Jim Gaughan
/Altamont Train Station
Once upon a time, in 1896, the railroad company whose passenger trains passed right through Altamont, built a permanent depot right next to the tracks. It was the newest and most up-to-date train depot on the entire Susquehanna division of the Delaware and Hudson railroads . People bought tickets to ride the trains to Albany and New York City and beyond. As the years went by, for many reasons, fewer and fewer people took the train from Altamont and on January 24th, 1963, the last passenger train passed through the Village. The station was closed.
Over the last century, the Altamont Free Library, with its roots firmly planted in the earliest days of our Village, has been a journey of passion, patience, hardship and deep commitment to literacy as vital to the core of our community. From Altamont's very beginnings, there has been a steadfast, unwavering dedication to creating, maintaining and ultimately establishing a permanent home for a library.
“From Altamont's very beginnings, there has been a steadfast, unwavering dedication to creating, maintaining and ultimately establishing a permanent home for a library.”
As the Village passed its first 100 years, one of the greatest achievements of this small community, was that they found that home – the historic, focal point of the community – the Altamont Train Station. But how was this achieved? Who were the people who devoted so much of their lives to such an enterprise? Where did the necessary support derive? It is said that it takes a village, but what exactly did that mean?
Since 1972, the Library had been housed in the handicapped inaccessible basement of the Key Bank building. In 2005, the Library Board decided it was imperative to find a fully accessible facility so all community residents could be served. That year, the library acquired the historic Altamont Train Station as its future home. Because the building was a designated historic site, and because of its deteriorated condition, what had hoped to be a two-year renovation effort became a eight-year, $1.2 million project.
An incredible amount of work and planning was required, a design was needed that preserved the historic features, while accommodating the needs of a library. Much needed interior french doors were purchased from the Historic Albany Foundation Warehouse along the way . The new library includes a children's area , a meeting/conference room for a variety of programs and group meetings, as well as many energy conservation measures such as a solar panel hot water system for the restroom and kitchenette.
In 2013, the Library received the 2013 Preservation Merit Award for Restoration & Adaptive Use from the Historic Albany Foundation. I remember the pride of the residents in that such a prestigious organization which devotes its work to the restoration and preservation of the area’s early housing stock, would single out Altamont's train station's restoration. In 2014, the tremendous work of so many was again recognized when the converted Altamont Train Station received the prestigious Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the NYS Preservation League.
The generosity of over 500 individual donors, plus hundreds of pennies from schoolchildren; Village, Town and State appropriations through the Public Library Construction Grant Program; member items from the State Assembly and the Senate, grants from the NY Environmental Protection Fund and State Arts Council; significant corporate donations and foundation grants.
“What a testament to the Village of Altamont, and to all who understand the inherent value in supporting a community library “
Perhaps the greatest gift of all were the volunteers. Hundreds of residents and friends stepped up – craftsmen, trustees, local elected officials, family members, children, business owners, a campaign council, library staff, the elderly, and teenagers. It was a labor of love, an incredible example of individuals coming together to solve a community problem. What a testament to the Village of Altamont, and to all who understand the inherent value in supporting a community library and the restoration of its historical housing stock.
Thank you Historic Albany Foundation for your recognition too. What a great exclamation point on an outstanding community effort !
Jim Gaughan
H.A.F. Board member
Former Mayor of Altamont, 2005-17
Selected Text excerpted from article, "The Little Library That Could," Kristin Casey, May 31, 2012, Altamont Enterprise. Photo credit Ronald Ginsburg
