It might not have been obvious to most, but the Amenia Free Library has been living on borrowed land throughout its 76-year history. Built in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the land the library was erected on was under a 99-year lease with the United Presbyterian Church in Amenia. Library Board President Alan Gamble said the library and the church have been talking for several years to see if the library could purchase the land. It was around last May that an agreement was reached, though finalizing the deal was not a simple task.“When it comes to purchasing church property it’s not so simple,” Gamble said. “First we negotiated a price, that was approved by the local United Presbyterian Church. Then it was approved by the Presbytery. Then it was approved by the New York State Supreme Court. To transfer church-owned land to another organization, even if though nonprofit, that process itself took 10 months. It’s a very formal affair.”The library bought the land for $50,000. Now that it owns the site on which the library building sits it has one thing on its mind — expansion — which was an unrealistic goal when it had to lease the land from the church.“The trustees believed it wouldn’t be fair to anyone to consider expansion or major improvements to the building [otherwise],” Gamble said. “Finally, after many years, we came to a meeting of the minds. What I’m proudest of is it was all done with private funds that were donated. None of the funds used for the purchase were public funds in any way. Now we own all the land extending a few feet from DeLango’s Garage to the library parcel; it’s pretty exciting to know we now have the ability to plan for the future.”“I’m so excited,” said Library Director Miriam Devine. “I’m overwhelmed. Finally, and I’ve been here 24 years, this has come to pass and I’m very happy about the whole procedure that we finally own the land that the library is on. We badly needed it if we have future plans to expand.”The newly purchased parcel is 132 feet deep and 74 feet wide; the total library lot now clocks in at 132 feet deep and 126 feet wide.“What this allows us to do is develop a plan for the possible expansion of the library,” said Gamble, “to provide the sort of services identified by our patrons … and people in the community whose judgement we trust … as being necessary.”In August 2012 the library board hosted community-based focus groups to give their input on ways to improve the library. The number one suggestion, from professionals to parents to seniors, was to somehow add more space.“Everybody seemed to say space, space, space,” said Gamble of the 40 who participated in the focus groups. “The second thing we heard was about programming, for which we need more space.”In fact one of the library’s more popular programs, its preschool story hours, has to be held at Beth David Synagogue across the street from the library, because there’s just no room in the library building itself.“They’ve been kind enough to let us use that because we don’t have the space for kids’ activities,” said Gamble. “You can imagine what it would be like to have finger painting or baking, or things that little kids like to do, there.”The Amenia Free Library is small. Immediately upon entering one stumbles upon the main desk and check-out area. There are book shelves and computers to the right, more books, a children’s corner and some additional technology to the left. It’s all squeezed into 880 square feet of space. A standard three-bedroom house might have roughly 1,800 square feet of space, said Gamble, like his home. What he would like to see is the library expand to perhaps 2,400 square feet — enough to be comfortable and offer additional services to its patrons.“The town deserves it,” he said. “That’s really what it is. We see what Millerton has to offer, and the size of the facility in Dover, or the Millbrook Library. Go over to Sharon, even. Yet it’s pretty amazing, when you think of our numbers last year.”In 2013, the Amenia Free Library’s total circulation was 16,038; it brought in 428 new books while 4,032 books were borrowed from other libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. More than 1,600 books from Amenia were sent to other libraries in the system. “We still have volumes that are in demand that other libraries can’t fulfill, so we’re very proud of that,” said Gamble, adding there were 10,864 log-ins to the library website last year. Those are numbers the library board is hoping to build upon. “We’re excited, and buying this property really allows us to know our future is out there. We’re not going to have any starts and stops; we’re not looking for land from the Odd Fellows. We really thought this was essential for the long-term success of the library.”“We love it here,” added Devine. “We’re right in the center of town and people can walk here, or bike here, it’s so essential for the town. We’ve waited a long time for this. Our main focus was to expand, to make the library larger, and that’s in the works now.”To contact the Amenia Free Library call 845-373-8273 or go to www.amenialibrary.org.
Latest News
Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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