Library annex makes sweet music

MILLERTON — The NorthEast-Millerton Library has something special it wants the community to check out, and no, it’s not referring to its catalog of books. No, the library, and its acting director, Roger Cohn, want people to become familiar with its recent acquisition — the annex — the building on Century Boulevard it purchased last year from the Church of Christ, Scientist.

“I think it’s tremendous,†Cohn said. “It has great potential.â€

Cohn is singing the building’s praises, literally, as it’s allowed him to schedule a free summer concert series showcasing local musicians, himself included. A kick-off concert, the Library Jam, has already been held. It was touted as a big success.

“We had a great time. We went in thinking we would have a good time if three people showed up or if 30 people showed up,†Cohn said, adding a lot of people walked around asking where the annex was. It’s at 28 Century Boulevard, across from the post office. “We had about 30 people, which I was pleased with.â€

The library is able to present the concert series free of charge thanks to an $800 matching grant awarded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, which it matched with in-kind services. Many of the artists also agreed to perform without compensation, due in part to their connection with Cohn.

“They all came in under the understanding that they were doing a favor by playing for me,†he said, adding that when he initially organized the series the grant had not yet been awarded.

One incentive for the musicians was that the annex is a local venue.

“Sometimes it’s not always easy for area musicians to find places to play, and they can be very variable,†Cohn said. “This is a reliable place for musicians to come as well as a place for people who like music to come and listen to music, so the planning part of it has gone really well. I’m hoping it becomes a regular community resource for coming and listening to music.â€

But there’s been more than just music played at the one-time church and reading room. The North East Historical Society holds its meetings and presentations there. There are also musical performances scheduled by organizations and individuals other than the library. The library, however, also holds activities besides concerts at the annex, like last August’s Family Fun Festival (which was planned for outdoors but encountered some uncooperative weather), book sales and various performances. The possibilities are endless.

“People might want to put on plays, we’ve had some authors in there speaking, we’re trying to get exposure for the building itself and let other organizations know it’s available,†Cohn said.

He added that the library board’s decision to acquire the annex building was a sound one since it provides room for expansion, an option not all communities have.

“Hillsdale and Dover Plains, to name two places, both needed to move someplace else when they needed to expand,†Cohn said. “Both moved outside of their communities, and we found that by purchasing the annex we didn’t have to do that.â€

The long-term vision is to connect the current library building on Main Street to the annex on Century Boulevard; the two properties back onto one another. To reach that goal will take planning and money, which will take time. Cohn said the library will apply for grants, certainly, but hopes its patrons will help contribute to the cause, especially after realizing the value of the annex and the library’s programs.

The concert series schedule follows below:

Aug. 14: Wooden Nickel

Aug. 21: Chris Jones

Sept. 4: Denise Jordan Finley and Daniel Pagdon

Sept. 11: Joel Blumert

Sept. 25: Hal Lefferts

Oct. 9: Ed Thorney and Friends

Oct. 23: Library Jam Reprise

For more information on any of the library’s programs or on the annex itself, go to info@nemillertonlibrary.org or call 518-789-3340.