By Jeanne Sager
ROSCOE — September 23, 2003 – It was a fortunate accident.
When a truck ran through the wall at the Roscoe Free Library four years ago, it was, of course, a big old mess.
But when the library director and trustees had time to sit down and discuss how to right the situation, they realized they could create an opportunity out of an inopportune moment.
“Instead of just putting it back up, we decided it was a chance to expand,” recalled Louise Eggleton, president of the library’s board of trustees.
Four years of planning and building finally came to a close with a dedication ceremony Sunday of the library’s new addition, an entire room erected on the lefthand side of the existing structure.
There are obvious advantages.
“We’ll have more space to run programs for children,” Eggleton said. “We have a computer and private area for adult literacy.”
There’s also a spot for public meetings and more space for the children’s books that were losing their home thanks to the integration of computers into the library system.
The room also makes the library better accessible to those who are handicapped.
The Roscoe Free Library has a long and proud tradition.
A provisional charter was granted in April 1921 when books could be picked up at a few private homes in the hamlet.
Later the library moved throughout town, spending time in several rooms in the Roscoe Central School (including a janitorial closet when there was just no space left that didn’t have student activities), a short stint in the old justice court in the Wood building, as well as an extended stay in the building that now houses the New York State Police.
Its final stop was the building on Highland Avenue where patrons have picked up and dropped off books since 1979.
“We’ve come a long way in 82 years,” noted library trustee Elizabeth Tempel during Sunday’s ceremony.
A part of the Ramapo-Catskill Library System, the Roscoe Free Library offers links to the Internet and many more books than can be housed in the small brick building in the hamlet.
Books can be brought in from any one of Ramapo-Catskill’s 47 member libraries.
“We’re dedicated to making information available to everyone,” said Robert Hubsher, a Ramapo-Catskill representative who attended the dedication to help kick off the start of a new thing in Roscoe. “Our job is to provide the length, breadth and width of knowledge.
“This is a proud occasion for your community,” he told the crowd assembled in the brand new meeting room. “I think this room contributes a great deal to the library’s ability to serve you all.”
The Ramapo-Catskill system was instrumental in the building of the addition, Eggleton said, ponying up the largest grant used in building the approximately $85,000 structure.
The rest came from library funds and the community. Many folks in the area bought pavers which were set up outside on the new patio (which will soon have a bench so folks can pick up a book and sit outside to read and enjoy the sunshine).
“Those people who gave so generously are our future,” said Library Director Joyce Goff.