About Us

History

The forerunner of the Mechanicville District Public Library was the L.B. Blakeman Library, begun in 1895 by Principal L.B. Blakeman with the help of his teachers. The library was housed in a school basement and, for many years, had a dual role serving both student and adults.

In the early 1960’s plans for a new high school made no allowances for public library services and, in 1965, a group of citizens started work toward the development of a separate public library. Their dreams came true in 1966, when voters of the school district approved a referendum establishing the Mechanicville District Public Library.

Her Provisional Charter was granted by the Board of Regents on June 24, 1966 and an agreement for inclusion in the South Adirondack Library System was made on June 28, 1966. The Library opened to the public in an old brick house at 15 South Main Street in February 1967, with Elizabeth Morse as its first Director. The new library opened in 1967 in what were planned as temporary quarters. For years, mighty efforts were made toward construction of a new building.

Claire Haizlip was a long-tenured librarian (1968 thru 1993) who would be remembered by most Mechanicville-area residents who used the Library in the past three decades. After 25 years of service Claire retired but not before plans for a new Library were set. The Library moved into a brand new building at 190 North Main Street in February 1997.

In July, 1995, voters passed a referendum approving the necessary funds to construct a new library at 190 North Main Street. Today the library is more of a multimedia center, striving to accomplish the goals set out in our mission, to be a window to the world for the town. Through various materials we have and programs we offer, the Library works to be a center of the Mechanicville community.

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Mechanicville District Public Library is a Member of the

Mechanicville Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.