Knights clocks and…read morequilts The first library in Rhinebeck started back in 1862 and as the town grew, so did the library. The finally renovation was in 2005 when the existing structure was nearly doubled in size and thoroughly modernized. The library is interesting because of the art that decorates the walls and shelves. Some very cool sculptures of Viking type guys, complete with the traditional two handed axes, are hard to miss. They was also a display of strange masks while we were there and two lovely and old grandfather clocks and the ubiquitous library quilt. The library also has a nice local history and genealogy room and lots of programs and events for both adults and kids. Starr is a unique library that is not only functional but great fun to look at even without the books.

I think it's great when a library can grow with the community it supports. If you are familiar with…read more(or have read about, on their website) the history of this Rhinebeck library, you'll see they've had the opportunity to do that. I normally visit my library in Hyde Park, but they did not have 2 books I wanted to read. Thanks to the Mid-Hudson Library System (Love the Mid-Hudson Library System!), I found both were available at Starr, which was not inconvenient for me as I was going to be in the area that day anyway. The library has a great layout, a nice selection, and it was quite busy even on what you might consider a slow day. They were setting up for an evening community activity too, which shows more community involvement. Besides finding the books, I also browsed their magazine selection. It was smaller than the one for Hyde Park, but it was a nice complement, as it carried a number of magazines not in Hyde Park but which also interested me. I will probably have to visit both now regularly to get my magazine fill. The one very minor qualm I had was that for one of the books I wanted, the Mid-Hudson Library System database listed a Dewey Decimal value for a book with numbers to the right of the decimal point, and the actual book in this library did not include the numbers to the right of the decimal on its label and was sorted thus. That required maybe an extra minute to find the book. That's hardly an issue, though it may mean a little bit extra work for you or a library staff to find a book occasionally.

Although this library is small, it recently got an expansion about one year ago. Although it never…read morehad an elevator, it now has one. It has 2 real floors that all people can visit and use to take out books. It has 3 computers that can connect you to the internet. If you are out of the area and don't have a library card, you can pick up a temporary 30 minute pass to allow you to log-on. One floor is all mostly adult fiction/nonfiction, and the other floor is mostly children. This place does have two entrances though, so plan your time-frame accordingly. You can park as on street parking(not advised to park accross the street, if planning to use computers), or you can park in their 6-7 car parking lot. They now have one public bathroom that most people now know about(across from magazine rack near elevator). If you need to use it, it is always clean and well-maintained by those planning to use it. (It has paper-towels, but no blow-driers.) As for employees at this library, although they have a few paid workers who can help at the main check-out desk, most of their employment staff are volunteers. And when you figure into the equation of the town this library is in, I like this library being that it is close to me and my home. Thanks a lot; Never a problem here.

Unfriendly,officious staff lording it over their private fiefdom. I stopped by to return two…read morebooks when a biography of Andrew Jackson, "American Lion", caught my eye. I told staff that I wanted to check that book out. They inquired as to whether I had a library card. I said that I did but not on my person, but I could tell them my library number, and that I had just not 30 seconds before handed the two books to one of the staff asking for my card. I was then asked if I had a driver's license. I placed the book back on the the shelf and walked out. I have heard that the staff at this library is unfriendly. I won't go back and will go out of my way to avoid it.

Here's a mediocre sized library I like to go to, whenever I'm in town and need a useful library…read more It's got a lot of books(one side being the adult fiction, the other being children's books). Nonfiction isn't prominent at all in this place. It does though, have a wide variety of Internet-connected computers(which I believe, make up for this "missing puzzle-piece"!)(Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you, they have over 12 Internet-connected computers, along with 2 non-Internet computers for the kids to use, as you see when you walk through the 2 electric sliding glass doors). If you need to use a restroom, there is one here. If you stand over near the flexible folding wall, you'll notice the edge of the men's room door creeping above(there are two separate rooms). I've found a problem there, make sure to wear only one additional layer of clothing over-top of what would be normal casual wear, as these rooms get awful cool very quickly. Need a drink/sip of water to wet your tongue? Yeah, they got a water-fountain too(over between the two restrooms)! This is one of the only library locations in the area to have a water-fountain available. Water is good and cold, no matter what time of year you sip it! Employees here are well-trained in the processes, and can help with almost anything. You can tell, after a wide variety of times, that they know how to "work" for their money! Between fixing up adding money for using their printer(computer printer) to helping people find books to you-name-it, these employees know their jobs mean more than just being "paid by the hour." As a mere note: This place was the former RENOVATED LOCATION to the former Ponderosa Steakhouse, which had closed down in the 1990s(that could very well be the reason why this place has the water-fountains available). When funding became not such a concern, this library moved from a Morton Blvd location to the current place in the mid-2000s.

From the owner: You can search many of our databases from your own computer at home or work! Click on HomeACCESS or…read morethe Ulster County Info Portal for more information. For new programming and events check our calendar. Kids and teens can find great resources at the library. . We have ten computers for the Internet, two children PCS with games and a word processing computer that is dedicated for resumes and school reports as well as online job applications (please see staff for reservations on this computer) . Other services that the library and staff offer are copying, fax services, notary services, and the Inter-Library Loan service that covers New York State and beyond. The staff at The Town of Ulster Public Library is dedicated to meeting your information needs. Free WiFi available.

I love this place. Great events for kids of all ages, friendly staff who work hard to make the…read morelimited resources stretch, and while the physical stacks are small due to it being a smaller location, you have the ability to request items to be sent from ALL OVER THE HUDSON VALLEY to this location for your convenience. If it wasn't available anywhere, I could suggest they purchase it - and while it doesn't happen overnight, those requests eventually are filled, and I can read to my hearts content. Did I mention the ebook & audiobook selections are quite comprehensive? Additionally, there is a great selection of books for purchase in the basement, well kept and neat. When my kid was younger, I could pick up copies of the popular books she wanted to read over & over for a fraction of the cost of new. A community garden, free wifi, loaner fishing rod kits, free passes for local attractions, it just keeps going on. Seriously, some of these negative reviews are a decade old. A lot has changed, and the staff are very dedicated to making our tax dollars stretch.

This is seriously the loudest library I've ever been to. No one that works here cares about the…read morelevel of talking noise by patrons OR themselves. They seriously sit there and talk all day in the office or at the front desk. It's disruptive and VERY annoying.

The cutest little village library that ever was…read more Yes, its big sister in Rhinebeck is certainly a great size and has plenty going on. But for this location, can't beat it. There is pretty much nothing left in Rhinecliff except the hotel in case you need a place to hang out for a bit. Today I found myself with a ride to the train station two hours earlier than I needed, so I got dropped off at the library. The librarian cranked up the heat for me, showed me around and I had complete peace and quiet to get some work done with their WiFi and tables. Much more comfortable than the train station! There was even a coffee/hot water station ($1 donation suggested- please do give them some love!) which I took advantage of to enjoy a coffee while working. There seems to be a big hall where they likely do events and of course they are part of the mid hudson library branches so you can borrow and get deliveries of books from any of the area libraries. As I live closer to the Rhinebeck library I hadn't made it to this one but I was impressed by the lovely space close to the train station- a short walk even with my luggage. I will likely come back to just do some work because it's quieter than the Rhinebeck location and less crowded.

Great library!! Nice section for kids. Computers w Internet, fax, printer, etc. everything you need…read morein a historic building with lots of character. Also make your own coffee while you browse books. A real neighborhood library.

Good selection of new books. I didn't see a used section, but I wasn't looking for one. Well…read moreorganized by genre. Friendly staff. Stickers, toys, books, of course.

Cutest little bookshop with the most helpful staff! Loved browsing, and then someone helped me with…read moregreat recos so I could find a book to bring home!

Meadows creeks and…read moreeagles The Clinton Nature Trail is a short but very cool trail located next to the town hall and library. Only about a mile in length, it was the work of eagle scout David Foote and some of his buddies. The trail meanders through the woods until it reaches Little Wappinger Creek and then doubles back. The cool thing about the trail is that the scouts also made a informative map that is available at the start of the trail. Along the trail are markers and you can look on the map to see information pertaining to that particular spot and the different plants and trees are named and identified. A lovely little trail, especially in the fall and winter. A wonderful little place to get a bit of exercise and learn about the local environment.

A very nice spiritual bookstore. Rich in books written by lecturers teaching at Omega…read more Other than books, some natural skincare products, Omega logo goods, garment, souvenirs and well-designed crystal jewelry are available. Staff are all knowledgeable and helpful. There are two fitting rooms available. Some of my friends got frantic there, shopping like crazy.