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.

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.

Has lots of interactive activities for reading with other wonderfull family activitiesread more

Not just a library, this is a wonderful community center with kids' toys and activities as well as…read moreESL programs and more. I grew up in Saugerties and wish it had been like this back in the 80s and 90s. My mother is there regularly and i always bring my daughter when in town for a visit. It's a treasure for the village.

In the site of the Watt's DePyster Fireman's Hall in Tivoli, NY, lies this mediocre-sized library…read more Although my brothers have been going in there from time to time, my first time into this library was today. Although I wasn't overly thrilled at seeing the inside, but I know it's someplace to return to if all my former sources of Internet have been taken up and I'm in desperate need. The library may look big when viewed from outside, but it's not when you head inside. From the outside, what you are seeing is actually one of three "departments" inside this 2-story building. When you look inside this library, they don't have many computers, and the computers they did have today, were all full of other people. Overall, the remainder of the library wasn't overly crowded, but was awaiting a book-sale presentation about "Mysterious Creatures" in New York State (near Kinderhook, NY more or less). Anywho, when you look around the library, the walkways are not very wide, and are not suitable for any wheelchair accessibility to get through, and the steps leading into this library prove that there is no other accessibility in. (The back entrance is no better.) Even then, the large print books are merged sporadically throughout the library, and mixed into the regular books according to call number. They are marked however, so don't get this review wrong. Personally, if they designated another single section for just these "special" books, they can be better found for those who have trouble seeing. The weirdest thing was there's another bookshelf filled with a few more books across the alleyway that seemed to contain about 50 books I bet the EMPLOYEE'S DON'T EVEN REALISE are over there. Overall, I wouldn't mind going back there when I need a place just to read, but to actually find a book or empty computer seat to type up documents, you're best off going to other sources.

This is the best library per square foot in America. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful…read more Yes, it's TINY. It also offers more programs for the community (young, old and in between) than many libraries twenty times its size.

I applied to Bard, got in, and it was in my top ten, but ultimately, I didn't feel a deep…read moreconnection to the college when I spent a weekend there. It was the EXACT opposite experience when I visited Hampshire College (which is why Hampshire was my top choice and is now my Alma Mater) comparatively. I also found Western Massachusetts FAR more beautiful than the Hudson Valley. Bard's campus is indeed beautiful, BUT, isolated in my opinion. It's a single institution, surrounded by small hamlets of towns. It's fairly close to some good skiing at Hunter Mountain (skiing in New England is better) than a lot of the Catskill Mountains though, if you ask me. I prefer the Adirondacks. All that aside, Bard just didn't "connect" with me entirely. I don't think it was the right college for me, but it does have a GORGEOUS campus.

A remote place, even though it's only a couple of hours' drive from NYC. The students are for the…read moremost part personable and well prepared, and the faculty has many stars on it. They just lost President Botstein, though, so the college's future seems uncertain.

Challenging ideas made me think a lot. Explaining God's existence logically and scientifically?…read moreGood luck. I can agree on the world after death is not simply heaven or hell. Finding a mutual way for Buddist, Islam, and Christians to be happy together? You try it. Shalom

A great local bookstore…read more There is like 1 maybe 2 people that seem to work here. The shelves are loaded with all types of books from woodworking to youth fiction to historical works. Just everything under the sun, and they all seem very fairly priced. My son found a number of great kids books, I found a book on Mission style furniture making, and my wife found a number of novels she was interested in. Something for everyone and a lot to look through! TL;DR: Good bookstore, fair priced.

This place is MAGIC!…read more Absolutely the neatest, most organized book store I've ever been in. The selection is amazing - and the condition of the books is beautiful. I could get lost for hours! My mom has randomly asked me if I knew a used bookstore with old vet manuals (like for cows, etc) and I happened to walk by this place a couple days later, so I popped in. I found several OLD (1904-ish) farm vet type books. Upon checking out, I told the owner how thrilled I was to find them, and he recommended I go upstairs, second door, second shelf from the top, closest to the window.... he knows every book in the place! And word is he has another warehouse full of books!! They're only open 11-5 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so I plan to go back at 10:59 with snacks and stay the duration. Poor guy is gonna have to throw me out!

Great spot to find a new or used book at a fair price. They even had a small section dedicated to…read moresheet music. I found a like-new Dvorak Sonatine Violine+Piano book for $5, not bad. The coffee here was delicious; cups are running $4 - $5. They offer specialty espresso shots, hot chocolate, smoothies, sodas, and more ranging $4.50 - $7+. They do have other items for sale such as Folkmanis Puppets, decorative gift bags, a selection of greeting cards, unique journal books, and a variety of items related to creative writing. The store also supports local artists by displaying their artwork throughout the store along with the price list. There were several spots throughout the bookstore where you can sit back and enjoy your beverage or snack with a book, which made for a cozy welcoming vibe. Staff were super friendly and inviting. The store is well organized and it is fairly easy to find what you are looking for. If you need a quick reference point on where to start be sure to ask the staff for help. If you are a book lover this is a great place to visit while in Saugerties. I highly recommend them.

I had such a lovely experience at Inquiring Minds Bookstore! The location is perfect--right in the…read moreheart of town, making it such an easy and fun stop whether you're planning a day out or just passing through. The atmosphere is incredibly charming and cozy, the kind of place you can wander through for a while and lose track of time. It has that classic, welcoming bookstore feel with so much personality packed into every corner. What really stood out to me were the prices--super reasonable, which makes it even more enjoyable to browse and actually walk away with a few great finds without breaking the bank. Overall, it's such a gem of a bookstore. I'll definitely be back anytime I'm in the area!