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.

Even though I don't attend Bard College, when I went looking for a men's room the other day and…read morefound myself near Bard in waiting for an Uber ride I felt like taking, my first thought was about the Bard Library - Stevenson Library nearby where I was (I was in the dirt parking lot near Kline Commons), this was it. I went in and began perusing. I knew I had to look here; I planned on looking around after, but I had to "go" and although at first I couldn't locate the bathroom until I explored on my own (because no employee realized what I was really looking for at the time - not like anyone cared because most employees were up at the front desk even though there was a tour group walking around the campus), I eventually found it, but it was tricky to find as there's no direct route to the men's room from the front entrance without passing around the tables on the opposite side near the windows. (But, that part of the experience doesn't need to be elaborated on any more.) Eventually, I went looking. I would have thought the Bard Library was small, had I not walked in and perused - but on second thought when I went in, I looked around and thought to myself "sh** there are more books here than there are in the Red Hook and Rhinebeck (Starr) Libraries combined." There seemed to have been additional areas throughout the library including several microfiche reels in the backroom, and although the Sports section struck out at me (having a fond interest in the New York Yankees, and having seen this area next to the bathrooms I used), I took a quick look. I continued looking around for a few more minutes, and ended up coming back up around the fiction section of the library in the back area of the Library (that area is a little poorer in amount of books, but is still awesome for those who don't have much book collections to read from at their disposal I wasn't too pleased that this place doesn't allow non-Bardies take out books, but it's okay. I got a general feel for the library on campus - so I know just where some kids hang out and know a little about the place I visit at times. I would have thought this library would be connected to the MId Hudson Library System and would want to gather people together and bring in more choices to the library and bring adults closer to the students and get more interactions here for the students to get involved and get real-live results going. Little did I know that a few weeks (about two weeks) later, Midterms for the Fall-Winter 2017 semester would be going on and this place was packed (as I heard from an Uber rider who was one of my repeat riders) - glad I went in earlier in October before the "madness" began.

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.

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.

My main objective is to comment on college's housing crisis. There is severe shortage of on-campus…read morehousing. Students after freshman year are not guaranteed on-campus housing and therefore many students are faced with problems finding a place to live. The area surrounding campus is rural where housing supply is scarce, unaffordable and inconvenient. Bard is a residential college, however the percentage of its students living on-campus is much lower than other residential colleges. This issue has persisted for years! The administration has failed to address this crisis. I would not recommend enrolling there. The academics might be ok, but there will be no campus life whatsoever. Do not just take my word for it. Google it. Do your research.

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!

Their range of books was fantastic and the speed I got my order was wonderful. The book was packed…read morewith care and the price was more than reasonable, it was affordable!

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.