Building Futures: The Impact of Poughkeepsie Public Library District

While assumed by many to be obsolete, libraries are proving themselves to be more essential for local communities than ever before. From their bread-and-butter of loaning physical materials, to unlocking access to digital resources such as audiobooks and research databases, to hosting story hours, the Poughkeepsie Public Library District has kept up with an increased demand for the invaluable resources libraries have been known to provide.

“We can have an impact on people's lives without them actually stepping foot in the library,” says Tom Lawrence, director of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District, which incorporates the Adriance Memorial Library, the Boardman Road Branch Library, and the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Branch Library, “We’re a library without walls.”

Remaining current is the district’s utmost priority, and it works tirelessly with government entities and nonprofit organizations to ensure it meets the needs of such a dynamic and diverse community as Poughkeepsie, far beyond the brick-and-mortar of a library building. “We're installing public wifi at Bowdoin Park and Quiet Cove for the county and in the Town, we already have wifi at Greenvale Park and we're moving on to Red Oaks Mill Park and I believe the Stanley Still Park, and we'll slowly start rolling stuff out with the city and their various network of parks,” says Lawrence in detailing an ongoing collaborative effort with the Town of Poughkeepsie, the City of Poughkeepsie, and Dutchess County to install a public wifi connection throughout community parks. “We feel that it is something that is great for the community and enhances quality of life, so we decided to partner with those governmental entities and make it happen.”

Making it happen seems to be the overarching philosophy in the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. Every day of the week is packed with programming, catering to a diverse set of age groups and interests. At the Adriance Memorial Library, one could spend their afternoons at the Computer Lab receiving individualized help with basic computer skills, moving later to the Boardman Road Library for their knitting and crocheting groups. There are frequent opportunities for teens to engage with their peers through gaming on the Adriance’s Nintendo Switch, and for pre-kindergarteners through third graders to enjoy an after-school storytime. 

While there is never a dull moment, the district does not shy away from hosting larger events either. On Friday, April 26th from 7 - 8:30 pm, the Poughkeepsie Public Library District will be hosting #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci—most known for his series of novels, The 6:20 Man—at the Bardavon, located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie in a free ticketed event. 

These are the events that Lawrence is the most proud of, being able to bridge the gap between authors and their readers, especially their younger readers. “Having kids meet authors, having authors meet kids is, it's just a great synergy that keeps that whole process of writing and reading going on. And again, if it's an opportunity for a kid to get the bug to write or draw or be part of the publishing industry, that's really a win-win for everybody.”

Even as technology rapidly grows and changes, and as cell phones and tablets rule our daily lives, Lawrence has noted that checkout and circulation of fiction has only increased in recent years. This runs contrary to widespread assumptions that libraries are suffering through the Information Age. The appeal of a good book seems to stretch across generations and countless innovations, down to the youngest of readers.

When asked what he would say to the young people who visit Poughkeepsie’s Libraries, Lawrence paused thoughtfully, then said, “If you're in a book, you're in a safe space. You can travel without leaving your home. You can experience things vicariously through a book that can help you learn. You can learn how characters, well-written characters, respond to real-life problems as the author guides them through those problems that can be a basis for your own way of handling things.”

This Saturday, from 10 am - 3 pm at Falcon Hall in Dutchess Community College, community members can enjoy the Poughkeepsie Book Festival. Over a hundred authors and illustrators will be in attendance, as well as representatives from the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Both kids and parents will be able to enjoy the array of books and fascinating conversations, as well as crafts and presentations.

Tickets for David Baldacci’s event are currently available at the Bardavon Box Office and Poughkeepsie Public Library District’s check-out desks.

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