About the Library

The East Fishkill Community Library was first chartered in 1938 to serve the people of the hamlet of Fishkill Plains. It was originally staffed entirely by volunteers and was housed in the community chapel on Route 376 at Fishkill Plains. As the area grew, it was clear that a larger facility was needed to meet the library needs of the community. In 1979 the Library moved to a town owned building at the intersection of Routes 52 and 376. The library used the second story of this facility. By 1983 the charter had been revised to include the entire Town of East Fishkill and this facility was no longer adequate. In 1984 a building drive was initiated, and in September 1988 the Library moved to its present location next to the East Fishkill Town Hall on Route 376. A major renovation and addition was completed in 2001, resulting in the current 12,400 sq. ft. building.

The Library is charted by The University of the State of New York under the Education Department to provide library service to the people of the Town of East Fishkill. The Library is a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System and until recently, was an association library. In September 2006, the community voted to create the East Fishkill Public Library District. The budget and the election of the nine-member board are now voted on by the community. The Board of Trustees meets on the fourth Monday of each month; notices are posted on the library bulletin board, published in the local newspaper and are also posted on the Library's Web Calendar. The public is invited to attend.

The Library now has a paid staff which is supplemented by many active volunteers. Both the Staff and the Trustees encourage all persons who are interested in volunteering to do so. It is through the continuing support of the community that the Library can serve its patrons with the friendliness and efficiency that has been its hallmark since 1938.