named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Children's and Teen Services
Provides dedicated spaces and age-appropriate resources, programs, and tutoring for children and teens
Community Programming
Offers educational, cultural, and social events for all ages in a multi-use community and cultural center space
Local History Program
Collects, preserves, and provides access to local history materials through a dedicated local history room and research services
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Blood and Marrow Donation Drives 1 activity
- Host community events and partnershipsHosts community blood drives in collaboration with the American Red Cross and provides space and logistical support for public engagement events, serving as a multi-use community and cultural center.
-
-
Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
- Manage library operations and governanceConducts regular board meetings, maintains comprehensive operational policies and forms for public access, employs a Library Director, and publishes annual and periodic reports to the community on finances, programs, and services. Developed and implemented a strategic plan for 2022–2025 to guide organizational direction.
-
-
Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Operate a free public libraryProvides free library services to the general public in Claverack, New York, including access to a modern, fully accessible 11,000-square-foot facility with dedicated spaces for children, teens, local history, and community use. The library maintains a collection of books and resources and offers handicapped-accessible facilities, public computers, printing, photocopying, faxing, and 24/7 free public WiFi.
-
-
Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Provide library programming for diverse age groupsOffers regular in-person and virtual programs tailored for youth, teens, and adult patrons, including educational, cultural, and recreational activities such as line dancing classes, fiber arts gatherings, and presentations on Indigenous cultures using authentic artifacts.
-
-
Library Operations and Program Support 1 activity
- Secure funding and manage budgetOperates with a 2026 operating budget of $284,470, supported by public funding from the Town of Claverack ($111,000), Columbia County, the State of New York, and the Town of Taghkanic, with $162,964 covered by non-public funding sources. Previously raised $2.8 million through a capital campaign to fund construction of the new library facility, opening debt-free.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$397K
Contributions & grants$353K89%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$24K6%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$238K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$107K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.64M
Cash$338K
Investments$670K
Liabilities$21K
Net assets$3.62M
Liquid reserves50.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +50.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 11
- AUDRE HIGBEE — TRUSTEE
- FRED REIF — TRUSTEE
- JULIE NACK — VICE PRESIDE
- JULIE SHEVACH — SECRETARY
- KITTY OSTEHOUDT — TRUSTEE
- MAME BRADLEY — TRUSTEE
- RANDY CORRELL — TRUSTEE
- STEPHANIE KEYSER — TRUSTEE
- STEPHEN KING — PRESIDENT
- SUSAN ROBERTS — TRUSTEE/TREA
- SUSAN SOLTANO — TRUSTEE
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- A.B. Shaw Fire Company Partner — Collaborated with the library through the sale of its former firehouse, enabling the library's relocation and expansion while supporting the fire company's construction of a new facility.
- American Red Cross Partner — Partners with the Claverack Free Library to host community blood drives.
- Board of Trustees Government — Oversees governance and stewardship of the library as part of its organizational structure
- Claverack Free Library Government — Board of Trustees governs the Claverack Free Library.
- Columbia County Libraries Association Government — Receives funding from Columbia County via the Columbia County Libraries Association.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Choice Model for Access and Engagementmethodology: client_choice_modelBy eliminating late fines and enabling automatic renewal of materials, the library reduces barriers to access and supports continuous engagement, because removing punitive policies increases equitable utilization and sustains patron interest in resources.
- Community-Driven Planning and Governancemethodology: community-driven_planningBy engaging community members in public forums and open meetings, the library ensures that its development and programming reflect local needs and priorities, because inclusive decision-making strengthens civic ownership and program relevance.
- Experiential Learning Through Cultural Engagementmethodology: experiential-educationBy using hands-on engagement with authentic artifacts to teach Indigenous history and archaeological methods, the library fosters deeper understanding of the Hudson Valley’s past, because experiential education produces more meaningful and lasting learning than passive exposure.
- Open Access as a Gateway to Intellectual Freedommethodology: open-access programmingBy ensuring free and open access to collections and services in a nonjudgmental environment, the library connects patrons with diverse ideas and information, because unrestricted access fosters independent thinking and cultural engagement.