named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Book It for The Olive Free Library 5K Run/Walk
Annual fundraising run/walk event supporting library programs and services
Clothing Swap
Community event allowing residents to donate and shop for gently used clothing, promoting reuse and sustainability
Mushroom Walk with John Michelotti of CATSKILL FUNGI
Educational nature walk focused on identifying, sustainably harvesting, and learning about mushrooms in the local area
Music Café
Monthly free concert series featuring live music in a coffeehouse setting, hosted by the Friends of Olive Free Library
NAMI Ending the Silence
Educational presentation on mental health conditions, warning signs, and support resources, offered at the Shokan Branch
Owl Pellet Shadow Boxes
Hands-on science and art workshop for kids and teens involving dissection of real owl pellets and creation of shadowbox displays
Trivia at the Boiceville Inn
Monthly trivia night for adults held on the first Thursday of each month
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Curates and provides access to local history collections and exhibitsCollects artifacts and historical materials related to the Town of Olive, curated a local history exhibit using oral histories and donated materials, digitized the Onteora Record newspaper (1958–1962), and acquired and preserved the Robert Peck, Sr. historical book collection for public research access.
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Library and Community Facility Renovation 1 activity
- Maintains and improves library facilities and infrastructureUndertakes facility upgrades including replacement of drop ceilings, repainting of interior paneling, lighting system updates, and fiber internet connectivity installation through the E-rate program; also includes construction and dedication of the current building in 1972 and establishment of the Shokan Branch following community planning and renovation.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Offers community programming and cultural eventsHosts a diverse calendar of recurring and one-time events including monthly Music Café concerts, Trivia Nights, book clubs (Climate Wayfinding, virtual, International Murder Mystery, Defending Democracy), Singing Circle, Craft Circle, Knitting & Crochet Group, Chess Club, Lego Club, Ukulele Group, Mahjong sessions, Conversations with Death circle, yoga classes, meditation sessions, and hands-on science and art workshops.
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Operates public library services in Olive, NY and nearby communitiesProvides public library services through two locations, including stated weekly hours of operation, book and media lending, access to public computers, photocopier, notary services, and book pickup/drop-off for Mid-Hudson Library System materials.
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Used Book and Media Sales for Fundraising 1 activity
- Operates year-round book sale to support library operationsRuns a year-round book sale on the lower level featuring community-donated books priced between $1 and $3, with all proceeds supporting the library.
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Community Makerspace Access and Training 1 activity
- Supports lifelong learning and hands-on creativity through specialized spaces and resourcesOperates a makerspace and a DIY Memory Lab that provides equipment and instructions for digitizing personal media such as VHS tapes, audio cassettes, photographs, slides, and documents, supported by an online reservation system.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$339K
Contributions & grants$311K92%
Program service revenue$19K6%
Investment income$9K3%
Other revenue$475
expenses
Total expenses$373K
Program expenses30%
Admin / overhead70%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$218K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$623K
Cash$53K
Investments$0
Liabilities$21K
Net assets$602K
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa McHugh | Director | 40 | $62K |
board members · 5
- Donna Elberg — Trustee
- Karen Heusel — Trustee
- Margaret Soltis — Trustee
- Susan York — Trustee
- Thomas Hammang — Trustee
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- American Legion Hall Partner — Partnered with the Olive Free Library to establish the Shokan Branch in their facility.
- Ashokan Center Partner — Collaborates on the Consolidated Digital Collection of the History of the Town of Olive.
- Brunel Sculpture Park Partner — Collaborates on the Consolidated Digital Collection of the History of the Town of Olive.
- Catskill Fungi Partner — Collaborates with the library to lead mushroom identification and foraging walks.
- Friends of Olive Free Library Partner — Sponsors and supports the monthly Music Café concert series.
- Friends of the Olive Free Library Coalition — Volunteer group that supports the Olive Free Library through fundraising, volunteer provision, advocacy, and community engagement.
- Friends of the Olive Free Library Partner — Brought to you by the Friends of Olive Free Library; supports the Music Café concert series through donations and community engagement.
- Friends of the Olive Free Library Partner — Provided fundraising support and raised funds for the development and equipping of the Shokan Branch.
- Historical Society of the Town of Olive Partner — Collaborates on the Consolidated Digital Collection of the History of the Town of Olive.
- Hudson Valley Hives Partner — Hosts its Beekeeping Support Group at the Olive Free Library from October to April, with meetings held at the library during those months.
- Institute of Museum and Library Services Government — Federal agency that allocated ARPA funds to support the Consolidated Digital Collection via the New York State Library.
- International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) Partner — Provides the Read and Win Bookmark Ribbon for the joint reading incentive program.
- Little Mountain Books Partner — Provided rebinding and preservation services for fragile books in the Peck Collection.
- Mid-Hudson Library System Network — Member of the regional library system providing support and resources.
- Mid-Hudson Library System Partner — Collaborates to provide access to books and ebooks for book club participants
- National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA) Partner — Cosupplies the Read and Win Bookmark Ribbon for the joint reading incentive program.
- New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Government — Provides the NYS Frequent Fairgoers Official Passport used in the Read & Win Program.
- Onteora Central School District Partner — Partners with the local school district to support educational initiatives.
- ProLine Contractors Partner — Provided interior renovation services for the Shokan Branch, including painting, ceiling tile replacement, and lighting installation.
- RBSlowYoga Partner — Partner organization providing information about Slow Yoga practice
- Severus Foundation Funder — Provided a $2,500 grant to support the opening of the Shokan Branch.
- Southeastern New York Library Resource Council Government — Administers ARPA funds supporting the Consolidated Digital Collection and provided advisory support for the Onteora Record digitization project.
- Sustainable Libraries Initiative Network — Member of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.
- The Shokan Branch Partner — Branch location providing shared library services in partnership with Olive Free Library.
- Town of Olive Partner — Collaborates on the Consolidated Digital Collection of the History of the Town of Olive.
- Town of Olive Partner — Collaborates with the local government to serve community needs.
- Ulster County Fair and Agricultural Society Partner — Collaborates with the Olive Free Library on the Read & Win Program to promote children's reading.
- Ulster Savings Bank Funder — Provided a $2,000 donation to support the opening of the Shokan Branch.
- Wal-Mart Sparks Grant Funder — Awarded a $2,000 grant to support the opening of the Shokan Branch.
strategies · 3
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.
- Community-Driven Service Modelmethodology: community_input_driven_planningBy using community input to guide planning and service development, the library ensures its offerings align with local needs and interests, increasing relevance, utilization, and community ownership of programs and spaces.
- Inclusive Participatory Programmingmethodology: inclusive_participatory_programmingBy designing low-barrier, skill-inclusive activities such as beginner-friendly group singing and peer-supported crafting, the library fosters social connection, informal learning, and community resilience because shared creative experiences build trust and belonging across diverse participants.
- Integrated Learning Through Art and Sciencemethodology: integrated_science_and_art_educationBy combining science education with artistic expression, the library creates more engaging and accessible learning experiences for youth, because interdisciplinary approaches activate multiple modes of understanding and sustain interest in complex topics.