Stanford Library still cozy and comfy in new(ish) space

STANFORDVILLE — Three years after residents pitched in to help the Stanford Free Library make the move to the spacious and bright new building it had taken years to complete, it is still the warm and welcoming home to patrons that the smaller building it replaced had always been.

Christa Cerul has been library director since December of 2019, when she replaced long-time director Arlene Christensen, who stepped down in favor of contributing to the library as the clerk.

Cerul said that when the larger building was being constructed. Some people were nervous about the move, saying the new space wouldn’t be the same.

“But I told them it’s the people who make it homey and sweet, and we’re going to be in the new building,” she said.

Now that the library is celebrating its third-year anniversary this August, Cerul’s prediction holds true — even as the expanded space provided by the new building has allowed for a corresponding growth.

The old library was “tucked away [but] now we’re right on Route 82, and we get more traffic from people who never really even knew there was a library in town,” Cerul explained. “We’ve seen our membership increase and our business increase.”

Although the location is more accessible, it’s still within walking distance from Stanford’s recreation center, an important plus as the proximity allows for easy access to programs at both locations throughout the year.

During the summer Cerul said, “kids can swim all day and come for an afternoon break up here.”

Appreciative of the cooperation between the two organizations, she said it’s typical of how small towns approach activities and programs that benefit multiple partners, such as Christmas giveaways with the fire department.

She also noted that while the coronavirus pandemic slowed the transition as it hit just months after library moved into the new building in 2019, it provided an unexpected opportunity for the library to serve the community.

Just across the street from McCarthy’s Pharmacy, the library was able to help organize vaccine clinics for residents. Those were held in its community room, named in honor of past Library Board President Mark Williams. He had worked diligently for years with volunteers to make the new building a reality before being replaced by current president, Jim Bail.

“We never could have done that in our old building,” Cerul said, as the space simply wasn’t available.

That room has also allowed for the presentation of weekly programs and even a monthly documentary art film series with Carin Goldberg from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Deeply appreciated community services include a “Repair Café,” which is also possible only because of the new building. Several times a year, volunteers able to repair everything from lamps to fabrics to jewelry to radios gather in the Community Room and work their magic. The services, next scheduled for September, are free. Patrons are encouraged to make a small donation to defray the cost of repair materials.

While the expansion has been a boon to patrons, the volunteers and staff members who make the whole operation flow smoothly have also benefited. Cerul explained previously those library workers could sometimes be found literally back to back at their desks. Now there is plenty of space to spread out.

Schedules of programs for the Stanford Free Library at 6035 Route 82 are online at www.stanfordlibrary.org and on Facebook, or call 845-868-1341. Cerul also encourages patrons to also sign up at stanfordlibrary@optonline.net for newsletters for adults, teens and children.

She noted some programs have limited access and the emails provide patrons a first chance at registration.