Near 1881, Penelope (Nellie) Borden and a group of "Kings Daughters" started a circulating library in Wallkill. This was just about the time when John G. Borden was instrumental in having the village name changed from Shawangunk to Wall-kill.

After the disbanding of the "Kings Daughters" Mrs. Dayton Relyea carried on the circulation of books from her home and millinery shop on Main Street. Penelope Borden, who contributed generously toward the operation and maintenance of the library, assisted her.

On April 17,1900, the first meeting was held to organize the WalIkill Library Association. The first trustees were Mrs. Ellen Borden, Mrs. Dayton Relyea, and Marion Borden. The first officers were: President, J.E. Graham, Vice-Presidents, T.C. Perry and Mrs. Penelope Borden Hamilton; Secretary, G.S. Dick; and Treasurer, Mrs. Dayton Relyea.

The library operated from the same location until 1911. After the death of Mrs. Relyea in 1907, Dr. Theodore Millspaugh filled the vacancy on the board, and Mrs. Joseph Millspaugh was appointed librarian and served until 1921.

In 1911, the library was moved to the Deyo building at the corner of Church and Main Streets and remained there until the present building was completed in 1935.

On June 28,1906, the Board of Regents issued a charter to the Wallkill Public Library.

The community is deeply indebted to the Borden family for their many contributions made over a period of years. They gave generously of their time and talents as well as financial assistance. In early years, they were providing books from their own library along with monetary donations and loans to help with operating expenses to keep the library functioning.

In particular, we want to honor the memory of Marion Borden, who made provision in her will that the sum of $30000 dollars be given to the WalIkill Public Library, mainly for the construction of our present beautiful library building.

John Gail Borden and his wife Helen M. Borden deeded the two parks to the Town of Shawangunk; the North Park or school park (since, at that time the school was near the park), and the South Park, or Village Park. In 1934, while making plans for the new library building, the WalIkill Public Library received a deed from the Town of Shawangunk for the entire South Park. At that time, the library trustees were Martin J. DeWitt, J. Addison Crowell, and John B. Hamilton (grandson of Ellen L. Borden). In 1954, the library trustees deeded back to the Town of Shawangunk the Northern portion of the Village Park.

The cornerstone was laid in 1935 with Augustus W. Bennett of Newburgh the principle speaker at the ceremony. The architect for our Dutch Colonial building was J. Percy Hanaford of Newburgh. The minutes of the November 1935 trustees meeting reveal the contents of the cornerstone.

The Librarian at that time was Miss Ella Phinney who served very faithfully in this position from 1921 to 1943, when Mrs. Doris Crowell became the librarian for the next three years.

In 1959, Mrs. Virginia Davis was appointed librarian replacing Mrs. Mary VanDeMark. Mrs. Davis was instrumental in increasing the growth of the library, particularly in the young adult area. She served as librarian until July 1970, when Mrs. Mary Hoogeboom, who served until 1983, filled the position. The present librarian is Mrs. Marie Marengeolo, along with Mrs. Linda Going as assistant librarian.

As patrons and books continued to increase, more space was needed. In 1966, the trustees considered an addition to the present building. Due to the cost, they chose to remodel the basement. This area is now used to house the child en’s books and for both the film and arts and crafts program. In the 1970’s, the remodeling program moved to the attic. This room, complete with carpeting, shelving, heat, and ar cnditioning, we completed in 1982, much with volunteer labor. Funds previously received from the estate of Mrs. William E. Bruyn were used for some of the remodeling, and the children’s rooms have been dedicated in her memory.

Recently the library applied for Special District status aid that enabled the trustees to hire a full time Library Manager and to open for 3 evenings a week plus Saturdays from 10 AM —2 PM. They have now become a fully automated library with internet access and prompt interlibrary loans with the assistance of Ramapo Catskill Library System. Stop in an see all the services available at our local library.