The MVCC Library was established in 1948 with a collection of 1,600 books. After being located in multiple buildings over the years from 1948-1968, the current Utica Campus Library was opened in 1969, taking up a majority of the second floor of Payne Hall. In 1989, the campus libraries in both Utica and Rome were fully computerized. Both libraries have undergone renovations over the past ten years, and today stand ready to assist patrons, as well as provide resources and support services to students, faculty, staff, and the community.

As originally stated in 1887, the mission of the Moffat Library of Washingtonville is to offer our collection and services as a source of information, education, enlightenment and entertainment to all members of our community.

Our Local History Collection is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing historic images, documents, and other items related to the history of the Village of Washingtonville, Town of Blooming Grove; as well as the surrounding areas of Orange County.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, is a dynamic destination which celebrates science, invention, and imagination. miSci explores the area's rich technological heritage, with some of the region's finest interactive exhibits and a research archive; a must-see for families, tourists, area residents, and other visitors.

The miSci Archives contains manuscript collections, photographs, trade literature, and other materials relating to the history of General Electric and Schenectady. The Archives was formed in 1997 through the merger of miSci and the Hall of Electrical History and is open to the public by appointment Monday through Friday. A highlight of the collection is the General Electric Photograph Collection, a collection of nearly 2 million images that depicts the development of the electrical industry and 20th century American life.

The Archives is more than just photographs. There are manuscript collections highlighting Thomas Edison and the founding and early history of GE. Papers from Gerard Swope and Owen D. Young, President and Chairman of GE from 1922-1939 and 1942-1944, highlight the welfare capitalism of the 1920s. Other collections highlight the GE Research Laboratory and radio station WGY. There are also books and periodicals, including a complete run of the GE Schenectady Works News, the employee newsletter for GE's Schenectady Works, as well as a collection of 1,500 motion picture films created by GE.

The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute is the present-day manifestation of the philosophy and principles once embodied in Heart's Delight Farm. Since its creation in 1951, the principal function has been, and continues to be, the economic improvement of agricultural operations through research, education, and demonstration.

The Middleburg Library was created from a meeting in 1932. A room in the Haynes House was set as the first library. Mrs. Frances B. Spencer, a qualified librarian, donated her services as librarian without cost, for two afternoons and two evenings a week. Mrs. Spencer served as librarian without pay for more than 40 years!

The library has moved four times and is currently in its second "permanent" home. In all these moves the library continued to contain components that made it important to the community: a community/meeting room, a children's room and a History/Genealogy room.

On August 28, 2011 Hurricane Irene flooded the library. Due to the devastation, the building was forced to close its doors. Over 3,000 books, carpeting, furnishings and computers were lost. With the help of volunteers and numerous donations the library reopened for business with a special celebration on February 4th, 2012. The library continues to be a community-gathering place and a vital part of the fabric of Middleburgh!

The library contains a large collection documents, family bibles, and photographs of the history of Middleburgh and the surrounding area.

The Merrick Library has been serving Merrick, NY, on Long Island's South Shore, since 1891. We are committed to enriching our community through teamwork, innovation, and service. Merrick Library is in Merrick, New York, an area in Nassau County on Long Island.

Early Years

Edward C. Cammann and Richard P. Kent established the Merrick Library in 1891. Cammann, born in 1874, and Kent, born in 1873 and a member of the Columbia class of 1895, were in their late teens at the time. The newspaper Merrick Life said that Cammann and Kent "also planted Dutch elm trees along Merrick Avenue to create a cathedral effect, sadly no more. Mr. Kent loved linden trees and planted many in Lindenmere, helping give it that peaceful air." Cammann's Pond in Merrick named for Edward's family.

According to volume 2 of A History of Long Island, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, "The villagers [of Merrick] feel a just pride in the Merrick Free Circulating Library. This had its beginnings through the instrumentality of the proprietors of "The Messenger," a parish [the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer] journal, and at first consisted of about fifty volumes kept in the hay loft of a vacant stable."

Another source says: "The Merrick Library began humbly enough, in 1891, in the hayloft of a stable on the Cammann family farm, where Edward C. Cammann and good friend Richard P. Kent had put together a collection of 50 books given to them by family and friends. A few months later, the library was moved to a shack on the William Hewlett farm on Merrick Avenue, between Merrick Road and Kirkwood Avenue. A third move brought the Library to a 15-foot room on the ground floor of the newly-built tower of the Merrick Water Company on Kirkwood Avenue, behind the Church of the Redeemer."

The library's fourth home at 2369 Merrick Avenue, was constructed in 1897 at a cost of $1,150 on land donated by Edward C Cammann's aunt, Katherine L. Cammann. That same year, Miss Lina Miller became Merrick's librarian. In 1900, Merrick Library published "An Historical Sketch of Merrick, Long Island, 1643-1900." Written for the Merrick library by Charles N. Kent, father of Richard P. Kent. The text of this book is available online.

Early funding for the Merrick Library seems to have combined individual philanthropy with the idea of subscriptions. The Merrick Library Association had lifetime members, but also had annual members. This group of Merrick citizens provided much of the library's funding. It is unclear what privileges being a member of this association included, but in the booklet "Yesterday in the Merricks", the authors, writing about the Merrick Library, say "Books were loaned to any person applying for them, as long as the librarian knew him, or he was introduced by a member of the library association.”

Taken from "Merrick Library History" written by Bill Keogan.

History and heritage are vital and expanding areas of interest at the Mendon Public Library, particularly as they impact the future of individuals and the communities in which they live. A varied collection of local history references is available within the library for those eager to explore the historical roots of Mendon and its surrounding communities, as well as the city of Rochester and area counties.

The forerunner of the Mechanicville District Public Library was the L.B. Blakeman Library, begun in 1895 by Principal L.B. Blakeman with the help of his teachers. The library was housed in a school basement and, for many years, had a dual role serving both student and adults.
In the early 1960’s plans for a new high school made no allowances for public library services and, in 1965, a group of citizens started work toward the development of a separate public library. Their dreams came true in 1966, when voters of the school district approved a referendum establishing the Mechanicville District Public Library. The new library opened in 1967 in what were planned as temporary quarters. For years, mighty efforts were made toward construction of a new building. In July, 1995, voters passed a referendum approving the necessary funds to construct a new library at 190 North Main Street.

Established at 5 Main Street, McGraw, New York in 1976, the McGraw Historical Society collection comprises memorabila, furniture, photographs, news articles, scrapbooks, photograph albums, post cards, books, and various items of interest dealing with the Village and its residents, both early and current. Mrs. Lucille Kullman and Mrs. Gloria Ackroyd were active members of the committee that started the local museum for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration; the new Local History room is located at the rear of the Lamont Memorial Free Library. Many items of the original collection were gifts and records that had been given to or collected by the Lamont Library. Our photo collection numbers close to 2,000 and many of these can be viewed in the Village of McGraw, NY History collection. Two very special sections of the McGraw Historical Society are the "New York Central College" and the "Daniel S. Lamont" collections.

The Maybrook Railroad Museum preserves and promotes the history of the Maybrook, NY switching terminal and the railroads which it served. The museum is currently located in the Maybrook Village Government Center. It includes pictures, documents, and model trains, among other historic items.