Featured Library

Cheney Library

Cheney Library in Hoosick Fall is undeniably a small corner of the world. But this picturesque library, with its terracotta roof tiles and graceful arched entryway, has a big presence. First, it has a truly unique claim to fame: the library owns “Hoosick Hills,” an original Grandma Moses painting which is currently on loan to the Bennington Museum. Notably, Grandma Moses gave the painting to the Cheney Library personally, along with a signed photo of herself!

Cheney Library also reaches beyond its small boundaries to bring the world to Hoosick Falls. This winter the library is hosting a program series called “Around the World in Literature.” The library has tapped community members who are native to or were residents of Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, England, and the Philippines to share their culture with the community. Costumes, customs, stories, and food will all help families imagine life in a country very far from Hoosick Falls.

In library service, too, Cheney Library transcends expected parameters. The library recently earned innovator status by being the first UHLS library to reorganize its picture book collection by categories, rather than shelving the books alphabetically. Parents report great satisfaction with this new arrangement. Categories such as transportation, celebrations, growing up, and favorites help parents and children locate favorite books faster.

Cheney Library is proof that libraries create beauty, inspiration, and innovation even in the smaller corners of the world!