Welcome! Sink into an armchair and browse the collection of regional and state history books, review local development issues in the periodicals section, bone up on your favorite hobby—be it gardening, woodwork, quilting—or just kick back and enjoy a good novel or biography.
The library has long been known as a special place for “vacation” reading. Popular selections include many titles from the New York Times’ Best Seller List, a well-stocked fiction and non-fiction collection, and a popular reference room. The Skene also boasts an outstanding children’s collection.
The Skene Memorial Library serves the village of Fleischmanns, New York, and its surrounding communities. The building’s graceful architecture, stone fireplace, pillared entrance, and ornate windows welcome visitors to one of the few libraries in the Catskill region built specifically for use as a library. The commitment to public education and knowledge shared by its founders is carried on to this day by the library’s dedicated director and board of trustees. In 2001, the library celebrated its 100th anniversary and proud history.
Skene Memorial Library remains central to community life, serving also as a meeting place for the town government and the Village Clerk’s Office of Fleischmanns. Inside, patrons can frequently be found reading the local newspapers and discussing current town events.
On the grounds, a memorial to Fleischmanns’ Veterans of War is located to the left of the library’s front entrance. The library is the centerpiece of Main Street and makes a convenient place to begin a walking tour of the town.
During summer, the Fleischmanns Museum of Memories, located in an adjacent carriage barn, serves to acquaint tourists with the town’s historic role as a resort colony. The museum also contains records useful to genealogy research.
Internet and Database Research
Skene Memorial Library serves an internet-savvy population and has four public access computers. These are indispensable tools for students as well as other library visitors who wish to conduct research and browse the Four County Library System for books to order. Check with the librarian for workshops on various Internet topics, from basic netsurfing to Internet research.
Read and Play for Toddlers
Parents and caregivers are welcome to bring the children to explore the world of reading though books specifically created for the very young, supported by classic wooden learning toys in a setting of cozy quilted pillows and child-size furniture.
Special Collections
A current project of the library is the compilation of regional books on the Catskills, Hudson River and Delaware County, including books and related material depicting the history of the region’s hotels and boarding houses.