Sherman Free Library Inc.

Introduction

Sherman Free Library Inc., operating as the Sherman Free Library, is a nonprofit organization located in Port Henry, New York, within the town of Moriah, Essex County. The library plays a vital role as a community resource, offering free access to a wide range of materials and services.

History

The Sherman Free Library was established on January 17, 1887, with an initial endowment provided by George Riley Sherman, a partner in the Witherbee & Sherman Mining company. Sherman stipulated that the library be available free of charge to all residents within the village limits. Initially, the library housed approximately 3,000 volumes, which has since expanded to over 11,000 volumes.

Architecture and Design

The library building is a historic 1+1⁄2-story brick structure with slate-covered, steeply pitched gable roofs, resting on a limestone foundation. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1995. The building retains its original varnished oak interior.

Services and Collections

The library offers a diverse collection that includes books for children and adults, books on CD, music CDs, puzzles, games, and DVDs. Additionally, it provides a reference section with materials on local mining operations, local history, and the Adirondack region. In 1975, the library joined the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System (CEF), enabling patrons to access materials from other libraries in the system, including downloadable audio books.

Facilities and Technology

The library provides public use computers and free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Services such as scanning, printing, copying, and faxing are available for a small fee.

Events and Initiatives

The library hosts an "Evening at the Library" series, featuring speakers on topics of local interest. The library also engages in digitization projects to preserve local history, including photograph albums and historical documents.

Governance

The library is governed by a Board of Trustees. While the original endowment was initially sufficient, the library now relies on additional funding from the Town of Moriah, the school district, CEF, and patrons to support its operations.

Digitization Efforts

Efforts are ongoing to digitize historical documents and make them more accessible to a broader audience. This includes photograph albums, historical maps, and other local historical materials. The library aims to create an online repository for these digitized items to enhance community access to local history.