Dutchess County Executive Grants $12,000 to Public Libraries for Digital Content

Marist student reading selection of e-books via kindle. Photo by Grace Lisella '26

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino partnered with the Dutchess County Library Association to issue a $12,000 Agency Partner Grant for an expansion of digital titles to the 22 public libraries in the county. 

Public libraries in Dutchess County have been able to apply for funding in recent years, with no guarantee of an allocation to library programs. In turn, according to the Executive Director of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District, Tom Lawrence, libraries have relied primarily on funding from local communities. However, Serino’s recent grant, announced at the end of January, allowed these libraries to expand their digital collections, catering to all readers. 

These digital collections, composed of e-books and audiobooks, have had significant rises in demand in recent years, especially since COVID-19, according to Lawrence. 

“When people weren't out and about as much, the demand for all kinds of digital services really skyrocketed,” he said. 

This influx in the use of digital reading platforms provided many readers with new accessibility and solutions for reading on the go. Director of the Staatsburg Library, Lorraine Rothman, believes that the purpose of libraries is to be able to provide the resources that best suit their readers, whether that’s through digital or print. 

“We absolutely understand that not everybody can get to the library, or their preference may not be to have a physical item,” said Rothman. “But to be able to have the convenience of downloading books or audiobooks and reading them, or using them wherever they are, is super important.” 

With these digital collections, though, comes the challenge of cost and keeping up with reader demand. Dutchess County libraries use the online site Libby to grant library card-holders access to their online collections. Through this system, the libraries license a number of titles for a period of time, although these are much more expensive, especially for smaller libraries like Staatsburg, according to Rothman. 

“For some of the smaller libraries, the demand is tough. They don't have the same kind of tax base, but they might have comparable usage,” said Lawrence. 

Lawrence also believes that what encouraged this grant from Serino was the cumulative advocacy for public libraries throughout the county, along with her personal feelings towards public library programs. 

“I think that the county executive might be a little bit more in tune with reading and the importance of reading,” he said, “So, we sort of hit the right button, and she felt that this was something reasonable for us to ask for.”

Within the last year, Serino also awarded $250,000 in grants to libraries and other non-profit organizations to assist the county’s Youth Opportunity Union (YOU) programs. 

In a January press release, Serino remarked on the opportunity to give Dutchess communities “more flexible opportunities to read, learn, and feel connected, wherever they are.”

The recent grant will aid both libraries in easing demand stress and costs, and readers who are looking to access new content quickly. Lawrence notes the growing popularity of the series “Heated Rivalry," or authors like Robin Carr and John Grisham, and the desire for libraries to be able to provide readers with content when it’s demanded.

“The purchasing is going to be for those high-demand, high-ticket items – that's going to help ease the burden a little bit at the local level, but yet make sure that county resources are helping county residents for something that is needed,” said Lawrence. 

Rothman expressed her gratitude to the county executive for allowing the Staatsburg Library and other libraries to serve their communities with new and expanded resources. By having funds from the county to purchase online titles, libraries can focus their budgets on other resources that their readers may request, said Rothman. 

“We feel very grateful to have their support, both monetarily, financially, and also just appreciation of the work that we do,” said Rothman. 

With close to 150 new titles, the Dutchess County Library Association offers a wide range for readers to choose from. The online resources from the Dutchess County libraries are available to all library card-holders, and even out-of-state students in the library district are eligible to apply for a card, said Lawrence. 

Serino emphasized the importance of citizens having access to libraries and their resources, which undoubtedly includes digital content. 

“Libraries are a central part of our communities, opening doors to learning, comfort and connection,” said Serino.