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Schenectady County Officially Opens New Addition at Scotia Library

Schenectady County Library - Scotia

Addition Provides Dedicated Program Space for the Community

Schenectady County officially opened the newly updated Scotia Branch Library, which includes a brand-new addition, with a ribbon cutting earlier today. The library is housed in the Abraham Glen House on Mohawk Avenue, the main portion of which was built in 1728.

The County worked with a historic renovation architect to design the addition and ensure all repairs were done in compliance with historic renovation standards. A new bathroom and furnishings, and sidewalk and curb updates make the space more accessible to residents and families.

“The County Legislature continues to invest in the Schenectady County branch libraries to ensure they meet the needs of the community and are accessible to all,” said Schenectady County Legislator Sara Mae Pratt, Chair of the Education and Libraries Committee. “This new addition significantly increases the amount of space available at the Scotia branch, and we look forward to all of the cultural and educational activities that this new space makes possible.”

The project includes:

  • A new 750 ft2 addition to provide dedicated program space and enable the library to offer cultural and educational programing;
  • A new fully accessible public restroom;
  • New furnishings and other interior improvements, including a new circulation desk, to accommodate a wide variety of programs and increase accessibility;
  • Sidewalk and curb updates;
  • Roof repairs;
  • A new digital screen to provide up-to-date program and service information; and
  • Increased bandwidth.

“The new bathroom and furnishings, and sidewalk and curb upgrades make it easier for everyone to access all of the great services and materials the library has to offer,” said Legislator Pratt.

The Scotia branch library began offering extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January.

Scotia Branch Operating Hours

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10am-5pm

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12-7pm

Additional Infrastructure Investments

The 2022-2027 Capital Budget passed by the County Legislature in October includes over $450,000 in library infrastructure projects for 2022 including carpet replacement at the Rotterdam branch, HVAC improvements at multiple branches and upgrading to LED lighting at all branches.

History of Scotia Branch Library

The Scotia Branch Library has been located in the historic Abraham Glen House since its founding in the fall of 1929. The house was built around 1730 and is named after its first occupant, Abraham Glen, who was born in 1694. The house was deeded to the Village of Scotia in 1928 and the following year the house was made available to the Board of Trustees of the newly established Scotia Free Library Association, which became the Scotia Public Library in 1949.

Visit www.scpl.org for additional information about the Schenectady County Public Library, including the most up-to-date branch hours and upcoming programing.