Your Community Center for Lifelong Learning
475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065 | (518) 371-8622
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library Milestones
1966
- Shenendehowa Rotary Club launches broad community-based Library Steering Committee for purposes of starting a Library for Clifton Park and Halfmoon
1967
- Residents of School District veto creation of a Community Library
1968
- Shenendehowa Free Library Association founded
- Library secures space above bank building at Rt.146 & Rt. 9 intersection
1969
- April 19, 1969 - First Library Opens over National Commercial Bank (Rt.9 and 146)
1971
- Library Moves to Cemetery Road Location in 1,000 sq. ft. old schoolhouse, former Baptist Church, provided by the Shenendehowa School District
1973
- Friends of the Library formed
1974
- Library Board begins search for a permanent site for a 18,000 sq. ft. facility
1976
- Assemblyman Robert D'Andrea proposes state legislation to form a joint special Library District. Halfmoon rejects idea
1977
- Building drive launched to solicit funds for building a new Library on donated site off Rt. 146
1979
- Rt. 146 site deemed too costly for development
1980
- Stephen Vinciguerra donates land on Clifton Country Road for a new Library
- New Library construction completed by December
1981
- New 4,600 sq. ft. Library Opens, Built from Public Donations
- Population served - 36,000, Collection grows to 20,000, circulation at 115,000
1983
- First Computers in the Library, provided for training Children to program
- Long Range Planning committee formed
1984
- Long Range Plan identifies ways to stabilize funding and cope with growth
- Board votes to form a tax-supported special Library District
1985
- Special Tax District formed by State Legislature, signed by Gov. Cuomo
- Clifton Park residents approve 716-460, vote annually on Trustees and budget
- Halfmoon participates through annual contract
1986
- Name changed to Shenendehowa Public Library
1988
- Halfmoon voters defeat proposal to include Halfmoon in District 193-121
- Clifton Park voters approve expansion of Library to 18,600 sq. ft., 1,519-314
- Halfmoon continues on annual contract basis
1989
- Library provides on-line access to circulation
- May 24, 1989 Ground broken for expansion project
1990
- Enlarged Library opens with 45,000 volumes, 199,000 circulation
- Expanded facility serves 42,000 population in combined two towns
1991
- "Beginnings" sculpture by Bruno La Verdiere unveiled
1992
- Circulation tops 300,000 mark
1993
- Library purchases adjoining parcel of 1.54 acres to expand parking
1994
- Library celebrates 25th anniversary
- Expansion proposal to 13,200 sq. ft. defeated 617-555
1995
- Parking lot expanded
- Library holds its first juried art show
- Patrons allowed to access availability and reserve on-line
1996
- Library web-site established
- Collection at 80,000, circulation grows to 362,000
1997
- Library re-configured to accommodate computer lab, reference room and reception desk. Program space shrinks to one room.
1999
- Library Celebrates 30th Anniversary, First Citizen Laureate Award given to Stephen and Beatrice Vinciguerra
2000
- Library acquires its 100,000th book
- Library first offers e-books and e-mail reference
- Board re-addresses need for expansion
2001
- Library offers wireless access
2002
- Vote to enlarge the district to include Halfmoon passes 174-173
- Search for land begins for expanded Library
2003
- Woodward, Connor, Gillies & Seleman selected as architects for new Library
- $15 million, 68,000 sq. ft. Library on Moe Rd. defeated 1,876 - 1,678
- Board opts to renew proposal process, begins new search for possible site
2004
- Proposal for a $15 million, 55,000 sq.ft. Library passes 3,782-3,553
- YMCA announces plan to buy existing Library
2005
- Zoning variance approved, new Library construction begins
2006
- Ground breaking take place for new 55,000 sq. ft. Library on Moe Road
- New Library Opened on December 11, 2006
2009
- Library Celebrates 40th Anniversary
"Green" Building
