Hyde Park Free Library

The Hyde Park Free Library is a beautiful stone building at the corner of Main St. and Albany Post Road (i.e. U.S. 9). Don’t let its size fool you, it is much bigger than it looks because of the upstairs and basement. It can feel a little cramped up front because of the front desk and a usually-​full table, plus several racks of videos and DVDs and such for view or rent on the left. Books, magazines, reference materials will be to the back. They also have several good meeting or breakout rooms. Years ago, when I was a tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America, I used some of these rooms. They are very quiet.
As part of the Mid-​Hudson Library System, access includes access to other libraries in the area. That’s good because this library frequently does not have literature I’m seeking. But copies of the books can be easily located using the Library System website or services, and a book can be transferred here from any other participating library in a day or two.
Parking can be challenging on a busy day. The library does not have a lot, and on some days you are competing for parking spaces on Main St. with spillover parking for the Town Hall across the street.