Ron Chernow is the honored guest at the Desmond-Fish Public Library annual benefit event. The cocktail party is scheduled for Friday, June 5th at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison, kicking off at 6:00pm.

Chernow is the prizewinning author of eight books, including his most recent, the bestselling Mark Twain. His first book, The House of Morgan, won the National Book Award; Washington: A Life won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography; and Alexander Hamilton—the inspiration for the Broadway musical—won the George Washington Book Prize. He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Christine and Rod Patton, lifetime supporters of the Desmond-Fish Public Library and the Hudson Valley Hospital, as well as Hudson River valley history and environmental preservation, will receive the Library’s Community Service award.

Patrons have likely seen our new solar pavilion take shape over the summer and fall in its location across the parking lot from our main building! This multipurpose structure was designed with much community input as a space for gathering outdoors, available for group meetings and conversations as well as musical and dramatic performances and many other uses. The enclosed section of the structure is designed for storage, especially for our annual Friends of the Library Book Sale.

This three-season structure still awaits completion! The solar panels that are to go on the south-facing pavilion roof have been appropriately permitted and will be installed when weather permits. And the final stage will be the completion of the indoor and outdoor lighting of the pavilion. We look forward to an official opening in the spring. Stay tuned!

We are grateful for all our contractors who have helped bring this to life:

• Timothy Rasic of Janko Rasic Architects
• Chris Minardi of Minardi ‘s Excavating
• Badey & Watson Engineering
• Lancaster Backyard
• Croton Energy
• Pidala Electric

Many thanks to all who supported the Library during our 2025 Year-End Appeal! Your generous support allows us to continue providing essential resources, innovative programs, and a welcoming space for all. Although our year-end appeal has concluded, donations throughout the year are always appreciated and continue to allow us to invest in the heart of our community, ensuring that your library remains a vibrant hub of knowledge, connection, and inspiration for generations to come. Thank you for being a champion of the library’s mission. Together, we can build a brighter future.

The Desmond-Fish Public Library is excited to present Picture Us: A New Exhibition of Portraiture, on view at the library from October 25th, 2025 through March 29th, 2026. Now extended through April 19th!

The exhibition features portraits by contemporary artists primarily from the New York area and is curated by the artist ransome. The show includes work by Alia Ali, Esperanza Cortes, John Ebbert, Patty Horing, Jordin Isip, G. Brian Karas, JaFang Lu, Beverly Mclver, Michael Pribich, ransome, Nadine Robbins, Dylan Rose Rheingold, and Oliver Wasow.

We are excited to announce the launch of our new app, available now on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store!

With this app, you can:

• Scan your library card right from the app – no more needing to bring your card when you come to check out books!
• Scan the barcode of any book to see if there are copies in the Mid-Hudson Library System.
• Search the digital catalog, place holds, and check out eBooks and eAudiobooks directly from the app.
• View and manage checkouts, holds, and books waiting for pickup.
• Book computer help and makerspace equipment reservations.
• Browse and register for library events.
• Create reading lists and track your reading.
• Explore our online resources.
• Find the nearest MHLS library, no matter where you are.
• And more!

Forthing coming updates will allow you to pay fines directly from the app, get push notifications to your phone when materials are awaiting pickup, and print directly from your mobile device.

To use the mobile app, you will need your library card number and your library card PIN. If you do not know your library PIN, you can reset it by logging into your account, or call the Library for assistance.

For help or troubleshooting, check out the Mobile App FAQ.