Albany Public Library history

The first free library in the city of Albany, NY, the Albany Free Library, was established in 1893 by local educator John A. Howe.

The Albany Public Library grew out of this reading room, which remained a subscription library with a $2.00 per annum fee until 1899.

In 1900, the Albany Free Library opened the Pine Hills Branch at 272 Ontario Street.

The Albany History Collection contains a significant collection of pre-Federation (1901) photographs, which reflect the early maritime origins of the town.

As early as 1907, Sarah Adams, then president of the Modern Travelers Club, initiated the idea of a public library by creating a committee to gather a collection of books and naming a board of directors.

Young herself carried in the first book, a Bible, three days prior to the building’s dedication on June 26, 1914.

In 1923, Albany Public Library and the City of Albany reached a formal agreement to provide services, and the Delaware Branch was established.

In 1944, the New Scotland Branch opened in Public School 19.

In 1960, the Upper Hudson Library Federation was founded and chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to improve library service in Albany and Rensselaer Counties, and APL was designated its Central Library.

Through a generous grant of one acre and $200,000 from Fred Meyer and The Fred Meyer Foundation, matched by a $200,000 federal library grant from the Oregon State Library, construction was begun in 1973 on a new 17,000 sq. ft. library.

The new Main Library opened with pomp and ceremony on April 21, 1974, ready to serve a population of 21,700 city residents.

Manypeaks Murmur 1993 - current Paper copy

Microfilm - 1994 - current Paper copy

Wellstead Whisper 1995 - current Paper copy

ARFHS was formed as an independent, affiliated society of the West Australian Genealogical Society (WAGS) in 2000.

In 2005, the North Albany Branch opened off the lobby of the North Albany YMCA.