1. http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2012/07/17/news/doc5004da5ccb8ca746639154.txt
By Barbara Reina
For Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
VALATIE — Design concepts for the future home of the
Valatie Free Library were counted among an elite selection
of sustainable visions featured at the United Nations’
Sustainability Initiative, The Future We Want/Rio+20,
summit in Rio de Janeiro last month.
The plan for the new library, along with providing more
space, is aimed at low energy use and sustainability.
Building Designer David Bienn met with a reporter recently
at the library’s future home, the historic Steam Railroad
Freight Barn on Kinderhook Street in Valatie.
building was built in the 1890s on River Street next to the
As designer, Bienn said that the future library concept is a
railroad tracks and later relocated to Kinderhook Street in
“near-net zero” energy usage building.
the 1930s.
“The planned green building project will align resource use
Valatie Free Library Board President Erica Balon said, “I am
with ever-green practices, including the installation of
very excited to give my full support for the Valatie Free
skylights and photovoltaic solar panel technology, with the
Library project.” She added, “David Bienn has spent
goal of attaining net zero energy usage,” Bienn said.
numerous hours with various members of the community to
develop a sustainable library plan for a building we can grow
According to Bienn, “the strategies that we are applying to
with for years to come.”
move the Valatie Free Library into the range of net zero
energy usage will allow the building to sustain itself and be
Co-chairwoman of the library’s “The Library We Want”
more self-sufficient.”
capital campaign Lori Yarotsky said “the community is
overwhelmingly excited” about the project.
Utilizing solar power technology goes hand-in-hand with net
metering, affording solar panels to soak up energy
She said that the library serves a population of 4,400,
transformed into power from the sun, sending it into the grid
including residents of rural Kinderhook, Kinderhook Lake,
which is purchased back from the grid only when needed,
Valatie and Niverville. It’s part of the Mid-Hudson Library
according to Bienn. “New York is very progressive in utilizing
System.
net metering,” Bienn said.
Yarotsky said that the present library location on Church
Although the new building is being designed to incorporate
Street has 600 square feet of usable space. The new building
modern technology, Bienn said, “I’m very sensitive to
will offer space three times that of the present library. The
preserving the cultural identity, the roots,” of architecture.
new site rests on a half-acre of land with a parking lot and
Bienn said he strives to “preserve and enhance what is
handicapped accessible entrance.
already there.”
The first annual summer dinner dance gala to benefit the
The new location, previously the home of the Hummingbird
library will be held on August 11 at the Niverville Fire House
Gift Shop, was acquired by the library for $125,000, said
Pavilion.
Valatie Free Library Board Vice President Randall Schmit. The