Organized in 1903 as a Carnegie Library, the Hudson Public Library is a department of the City of Hudson. Today, the Hudson Public Library stands on the former site of the Park Hotel. Originally, the Park Hotel had been constructed as the Seeley House in 1873. The Hotel was razed in 1903 by Peter Kircher & Son to make way for the building of the Public Library.
Mr. George D. Cline, editor of the True Republican, an early Hudson newspaper, is recognized as the father of the Hudson Public Library. Mr. Cline's editorials were frequently quoted in many newspapers because they were exceptionally well written and expressed good sound judgment. It was through his paper's columns that a Carnegie Library was secured for the city of Hudson.2
Mr. Cline was assisted in his efforts to secure a library by another distinguished and widely known man of Hudson's past. This was William Henry Phipps, railroad official, lumberman, state senator and philanthropist. Mr. Phipps was intensely interested in politics and government and during his career he served as supervisor on the county boare, alderman, three times mayor of the city of Hudson and as State Senator. In assisting George D. Cline in establishing the Hudson Public Library it was Mr. Phipps who went to New York at the turn of the century to contact personally the representatives of Andrew Carnegie for financial aid in founding the library.3
By a mayor's appointment, the following six citizens constituted the first permanent library board:
- Mr. W. H. Phipps
- Mr. George D. Cline
- Mr. James A. Andrews
- Mrs. Samuel Johnson
- Mr. F. J. Carr
- Professor M.N. McIver (member ex officio)
Mr. Cline was elected the presiding officer, a position he held until his death in 1919.
The public was invited to inspect the new Carnegie Library Building on the 4th of July, 1904. The doors were open from 10:00 to Noon and from 2:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. The librarian did not check out books until the following Tuesday because the formal opening of the Reading Room was delayed because the tables and chairs had not arrived.5
One of the feminine influences in the establishment of the library was Carrie M. Goss, a woman of remarkable talent and friendliness. Mrs. Goss, along with Mrs. Amos Jefferson, was one of the founders of the Ladies Library Association. Mrs. Goss lived in Hudson for over 70 years and was 102 years old when she died. She was born in New York and came to Hudson as a bride in 1861, where her husband was in the banking business.
The library was recognized under the state law April 30, 1903, and a new library board was appointed: Wm. H. Phipps, Rev. N. L. Blomholm, James A. Andrews, Mrs. Georgia Johnson, George D. Cline, F. J. Carr and M. N. McIver.
The library building is of stone and cream-pressed brick and covers a space of 40×60 feet. The building was erected at a cost of $12,000.00, most of which was a donation from Andrew Carnegie.
In its seventy-three years of operation the following women have served as head librarians:
- Florence S. Wing, 1903 - 1906
- Dorothy Hurlburt, 1906 - 1908
- Pearl G. Shoemaker (Mrs. A.S. Hoyer) 1908 - 1914
- Lucille Menkey, 1914 - 1947
- Helen Hosford, 1947 - 1967
- Marjorie Neuhaus 1967 - 1969
- Joan Miller - 1970 - 1973
- Shirley McGree - 1973 - To Date 1982
- Diana L. Bohn - 1982-1984
- Kathleen Tietz - 1984 to date.
