Brewster Public Library Mission Statement

Brewster Public Library, a service oriented library, which belongs to the Mid-Hudson Library System and the Putnam County Library Association, provides books and other library resources for people of all ages and the information and technology that they need to develop a life-long habit of reading and library use. The library affords the community the opportunity to participate in cultural, creative pursuits and activities. The pursuit of independent education is also emphasized by the diversity of the collection and interlibrary loan.  The Brewster Public Library is dedicated to making the Town of Southeast a rewarding, attractive, and satisfying place to live and work:

The Goal/Objectives of the Brewster Public Library read as follows:

Fundamental to the Goals and Objectives devised for the Brewster Public Library are certain basic assumptions about its services and operations:

The Brewster Public Library:

    Is a free public library

    Provides materials on all points of view

    Serves all individuals of all ages and respects their right  to choose their own materials

    Support the  American Library Association Bill of Rights and the principals of intellectual freedom

    Is responsible to the community served

    Is actively staffed by committed individuals who work together to provide quality library service

    Emphasizes a management style that supports involved and innovative staff

    Utilizes technology as appropriate for the best delivery of services.

Board of Trustees:

Kathleen Sakowicz, President
Kevin Finnegan, Vice President
Kathleen Catalano, Secretary
Kapil Gupta, Financial Officer
Peter Carey, Trustee
Jennifer Carpiniello, Trustee
George Joiner, Trustee
Jessica Kiebler, Trustee
Katherine O’Sullivan, Trustee

Click here for an application to join the Board of Trustees. You may drop off your completed application at the library front desk or mail it to:
Brewster Public Library
Board of Trustees
79 Main Street
Brewster, NY 10509

Bylaws of the Board of Trustees

2025 Budget

Board Meeting Minutes

2025 Minutes:

October 29, 2025 (draft)
October 22, 2025 (draft)
September, 2025
August, 2025
July, 2025
June, 2025
May, 2025
April, 2025
March, 2025
February, 2025
January, 2025

2024 Minutes:

December, 2024
October, 2024
September, 2024
August, 2024
July, 2024
June, 2024
May, 2024
April 3, 2024
February, 2024
January, 2024

2023 Minutes:

November, 2023
October, 2023
September, 2023
August, 2023
July, 2023
June, 2023
May, 2023
April, 2023
March, 2023
February 22, 2023
February 1, 2023 (snow date for January meeting)

Library History

Edith Diehl started the Brewster Public Library in 1896 with a collection of 500 books at a storefront on Park Street. The present Federal style building donated by Andrew Ferris opened in 1931. The collection now contains over 25,000 items including books, newspapers, magazines, videos, DVDs, books on tape and CD, and Music CDs. Anyone living or working in the town of Southeast or Village of Brewster may apply for a library card which may be used at all 71 libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. As a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System, the Brewster Public Library accepts all borrowers cards issued to the residents of Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, and Columbia Counties.

The Brewster Public Library’s public access computers provide free Internet access as well as word processing software. On site reference service is available by trained staff via the reference collection and online databases.

The library’s catalog and databases are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via computer from home. Cardholders may check their patron records, renew materials, place hold requests, and search the online catalog.

The library offers story times and special programs for patrons of all ages and homework help for children in grades K-8. Computers are available for use by children in the Stefani P. Gosselink Children’s Room.

The Brewster Public Library is accessible to people with disabilities throughout the building.

Library Staff

Library Director: Gina Loprinzo
Reference Librarian/Tech Help: Greg Belvedere
Head of Adult Services/Circulation: Lisa Braidwood Ferry
Head of Youth Services/Programming: Jennifer Cortes
Programming Assistants: Audra Furphy, Cat Monolo
Clerks: Erica Carranza, Nicole Federico, Mina Krause, Briana Hernandez, Cheryl Wolf, Jackie Recinos
Maintenance Worker: Jim DiMauro
Page: Mak Grebb

 

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