Olive voters will decide Tuesday whether to approve a nearly 50% funding increase for the Olive Free Library, a proposal aimed at supporting its new Shokan branch and raising staff pay to industry standards. Mia Quick/The Overlook.
Library Director Melissa McHugh stands in the basement of the Olive Free Library, where plans are underway to create a new makerspace and exhibition area with state grant funding. Mia Quick/The Overlook.

The Olive Free Library has been awarded a $52,000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to develop a new makerspace and exhibition area in its lower level.

Melissa McHugh, the library’s director and grant writer, said the funds will help transform the downstairs space by upgrading the flooring, ceiling, and lighting. The current book sale room will be converted into a makerspace and storage area, with books relocated to another section of the same floor. A new wall, featuring glass on the upper half and a bookshelf on the lower half, will define the expanded creative space.

“I think I was just able to make a case that really resonated with them, the fact that we don’t have a community center because of the reservoir and people are spread so far around it,” said McHugh. “I think they heard that and they wanted to support us with that.”

The goal, McHugh said, is to host more public programs, provide space for local student and senior art exhibits, and invite teens to participate in events closer to home.

McHugh plans to repurpose closets salvaged from the former Phoenicia Elementary School, relocating them to the book sale room to serve as storage for the new makerspace. Mia Quick/The Overlook.

“It’s really advancing that community center that Olive needs so much. A place where you can come and take art classes and do all these things, and you don’t have to go to Kingston or Woodstock,” she said. “So being accessible and creating programming that teens want to engage in, but not just teens. We have a really big senior population here and they’re always looking for community and ways to get together.”

Future plans include installing an electric kiln for ceramics in the garage, expanding the library’s sewing program, and repurposing storage closets salvaged from the closed Phoenicia Elementary School. The makerspace will be free and open to the public.

“I’m just thrilled that we’ve got it and so excited for the community that we can offer all these really cool things that everybody’s really hungry for,” McHugh said.

The grant is part of NYSCA’s $86 million capital project funding initiative, supporting 134 projects across the state.

“These transformative projects improve communities, drive tourism and foster innovation in the field,” said Erika Mallin, NYSCA’s executive director in a written statement.

McHugh said the library will announce an additional, substantial grant in the fall. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with programming to follow shortly after.

Mia Quick is an intern and contributing reporter. You can reach her at reporting@theoverlooknews.com.

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