Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) is proud to announce he secured $20,000 worth of legislative aid funding for the Kinderhook Memorial Library. With this funding, the library hopes to make some much-needed green energy upgrades, including installing new heat pumps. According to Kinderhook Memorial Library Director Matthew Pavloff, these funds will relieve the library of its dependence on fuel oil for heating and this is just the first step of many the library plans to take to become an eco-friendly community space residents can enjoy for years to come.

“I am very excited to see this installation completed,” said Bendett. “The Kinderhook Memorial Library is a historic jewel that has brought residents from within the Kinderhook community and across Columbia County together for years. Now, children and families who visit can enjoy learning and educational time together with the knowledge the library is committed to sustainability and eco-friendliness. We need more libraries and community spaces like this one taking the initiative and leading by example.”

“Having these heat pumps installed will completely remove our dependence on fuel oil, which is a big step for us toward becoming carbon-neutral,” said Pavloff. “It's heartening to see our priorities mirrored in our Legislature, and we are so grateful for this support from Assemblyman Bendett.”

By going forward with green energy upgrades, the Kinderhook Memorial Library is working to become a certified sustainable library under the direction of the “Sustainable Libraries Initiative” (SLI). This program encourages libraries to embrace sustainability in their missions and also examine ways they can become environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically responsible community organizations. Needless to say, the Kinderhook Memorial Library has a bright future ahead of it.