PORT HENRY — The Adirondack Community Trust has established the Sherman Free Library Endowment Fund.
The fund facilitates private giving and is designed to build a strong financial base for the future of the library, which serves more than 5,000 residents with about 10,000 books.
Sherman Free Library opened Jan. 17, 1887.
George Riley Sherman, partner in the Witherbee & Sherman Mining Co., provided $7,700 to build the library and stock it with 3,000 volumes. He stipulated that the library would be free to every person residing within the village limits. Today, it serves the Town of Moriah and its visitors.
"Through this partnership with ACT, we will assure the long-term viability of George Sherman's endowment," Library Board of Directors President Bill Bryant said in a news release.
"ACT will be able to assist donors in establishing gift-giving plans for the library."
Sherman gave an endowment of $10,000 to be used to maintain the library. In 1901, the library received a further endowment of $10,000 from the will of Jane H. Sherman.
The library is now supported by the Sherman Trust, the Town of Moriah, the Village of Port Henry, the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System and donations from the community.
"ACT is honored to be working with the Sherman Free Library to administer a vehicle for long-term endowment building that will help ensure a vibrant future," Adirondack Trust Executive Director Cali Brooks said in a news release. "We know the important role libraries play in the health and vitality of our local communities."
To make a donation to the Sherman Free Library Fund, mail it to 20 Church St., Port Henry, NY, 12974, or call 546-7461.
