top of page

Trustee Candidates

Brian Collins

I have been a Saugerties resident for 45 years, initially as the owner of a sawmill until an industrial accident in 1979 changed my trajectory, and then with a career with MetLife , retiring with 29 years of service.
At MetLife I progressed from claims approver to a position in
Information Technology at its data center in Albany achieving positions of COBOL programmer, Sr. Database Administrator and Systems Security Administrator focusing on Data Processing Auditing and Fraud detection.
I have served as library board trustee for two terms spanning 10 years, Treasurer for three years, and as a contributing member on various committees, most notably Facilities and Finance.
Why run again you ask? Two individuals provide the motivation. First is Mark Twain, who said “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Subsequent inspiration came from Muhammad Ali, who said, after he established himself as a transformative activist “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth.”
I would enjoy continuing to serve the community with another term provided by your vote. Our library is a valuable resource and believe everyone can and should contribute to our continued success.

Sheila Dinaburg-Azoff

My name is Sheila Dinaburg-Azoff and I've lived in Ulster County for 40 years. I've spent the last 10 of those in Saugerties. It takes time to cultivate community and the library has served as a perfect point of entry - a hub.

I'm a retired pediatric / school psychologist and my career was focused on fostering the healthy development of young children -- both directly and through support of parents and teachers. This work continues to be a passion of mine, and three years ago I began volunteering at the Saugerties Public Library, offering a weekly parent-and-child play group. I deeply appreciate the library's wonderful programs and staff and feel very lucky to be a part of what they're providing.

By serving as a trustee of the library board I'll be even better able to support the Library's ongoing work and contribute to its future growth -- as we continue to create a welcoming environment to meet the needs of our expanding community.

Thanks for considering me for one of the 3 trustee positions.

Teresa Giordano

One of the first things I did after coming to Saugerties in 2016 was to ask Inquiring Minds if I could start a reading series in their bookstore. Curating the series gave me the opportunity to host a wide variety of local authors, some of whom are now good friends.
I became a full-time resident in 2020. Since then, I’ve worked with ShoutOut Saugerties helping to curate the Writers Read series and I’ve contributed to the Saugerties Arts Commission’s Artists in Profile series based on interviews I’ve done with local artists.
My New York City local library shaped my view that libraries serve as true community centers. A wide variety of folks were always there reading newspapers, working on their laptops, using the free computers, and more. Libraries build community and represent all that is good in community. This is what moves me to run for the Saugerties Library Board. I’d appreciate the opportunity to be part of an organization that welcomes
everyone, builds strong ties, helps to inform people, and provides a safe haven. I’d be honored to work with the library by helping to build on and support existing services or by expanding services with any ideas I can bring to the table

Ken Goldberg

My name is Kenneth Goldberg and my family and I have lived in Saugerties since 1979. All 3 of my children went to the Cahill School, right next to the original Carnegie library building, so the library played an important daily role in their education. I believe in giving back to my community so since retirement I’ve served on the town’s Planning Board, Conservation Advisory Commission, and Climate Smart Task Force. I’m also currently a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System’s Board of Trustees, serving 66 libraries in 5 counties. Several years ago I served on the Saugerties Library Board as Treasurer during the library’s renovation and expansion project and helped to bring the project in both on time and under budget. I believe our library serves as a community center and I would like to once again be a part of that center. If elected, my priorities will be financial stability and bringing the best programming possible for all age groups in our community: kids, teens, and adults. Please vote for me for the Saugerties Public Library Board of Trustees.

I, Patrick Hammer, Jr., am running to be a library trustee because I’d like to be of service, and make a difference, in my community. I am a frequent library user, and avid reader, so the library seems a good place for me to have an impact.

A resident of the village, I am a widely published poet and artist. I am retired, after a career in newspaper advertising.

Patrick Hammer, Jr.

Rebecca Lang

My name is Rebecca Lang. A Saugerties resident for over 30 years, I live in the Village with my husband and three children. I am a lifelong lover of the written word and have used my career as a High School English Teacher to share the power of literature and storytelling with my students. Over the past 15 years, the Saugerties Public Library has played a central role for my family. We have spent countless hours there, participating in storytimes, completing crafts, attending community events and of course, checking out books. As they’ve gotten older, my children and many of their friends find the library to be a safe place to share ideas and spend time with others their age. As a teacher and a parent, I know how critical this programming is for developing minds and building community among our youth. As a long-time volunteer with our local AYSO soccer program and the Cahill PTA, I have been part of harnessing volunteer power to enrich programming and better serve our community. The library provides our community with invaluable resources for residents of all ages, and I would be honored to be a part of the board that keeps this vibrant, diverse, and valuable library flourishing for years to come.

Erin Poll

Growing up in Saugerties and now living in West Camp, I’ve always valued the Saugerties Library, which sparked my passion for library science. After graduating from UVM, I pursued a dual Master’s in Library Science/school librarian teaching certification at Queens College, completing the MLS in 2023.

Over the past two and a half years, I’ve worked in outreach for NYC libraries. I provided library services at Rikers, literacy outreach at underfunded schools, and general outreach at community events. Currently, I facilitate a program at the Brooklyn Library, providing informational resources to patrons reentering from incarceration. I also recently student taught at school libraries in the Mid-Hudson Valley.

I have hands-on experience with library finance, policy/personnel, facilities, and attempts to suppress access to information (e.g., book bans).

I'm running for library board because our community members have critical information needs related to the affordability crisis, housing, technology access, equitable access to early childhood literacy initiatives, and more. The library is a cornerstone of our community, and its board can be strengthened with an outreach team dedicated to meeting these needs. As a board member, I will utilize my professional experience, dedication, and vision to ensure our library serves everyone in Saugerties.

Hello! My name is April Young and I am running for the Board of The Saugerties Public Library. I decided to run for the board because I have a long history of volunteering within my community. I have lived in Saugerties my whole life, as have had my parents and my grandparents before them. I have been involved with local elementary and high school PTA since 2005 when my oldest son entered Kindergarten until 2022 when my youngest son graduated high school. During those years I held the positions of secretary, treasurer, vice president, president and sometimes just a member. I am a volunteer and social member of the Mt Marion Fire Department and have held the position of treasurer there for the past 3 years. I have been visiting the library since I was a student at Cahill elementary in the 1980s and still continue to visit the library today with my granddaughter. I love seeing how it has changed over the years and continues to be a place for the community we live in to gather and enjoy our love of reading and all of the wonderful programs it provides. Thank you for your consideration.

April Young

bottom of page