The Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Hillsdale, New York has become a vibrant model of how a modern library can support and help revitalize a rural community. It’s an institution well worth celebrating and that’s what hundreds of locals did on Saturday, June 9, across the street in the harvest barn at Roeliff Jansen Park. The library’s 9th annual Party in the Park gala featured huge silent and live auctions, live music and a smorgasbord of fresh food from local eateries. The amount of donations and the size of the turnout speaks for itself in regards to the influence this library has on its community. The gala also honored the Roe Jan’s retiring director, Carol Briggs, whose impact on the library has been invaluable.

Faye Menken Schneier, Iris Fearon, Andrea Cakars and Judge Roger Schneier.
 Ellyn Cohen, event committee member and artist Linda Levitt, Danny Cohen and Bob Levitt.
Chris Kersten, interior designer Timi Bates, Heather Rasche, Hillsdale Country Realtyowner Mary Lou Kersten.
Karlis Kirsis, Barbara McCullough and Clara Londoner.
Sue Kolod, Little Apple Cidery’s Alanne Baerson and Alan Kolod.
Ellen Levy, Hank Henward, Laurie Shnayerson.
Steve Livingston, Brooklyn Academy of Music VP of Development Bill Kramer, Hillsdale Supervisor Peter Cipkowski, Cheryl Jones and Hillsdale Town Clerk Kathi Doolan.
Incoming director Tammy Gaskel, flanked by Roe Jan Library supporters Hannah Mandel and Rita Jakubowski. 
Carol Pollard, artist Lana Hirsch of Chatter Box Art and Jan Katz.
Sheila Richman, State Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, Raquel Levin
Faye Menken Schneier, Iris Fearon,Andrea Cakars and Judge Roger Schneier.

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Written by

Jamie Larson
Jamie Larson
After a decade of writing for RI (along with many other publications and organizations) Jamie took over as editor in 2025. He has a masters in journalism from NYU, a wonderful wife, two kids and a Carolina dog named Zelda.