From the Hillsdale Harbinger

Saturday afternoon, January 3, 1925 the new Hillsdale library was opened for the first time to the public and many availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect this fine building probably the best possessed by a village of this size in the state.  That Hillsdale has such an admirable library structure is due to the generosity of the late Miss Flavia M. Bristol of Hillsdale, who, in her will, left a bequest of $30,000 for the erection and maintenance of a library.

The building which stands on the north side of Main Street, a little west of the center of the village is of Colonial architecture.  It is constructed of hollow tile faced with red brick.  The cost of the building and equipment is about $19,000.  It was built by the M. E. Ryan Co., of Schenectady.

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The main room containing the book stack, extends the length of the building and is of fine proportions and well lighted by eight large windows.  At the east end is a fireplace.  Two small rooms one on either side of the vestibule are to be used as a rest room and librarian's office

On the walls of all of these rooms are hung a large number of beautiful paintings many of them are the work of the well-known Hillsdale artist, Cuyler Williams, and there are several by John Bristol, an artist of note who was a native of Hillsdale and cousin of Miss Flavia Bristol.  These pictures were given by Miss Bristol and John K. Cullen.

A fine portrait of Miss Bristol also hangs in the main room.  In the vestibule the town honor roll has been placed.