Distinguished Patrons


​​Bill and Judy Fahr
  • Our children's collection is housed in the Bill and Judy Fahr Children's Area. Mr. and Mrs. Fahr were longtime friends and benefactors of the library, and their son, Bob, serves as treasurer of our Board of Trustees.
  • Bill Fahr served the Watervliet community as a member of the Watervliet School Board from 1983 to 1991 and as a member of the Watervliet Civil Service Commission from 1973 to 2003.
  • Judy was a member of the St. Brigid’s church Rosary Society and assisted the nuns at the school office.
  • All of the diverse artwork hanging in the Children's Area, and elsewhere in the library, was painted by Mrs. Fahr.
​Dr. Edward E. Diamond
  • Our computers are housed in the Dr. Edward E. Diamond Learning Center. Dr. Diamond dedicated his life to ensuring the youth of Watervliet were equipped to make the correct choices to succeed in life.
  • A graduate of LaSalle Institute, the University of Michigan and Columbia University, Dr. Diamond served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He taught in the Schenectady and Green Island School Districts. He served with distinction on the graduate school faculties at Siena College, Russel Sage College, The College of St. Rose, Columbia University, Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame.
  • In 1945 Dr. Diamond became the Superintendent of the Watervliet School District. A position he held until his retirement in 1971. In 1972 he became the director of education for the Civil Service Employees Association. He also served as a consultant for Princeton University and the National Endowment of the Humanities.
​​Leo and Mary O'Brien
  • Our Quiet Reading Room is named for Mary P. O'Brien, a longtime library volunteer. She and her husband, J. Leo O'Brien, were integral to the success of the library over the course of many years.
  • Leo was the mayor of Watervliet for 23 years, serving from 1973 to 1996. While in office, Mayor O’Brien was responsible for the construction of the library facility, which is also home to the Watervliet Senior Center, in 1980. 
  • A dedicated homemaker, Mary served as a volunteer for our library for over 25 years. Her hard work, dedication and willingness to assist the residents of our community epitomize the standards to which we operate today.