Institutions host social functions and lend a variety of gear
By Sara Foss
Every Tuesday and Thursday around 11 a.m., a small group gathers for tea at the Keene Valley Library.
They sit at a long, well-worn wooden table and drink from an assortment of mugs.
On one July morning, someone brought a birthday cake and carrots with dip. An aging husky wandered and sniffed for crumbs. Karen Glass, the library’s longtime director, grabbed the kettle and poured a cup for a newcomer.
Teatime began about a decade ago, as a gathering for library staff. But it quickly evolved, and any visitors are welcomed to join the cozy meet-up in the library’s wood-paneled front room, which has the look and feel of a camp lodge.
“People who don’t have a chance to socialize or meet anybody, they can…
