ALTAMONT — Heavy lifting happens in the morning at the Altamont Free Library, and some days it reaps more rewards than others.

When emptying the book-return box a couple of weeks ago, librarian Judith Wines found an envelope — which isn’t uncommon, since the library uses an old post office box to collect books.
"We get a number of mail pieces every month," said Wines. Usually, she takes the misdirected mail across the street to the post office, she said, but this envelope had no stamp and it had "Altamont Free Library" written on the front.

She opened the envelope to find a $2,000 Citizen’s Bank cashiers’ check.

A week later, Wines received an anonymous phone call. A familiar voice asked if the library had found a check in the book-return box, but the caller hung up after Wines answered that she had.
"This was very anonymous," Wines said.

The money will go into the library’s building fund, said both Wines and Tony Kossmann, the president of the library board. The library plans to move from its current home in the basement of Key Bank to the old train station across the village green, a plan that is estimated to cost $800,000. Currently, the library has about $200,000, Kossmann said, and it is awaiting the outcome of four grant applications.
"This is actually a very large personal donation," said Kossmann of the anonymous gift. Most donations are in the $100 range, he said, adding that he respects the person’s wish to remain anonymous, but would like to extend his thanks.