Published in the Westchester Guardian, March 2015
Part I
Our treasure of free public libraries in the American Colonies can be traced back to 1656, when Boston merchant Captain Robert Keayne willed his collection of books to the city. Later, Anglican Reverend Thomas Bray established 70 libraries for public use in the colonies use from 1695-1704.
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and friends established the Library Company of Philadelphia. This subscription library served as a model and inspiration for many libraries. The American library as we know it today, developed between 1850 and 1900. During the 1920s, the role of public libraries began to shift as federal support for libraries expanded. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_public_library_advocacy)
The Westchester Library System (WLS). (540 White Plains Road, Suite 200, Tarrytown, NY 10591, 914-674-3600, http://www.westchesterlibraries.org). Established 1958, the WLS ties all 38 independent branches and 44 structures (some cities have libraries in two or more distinct locations) of this County’s libraries. It is state-chartered and run by a 15 member board of trustees. This cooperative’s mission: is to enhance and improve the County’s libraries and to ensure that all residents have excellent library service regardless of their location.
Their responsibilities include but not limited to cataloging and processing, maintaining information technology, Inter library loans and delivery, community outreach and Career and Educational Counseling services.
This interconnection between cities means that patrons have at their disposal every book, magazine, CD, DVD movie in Westchester County – retrievable through the interlibrary loan system. Through the WLS, with your library card, you also have remote access at home and at a library branch, to extensive electronic, reference databases providing articles and information from hundreds of magazines and abstracts from many publications, books, records tapes, Ebooks, audiobooks music etc., through your absolutely FREE library card!
These electronic sites are available through the WLS web site via the tabs. Their Listen and Read tab provides: OverDrive, Freading, Project Gutenberg, Comics Plus: Library Edition, Google Books, and Free Music Archive and more. The Job and Career tab provides the following applications: the Learning Express Career Center, the Job and Career Accelerator and the WEBS counseling services. The Learn tab presents the following apps: Learn English, the Lynda.com, University of Fashion, etc. Other services include Career and Education counseling services; various adult services, youth services, job and career programs and TASC (GED) material.
The behind the scenes staff maintains this network and processes the materials entered by member libraries so all of Westchester’s citizens have access. (Sources: www.westchesterlibraries.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westchester_Library_System)
The Yonkers Riverfront Library Branch: Of its three branches, the Yonkers Riverfront Library is the main site. 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers, New York 10701 (914)-337-1500. http://www.ypl.org/riverfront. Mr. Ed Fancone, Interim Director.
The library, formed in 1883, also consists of the Grinton I. Will branch and the Crestwood branch. All three libraries offer a variety of modern public library services. The Library is a founding member of the Westchester Library System (WLS), a free consortium serving the residents of Westchester County.
Mission Statement: The Yonkers Public Library is committed to serving the community and fostering the personal growth of all its citizens. We encourage a love of reading among children, and support people of all ages in pursuits involving lifelong learning and the enrichment of leisure time. The Library seeks to address the needs and interests of our patrons by providing varied information resources, popular materials, up-to-date technology, expert guidance and a well-rounded program of community activities.
Computer classes are given at all three branches. The Riverfront Library of the Yonkers Public Library offers the full range of modern public library services and collections. Among special collections and services are extensive business, technical, grant and governmental information sources in printed and electronic formats. The region’s collections of federal government documents is housed here, via the Federal Depository collection. There is also access to the Foundation Center Directory Online. The Riverfront Library also has available meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art auditorium nearly one hundred computers and a typewriter.
As the New York State federal regional federal depository for United States government publications, the State Library receives and permanently keeps a copy of almost every document distributed under the Government Printing Office Depository Library Program.
“The Federal Depository Library Program was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government’s information. GPO administers the FDLP on behalf of the participating libraries and the public. Information products from the Federal Government are disseminated to these nationwide libraries that, in turn, ensure the American public has free access to the materials, both in print and online.” (http://www.gpo.gov/libraries/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=federal-depository-library-program.)
Their Federal Depository collection at the Riverfront Branch offers “a core collection and specialized government documents including the US Government Manual, Federal Register, CIA World Fact Book, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, census information, and more,” including, The Congressional Record, the Congressional Directory, the Social Security Handbook and so much more, so ask for guidance, there is a lot of interesting information. (The Mount Vernon Library is also a Federal Depository.) In addition, the Library owns a microform edition of depository (1956-June 1992) and non-depository (1953+) Federal documents.
The Grants Information Center is one of more than 400 Cooperating Collections of the Foundation Center having comprehensive information available on foundations and corporate giving. As a partner, the Riverfront branch “houses an extensive collection of free print and electronic resources that help nonprofit organizations and individuals identify sources of grants and foundation funding”.
Children’s services include Homework help, book awards, Learning Express, Online practice test and Parents Guide to summer camps. There are various classes throughout the week (expect Sundays) and they vary greatly from Greyston Garden club to bilingual story time. The Homework Helper program, for children in grades 1–7, this program provides homework assistance during afterschool hours. Mondays – Wednesdays 4:30pm – 6:30pm, Thursdays 4:30 – 6pm in the Arts & Crafts Room. There is also America Reads and Miss. Kat’s Crazy Winter Days events.
Teen programs include homework help, book awards and Learning Express in addition to job, help wanted online postings displaying opportunities in their city as well as the county. Classes for February and March mostly occur from Wednesday to Saturday. Activities are light with the main focus on TASC Connect formerly GED. These TASC classes are for adults as well and occur Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays from 10am to 1 pm and Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm. There is Teen Thursdays with arts and crafts, apps, movies board and electronic games from three to five pm.
The impressive adult services include computer classes range from “Beginners e-mail” to “Microsoft Word” and book clubs. Other classes include “Tips and Tricks for Resumes”. There is also the Senior Information center and a “Writer’s Corner”. For more entertainment there are feature films on weekends, a book club, February has Black History Month events, and the weekly Knitting and Crocheting workshop Tuesday mornings from 10 – 11:30 am.
Every Tuesday, except the last Tuesday of the month, from 10 am to 1 pm is the Medicare Assistance program. A notary is available but on a limited schedule. A job coach is available every Wednesday from 11:30am – 1:30pm, for free assistance and on alternate Wednesdays at the Will Branch. Also, there is the Kurzweil Reading Machine, for those blind or have low vision, that scans printed materials and reads them aloud. All services includes free downloads for eBooks and audiobooks.
The Riverfront’s Computer center called “Tech Zone” is in the planning/development stage but current computers have applications ranging from “General Computer Learning” and a typing class to Windows, Excel, Access, Social Networking and Mobile Apps.
According to the Board minutes “ideas were shared to expand existing youth services at the Library in collaboration with the Yonkers Public. Schools vis-a-vis student volunteers, school visits, student internships, grant writing and donation assistance”. This is an ongoing project to improve the already good relationship between the school system and the library.
Do not forget their collection of CD’s, movies, music and books for those who like the feel of paper and the joy of turning a page. The Friends of the Yonkers Library also holds book sales four to five times a year.
This new and ever growing world of information via electronic formats/computers can seem overwhelming and repetitive. Their great staff is there to serve and please visit their web site or call.
#1388
Glenn Slaby Blog