Phone Numbers
The most commonly called numbersMain Phone 914-967-0480
Adult Circulation 914-967-0481
Adult Reference 914-231-3161
Children’s Circulation 914-231-3163
Children’s Reference 914-231-3162
The Osborn Branch 914-925-8247
24-Hour Renewals 914-674-4169
Century One: 1884 to 1984
1884-1984The library began as the dream of a few concerned citizens who met in the Milton Road home of Reginald P. Sherman in 1884. They formed a constitution for a new library organization, primarily as a place for young men and boys to recreate and escape the undesirable effects of saloons. Lott S. Butterfield, church sexton was hired as custodian-librarian for $1900 a year. Mr. Butterfield is the namesake of the current library mascot.
The Purdy Cottage on Purchase Street was the library’s first building. In 1905, Sarah Parsons, widow of a prominent city father, bequeathed the present site with its picturesque view of the Village Green. In 1913, entirely funded by community donations, the beautiful Georgian brick building opened. By 1915 the library’s second floor was being used by the Red Cross as headquarters, and by 1918, Thursdays were completely devoted to the War Relief Program.
Without doubt one of the most influential people in the history on the library was Marcia Dalphin. She became the Head Librarian in 1920 and guided it as her personal realm for the next 33 years. Under her vision and energy the library became the focal point of the community that it remains today. A major contribution from the will of Charles G. Strater for the purchase of reference books created the need for space to house this impressive collection. The subsequent construction of a west wing addition was undertaken in 1951.
Another beloved figure from the past was children’s librarian Doris Bird, who in 1909 began her library service as a volunteer. Her devoted work to bring the love of literature to youngsters continued into the early 1970’s. Her legacy is the Doris Bird Collection of 1550 vintage children’s books, now housed in the newly remodeled children’s room.
Throughout the 40’s and 50’s, the library served as a community cultural center – home to art exhibits, concerts and lectures. Harry Carter, a local artist of great skill, both exhibited his work here and guided the hanging of many exhibits each year. Outstanding musicians such as the Tokyo String Quartet performed on Sunday afternoons. This tradition continues today, as the library calendar is filled with presentations each month in the new Program Room.
With the growth in library use, another expansion was deemed necessary in 1960. The project involved internal repairs and refurbishing, with expanded space for the Reference and Children’s Rooms. In February 1968 the project, built primarily with donations from the community, opened to 400 visitors who admired the new reference wing, the basement level children’s room with its beautifully landscaped separate entrance and, especially, the new quiet atmosphere created by wall-to-wall carpeting.
With the hiring of Mary A. Brown as Director in 1975, the library began its journey into the age of technology. She worked to realize her dream of a library with online access to enormous information resources and a catalog and record keeping system that used computers rather than cards and pencil daters. It would require an enormous investment of time and money, but the Board of Trustees, led by Thomas A. Williams, embraced the vision. Every item in the collection needed to have a bar code label affixed to it and the data linked to a massive electronic catalog maintained by the Westchester Library System. This work continued under the leadership of Director Jean Read (1991-1998) and Betty Teoman (1998-2007). The fruits of this vision and labor are being harvested daily, as reference librarians locate and obtain books from libraries near and far for patrons. Readers can now visit the library’s web site for 24-hour access to a vast array of information resources and can search the catalog, renew or reserve items from any online computer.
To grow again with the needs of the community, another construction project was again undertaken with a Capital Campaign Drive from 1997-2003. Opening in 2003, the gracious new program wing and the expanded children’s room were again largely funded by donations from a community committed to maintaining a library often called the Jewel of Rye.
Mission Statement
To provide up-to-date information services to the public using a variety of resources, including books, state-of-the-art technology, media and public programs; and, to serve as a central dynamic gathering place and learning facility for Rye residents of all ages and backgrounds and for its community organizations.
Organization
Overview of the library's organization and funding structure.Established in 1884, the library has a long and rich history of service as the hub of cultural and intellectual activity in the City.
The library was chartered in 1917 by the State of New York as an Association Library. It is a nonprofit corporation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. The library is a member of the Westchester Library System (WLS), sharing its resources with the 37 other libraries in the county. Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Rye is eligible for a free library card which may be used at any library in the county.
The Rye Free Reading Room is governed by a Board of Trustees whose members are elected for staggered 3-year terms. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the library’s operation, staff, materials, building and services. The Library Director works under the direction of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the management of the library, implementing the policies, advice and projects of the various Boards, performing the administrative tasks of the library and acts as the liaison between the public and staff and the Trustees, Advisory and Auxiliary Boards.
The Board of Trustees gains insight into the needs of the public through the Advisory Board, a forum from which the library may gain regular input from residents, representatives of organizations, schools and City officials. The library’s Auxiliary Board is a group of active and committed library supporters who work to enhance library activities, offer community service, initiate new programs and raise funds on the library’s behalf.
The Rye Free Reading Room serves Rye’s population of 15,000 residents through its public/private partnership with the City of Rye, New York. Approximately seventy-five percent of the library’s budget for operating costs comes from The City of Rye. The balance is funded by fines and fees, investment income and private fundraising.
Members play a critical role in the library’s ongoing vitality. Any individual who makes a contribution to the library’s Annual Campaign becomes a member of the library. Through their donations, members support the library’s extensive programs and collections of books, audiovisual and other materials. Library members are eligible to attend the Annual Meeting of the Rye Free Reading Room and vote for a slate of Trustees. Speak with a library staff member about becoming a member today: (914) 231-3160 or download the membership form.
Board of Trustees
Board of TrusteesOfficers:
Francis Rodilosso, President, Class of 2013
Jennifer Swanson, Vice-President, Class of 2013
Debra E. Julian, Past-President, Class of 2015
John Eckerson, Treasurer, Class of 2015
Barbara Ormerod-Glynn, Secretary, Class of 2013
Trustees:
Bernie Althoff, Class of 2013
James R. Billingsley, Jr., Class of 2012
Eric Bock Class of 2015
Julia Dailey, Class of 2014
Susan K. Jansen, Class of 2013
Carolina Johnson Class of 2015
Robert N. Kaplan, Class of 2013
Holly Kennedy Class of 2014
Lawrence H. Lehman, Class of 2014
Anthony Mason, Class of 2015
Mary Sykes, Class of 2014
Werner E. Tietjen, Class of 2013
Mark Zwerger, Class of 2014
Auxiliary Board Co-Presidents
Jennifer Leahy
Kelly Grayer
By-Laws
BY LAWS of the RYE FREE READING ROOM as amended to June 18, 2009.By-Laws of the Rye Free Reading Room as amended through June 18, 2009 (pdf)
Cardholder Registration and Borrowing Policy
Public policies for registration, length of loan periods, renewals, reserves, fines, and feesIn order to insure fair and equitable access to the materials and information in the Rye Free Reading Room’s collection, the library’s Board of Trustees establishes policies for patron registration, length of loan periods, renewals, reserves, fines, and fees. The library staff enact these policies through their established procedures.
Complete Patron Registration Borrowing, revised Sept. 17, 2009
Become a Facebook Fan of the Library.
Public Use of Library Facilities
Public use of library facilities, including meeting room rentals and programDownload the Public Use of Library Facilities policies (.pdf)
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct regulates behavior in the library in order to provide a safe, pleasant atmosphere for all who use the library.Strategic Plan and Rye Community Survey
The library's strategic plan was developed with community input and focuses on both building on our core strengths and addressing weaknesses. The Zogby International Community Survey of Rye was conducted in June, 2010 to help us prepare for the library's 2011-2014 strategic plan.Download the complete Strategic Plan 2006-2010 (13mb .pdf)
ftp://ryelibra@ryelibrary.org/public_html/files/uploads/Strategic_Plan_2006-2010.pdf
Street Address
The Rye Free Reading Room
1061 Boston Post Rd
Rye, NY 10580
Meetings of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Rye Free Reading Room meets on a regular basis throughout the year. Typically, meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm in the Community Meeting Room. All Board of Trustees meetings are included in the library’s online calendar and open to the public.
In addition to regular monthly meetings, the Board of Trustees hosts an Annual Meeting of the Members in late January or early February of each year. This meeting is also included in the online calendar and open to the public, although only members can vote on the slate of Trustees and Officers.
Please contact the library at 914-231-3160 to view agendas and minutes prior to 2011
Rye Free Reading Room 2012 Approved Budget
Rye Free Reading Room - 2012 Approved BudgetStaff Directory
Staff phone numbers and email addresses.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Director 914-231-3160
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Managing Librarian 914-231-3166
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Business Manager 914-231-3164
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Teen Librarian 914-231-3164
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Children’s Services Manager 914-231-3162
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Circulation & Lending Services 914-231-3165
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Technical Services 914-231-3165
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), The Osborn Librarian 914-925-8247
Library Hours
Hours for The Rye Free Reading Room-
Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday Closed
2012 Meeting Agendas and Minutes
April 2012 AgendaMarch 2012 Agenda, March 2012 Minutes
February 2012 Agenda, February 2012 Minutes
January 2012 Agenda, January 2012 Minutes
Rye Free Reading Room 2011 Actual Budget
Rye Free Reading Room - 2011 Actual Budget2011 Meeting Agendas and Minutes
December 2011 Agenda, December 2011 MinutesNovember 2011 Agenda , November 2011 Minutes
October 2011 Agenda, October 2011 Minutes
September 2011 Agenda, September 2011 Minutes
August 2011 Agenda, August 2011 Minutes
June 2011 Agenda , June 2011 Minutes
May 2011 Agenda, May 2011 Minutes
April 2011 Agenda, April 2011 Minutes
Mach 2011 Agenda, March 2011 Minutes
February 2011 Agenda, February 2011 Minutes
January 2011 Agenda, January 2011 Minutes
Rye Free Reading Room 2010 Actual Budget
2010_actual_RFRR_budget.pdfThe Osborn Branch Hours
Hours for the The Osborn Branch-
Monday9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Friday9am - 1pm
2012 Holiday Closings
Scheduled library closings during 2012-
Monday, January 2 New Year’s Day Observed
Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King’s Birthday
Monday, February 20 President’s Day
Monday, May 28 Memorial Day
Monday, July 4 Independence Day
Monday, September 3 Labor Day
Monday, October 8 Columbus Day
Friday, November 12 Veterans Day
Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day
Monday, December 31 New Year’s Eve, closed at 4 pm
The Osborn
Map and directions to The Osborn branch library.The Rye Free Reading Room maintains a branch at The Osborn retirement facility, 101 Theall Rd, Rye, NY. This branch is open to the public.
Maps and directions are available through Google maps.
Other Westchester Libraries
Hours and directions to other Westchester libraries.Hours and directions to other public libraries in Westchester are available on the Westchester Library System website.
