Rye Free Reading Room

Phone Numbers

Main Phone 967-0480
Adult Circulation 967-0481
Adult Reference 231-3161
Children’s Circulation 231-3163
Children’s Reference 231-3162
The Osborn Branch 925-8247
24-Hour Renewals 674-4169

Century One: 1884 to 1984

The 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.

Public Use of Library Facilities

The Rye Free Reading Room’s wonderful meeting room is available for your organization’s public programs and for private rentals. Contact the Maria Lagonia, Managing Librarian, at 914-231-3166 or via , to book the room. Our Policy for Public Use of Library Facilities details library’s rental policies and available facilities and equipment.The Board of Trustees makes them available to the community for uses that will enhance the library’s role as an essential community resource. Programs scheduled in the library’s facilities shall not impede the delivery of regular public library service.

Permission to use the meeting rooms does not constitute Library endorsement of the policies, beliefs or goals of the program sponsor, nor shall any advertisement or publicity indicate endorsement or sponsorship by the Library without prior approval of the Board of Trustees or its Designee, the Library Director.

The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to approve or disapprove each application for the use of its facilities. It may impose added restrictions it judges appropriate for a particular program or use.

The Library Director shall be authorized to implement procedures for the use of library facilities consistent with this Board-approved policy.

The Board may cancel any planned event when it is deemed to be in the interest of the Library to do so. Failure to observe regulations governing the use of the meeting rooms may result in denial of use in the future.

1. Facilities are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and are available at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Rye Free Reading Room or its Designee.


2. Library activities and those the library jointly sponsors with other organizations will have first priority in scheduling. Where possible, scheduling preference will be given to applicants based in Rye.


3. Library facilities may be made available to non-library organizations for the pursuit of social, cultural, educational, recreational and non-partisan political activities. Religious organizations are eligible to schedule meetings but they may not hold worship or instructional services at the library.


4. Unless approved by the Director, use of Library meeting facilities by an individual or organization shall not exceed five times per year.

Application Process

1. Applications for use of the library’s facilities when the library is not open to the public must be signed by the President or authorized officer of the organization or business requesting use of the facility. If applicant is an individual, (s)he must agree to be financially responsible for the event and library facility. If the applicant is a youth group or organization, a responsible adult over the age of 18 years must co-sign application. Fax completed application to 914-967-5522. Download Application


2. Room-use fees should be paid at the time the application is approved but no later than one week prior to the program/event.


3. Applicant must agree to have an authorized adult representative in attendance who shall supervise all persons upon the premises to ensure that the event is conducted in a safe and orderly manner and that none engage in unlawful or improper conduct.


4. Applicant must agree to accept full responsibility for the facilities and to comply with all regulations governing its use. This binds the applicant and organization, if any, to hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Rye Free Reading Room from and against any and all claims of injury, death and/or property loss or damage arising from any condition of the premises, or any acts or omissions of the applicant or organization or others in connection with the program or event.


5. The Library reserves the right to require insurance for an event.


6. The applicant is liable for any damage done to the premises, its furnishings or equipment.


7. The Library may require applicants who will use the meeting room’s audio visual facilities to deposit a check for $500 as a security deposit, to be returned after the event if there is no damage.

Requirements for Facilities Use:

1. There will be no smoking; an applicant who wishes to serve alcohol must obtain prior approval by the library and must provide the library with a copy of the proper permit if it will be sold.


2. The Meeting Room contains a pantry that can support limited food service. Applicant must provide all supplies, food, paper goods and service utensils, other than items included on equipment list.


3. Existing exhibitions displayed in the Meeting Room will be closed to the public when it has been reserved for a program. Objects on display may not be moved or disturbed. During meetings held in the Biography Room (Carter Gallery) or Mystery Room library users may continue to enter to access books shelved there.


4. The applicant must restore the premises to their original condition immediately after they have been used with all trash bagged for removal.


5. Program publicity is the applicant’s responsibility, though the Library may include program notices in its regular publication and on its website.


6. In case of emergency building closure, the program will be cancelled and the applicant will be offered the opportunity to reschedule or to have room fees refunded.

Applicant Categories:

1. Nonprofit users who pay no rental fees or personnel costs for


2. Programs open to the public at no cost to attendees


3. Nonprofit users who pay no rental fee but who pay excess personnel costs for events that take place when the library is closed


4. Users who pay a rental fee and excess personnel costs for


5. Regularly scheduled member/board meetings of local nonprofit organizations that are not open to the public


6. Meetings open to the public with a fee charged for attendance


7. Private events and/or meetings


8. Applicant will be charged for equipment not already installed in the library rented for his/her use.

Fees for Room Use:

Donors to the library may qualify to use the library’s facilities at no rental cost as authorized by the Board’s Designee.

The Library will charge excess personnel costs for events that require additional staff for:

1. Audio visual support


2. Assistance with event held when the library is not open to the public


3. Special room set-up or custodial services before or after
   the event.

Fee Categories

1. Free public events




1. Cosponsored by the library or hosted by donors








1. No fee










1. Hourly personnel rate - $15/hour






2. Events for which attendees are charged an entry/program fee




1. Fee - $100/3-hour period






1. Hourly personnel rate - $30/hour




3. Private events




1. Presented by non-profit organizations








1. Fee - $100/3-hour period










1. Hourly personnel rate - $60/3-hour period








1. Presented by business, professional or other for-profit
   Organizations








1. Fee - $200/3-hour period










1. Hourly personnel rate - $60/3-hour period






4. Private social events – fees to be negotiated

Facilities Available:

Meeting Room Capacity:

• 80 seated at 10 tables


• 113 audience seating


• 100 reception

Meeting Room Equipment:

• 10 tables 3’ X 6’


• 113 stacking chairs


• Projection video


• VCR


• DVD


• Cable television


• Computer/Internet cable data connections


• IBM laptop computer


• Audiocassette player


• Microphones and sound system


• Wireless lavalier microphone


• Microphones on (2) table or (1) floor stand


• Lectern


• Pantry with refrigerator and microwave oven

Biography Room (Carter Gallery) or Mystery Room Capacity:

• 20 seated at tables

Biography Room or Mystery Room Equipment:

• none

The Library does not have a dedicated parking lot. Parking for programs
is limited to neighboring community parking lots.

Schedule of Availability

Meeting Room hours available:
Available during normal library hours unless other arangements
are made in advance.

Biography Room (Carter Gallery) and Mystery Room
Available during normal library hours only.

Approved by Board of
Trustees 4/14/2005

Revised by Board of
Trustees 5/2007

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

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

Officers:

Karen Bresolin, President
David Greenhouse, Vice-President
Barbara Ormerod-Glynn, Secretary
Mark Moore, Treasurer

Trustees:

James R. Billingsley, Jr.
Paula S. Butler
Gretchen Kaye Crowley
Julia Dailey
Ken Foege
Debra E. Julian
Robert N. Kaplan
Robert A. Kindler
Oran G. Kirkpatrick
Florence Kraut
Lawrence H. Lehman
Anthony Mason
Wendy Nagle
Ann Sullivan
Werner Tietjen
Mark Zwerger

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

The Rye Free Reading Room and its staff are committed to providing a safe and pleasant atmosphere in which people can use the library and its resources. This Code of Conduct outlines acceptable behavior for users of the Library, with respect to the rights of all other users and the staff which will not interfere with the functioning of the Library or disturb others.

1.  Property belonging to the Library shall not be destroyed, injured or defaced; nor shall any furniture, fixture or equipment be moved from its proper place. Misuse of the rest rooms is not permitted. Library materials must be checked out to a library user before being removed from the library.

2.  Interference with or the harassment or intimidation of other users, Library staff or Library volunteers is unacceptable.

3.  Loud talking and the use of cell phones, radios, personal audio equipment and other electronic devices without earphones are to be limited to the lobby area. Quiet must be maintained in the designated study areas. Sleeping in the library is not allowed. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.

4.  The use of skateboards, roller blades or bicycles is not permitted on library property.

5.  The consumption of food is restricted to programs and events held in the Meeting Room and Lobby only; food may not be consumed anywhere else in the building. Beverages may be consumed in the library in covered containers only and away from all computers. Smoking is not permitted.

6.  Illegal use of the Internet is strictly prohibited. Attempts to add to, remove or in any way alter the hardware and software configurations on any computer or the library network are not allowed and will result in suspension of Internet use privileges. If all computers are in use, online time will be limited according to the signs posted.

7.  Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by a responsible adult or teenager.

8.  Except for events and sales conducted by the Library, solicitations for charitable, religious or other purpose, selling of tickets or merchandise of any kind or obtaining signatures on petitions and surveying Library patrons are only permitted on Library premises with prior approval of the Director.

The Rye Free Reading Room staff has been authorized to administer this policy and to modify and/or adapt the Code of Conduct to special circumstances. Users who do not comply with any reasonable request of the staff may be asked to leave the Library premises. Continued noncompliance may result in action ranging from suspension to termination of Library privileges and denial of access to the Library premises.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on September 14, 2005

By-Laws

ARTICLE I

Members

1. Any person may become a member of the Rye Free Reading Room (the “Corporation") upon payment of dues.

2. There shall be nine classes of members, with annual dues as follows:

a. Patron with dues of $10,000 or more per year

b. Benefactor with dues of $7,500 to $9,999 per year

c. Conservator with dues of $5,000 to $7,499 per year

d. Sponsor with dues of $2,500 to $4,999 per year

e. Fellow with dues of $1,000 to $2,499 per year

f. Scholar with dues of $500 to $999 per year

g. Bibliophile with dues of $250 to $499 per year

h. Supporter with dues of $100 to $249 per year

i. Friend with dues of less than $100

3. All members shall be voting members, provided, however, that in light of the costs incurred by the Corporation, a member who pays dues of less than $10 shall be a non-voting member.

4. The Corporation shall maintain the roll of membership which shall be used to determine all voting members and non-voting members.

5. As of the end of each calendar year, all members who during the preceding 12 months have paid dues sufficient to qualify as a voting member, shall be eligible to vote at a meeting of members held in the succeeding calendar year.

6. As of the end of each calendar year, any member who during the preceding 12 months shall not have paid dues sufficient to qualify as a voting member, shall not be eligible to vote at a meeting of members held in the succeeding calendar year, unless such dues are paid prior to the record date of such meeting of members.

7. Any member who has not paid dues for a period of 24 months may be dropped from the roll of membership by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE II

Meetings of Members

1. An Annual Meeting of members for the election of Trustees and Officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before it shall be held in each year between the 15th day of January and the 28th day of February, inclusive, in the City of Rye at such time and place as the Board of Trustees shall appoint.

2. Special Meetings of members may be called by the President.  In addition, The President must call a Special Meeting of members upon receipt of a written request signed by at least 20 members then eligible to vote at a meeting of members.  The meeting shall be held within 60 days of receipt of the written request. No business shall be transacted at a Special Meeting unless included in the Notice of Meeting, and the Notice of Meeting must contain all issues or proposals raised in the written request for a Special Meeting made by members.

3. A Quorum for all meetings of members shall be the lesser of (i) 100 members eligible to vote or (ii) 10% of the members eligible to vote determined as of the record date.  If there be no quorum, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.

4. Members eligible to vote at a meeting of members may attend the meeting and vote in person or by proxy.  A member attending a meeting by proxy shall be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.  Each member eligible to vote shall be entitled to one vote regardless of the class of membership.  If two or more persons (such as a husband and wife) are listed on the membership roll as one member, they shall be considered as one member for all purposes, including quorum, and shall be entitled to one vote.

5. No subject shall be introduced at a meeting of members of the Corporation which does not relate directly to its affairs.

6. The record date for purposes of a meeting of members shall be either (i) the December 31st immediately prior to the meeting or (ii) a date 50 days prior to the meeting, whichever date is closest to the meeting.  Those members eligible to vote at a meeting of members shall be limited to voting members eligible to vote as described in paragraph 4 of Art. I, and any additional voting members who have paid dues in that calendar year prior to the record date.

7. The order of business at an Annual Meeting of members shall be substantially similar to the following:

Call to order
Roll call
Reading of minutes of previous meeting
Reports and communications
Election of Trustees
Election of Officers
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment

7. Written notice of the meeting with respect to an Annual Meeting or a Special Meeting shall be mailed at least 10 days prior to the meeting to each member of the Corporation eligible to vote at the meeting at his or her last known address as the same appears upon the records of the Corporation.

ARTICLE III

Election of Trustees and Officers

1. The membership of the board of Trustees shall be fixed at such number, not less than 9 or more than 21, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees.  The members of the Board shall be divided into three classes.  The term of office of each class shall be three years or until their successors are elected.  The Trustees in each class shall be elected
in alternate years by the members at the Annual
Meeting.

2. In addition to the members of the Board of Trustees who are elected by the members of the Corporation, the Mayor of the City of Rye shall be a voting Ex Officio member of the Board of Trustees or, at the option of the Mayor, a member of the Rye City Council appointed by the Mayor shall serve as a non-voting liaison to the Rye Free Reading Room.  The liaison shall be available to library staff and management as well as the Board of Trustees, and shall be able to attend Board meetings and executive sessions.

3. At the discretion of the Board, there shall be established an Advisory Board and an Auxiliary Board which shall be committees of the Board.  The Chairman of the Advisory Board may attend Board of Trustee meetings. The President or Co-President of the Auxiliary Board may attend Board of Trustee meetings and shall be entitled to have a single vote on behalf of the Auxiliary Board.

4. If the office of any Trustee becomes vacant for any reason, the remaining Trustees, although less than a quorum, may elect by a vote of a majority of the Board then in office, a successor Trustee who shall hold office during the balance of the unexpired term.  In the event of an increase in the number of Trustees, the new Trustees to fill the additional trusteeships may be named by the Board of Trustees unless such vacancies are filled by action at a meeting of the members.

5. The elected officers shall be the President, the Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer, and they shall be elected from among the Board of Trustees by the members at each annual meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected.  The positions of Secretary and Treasurer, or of Vice President and Treasurer, may be filled by one person.  As provided in Article V, paragraph 4, the members may elect such other officers as the members may deem necessary or appropriate; and the Board of Trustees may appoint such other officers as the Board may deem appropriate or necessary for the proper conduct of the Corporation’s business or may fill any vacancy which may occur in any office, to serve until the next annual meeting of members.

6. Nominations for Trustees and Officers to be voted upon at an Annual Meeting of members of the Corporation shall be made only in accordance with the following:

The Board of Trustees shall determine the number of the Trustees to constitute the class of Trustees to be elected at the next Annual Meeting of members, subject to the requirements in paragraph 1 of this Article.  Prior to the 20th day of November in each year the Board of Trustees shall appoint a nominating committee of such number as it shall determine, or if it shall fail to appoint such committee by the 20th day of November, such committee shall than within one week thereafter be appointed by the President in such number as he or she shall determine.  The nominating committee shall consist of members of the Corporation who may but need not be members of the Board of Trustees.  Suggestions from members as to persons who are willing to serve on the nominating committee shall be considered.  The nominating committee shall on or before the 20th day of December prepare a list of nominees to constitute the class of Trustees being elected at the next Annual Meeting, and a list of nominees for the Officers to be elected at the next Annual Meeting, and shall file such lists with the Secretary, who shall before the 25th day of December next following, post a copy thereof on the bulletin board or in some other conspicuous location in the library building, and such lists shall remain so posted until after the Annual Meeting.  Any 20 members then eligible to vote may propose an additional list of nominees for Trustees to constitute the class of Trustees being elected, and/or a list of nominees of Officers by filing such nomination in writing signed by all 20 members with the Secretary on or before the 5th day of January next following.  The Secretary shall promptly in like manner post a copy of any such additional lists. 

No nominations for Trustee or Officer shall be voted upon at a meeting of members unless made in accordance with the foregoing. 

8. The members shall elect Trustees or Officers by voting
for the candidates as a group from the lists presented by the nominating committee or the lists presented by members.  All elections of Directors and Officers shall be by written ballot and a majority of all the votes cast shall elect.  Two tellers appointed by the President shall count the votes and shall declare the result.  Where a nomination is unopposed the vote may be by voice vote or the meeting may authorize the Secretary to cast the ballot. 

ARTICLE IV

Board of Trustees

1. The Board of Trustees shall have power to adopt By Laws for the conduct of their meetings and shall have control of all the property and affairs of the Corporation and shall have power to supersede any committee in the control of any matter which would otherwise come within the jurisdiction of such committee, and to review, amend, set aside or otherwise deal with any decision reached or action taken by any committee, but shall have no power, unless specifically authorized by the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, to render the Corporation liable for any amount beyond its assets.  A majority of the Trustees in office will constitute a quorum.

2. The President shall fix the dates for the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees to conduct the business of the Corporation.  Notice of the dates of such meetings shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the library building at the beginning of each year or at least ten days prior to such meeting.

ARTICLE V

Duties of Officers

1. The President shall be the chief executive officer and shall preside at all meetings of members and of the Board of Trustees.  In his or her absence or inability to act the Vice President shall be vested with these powers and shall perform these duties.

2. The Treasurer shall have charge of the receipt, custody and disbursement of the funds and securities of the Corporation.  He or she shall render to the Board of Trustees accurate account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.  His books shall at all times be open to the inspection of any member of the Board of Trustees, (or any person or persons designated by a member of the Board of Trustees).

3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the members and all meetings of the Board of Trustees. The minutes shall report actions taken by the members or by the Board of Trustees.  The minutes shall be made available to any member upon request.

4. Other Officers of the Corporation may be elected by the members or appointed by the Board of Trustees and such other officers shall have such powers, authorities and duties as the members or the Board of Trustees shall determine from time to time to be advisable for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Committees

1. There shall be the following committees: The Executive Committee, the Finance & Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and such other committees as the Board of Trustees shall from time to time determine to be advisable for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.  Each of such committees shall be composed of such number or members as the Board of Trustees shall from time to time determine, who may, but need not, be members of the Board of Trustees.  The President shall, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, appoint the members of the committees.

2. Members of each committee shall hold office for one year from the date of their appointments, or until their successors are appointed, or the committee is disbanded.  Any vacancy in any committee shall be filled by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

3. Subject to the powers of the Board of Trustees, hereinabove provided, the Executive Committee shall be made up of the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board. It shall have the power to transact any business within the Board’s accepted policies and shall report such transaction to the Board in writing at the earliest possible date.  Financial obligations approved by the Executive Committee shall not exceed $10,000.  The Executive Committee shall recommend to the Board of Trustees the rate of compensation for the Director of the Library.

4. Subject to the powers of the Board of Trustees, hereinabove provided, the Finance & Audit Committee shall have charge of the finances and property of the Corporation in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Trustees including the power to make purchases and sales for the investment portfolio provided, however, that any such purchases and sales can be made only through vote of a majority of the members of the Finance & Audit Committee.

5. Subject to the powers of the Board of Trustees, hereinabove provided, each of the foregoing committees shall have such additional powers and duties, and all other committees that may be created by the Board of Trustees shall have such powers and duties, as the Board of Trustees shall determine.

6. From time to time, whenever requested by the President or by the Board of Trustees, the chair of each committee shall report in writing to the President and to the Board as to all action had or proposed by the particular committee and the condition of matters under the supervision of the particular committee.

ARTICLE VII

Fiscal Year

1. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE VIII

Use of Library

The Library, building and grounds, shall be open on such days and during such hours as the Board of Trustees may designate for the use and enjoyment of all members and of the public generally who observe and obey the rules and regulations; but this right or privilege may be suspended or annulled by the Board of Trustees in case of any improper conduct on the part of any member or other person in or about the building or grounds.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

1. These By Laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any meeting of the members of the Corporation by the vote of two thirds of the members eligible to vote who are present in person or by proxy, provided that notice of the substance of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal shall have been given in the Notice of Meeting.

2. In addition, these By-Laws may be altered or amended at a meeting of the Board of Trustees at which two-thirds of the Trustees in office are present by a two-thirds vote of the trustees, provided that the Board of Trustees may not amend Article II of the By-Laws and provided further that notice of the substance of the proposed alteration or amendment shall have been given in a notice of meeting sent to all Trustees or in the waiver of such notice.

3. Any amendment adopted by the members may provide that such amendment cannot be altered or amended by the Board of Trustees.

Download the most recent bylaws in .pdf format.

Budget 2008

Street Address

The Rye Free Reading Room
1061 Boston Post Rd
Rye, NY 10580

Library Hours, September through June

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 9pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 9pm
Thursday 9:30am - 9pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Map

Door-to-door directions are available through Google.

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Staff Directory

, Director 231-3160
, Managing Librarian 231-3166
, Business Manager 231-3164
, Teen Librarian 231-3164
, Children’s Services Manager 231-3162
, Children’s Librarian 231-3162
, Technical Services 231-3165
, Technical Services 231-3165
, The Osborn Librarian 925-8247

The Osborn Branch Hours

Monday9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Friday9am - 1pm

Holiday Closings 2008

Sunday, May 11 Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 27 Memorial Day Weekend
Monday, May 28 Memorial Day
Sunday, June 15 Father’s Day
Friday, July 4 Independence Day
Monday, September 1 Labor Day
Wednesday, November 26 Closed at 5:30 pm
Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve, closed at 4 pm

The Osborn

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.

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Other Westchester Libraries

Hours and directions to other public libraries in Westchester are available on the Westchester Library System website.