Yonkers Public Library Public Forum Riverfront Branch December 4, 2014 7:00 pm

OUR PLAN FOR TONIGHT Welcome! About the library How the library is managed and governed How you can participate

OUR Mission Serve the community and foster personal growth Encourage a love of reading among children Support lifelong learning and the enrichment of leisure time By providing Information resources Popular materials Up-to-date technology Expert guidance Community activities

ABOUT THE LIBRARY Established in 1893 Largest library in the 38-member Westchester Library System Three branches Staff of 96 (FTE) Nearly 93,000 active cardholders 150 Internet terminals 700,000 books, e-books, films & music – most borrowed for free

“Carnegie” Library, 1903 corner of Nepperhan Avenue and South Broadway

Riverfront Branch 1 larkin Center Sandy Amoyaw, Administrator

Grinton I. Will Branch 1500 central park avenue Christian Zabriskie, Administrator

Crestwood Branch 16 Tompkins Place ZAHRA BAIRD, MANAGER

Some YPL Statistics In 2013-14, we welcomed 875,000 visitors to our branches circulated 785,000 books and other items answered 300,000 reference questions offered 2,700 programs attended by 67,000 patrons hosted 260,000 Internet sessions

Thousands participate in our programs each month In October alone, our programs attracted nearly 12,000 participants! Crestwood 700 participants (73 programs) Riverfront 5,000 participants (172 programs) Will 6,000 participants (214 programs)

Our staff help guide patrons to find the information they need Each month, our librarians help answer 24,000 great questions Crestwood 1,000 Riverfront 7,000 Will 16,000

Strengths of the library Huge collection of books, e-books, films and music – nearly 700,000 items in all. Most can be borrowed for free Hundreds of cultural, educational and recreational programs offered each month for adults, teens and children, all for free Strong partnerships with the City of Yonkers, Yonkers B.O.E. and community service organizations throughout the city

Exciting new directions in 2015 Expansion of offerings in technology for all patrons – Technology Training Room opening Summer 2015 at Riverfront Building assessment and modernization program – all three branches Strengthening partnerships throughout the city – including B.O.E., Yonkers Historical Society, Hudson River Museum and more

HOW the library is managed and governed Administration and the Board of Trustees

The organization

administration and senior staff Edward M. Falcone – Director, director@ypl.org Susan Thaler – Deputy Director Vivian Presedo – Business Manager

The board of trustees 7 members Appointed by Yonkers Board of Education Serve 5-year term Monthly meetings Committee work on special issues

The board of trustees: its role Advocate for the library in the community Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the library Adopt library policies Hire and evaluate the library director Plan for the future of the library

The board of trustees Nancy Maron, President (2016) Greg Arcaro, Vice-President (2018) Alexandre Olbrecht, Treasurer (2017) Jim Buckley (2017) Jennifer Lemiech-Iervolino (2014) Harris Lirtzman (2018) John P Margand (2015)

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE Come join us as a volunteer

Community Supporters of the YPL GOVERNANCE AND FUTURE OF THE LIBRARY Yonkers Library Board of Trustees FUNDRAISING for YPL Yonkers Public Library Foundation Friends of the Yonkers Public Library Friends of the Crestwood Library LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TASC (High School Equivalency classes) SBIC (Senior Benefit Information Centers) Computer classes, craft programs COUNTY-WIDE ISSUES Westchester Library System representatives -

YOUR NEXT STEPS Come to Board meetings – always open to the public Consider joining the Board Join the Friends of the Yonkers Public Library Join – or contribute to – the YPL Foundation

Contact info Trustee application: call 375-7950 Friends of the Library: friendsofypl@aol.com Other volunteer opportunities: visit your local branch

Thank you!

Yonkers Public Library Public Forum Grinton I. Will Branch December 2, 2014 7:00 pm