Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.
Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege....
... discussion of the book Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the circulation desk.
The book was made into a movie by Ron Howard. CBS This Morning spoke with Ron Howard and the author JD Vance in 2020.
JD Vance is now a Trump supporting Senator from Ohio.
“They have tried to throw Trump’s lawyers in prison for challenging some election results. If you should be thrown in prison for exercising your First Amendment rights, what do we do to the people who are trying to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Americans?” - @JDVance1🔥 pic.twitter.com/f8Y0tL8nfO
Patrons, take a look at all of these incredible programs that we’re hosting this month! So much variety, so much quality, wow, and all for free! pic.twitter.com/DUksZ1c6hy
Patrons, happy early Black History Month!! Join us for a discussion of Derek Walcott’s Omeros, a Black epic poem! Even better, when you sign up for the class you get a free copy of the book to keep forever! You can’t beat that price. https://t.co/y28ETkroGFpic.twitter.com/OXheIKJWyf
On April 26, 2023, Mayor Adams announced that the additional 4% cut to public library budgets that was proposed in early April will be reversed. We are grateful that this additional cut has been restored—but libraries are still facing $36.2M in budget cuts. It’s imperative that we continue to make our voices heard and remind City Hall that our public libraries make NYC stronger, and funding must be fully restored.
Your library and your community need your help. New York City leaders are hard at work on NYC’s budget—and right now New York City’s public libraries are facing a potential $36.2 million cut that will severely impact our ability to deliver the free services, programs, and resources New Yorkers depend on.
That’s why we are asking you to stand by your library and send a note right now. Sign your name to instantly deliver a message to Mayor Adams and the New York City Council letting them know how critical libraries are to the communities they serve. From books and e-books to job-search help to safe spaces for teens to learn and grow, our libraries provide all New Yorkers with the support and resources they need to succeed.
Your letter and the contact information you enter below will be instantly delivered to Mayor Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Leader Keith Powers, Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan, Committee on Libraries Chair Chi Ossé, and your local Council Member....
... I'm here to promote Library services and to share a very special and important message with you. I have here our advocacy letter that we're requesting our community to please sign online or on-site at the library.
It's to prevent a 36 million dollar budget cut that
the city is attempting to put on the library which would impact our hiring, it would impact
our days of operation and would impact access to our print media and
digital resources.
So please stop by the library to fill out this advocacy letter or you can do it online.
Only four days until the end of the fiscal year! City leaders are still debating the budget that will impact our ability to deliver the free services, programs & resources New Yorkers depend on. Retweet to tell @NYCMayor & @NYCCouncil: #NoCutsToLibraries! https://t.co/z2aCRvU2Ho
Click here to learn more about the services, programs and upcoming events at the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library branch that may not be available if the proposed cuts are made to the NYPL budget.
Patrons, the promised day is almost here! On July 6th we will restore the
majority of our services including the copy machine! Read about it here:
https://t.co/FsaFthFp9K
... we are fully open to the community. Patrons can now stay at the library as
long as they want during our hours of operation. All computers are now
available including laptops. Our photocopier is back in service and so is our
community room.
I spoke with Mr Chavez yesterday about the restoration of
NYPL Roosevelt Island branch
services. According to Mr Chavez:
Greetings Roosevelt Islanders
I have very good new s for everyone. We have finally entered what is known
as the restoration phase at the Roosevelt Island library and what that means
is that we are almost fully open to the community and these are the new
services that we are offering in the restoration phase.
Indoor seating so you will see all our furniture is set up along the main
area of the library as well as the children's room which is all the way in
the back. Patrons can stay at the library as long as they want during our
hours of operation.
All our computers are back in service that includes desktops and laptops.
You can reserve them with your library card. We also have photocopying
services and scanning services available and our community room is also back
in service so later this month we will be having programs at the library...
Yesterday, I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith:
The Roosevelt Island Library begins restoration of full service today.
It would be great if library patrons could also use the outdoor space
adjacent to the Library that RIOC had previously said would start
renovations in May.
If renovations are not going to be done this summer, is it possible for RIOC
to clean up the outdoor space, put out a few tables and chairs and let the
Library patrons use the outdoor space?
Or wait until later in year to start renovations?
Any comment from RIOC?
Ms Smith replied answered today:
Great suggestions. I would recommend utilizing our
Tikkit
system which is the best and most efficient way to have action taken on
your recommendations and suggestions. You may also use the
Speak Up
form on our website which will allow your recommendations and suggestions
to be heard at the next Board meeting.
Please do let me know if there’s any other information I’m able to provide.
I replied:
What is the current status of plans to renovate the outdoor area next to
Public Library?
If work is not planned for the summer, will RIOC clean it up and put
chairs and tables out so library patrons can use it.
What draws us to pandemic stories? Writers and experts explore the past,
present, and future of quarantine writing.
What draws us to pandemic stories? Writers and experts explore the past,
present, and future of quarantine writing.
FEATURING
Moderator Richard Preston, author of Crisis in the Red Zone
Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M
Laura van den Berg, author of Find Me
Mike Chen, author of A Beginning at the End
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked overwhelming interest in books and
films depicting pandemics, contagion, and other biological threats. From
The Decameron to The Stand, pandemics have a long history in
literature. Why are we drawn to these stories? What can they tell us
about the moment we're experiencing?
A panel of authors and editors convene (socially distanced!) to discuss
the genre’s power and relevance. Bestselling author Richard Preston,
whose book The Hot Zone chronicles the emergence of the Ebola virus,
leads the conversation. This online program is presented by Inwood
Library.
Ready to tell your story? Visit Pandemic Diaries to learn more about the
Library's mission to capture stories and experiences related to
COVID-19. Anyone 18 years or older can submit an audio Diary to be
added to the Library's collections. ...
This program will be streamed live on Zoom. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. Please check your email shortly before the discussion to receive the link. Captions for this event will be provided.
In a three-part documentary, The Washington Post explores a failed response to the coronavirus
pandemic that’s left 225,000 Americans dead, despite decades of preparation in Washington.
Plans for the new Roosevelt Island branch library on the first floor at 504 Main Street were first announced way back in July 2012 but construction did not start until October 2018. At that time, residents were told to expect substantial completion of the new library by December 2019. As we know, that has not happened due to a variety of delays and then the Coronavirus Pandemic shutdown.
It looks like Roosevelt Island Library is almost done.
Any status update on when it may open?
The spokesperson replied;
The Roosevelt Island Library renovation continues to move forward. At this time, the Library is also assessing the current branch reopenings and we haven't confirmed future openings as yet. But I will keep you posted on any updates!
Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz made this request to the NYPL:
As we Roosevelt Islanders await the completion and opening of our new branch facility, our old, store-front branch remains empty. Some branches have been reopened for grab-and-go service but not ours. I would remind you that Roosevelt Island has a large disabled and senior population (including me) that is disinclined to use public transportation off the Island but desperately needs library services. Our tiny branch will be replaced by a new, spacious, modern facility but, in the meantime, it is the perfect size for folks to pick up books they have ordered on-line. Won't you consider making this temporary service available to my 14,000 neighbors until the day we celebrate the grand opening of our new Main Street branch?
A library spokesperson replied:
Thank you for contacting us about the reopening of the Roosevelt Island branch. As you may know, the Library is implementing a cautious and phased approach to reopenings in an effort to protect the safety and health of patrons and staff. The Roosevelt Island Library is in a unique situation in that staff are also currently working towards the completion of the renovation of its new branch, which we expect to reopen in a couple of months. In preparation for the reopening of the new Library and considering the precautions needed to safeguard the community against COVID-19, the Library is taking extremely measured steps and as a result we're not able to confirm the branch's immediate reopening at this time. I understand that this is a difficult response to a very important question. But, please know we understand that Roosevelt Island Library patrons are greatly anticipating its reopening and staff are also eager to return to the Library and serve the community.
Resident Judy Berdy shares these photos of inside the new, not yet open,
June 25, 2020 Update: Limited Reopening Starting July 13
As part of New York City’s reopening, The New York Public Library is beginning the careful, phased process of returning limited service to its physical locations. Starting on Monday, July 13, we will begin by offering grab-and-go service at eight library locations. At each of these locations, patrons will be able to access a limited area for returns and to pick up materials that they’ve reserved....
But residents are asking the same question about the long planned new Roosevelt Island Public Library as was asked in January 2020:
I’ve noticed a lot of activity going on inside the construction of new Roosevelt Island library.
Any update on plans for the opening of Roosevelt Island NYPL?
A NYPL spokesperson replied:
... As a result of COVID, all capital projects in New York City were paused in March, including the work at Roosevelt Island Library. However, we are in conversation with our government partners about which projects can resume and happy to report that work has restarted at the branch. We expect the project to be completed in the next couple of months. The Library will notify patrons when the branch is scheduled to reopen.
In October 2019, Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related representative Alex Kaplan reported:
... the NY Public Library will open in the Summer of 2020, later than the December 2019 that had been scheduled....
Earlier this week, I asked the NYPL:
... Completion of construction and opening of the new Roosevelt Island Library was scheduled for December 2019/January 2020.
When do you expect the library to open?
A NYPL spokesperson answered:
There was a slight delay, but we expect to move in to the new branch in the spring. When we've confirmed the exact date for the opening, we'll be sure to let you know (and will be sending an email to patrons to notify them as well!)
Seeking blank holiday cards with envelopes for the NYPL Library Program on Rikers Island. All denominations needed!
Your donations will allow incarcerated patrons to write home for the holidays.
Buy a box or donate unused cards you have lying around! All cards can be dropped off at the
Roosevelt Island Library at 524 Main Street anytime before December 19th.
Blank just means unwritten in/unused, the cards can absolutely have printed messages! And anything received before 12/18 will be taken to Rikers this year, anything after that point will be saved for Christmas 2020.
Construction of the new Roosevelt Island NY Public Library branch, to be relocated from present cramped premises to it's future home on the first floor of 504 Main Street,
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) is managing the construction of the new Roosevelt Island Library for the New York Public Library (NYPL). The existing branch library will be relocated to a new and larger facility so the library can serve additional patrons and add needed programming capabilities. It will incorporate certain environmentally sensitive measures to allow for an anticipated LEED certification. Ultimately the new space will transform the first floor of a former school building into a new library serving the entire Roosevelt Island community.
As of this newsletter, the construction has accomplished various tasks, including the following:
Existing interior has been torn down and rebuild/framing is ongoing
The framing is creating various new rooms for administrative and programming uses.
Floor trenching completed to allow room for conduit carrying various utilities
Insulation within the new framing of outer walls still in progress.
The new facility will include some of the following spaces and functions:
New shelving for general collection material
A generously sized circulation desk
Patron computer stations
Designated reading area
A community room
Teen area
Separate children’s room
New restrooms, Public and Private Staff use
Substantial completion expected by December of 2019
Community Outreach:
Please contact Jomo Blackman at the DDC Office of Community Outreach& Notification for any project related inquiries or concerns.
Community Impacts:
During construction hours, you can expect the following:
Increased levels of dust, noise, and possible heavy equipment movement in and out of work site
Construction Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3p.m.
To celebrate Justin Van Poelvoorde, the NYPL Roosevelt Island branch library is hosting:
A Night of Movies and Memories Thursday,
December 27, 6 PM
Dear Roosevelt Island community:
Please join us at the Roosevelt Island library to celebrate the career of our esteemed Adult Librarian, Justin Van Poelvoorde, and remember his contribution to the Roosevelt Island Community.
Image of NYC Council Member Lappin, NYPL President Anthony Marx and Roosevelt Island Kids
announced plans for the relocation of the existing small and water leaking Roosevelt Island Branch Library to a much larger, brand new space on the first floor of 504 Main Street.
This morning, a little over 6 years later, Mr Marx
Image From NYPL
and Ms Lappin returned to the site of the new Roosevelt Island Public Library branch for its construction groundbreaking ceremony.
Unfortunately that timetable was delayed several times but the good news is that construction has begun on the new Roosevelt Island library, scheduled to be completed in Winter 2020, and a groundbreaking ceremony is taking place 10 AM Friday, October 12.
You're invited to the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
According to the NYPL:
Roosevelt Island Library Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join The New York York Public Library to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Roosevelt Island Library. The new home of Roosevelt Island Library—a short walk from the existing branch—will be more than double the size to better accommodate the growing community, with more space for reading, programs, and computers.
The New York Public Library is outfitting a new, larger building to replace the existing branch. The new 5,200-square-foot building, which will add much-needed public programming space, will more than double the size of the current building. Construction is scheduled to start in the Fall of 2018.
Key Updates
Dedicated community room
Teen space
ADA accessibility
Status: Construction
Total Budget: $7.8 million
Expected Completion Date: Winter 2020
Before ending operations as a non-profit organization, on Saturday, December 16, Roosevelt Island Community Literary Associates (RICLA) President & Treasurer Janet Falk presented a check for $3,700 to NY Public Library Roosevelt Island Branch Manager Carlos Chavez
Image Of Janet Falk, Lorraine Lasker, Board member, Carlos Chavez, Library Manager RICLA
as a donation to establish the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.
RICLA President & Treasurer Janet Falk reports:
The Roosevelt Island Community Library was created in 1979 by volunteers. Members of the newly established community conceived a volunteer library stocked with donated books and open to all residents for a nominal membership fee, making the resources accessible. Housed initially in a Westview community room, there were sessions of story time for very young children and the collection grew.
Eventually, the Friends of the Roosevelt Island Community Library signed a lease for the large storefront at 524 Main Street in June 1981. The collection continued to expand and by December 1994 numbered more than 30,000 volumes. On July 11, 1989, Roosevelt Island Community Literary Associates (RICLA) was incorporated. Its mission was to enrich the intellectual life of Roosevelt Island residents by supporting the promotion of a variety of literary, cultural and educational activities.
The New York Public Library had long intended to open a branch on Roosevelt Island, but budget issues precluded appropriations. Assemblyman Pete Grannis worked to secure the funds for capital improvements. Finally, in June 1998, the Community Library's books, bookcases and other assets were sold to the New York Public Library.
The primary function of RICLA having been re-assigned, the organization entered a quiet period. In 2004 and again, from 2009-2014, RICLA applied for grants from the Public Purpose Fund of RIOC and other sources. These funds were allocated in a matching advertising grant to Roosevelt Island's cultural and educational nonprofit groups. A new service, begun in 2009, provided grant writing services to these groups. Notably, RICLA assisted the Roosevelt island Disabled Association in securing funds for its operations. RICLA also was instrumental in aiding the Roosevelt Island Historical Society to secure the lamppost base and the funds for its transport, restoration and installation near the Visitor Center kiosk.
RICLA has decided to donate the balance of its treasury, $3700, to the New York Public Library to establish the Franklin and Elanor Roosevelt Collection. This money will be used to purchase books, DVDs, a bust of Eleanor Roosevelt and other relevant materials of the period of their lives. The collection will circulate throughout the NYPL, but will be tagged appropriately so that the materials are always returned to Roosevelt Island.
In making this donation, RICLA will close as a nonprofit organization that has long supported the Island community and its nonprofits.
... On July 1 the Library signed a lease for a property on the ground floor at 504 Main Street, which will be the site of a new Roosevelt Island branch. The new library will be more than double the size of the current library – which is only a short distance away at 524 Main Street – and is expected to be completed in 2017....
... The New York Public Library has already initiated the Roosevelt Island Library project with the New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC), which begin working on architect selection, which, along with the contract development and registration process, will take approximately five months or so. Current projected schedule is to start design 12/2013 or 1/2014, start construction some time in 2015, and open the new branch in 2017, and the current budget is approximately $4.5 million....
In response to an inquiry from Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz, NY Public Library Manager Carlos Chavez reports:
I am writing in response to your concern about the opening of the new Roosevelt Island Library at 504 Main Street. Thank you for your dedicated involvement with the planning of our new branch.
Construction is set to start September 2018 and conclude October 2019. The new Branch is opening early 2020. We appreciate your patience and support during this endeavor. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance in the future and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Yesterday, I asked Mr. Chavez:
Do you know why the Roosevelt Island new NY Public Library branch construction schedule is delayed?
We, the New York Public Library, are also asking the DDC why the project has been delayed. We have yet to receive an answer.
What has been communicated to us is that the DDC is working with our local elected officials to hold a public community meeting to address the delay, as well as the construction and opening dates I communicated to Matthew.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee will be meeting Tuesday April 26. According to RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:
1. Presentation by New York Public Library Regarding the 501 Main Street Buildout.
2. Discussion of the Roosevelt Island Bridge Rampway and Eastern Promenade Bikeway Project.
3. Discussion of Landscaping on South East Corner of the Cornell Site.
4. Discussion on the Roosevelt Island Youth Center Space Refurbishment.
5. Update on Community Space Utilization.
6. Discussion of the Sportspark Boiler, Roof, and Pool Replacements and Repairs.
7. Review Status of Southpoint Open Space Community Stakeholders Plan Development.
8. Any Other Committee Business that may be Brought Before the Committee.
An audio web cast of the meeting will be available soon thereafter.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
