Library News: Scarsdale Library Receives Grant and Unsold Books Donated to Charity

The Scarsdale Foundation's $50,000 grant to Scarsdale Public Library for its transformative renovation helped the Campaign for Excellence reach a new milestone with over $5 million committed in gifts and pledges. "A great Village needs a great library!" said Foundation President Emily Sherwood, "so it seemed only right that the Scarsdale Foundation partner in advancing a project that defines the spirit of Scarsdale." The Scarsdale Foundation's mission supports institutions and individuals that encourage educational and human development and mutual understanding. The grant will be matched by generous donors effectively doubling its impact with construction scheduled to begin in 2018.

Where Do Unsold Book Sale Materials Go? To Numerous Charities

Every year the book sale organized by the Friends of the Scarsdale Library sells thousands of books to raise funds to support expanded library programs. And every year there are unsold copies as our community donates many books. This year, the Friends along with Steve and Barbara Kessler came up with a plan to donate the unsold books to not-for-profits and senior citizen homes. Steve is a Library Trustee and Barbara is a former librarian and current library volunteer.

Members of the Friends and Library Trustees are contacting charities they know to see if they would like donated books. The response has been wonderful and bookshelves in numerous locations will have many additional fiction and non-fiction books.

The books will be available to all not-for-profits through Friday, September 22, and can be picked up at the Scarsdale Library.

Among the organizations and institutions receiving books are: P.S. 43 in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, White Plains Hospital, The Riverdale Atria, The Denver Jewish Community School. The Bronx VA Hospital is being contacted.

"Both Barbara and I have a keen interest in the wonderful library we are fortunate to have in Scarsdale that provides extensive programs and services for people of all ages in the community," Kessler said. "We thought it would be a marvelous idea for the Friends to organize a program to donate the books to organizations and institutions whose users truly appreciate having the books."

"The Friends of the Library Book Sale is a major event every year in Scarsdale and being able to expand its reach and provide books to a variety of worthy not-for-profits is wonderful," said Kathy Gray of the Friends.

For additional information contact Gray at kgrayclapp@aol.com.