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Nyack Sketch Log: The Nyack Library Part II

Bill Batson

Published

July 13, 2021

by Bill Batson

The Nyack Library is an example of one of the most epic philanthropic gestures of the early 20^th Century. Andrew Carnegie supported the construction of 1,689 public libraries in 1,419 communities across America. The steel magnate, who was at the time the richest man in the world, would be proud to know that in the 21st century, the construction of a modern wing doubled the space that his original building provided.

Communities across the country competed for a contribution from Carnegie and his funding did not come without strings. Local governments needed to agree to allocate annually 10% of Carnegie’s donation to maintain the library he would build. If his terms were met, Carnegie would pledge $2 per resident. The population of the 3 river villages, Nyack, Upper Nyack, and South Nyack, was 7,500 at the end of the 19^th century. The 3 village boards voted to increase library funding from $1,200 per year to $1,500, or 10% of Carnegie’s eventual $15,000 gift.

The cornerstone was laid on May 21, 1903 for a building that was designed by acclaimed local architects the Emery Brothers and Mr. J. B. Simonson. As iconic as the rocky stone facade of the original library building has become, another object made of stone that stands vigil near the entrance also merits honorable mention.

The 10-ton rock dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army was dragged from the banks of the Hudson River by a team of 18 horses and 100 men with ropes. Local school children raised the funds to cover the expense of excavating and depositing the immovable monument and Civil War veterans attended its dedication on June 13, 1908.

On May 7^th 2011, hundreds attended the grand opening of a spacious annex of metal and glass that is barely visible from the Lincoln boulder. Carnegie would still recognize the building he funded because architect Michael Esmay has executed an expansion that neither competes nor clashes with the original structure. (My sketch is drawn from the rear of the new complex.)

The new Nyack library building is designed to meet the needs of the information age: the number of computers with Internet access has tripled, there are increased public meeting spaces, areas that serve different age groups have been enhanced, and display and media elements that make it easier to browse the collection have been installed.

The interior of the new wing, designed by Barbara Corwin is bright and inviting, like a reading room in a solarium. The experience of sitting with a book at a wooden table, looking at a panoramic view of the Hudson through a floor to ceiling window is elevating.

Roger Seiler, President of the Board of Trustees at the time of the expansion, described the new Nyack Library as a “dynamic center of information and culture.”

In 2020, Nyack Library received the 2020 Jospeh F. Shubert Award for Library Excellence in recognition for a year of programming entitled “Black American Culture and Art Series: The Legacy of Toni Morrison.”

Here are some upcoming programs at Nyack Library that may be of interest:

A Taste of Local History
July 25, 5p

I will be moderating a discussion with Culinary Historian Lavada Nahon. Nahon uses food, utensils and customs to explore the day-to-day life of early Lower Hudson Valley farmers and their workers, many of whom were enslaved, with special attention to what they were eating and drinking, who was preparing it and more.

This event is sponsored by the Historical Society of the Nyacks, Hudson Market on Main and Nyack Library.

Two can enjoy this meaningful meal and lecture for $55.

You must register here by July 20th to participate. Food pick up is between 1-4p on Sun. July 25 at Hudson Market on Main.

Intro to Oral Storytelling for all Genders
July 28, 7 – 8:30pm

Rockland County based award winning multi-media community storytelling artist and director Katie Elevitch (she/they) leads a workshop where you can discover the power of oral storytelling to bring communities together. This intro class is for anyone interested in learning how to access their personal stories and begin to share them in an oral storytelling style. No creative or arts background needed.

Register here.

Nyack Sketch Log: The Nyack Library Part I

Nyack Sketch Log: Culinary Scholar Let’s Public Taste History

Musician, Educator, 95 1/2 Main Owner, Katie Elevitch

Interior library photo credit: John Putre