Riverdale Branch records

1955-1985

The Riverdale Branch of The New York Public Library traces its origins to 1872, when a gardener on the Cleveland H. Dodge estate in the northwest Bronx established a lending shelf of books in a corner of the greenhouse. In 1883, Miss Grace Dodge saw that a formal organization would widen the usefulness of the library. On October 23 of that year a meeting took place at the home of William H. Appleton to "furnish a circulating library, reading room, and other means for the entertainment and improvement of the neighborhood," leading to the establishment of the Riverdale Library Association. Samuel D. Babcock donated a plot of land, Mr. and Mrs. Percy R. Pyne funded construction of a building, and over the years the Dodge family contributed many improvements and gifts. The institution later expanded to become Riverdale Neighborhood House (RNH), and offered lectures, dramatic readings, flower and minstrel shows, ventriloquist acts, slide presentations and vocational training, as well as loaning books.

On July 1, 1954 the library operation was incorporated into The New York Public Library system, becoming the Riverdale Branch. During these years the construction of many large apartment buildings in the area led to an increase in population. In 1961 RNH purchased a plot of land across Mosholu Avenue as a site for a new branch building. Funds for the purchase were provide by the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation. The structure was built under an innovative leaseback arrangement between the RNH and NYPL. The building and the land were leased to the Library for a 20-year period, and the Library then assumed ownership. The formal dedication of the building, designed by architect Robert L. Bien, took place on October 26, 1965.

The following have served as Head Librarian at the Riverdale Branch: Louise H. Woods (1954-1955), Janice Ferguson (1956-1957), Walter Roziewski (1957), Ruth Higgins (1958-1978), Patricia Smith (1978-1995), Georgia Strong (1996-1999).