The New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries recently announced that the 2023 Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award has been awarded to Yonkers Public Library (YPL) for its Summer Reading Buddies program.
The Excellence Award is given annually to recognize the achievements of libraries and library consortia in New York state. This year, members of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries 2023 Shubert Award Committee unanimously voted to award the 2023 Shubert Award to YPL. The award was officially presented on Nov. 3 at the New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga, New York, by State Librarian Lauren Moore.
“Yonkers Public Library is a great example of using resources within the community to meet a need in the community the library serves,” said Grace Riario, chair of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries.
Summer Reading Buddies is an intergenerational reading and mentorship program offered in partnership with the Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY) and hosted at YPL’s Riverfront Library, located in downtown Yonkers. The program trains volunteer mentors (who are mainly older adults) about the best practices for new readers, many of whom are
first-generation English speakers.
“We’re honored to receive this award and we share it with a great partner in the Family Service Society of Yonkers,” said YPL Library Director Jesse Montero.
“Summer Reading Buddies does everything we love to see library programs do -––encourage reading, connection and fun in our community. And nothing compares to the excitement and energy in the library when the program is in session,” said Nancy Maron, library board president.
Originally launched in 2004, Summer Reading Buddies delivers resources and convenes community partners, including Yonkers Public Schools, local STEM organizations, financial and health literacy partners, elected officials, and more. This enables the program to extend beyond reading into offering wraparound services for families, including nutritional support, parenting workshops, fun and inviting programs and spaces, and intergenerational mentorship and relationship building.
“This recognition celebrates not only Yonkers Public Library’s and Family Service Society of Yonkers’ accomplishments through Summer Reading Buddies but the shared enthusiasm, dedication and innovation that have fueled this initiative that is making a lasting impact on our community,” said Anietra Guzmán-Santana, senior director, Family Service Society of Yonkers.
Yonkers Public Library is the largest library in Westchester County. It consists of three locations: Riverfront Library, the main branch, in downtown Yonkers; the Grinton I. Will Library on Central Avenue; and the Crestwood Library in the Crestwood section of the city.
Founded in 1883, Family Service Society of Yonkers’ mission is to be the premier provider of comprehensive services, which improve the quality of lives of individuals and families of diverse backgrounds in Westchester County. FSSY is also a leading provider of quality volunteer opportunities for Westchester’s retirees and seniors.
