By Erin Schirota, Head of Youth Services, Bronxville Public Library
Sep. 21, 2016: It seems as though every other day there's a new electronic device, a new app, or a new game for kids to lose themselves in. With so much to choose from, it's sometimes hard to believe that many kids are picking reading above all else. But that's exactly what the youth of Bronxville proved this summer!
The staff of the Bronxville Library's children's department saw a surge in the number of children reading over 100 books this summer. The goal of the reading program is to encourage children to read for pleasure during the summer break. The reading program also helps young students retain skills learned during the school year.
Sure, small incentives to keep them motivated were handed out along the way, but the number of kids who went above and beyond surprised even the librarians! The staff gave out 32 "elite reader" medals to children topping the 100-book mark.
One dedicated reader, Leopold Daub, even reached 200! Additionally, nearly 75 children read over 50 books, and as a special reward, the youth services staff treated them to an end-of-the-summer ice cream sundae party.
So the message is clear—books are not going anywhere anytime soon. Not if the children of Bronxville have any say!
Pictured here: Leopold Daub, reader of over 200 books this summer.
Photo courtesy Erin Schirota, Head of Youth Services, Bronxville Public Library
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400