Finkelstein Memorial Library - About the Library

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About Finkelstein Memorial Library
The Finkelstein Memorial Library is a free public library, founded in 1917, now serving over 100,000 people in the East Ramapo Central School District of Rockland County, New York. The Library has a collection of nearly 400,000 items and a circulation of almost 783,000 items per year. It continues to be one of the most heavily used libraries in the region with over 460,000 visitors annually.
There have been many generous and dedicated people in the Library's history. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, there are rooms and gardens at the Library named in their honor.
Notable Rooms and Gardens
The Founders Room is located on the second floor of the library and houses the library's local history collection. It is also used for community meetings. It is dedicated to three generations of the Finkelstein family who made major contributions to the library. The original library building on Madison Avenue was a gift of the family in 1941 in memory of Joseph N. Finkelstein. In 1960, a new addition to be used as the children's room was dedicated to Joseph's son, Abraham D. Finkelstein. In 1987, a new main wing for the library was dedicated to Robert H. Finkelstein, grandson of Joseph.

The Robert H. Finkelstein Technology Center is located on the third floor of the library. It was founded in 2001 to hold computer training sessions and to provide free public access to high speed computers to the community. It is dedicated to Robert H. Finkelstein who served on the Board of Trustees of the Library from 1961 and as its President from 1962 until his death in 2001.

The Fielding Room is located on the third floor of the library. It was donated in 2001 in memory of Robert C. and Gertrude Fielding, who were the aunt and uncle of Robert H. Finkelstein. The room is used as a venue for library cultural and educational programs and as a multipurpose community meeting room.

The Alice Golar Garden is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot. It is dedicated to Mrs. Alice Golar who served as a library board member for 36 years. She served as board president from 2001 to 2008. Mrs. Golar (pictured right) encouraged the library to reach out and serve every segment of the community through such services as the "mobile library" which travels around the community; classes in English as a second language; outreach storytimes at local schools; homebound services for the sick and elderly; and as a public meeting space for community organizations.

The Lucile Holt Garden is located along the Route 59 side of the library. It is dedicated to Ms. Lucile H. Holt who served on the Board of Trustees of the Finkelstein Memorial Library from 1994 until her death in 2007. In addition to serving as a library trustee for 13 years, she was past President of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund and served in that capacity for 16 years.
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