Yonkers Public Library (YPL), in partnership with the Hudson River Museum (HRM), has received a $89,300 grant from the Metropolitan New York Library Council to fund cultural learning opportunities for students and families residing in Yonkers and Westchester County.
The grant will support the library and museum’s joint The Estuary Project: Learning that Flows Two Way, which synchronizes the library’s programs and resources with the museum’s exhibitions, planetarium, and workshops. This project was awarded through a highly competitive review and selection process by Metropolitan New York Library Council made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ American Recovery Plan Act federal grant program.
“The City of Yonkers couldn’t be prouder that two of its premier institutions were awarded this prestigious grant. Yonkers Public Library and the Hudson River Museum have always provided critical literacy, art and cultural education to the Yonkers Community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations and services struggled to maintain their programs, but the library and museum support for the community through online services and programs was an essential way to keep our activities in Yonkers alive and our residents engaged,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “This award will guarantee that we can do this in the future. Federal support at the community level creates strong cities and ensures that community members have access to arts and educational resources as we emerge from the pandemic.”
YPL and HRM will partner on multiple projects, including building a one-of-a-kind library collection related to Yonkers, tribal history of the Lenape, history of the Hudson River, and the Hudson River School art movement that can be used by Yonkers’ students, library cardholders, educators and historians.
“We are excited to work together with our friends at Hudson River Museum to offer quality cultural experiences to young people and their families that have been deprived of them during the COVID-19 pandemic. As institutions of informal learning, it’s important that we collaborate and support each other’s collections and services and this grant gives us a great opportunity to do that.” stated Jesse Montero, library director of Yonkers Public Library.
Hudson River Museum’s curator and educators will also work closely with library staff on developing programs and curriculum that complement the museum’s permanent collection and upcoming 2022 exhibitions The World of Frida, Frida Kahlo in Context and Collection Spotlight: Women Photographers.
Masha Turchinsky, director and CEO of Hudson River Museum added, “This grant will enable us to deepen our partnership with Yonkers Public Library and enrich the lives of children and their families. We are excited to develop programs together that encourage curiosity, exploration and inspiration through arts, culture, and science. This collaboration is a real win for all.”
“Metropolitan New York Library Council is thrilled to support the work being done by Yonkers Public Library and Hudson River Museum on The Estuary Project: Learning That Flows Two Ways. This project exemplifies the very principles that this program holds dear: a positive working partnership between libraries and museums, engagement with members of our communities during trying times, and their principled attention to helping fill the gaps in education that are arising due to our continued public health emergency,” said Nate Hill, executive director at Metropolitan New York Library Council. “We are grateful to both Yonkers Public Library and Hudson River Museum for their partnership in the Museums and Libraries grant program, and we look forward to working together with them in the coming months.”
