Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Chris Shoemaker of the Rye Free Reading Room.
Your name: Chris Shoemaker
Organization: Rye Free Reading Room
Your role: Library Director
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Shoemaker: The Rye Free Reading Room serves as a dynamic gathering place and center for lifelong learning for Rye residents of all ages and interests. We provide a space for residents to read, meet, and explore topics and subjects that they are curious about. We welcome the community in, without any prerequisites.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Shoemaker: 139 years – since 1884
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Shoemaker:
- Our collections! The library has over 55,000 physical items in the building, and nearly 163,000 electronic items. No matter what you’re looking to read, watch, or listen to, we can get it for you!
- Our activities! There’s something happening every day at the library. From storytimes to author visits to craft programs to technology assistance, Rye residents know there’s always something happening at the library. Read in Rye highlights authors for adults, while Crafty Kids uses books to inspire hands-on building opportunities. Our books clubs are great ways to find new reads, and our librarians can help you set-up a new book club, if you’ve got a special area of interest.
- Novel Night! The Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room plans and hosts a biennial fundraiser to support the programs and activities at the library. 500 guests choose which literary themed dinner party they’d like to attend, and then showcase their costumes at an after-party, with dancing and more.
Looking forward to 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
Shoemaker:
- We’re going to keep working on flood related solutions, including looking at all the options we have to address the seawall behind the library.
- We’ll be reaching out to the Rye City School District to see how we can expand library card access to all students.
- We’re looking at the whole range of library programs offered, and will be sharing out a community needs survey to help inform our planning. So, sign up to get our newsletter and check the website for details on when the survey opens.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Shoemaker: We serve the whole of the Rye community, and welcome visitors from across Westchester. Adults, business owners, and students appreciate our study spaces and reservable rooms, while families and young children find Wiggle Giggle, Robert the Guitar Guy, Bilingual Music with Marilyn, and storytimes to be a big hit. Teens love the monthly lock-in programs, and hanging out with their friends in the Teen Room. We also provide free notary services, technology assistance, laptops, mobile hotspots, and museum passes.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Shoemaker: Yes
Looking back across 2023, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Shoemaker:
- As part of our ongoing flood solutions, we undertook a significant shift in the library layout. Our Children’s Room is now on the first floor, with big windows that let in a lot of light, with more child friendly furniture for browsing and reading together. The new Teen Space on the lower level is busier than ever, with a 10% increase in the number of teens in the library during the week. And, our young patrons have a hands-on learning space in the new Discovery Zone.
How can local residents support your organization?
Shoemaker: The biggest way to support us is to make a donation to the Annual Campaign. If that’s not an option, you can show your support by signing up for a library card.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Shoemaker: One of the biggest supporters of the Rye Free Reading Room is the City of Rye, who provides a significant portion of our yearly funding. We’re incredibly grateful for the support across the City, including Rye Rec, Rye Police, Rye Fire, and Rye DPW.
The Rye Garden Club and the Little Garden Club of Rye make the library look festive for the holidays, and I look forward to the annual greening of the library each year. We wouldn’t look nearly as good without them.
So many residents and businesses donate to the annual campaign and our special events; it’s a great privilege to be part of a generous community.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Shoemaker: Just over 10 years
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Shoemaker: Full Time Paid Role
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Shoemaker: Curious
Pick one:
Shoemaker:
| MyRye.com
Select from: |
Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Dr. Pepper |
| Regular or diet? | Zero Sugar |
| Action movie or rom com? | Sci-Fi |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Cook |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | Cat |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Caesar |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Tortilla chips and guacamole |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Soda Stream – make tap into sparkling at home! |
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Shoemaker: One of the kindest things someone has done for me came right after the terrible flooding that occurred after Ida in 2021. The way Rye turned out to help with bagging up of water-logged books, moving the remaining titles upstairs, and wiping down the surviving furniture made a challenging time so much easier.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
Shoemaker: I’d love to stay at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya, and then go out on a search for hippos.
What is your favorite streaming / TV series?
Shoemaker: Taskmaster – the British version, not the American one.
What is your favorite movie?
Shoemaker: Clue
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Shoemaker: Manhattan – Financial District
Thanks, Chris!
