Riverdale Branch Information

Branch History

The Riverdale Branch of The New York Public Library was built in 1967 at the request of community residents to replace their small local library. The branch is a red brick L-shaped building with vaulted ceilings of wood; its exterior is enhanced by a garden and wrought iron fence. There is a 60-seat meeting room available for branch programs. The one-floor, air-conditioned branch is fully accessible to persons who use wheelchairs. The Branch is located in a residential neighborhood of single family houses with several apartment buildings scattered throughout the area.

Collections & Services

  • Book collections for adults, young adults, and children available for borrowing and use in the library
  • Videos, DVDs, CDs, books-on-tape
  • Small collection of material in languages other than English with an emphasis on Russian books
  • Community Information Service Collection
  • Personal computers and software for free public use by appointment
  • Internet access for free public use by appointment
  • Four laptop computers available for public use

Programs

  • Variety of programs for all ages, including story hours, reading aloud, arts and crafts, music, drama, book discussions, and local history lectures
  • Class visits by appointment

Other Neighborhood Branches

Area Branches Library Centers
Jerome Park
Kingsbridge
Spuyten Duyvil
Van Cortlandt 		Bronx Library Center

Community Information

Basic community services are listed below. For other local agencies, see The New York Public Library's Directory of Community Services.
Community Board
Community Board # 8 1990 and 2000 Demographic Statistics
Elected Officials - Local
NYC Council
District # 11 		NYS Assembly
District # 81 		NYS Senate
District # 34 		U.S. Congress
District # 17
Fire and Police Departments
Fire:
Engine 52
4550 Riverdale Avenue 10471 		Police:
50th Precinct
3450 Kingsbridge Avenue 10463
718-543-5700
Parks and Playgrounds:
Van Cortlandt Park
Broadway from West 240th-256th Streets 10463
718-601-2629
Wave Hill
675 West 252nd Street 10471
718-549-2055
Post Office:
Riverdale Station
5951 Riverdale Avenue 10471
718-549-7519
Schools:
Public  (Community School Board Districts list)
Elementary School:
PS 81 - Robert J. Christen School (K-5)
5550 Riverdale Avenue 10471
718-796-8965
Region 1, District 10
Other Elementary Schools in Region 1, District 10

Intermediate Schools in Region 1, District 10

High Schools in Region 1, District 10
Other Schools/Programs:
Alternative Programs in the Bronx

Charter Schools in the Bronx

Special Education Programs in the Bronx
Private/Parochial
Elementary/Intermediate Schools:
St. Margaret of Crotona School (K-8)
452 West 260th Street 10471
718-549-8580
Salanter Akiba Riverdale (S/A/R) Academy (Nursery-8)
655 West 254th Street 10471
718-548-1717
Intermediate School:
Jonas Bronck Academy (6-8)
4525 Manhattan College Parkway 10471
718-884-6673
High Schools:
Salanter Akiba Riverdale (S/A/R) High School
5900 Netherland Avenue 10471
718-548-2727
Yeshiva Ohavei Torah
450 West 250th Street 10471
718-432-2600
Comprehensive Schools:
Ethical Culture Fieldston Schools
Fieldston School (Nursery-12)
Fieldston Road and Manhattan College Parkway 10471
718-329-7313 (Lower School, Nursery-6)
718-329-7306 (Upper School, 7-12)
Horace Mann School
4440 Tibbett Avenue 10471 (Lower School, K-5)
718-432-3300
Horace Mann School
231 West 246th Street 10471 (Middle and Upper School, 6-12)
718-432-4100		 Riverdale Country School (Pre K-12)
5250 Fieldston Road 10471
718-549-7780 (Lower School, Pre K-6)
718-549-8810 (Upper School, 7-12)
Jewish Schools in the Bronx (Lookstein Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora)

Parochial Schools in the Bronx (Archdiocese of New York)

Private Schools listing (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York)
College:
College of Mount St. Vincent
6301 Riverdale Avenue 10471
718-405-3200