Van Cortlandt Branch Information

Branch History

The Van Cortlandt Branch of The New York Public Library is a cozy one-room, one-floor branch situated nearby the Jerome Park Reservoir and historic Van Cortlandt Park. Both the Park and the Branch owe their names to an early 18th-century New York Mayor, Jacobus Van Cortlandt, whose family owned large tracts of land in the area. The Branch opened in 1969, formerly operating out of a tiny apartment in the area, and is fully accessible to persons who use wheelchairs. It houses a small but varied collection of books, genre paperbacks, videos, CDs, DVDs and audio cassettes for all ages.

Collections & Services

  • Book collections for adults, young adults, and children available for borrowing and use in the library
  • Videos, audiocassettes, CDs, DVDs, and books-on-tape
  • A small collection of Russian and Spanish language books for all ages
  • An excellent paperback collection with a selection of genre fiction such as Mystery, Romance, and Science Fiction
  • Community Information Service Collection
  • Internet access for free public use by appointment

Programs

  • Special events, including arts and crafts workshops, magic shows, concerts, and picture book hours for children
  • Tax counseling for seniors, January-April
  • Class visits by appointment

Other Neighborhood Branches

Area Branches Library Centers
Jerome Park
Kingsbridge
Mosholu
Spuyten Duyvil 		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 # 80 		NYS Senate
District # 33		 U.S. Congress
District # 17
Fire and Police Departments
Fire:
Engine 81, Ladder 46
3025 Bailey Avenue 10463 		Police:
50th Precinct
3450 Kingsbridge Avenue 10463
Local Hospitals:
Montefiore Medical Center
111 East 210th Street 10467
718-920-4321
Parks and Playgrounds:
Fort Independence Playground
Sedgwick Avenue and Giles Place

Van Cortlandt Park and Mansion
Broadway between Van Cortlandt Park South and West 262nd Street
718-430-1890
Van Cortlandt Classic Playground
Gouverneur Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South
Post Office:
Kingsbridge Station
5517 Broadway 10463
718-549-5300
Schools:
Public  (Community School Board Districts list)
Elementary/Intermediate School:
PS 95 - Sheila Mencher School (K-8)
3961 Hillman Avenue 10463
718-796-9200
Region 1, District 10
Other Elementary Schools in Region 1, District 10

Other Intermediate Schools in Region 1, District 10
High Schools:
Bronx High School of Music
100 West Mosholu Parkway South 10468
718-543-1000
Bronx High School of Science
75 West 205th Street 10468
718-817-7700
DeWitt Clinton High School
100 West Mosholu Parkway South 10468
718-543-1000		 High School for American Studies at Lehman College
2925 Goulden Avenue 10468
718-329-2144
Other 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:
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)