The primary goal of the Lower School Library program is to instill in the children an awareness that books are a fundamental component of their lives. In a warm and inviting environment, Riverdale students learn while having fun. Located in a spacious high-ceilinged area enhanced by a wall of windows overlooking the Hudson River, the Lower School Library encourages children to become independent learners who possess a lifetime love of literature.

Students in Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade come for a regularly scheduled library period. In order to vitalize a love for reading, they listen to stories and book talks. They become familiar with the lives and literature of semi-annual visiting authors. All Lower School children are regularly reminded that since this is their library, they are welcome to visit and use the library at any time of the school day. Whole classes, individual students, and faculty come to the library to use both print and electronic sources for their research and academic projects. The solutions to the ongoing Library Jeopardy and Quote Quest interactive games require the application of the students’ acquired library research skills. 

Collections and Research

The Lower School Library has a collection of 15,000 books and numerous literary DVD’s and CD’s. The library subscribes to 40 periodicals as well. Fiction — classic and current — and non-fiction works in the collection, serve the academic and recreational needs of the Lower School population. Electronic, age-appropriate databases are accessible to the Lower School population from school as well as from home. The retrieval of library and online information is facilitated through the use of eight computer terminals.

 
Borrowing Materials

Students may borrow library materials for a period of two weeks, but renewal of any library item is welcomed. Friendly reminders are presented for late books.