named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Collection Connect
Monthly workshops to help patrons access Westchester Library System eResources such as Libby, Kanopy, and hoopla
Culture Passes
Provides free access to museums and cultural institutions through reservable passes
Early Literacy Initiative
Programs including storytime, Tumble Biblioteca, and partnerships to promote childhood reading and language development
StoryWalk®
Outdoor literacy event displaying pages of a children's book along a path at Bedford Hills Memorial Park in partnership with the Town of Bedford Recreation and Parks Department
Tech Tuesday
Weekly in-person technology assistance for patrons with devices, internet use, and digital literacy
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 2 activities
- Offers digital lending and streaming servicesProvides digital access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics, movies, TV shows, magazines, music, and educational content through platforms like Libby, OverDrive, Kanopy, and Estante Infinito, available across multiple devices.
- Provides access to cultural, educational, and informational resources and programsOffers access to books, digital media, technology, and educational programs that support lifelong learning, creativity, responsible citizenship, and community engagement for all age groups.
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Used Book and Media Sales for Fundraising 1 activity
- Manages BookMarket and supports fundraising through donated materialsOrganizes and sells donated books and goods through the Library's BookMarket, including coordination of special sales events to support library operations.
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Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
- Offers technology assistance and digital literacy workshopsProvides weekly Tech Tuesday sessions and other workshops offering in-person and phone-based coaching to help patrons use personal devices, public computers, printers, and digital resources such as eResources from the Westchester Library System.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Operates a monthly food pantry for community members in needHosts a Choice food pantry program that allows neighbors to select groceries including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and canned goods, supporting food security in the local community.
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Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
- Provides early literacy programs for childrenHosts storytime programs featuring songs, stories, rhymes, and lap bounces for toddlers and preschoolers, both onsite and at offsite locations like Bedford Hills Memorial Park, to support language development and caregiver-child bonding.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Provides job search and career support servicesOffers live chat support and professional guidance for job searching, resume preparation, and interview skills.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Provides museum pass reservation and lending programOffers online reservations and three-day borrowing of museum passes to patrons, enabling access to cultural institutions.
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Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
- Supports teen and student educational needsProvides access to research tools like Britannica High, supports FAFSA applications, and offers digital resources tailored to high school and college students.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$617K
Contributions & grants$588K95%
Program service revenue$2K0%
Investment income$13K2%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$601K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$410K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$781K
Cash$296K
Investments$359K
Liabilities$42K
Net assets$739K
Liquid reserves13.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY ESBJORNSON | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $118K |
board members · 6
- ANNIE C BAI — TRUSTEE
- CLAUDIA NEARY — TRUSTEE
- NATHALIE STRAUEL — SECRETARY
- S HEIDE SHILSTONE — VICE PRESIDE
- SUSAN KANE — TREASURER
- TERRIE PALADINO VIOLA — PRESIDENT
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- American Library Association Network — References ALA as a source of foundational library values and advocacy principles.
- Bedford Hills Memorial Park Partner — Collaborates on hosting summer storytime events for children near the kiddie pool.
- Britannica High Partner — Provides research resources and in-depth information for high school students.
- Comics Plus: Library Edition Partner — Provides access to digital graphic novels and comics.
- Community Center of NW Partner — Partner agency offering monthly access to a Choice food pantry for neighbors in need.
- David Worby Foundation Funder — Funds Bedford Hills Free Library’s Early Literacy Initiative.
- FAFSA Government — Enables access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for college financial aid applications.
- Kanopy Partner — Offers streaming film collection including documentaries, indie and foreign films, and classics.
- Kanopy Kids Partner — Offers curated educational video content for children through a partnership with Kanopy Kids.
- Libby Partner — Provides digital eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines through the Libby app.
- Mount Kisco Child Care Center Partner — Partner organization providing early education and childcare services to a diverse population.
- Neighbors Link Partner — Collaborates with the library to support community integration of immigrants.
- New York State Library Network — Partner in the Ready early literacy initiative, of which DaybyDayNY is a part.
- OverDrive Partner — Provides access to digital content for Kindle tablets and desktop PCs.
- Robert M. Spano Plumbing and Heating Funder — Sponsors the StoryWalk program.
- Town of Bedford Government — Primary funder of the library's operations.
- Town of Bedford Recreation and Parks Department Partner — Collaborates with the library to present the StoryWalk program at Bedford Hills Memorial Park.
- Tutor.com Partner — Offers live chat support and professional review for job searching, resume preparation, and interviewing.
- WLS Network — Member of the Westchester Library System, using WLS library cards for computer access.
- WLS Partner — Collaborates to provide access to eResources including Kanopy, Libby, eBooks, eMagazines, and eMovies through monthly Collection Connect workshops.
- Westchester Library System Partner — Provides a downloadable eBook service to which the Bedford Hills Free Library gives patron access.
- hoopla Partner — Provides digital content lending through a partnership with hoopla.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client Choice Model in Community Servicesmethodology: client_choiceBy allowing individuals to select their own groceries through a client-choice food pantry model, the library promotes dignity and meets specific household needs, increasing utilization and trust because autonomy in service delivery strengthens engagement and reduces stigma.
- Early Literacy Through Interactive and Play-Based Engagementmethodology: early-literacy-engagementBy using songs, rhymes, storytelling, and play in both physical and digital formats, the library fosters early language development and builds lifelong reading habits because interactive, multisensory experiences strengthen neural pathways and caregiver-child bonding critical to literacy acquisition.
- Universal Access to Information as Democratic Practicemethodology: universal_accessBy guaranteeing open, uncensored access to materials and services regardless of background or status, the library fosters democratic participation, intellectual freedom, and responsible citizenship because unrestricted dialogue and learning are foundational to an engaged community.