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research dossier

PURCHASE FREE LIBRARY

PURCHASE, NY · EIN 132583205 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · purchasefreelibrary.org
revenue
$295K
expenses
$231K
net assets
$340K
employees
4
volunteers
1
program ratio
12%
mission · from form 990

PROVIDE RESEARCH ASSISTANCE, BOOKS, PERIODICALS AND OTHER MEDIA TO THE PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Purchase Free Library serves the public by providing free access to books, periodicals, research assistance, and digital media. Located in Purchase, New York, it operates as a member of the Westchester Library System and offers services to all community members regardless of age, background, or ability. The library emphasizes privacy, inclusivity, and equitable access in accordance with state and federal laws.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

General Library Services
Provides free access to books, periodicals, electronic media, and research assistance for all patrons with a Westchester Library System card.
Home Delivery and Remote Access Services
Provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including books by mail, home delivery, remote OPAC access, and assistive technologies.
Public Computer Access
Offers free computer stations for patrons to use for internet access, word processing, and other digital needs, subject to library policies.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Summer and Seasonal Reading Programs 2 activities
    • Hosts children's educational and recreational programs
      Organizes a range of children’s activities including storytime, scavenger hunts, craft-making, science learning displays, puzzle-solving, creative writing, and interactive library quests—often themed around dinosaurs or holidays—as part of engagement initiatives such as the summer reading program.
    • Runs Adult Summer Reading Program
      Hosts an annual summer reading program for adults in July and August featuring reading tracking, themed book recommendations, group discussions, Reading Bingo, prizes, and a concluding discussion and prize event at the end of August.
  • Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 2 activities
    • Operates library facilities with regular public access hours
      Runs a public library open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, offering consistent in-person access to resources and services.
    • Provides free public library services with physical and digital collections
      Offers free access to books, periodicals, media, ebooks, audiobooks, films, and music through physical collections and digital platforms including Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and OverDrive for library cardholders.
  • Public Access Technology Services 2 activities
    • Provides free public Wi-Fi access
      Offers free, password-free Wi-Fi access throughout the library facility for all patrons.
    • Provides public computer and printing services
      Offers two public desktop computers for general use during library hours, free printing up to 5 pages per patron, as well as free scanning and copying services.
  • Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
    • Hosts intergenerational and community events
      Facilitates family game nights and other intergenerational events to promote community engagement and shared learning experiences across age groups.
  • Recreational Game Programming 1 activity
    • Hosts recurring book clubs and chess clubs
      Organizes a monthly one-hour adult book club meeting and a biweekly children’s chess club held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
  • Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
    • Maintains public transparency through open governance practices
      Makes board meeting agendas, minutes, bylaws, financial records, and annual reports publicly available and holds open board meetings accessible to the public.
  • Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
    • Offers museum pass program for cultural institutions
      Provides free museum passes to cultural institutions in the NYC metro area for library cardholders, limited to two simultaneous passes from different museums, with a three-day checkout period and $10 per day late fee for overdue returns, which must be returned in person at the circulation desk.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Operates a fine-free lending policy
      Eliminates late fees for borrowed materials, operating as a fine-free library to increase equitable access to resources.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$295K
Contributions & grants$295K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$25
expenses
Total expenses$231K
Program expenses12%
Admin / overhead86%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$123K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$340K
Cash$340K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$340K
Liquid reserves17.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 3
  • DIANE RUBINO — TRUSTEE
  • LORI PRISCO — TRUSTEE
  • MICHAEL KOVENS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • Altruism Partner — Partner organization that accepts children's books for donation.
  • American Museum of Natural History Partner — Partner institution offering free museum passes to library cardholders.
  • American Museum of Natural History Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • Better World Books Partner — Partner organization to which the library directs book and DVD donations.
  • Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden Partner — Provides access to the museum and garden through library-issued passes.
  • Katonah Museum of Art Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • Manhattanville University Partner — Located directly across from Manhattanville University, suggesting proximity and potential collaboration.
  • Museum of the Moving Image Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • Nature Center at Greenburgh Partner — Provides access to the nature center through library-issued passes.
  • Playland Partner — Provides access to the amusement park through library-issued passes.
  • Rogue Bear Press Programs Partner — Partner organization providing the interactive library quest program for children.
  • Stamford Museum & Nature Center Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • Stepping Stones Museum for Children Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • The Bruce Museum Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • The Frick Collection Partner — Provides access to the museum through library-issued passes.
  • Therapy Dogs International Partner — Partner organization supplying therapy dogs for the 'Read to a Dog' literacy program.
  • Westchester Library System Network — Member library of the Westchester Library System, which supports shared services and resource access.
  • Westchester Library System Network — Member of the Westchester Library System, providing access to shared digital collections through OverDrive.
strategies · 4

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.

  • Animal-Assisted Literacy for Low-Pressure Skill Development
    methodology: animal_assisted_literacy
    By enabling children to read aloud to therapy animals, the library supports literacy growth, because the non-judgmental presence of animals reduces anxiety and increases confidence in emerging readers.
  • Fine-Free Model to Reduce Access Barriers
    methodology: fine_free_model
    By eliminating late fines, the library reduces financial and psychological barriers to borrowing materials, because penalty-free policies increase equitable access and encourage broader community use of resources.
  • Gamified Learning Through Interactive Engagement
    methodology: gamified_learning
    By using gamification and adventure-based formats, the library increases children's engagement in learning, because interactive exploration and playful challenges make discovery more motivating than passive instruction.
  • Member-Driven Selection to Foster Ownership and Participation
    methodology: member_driven_selection
    By allowing book club members to choose readings through consensus, the library increases engagement and program sustainability, because participatory decision-making fosters ownership, inclusion, and sustained involvement.