The Foundation to Unveil Dedication Wall and Art Installation

Honoring the Library Using Reclaimed 1961 Sunshades from Library’s Original Facade

Yonkers, NY - On Thursday, May 2 The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library will reveal its Dedication Wall to the public with an unveiling ceremony at the Grinton I. Will Branch.  The Dedication Wall is an art installation whose design was inspired by, and makes use of materials from the Library’s original sunshades.  The unveiling will take place at 4pm in the lobby of Grinton I. Will Branch. Refreshments will be served. 

The Will Branch, built in 1961, was designed by architect Eli Rabineau, and its iconic brightly colored sunshades were a familiar sight to all who saw or visited the branch on Central Avenue.  In 2018, as part of a series of ongoing and much-needed renovations to the building, the sunshades and windows were replaced to permit light to enter and to allow visibility of the grand archways that make up the design. 

Following the removal of the sunshades in 2018, the Foundation kicked off its first fundraiser as a new not-for-profit.  Recognizing the significance of the sunshades to those who have fond memories of the branch, the fundraiser offered an opportunity for donors to make a dedication, inscribed on a sunshade cut-out, in the color of their choice.

“When the Yonkers Public Library decided to upgrade the facade at the Will branch, we wanted to acknowledge how important the original design was to us all,” said Foundation president Nancy Maron. “This approach lets us honor the past, while raising funds for new programming, to keep the library’s offerings exciting for our patrons.”

“This installation is a unique and respectful callback to the building’s history and its place in the community,” added YPL director Edward Falcone. “I think it will bring back many happy memories and spark a few smiles.”

The fabrication of the installation required the work of many local creators, including Mount Vernon Iron Works, who carved the panels and sculptor Malcolm MacDougall who designed and installed the wall.

To dedicate a sunshade plaque visit  www.foundationforypl.org.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR THE YONKERS PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library is an independent not-for-profit organization, created in 2017 by the trustees and administrators of YPL as a means to actively support and enrich the programming, spaces, and collections of the Library. The Foundation, through its fundraising efforts, has already funded several key library initiatives in 2019, including 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and Teacher in the Library, as well as well as a new artist teaching series launched in 2019.  www.foundationforypl.org

ABOUT THE YONKERS PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The Yonkers Public Library is the largest library in Westchester County and was established in 1893 to serve the citizens of the City of Yonkers. There are currently three branches; Riverfront Library, our main branch, in downtown Yonkers, the Grinton I. Will Branch on Central Avenue and the Crestwood Branch in the Crestwood section of the city. Our mission is to change lives every date. Our expert, trusted staff help all the people of Yonkers find the information they need, the programs they enjoy, and the reading they love. In 2018, the library had over 825,000 visitors, checked out 795,000 items, held 7,200 programs for adults, teens and youth and answered 364,479 reference questions. For more information about the Yonkers Public Library, visit     www.ypl.org.