Our mission is to provide information, programming and access to resources and materials for your educational and recreational needs. Your library card gives you access to our physical collection located in our 26,000 square foot facility and our downloadable resources from the comfort of your own home.
The library is open seven days a week during the school year: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m-5 p.m. Our catalog, online resources and downloadable e-books and e-audio titles are available to patrons 24 hours a day either through our website, chappaqualibrary.org, or our mobile app.
INSIDE The library:
- A wide assortment of bestseller, popular and classic DVDs, and music
- Extensive adult, teen and children’s programming, book discussions, lectures, concerts, storytimes, movies, and more
- Wireless access to the Internet including wireless printing capability from your home computers, tablets, or smartphones
- Art exhibits in our gallery
- Museum passes
- Public access computers
- Online research databases
- E-books
- Full text digital magazines
- Downloadable and streaming music
- Audio books you can borrow or download
We offer friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you with all your research needs.The Chappaqua Library is part of a consortium of 38 public libraries in Westchester County with a shared online catalog and daily delivery service. Your library card gives you borrowing privileges at each, plus the ability to reserve an item and have it delivered locally for your convenience.
We look forward to serving you.
Regards,
Pamela Thornton
Director
Ellen Smithberg
Library Board President
Our local Chappaqua Library hosts a slew of exciting and engaging programs throughout the year. Here’s a taste of their annual offerings. For more information on dates, attendance and/or registration for any of these wonderful events, please visit chappaqualibrary.org
Annual KenKen Tournament
Founder of KenKen Puzzle Co. and local resident Robert Fuhrer invites KenKen enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to come together to match wits and challenge each other for accuracy and speed. Founded in 2010, the Chappaqua Library KenKen tournament is held annually every December (exact date will vary year to year). This event is free of charge, and open to the public.
Annual Used Book Sale
Held every June (exact dates will vary year to year), this event is sponsored by Friends of the Chappaqua Library as a way to promote and share reading throughout the community. Town members can donate books in good condition on designated donation days. Please sort by category before bringing items to the sale. No textbooks, encyclopedias, condensed books, magazines, computer software, cassettes, LPs, or videotapes.
AARP Free Tax-Aide
Specially trained AARP members are on hand at the library annually from February-April 15 (exact start date will vary year to year), to assist patrons in filling out their tax forms. Though anyone is welcome, this service is primarily for low and moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those aged 60 and older.
Big Truck Day
Held annually every Spring (exact date will vary year to year), Big Truck Day is exactly what it sounds like. Come see an exciting display of various “big trucks”–including, but not limited to, Chappaqua and Millwood firetrucks, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps van, Chappaqua Transportation school buses, motorcycles, and assorted construction vehicles–right outside, in the Chappaqua Library parking lot! The event is free of charge and open to the public, and town members of all ages are welcome!
Community Reads
This community-wide literary event began in 2008 after the library applied for a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host such an event. The entire community is encouraged to read and share a single literary work by a specific author. Also, anyone may participate in various programs sponsored by the library relating to that author. Past authors have included Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain and Gertrude Stein. Held every other year in October (exact date will vary).
Foreign Policy Discussion Group
Meets at the library once a week every other week, for 16 sessions. Topics by a wide variety of guest speakers vary session to session and year to year. Meetings are free of charge and open to the public.
Friday Hangout
Held every Friday during the school year (September through June, except for school vacation days), the library hosts a different drop-in program each week for students in grades 7-12. Past offerings have included author visits, book discussions, poetry readings, arts-and-crafts projects, and a communal game of Magic:The Gathering.
Friends of the Chappaqua Library
A non-profit organization promoting financial support for the Chappaqua Library through various fundraising, donations, and membership fees. Meetings to discuss programs and funding are held monthly at the Chappaqua Library, and the public is invited to attend. Membership is open to any individual 18 years or older, and the fee is $30. Members are entitled to a special preview of books the evening before the annual June used book sale.
Mini-Anime Festival
Chappaqua Library hosts an afternoon-long event, featuring origami and other Japanese crafts, anime drawing, a Japanese dinner, and a screening of an anime film. Held annually on a Friday in February (exact date will vary year to year). Open to students in grades 7-12.
Museums at the Library
Held every Spring (exact date will vary year to year). An open house-style event wherein various local museums set up booths and participants can learn about each museum and take part in creative, fun hands-on activities. Booths in art, nature, history, music and more! The event is free of charge and open to the public; all ages are welcome! Town members aged 18 years or older can obtain special passes to these museums (and more throughout NYC) if they hold a library card and have no outstanding fines.
Rising Stars Concert
Held annually in April or May (exact date will vary year to year). A music festival featuring young Asian-American student performers. Classical and contemporary works from West to East, followed by light refreshments. Co-sponsored by Organization of Chinese Americans of Westchester and Hudson Valley.
Teen Study Hours
Held during exam weeks in January, May & June (exact dates will vary year to year). The library extends its hours until 10 p.m. for high school students to stay. The theater is also open for study groups and meals at this time.
Young Musicians’ Festival
Gathering of local music students sharing solo, chamber, or small ensemble pieces, followed by a selection of light refreshments. Held annually on a Saturday in May (exact date will vary year to year). Open to teens in grades 7-12.
Other Events
The Chappaqua Library also hosts a variety of other exciting events, including film screenings, poetry readings, book signings, writing workshops, discussion groups, and more!
Founded in 1966, the New Castle Historical Society (NCHS) is a non-profit educational organization that seeks to research, discover, collect, and preserve the history of the Town of New Castle. The NCHS is located in the Horace Greeley House Museum and is open to the public for tours and research.
Held annually every December (exact date will vary year to year), this afternoon-long holiday event is not to be missed. The Greeley Museum hosts a unique Holiday Open House from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.; attendees can see decorations the Greeley family would have used when it was their country home in the 1860s. Younger children may take part in our Crafts workshop, and create handmade holiday gifts, such as paper snowflakes, corn husk dolls, and paper chains. The afternoon ends with the Society’s Tree Lighting celebration and marks the beginning of the new holiday season, which, of course, would not be complete without a visit from Santa.
Both have attended the Memorial Day ceremonies in town marching side by side with our public officials including, one year, Governor Andrew Cuomo, another New Castle resident! Hillary Clinton, now a second time candidate for President of the United States, has made it a priority to march in the parade since her days as both a United States Senator and Secretary of State, happily conversing with other attendees and posing for selfies with the crowd. Despite the prestigious offices both have held, they are not mobbed when they appear in town, though always more than gracious to those who seek them out. Chelsea was also frequently spotted in town before her move to Manhattan, and is as friendly and gracious as her parents are to their neighbors.
