Towns of Rockland County, NY

STONY POINT, NY – June 12, 2022 – After years of careful planning and deliberation, Rose Memorial Library Association is officially under contract on a building that will allow the library to broaden and modernize its offerings. The historic former schoolhouse at 117 W Main St has been unoccupied for nearly two decades, but will hopefully soon be the new home of the library.

Rose Memorial Library has long been interested in the former schoolhouse. The library’s cramped and outdated current building, which hasn’t been expanded since the 1960’s, has severely limited the Library’s ability to meet the needs of the growing and changing community. The former schoolhouse is uniquely suited for a new library due to its size, central location, inherent beauty, expansive fenced-in outdoor space, and significance to the community over the past 125 years.

“We are thrilled to have the chance to restore an irreplaceable piece of Stony Point’s history for the enjoyment of the entire community for generations to come,” said James Brooks, President of the Rose Memorial Library Board. “We cannot wait for it to become the center of learning, culture, and connection this town needs and deserves.”

The schoolhouse will be able to accommodate up-to-date technology, extensive hands-on programming for all ages, a meeting room for free community group use, a more expansive in-house collection, a teen room, a local history archive, an outdoor classroom, and separate spaces for quiet work, group study and comfortable reading. “This is an amazing opportunity to provide a unique, engaging space for Stony Point residents across all age groups and interests,” says Alice Meacham, Director of Rose Memorial Library, “It will truly be the beating heart at the center of Stony Point.”

Final purchase and renovation of the building is contingent upon funding approved through a public vote. The first step is collecting enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The petition for signatures will be circulated in Stony Point by town residents in late June through mid-July. After qualifying, a funding referendum will be placed before the Stony Point voters on November 8, 2022. The Rose Memorial Library Association team’s financial and architectural advisors are finalizing the exact funding request, which will be available and shared by the end of June.

For more information and to keep up with all the details on this project, please visit https://www.rosememoriallibrary.org/petition/.

About the Rose Memorial Library Association

Rose Memorial Library Association is a values-driven association library in the historic town of Stony Point, New York. Founded in 1950, it now serves a population of 14,800. 

Rose Memorial’s Mission: 

We preserve the past, enrich the present, and enhance the future for all Stony Point residents. 

Rose Memorial’s Vision: 

Stony Point’s space for connection, creativity, and engagement. 

 Rose Memorial Library is committed to: 

• Bridging Stony Point’s past, present and future. We recognize the immense history of Stony Point, while also embracing innovation and thoughtfully adapting the library to fit the community as it grows and changes. 

• Building and maintaining connections with community members, as well as local institutions, organizations, and small businesses. 
• Showing a consistently strong return on the investment Stony Point makes in Rose Memorial Library. 
• Providing a welcoming space for gathering, engaging in culture and entertainment, exploring curiosity, and pursuing lifelong learning. 
• Serving all members of the community with compassion, equity, kindness, and care.