When the approximately 12,000 residents of Pelham need a book, DVD or just a quiet place to sit, the Pelham Public Library is the go-to destination. Under the leadership of director Patricia Perito, the library has evolved to offer a variety of services to the community.
The library opened in Sept. 1995 and currently staffs three full-time librarians and one part-time librarian. Seventeen workers populate the library in total.
Pelham Public Library houses 37,000 books, according to last year's annual report. In addition to the bound pages, library cardholders can check out DVDs and VHS tapes, print documents and rent time on one of the seven computers located in alcoves off the main room.
As of the end of last year, 6,078 people, roughly half the population of Pelham, held library cards. In order to obtain an accurate number of just how many people the library serves, Perito oversaw the installation of an electronic door counter at the main entrance to the building. Prior to that, the staff would pick a week during the year and count the number of visitors by hand.
A gray stone walkway leads to the raised entrance of the building. Stone panels along the path are inscribed with the names of donors who helped fund the library's construction and improvements.
Perito said that the library's most popular section is probably the Pelham by Design collection, which showcases architecture, gardening and homes. Pelham residents' interests in the older homes in the area, she said, makes the collection appealing.
The library has embarked on a new lighting project for the main room, which has a high ceiling from which lights currently hang.
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