Why are some Rockland libraries closed for Yom Kippur?
- October
- 9
A reader from West Nyack called today wondering why some libraries in Rockland are open today while others closed for Yom Kippur.
A good question, and one I didn’t know the answer to, so I asked ace reporter Khurram Saeed to find out.
Here’s his report:
Nyack Library Director James Mahoney was able to explain:
Every library is an independent entity. Their board of directors decides which days they will be closed.
Of the 17 libraries in Rockland, four chose to close today: Finkelstein, New City, Suffern and West Nyack.
Each library probably has its own reason.
Some may feel not enough patrons will show, but considering how diverse most communities in Rockland are, it’s hard to figure that’s the primary reason.
Mahoney said sometimes it’s done as a sign of respect.
For example, Nyack Library now closes on the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday in January, though for many years it was open on that day.
Another issue may be staffing. If a library has predominately Jewish employees who are taking the holiday off, opening on Yom Kippur might not be a viable option.
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