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The McNamara Library

The McNamara Library program is designed to support the formation of students in the Grad at Grad principles of being open to growth, intellectually accomplished, religious, loving, committed to doing justice, and striving for wellness of body and mind.  The library is a safe space where all students are welcome and the librarian meets the needs of each student where they are at, to bring them at their own pace to realize these qualities during their formative years at the Prep. 

The McNamara Library is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Students, faculty, and staff can find traditional print books and digital research materials in the library for research and choice reading, as well as an approachable, knowledgeable librarian and student volunteers who are always available to help you. 

For choice reading you can turn to the Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners collection, popular fiction, young adult, and graphic novel collections, or browse over 50 current magazines we receive. There is no limit to the number of books students or faculty and check out during the course of an academic year. 

Click here to access the Prep's Online McNamara Library Portal

Become a Common Sense School | Common Sense Education
Fordham Preparatory School is proud to be a Common Sense Connected School. This network of schools supports and  partners with the nonprofit Common Sense to help all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. Check out all of the great resources for families here.

 

Library Resources

  • The Adlerman Makerspace Lab, located on the main floor of McNamara Library,  is available during school hours for collaborative work.  iSTEAM activities including Robotics and 3-D Printing.

  • The Global Education Conference Room is located in the library to accommodate administrative meetings, classes, and flexible student work space.  Numerous programs in the Prep's Global Education program take place here.

  • The school's Computer Lab is used for classes in Computer Science including coding and cybersecurity.  

  • The Art Reference Room houses a collection of Art History reference material.  AP Art History and English classes meet in this room. The room is available to students when class is not in session and The Academic Support Center meets in this room after school.

Library Committee

Science Dept Exhibit McNamara Library

The Library Committee is an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to fulfill their in-school Christian Service hours requirement during a free period. 

The committee provides assistance with circulation related services, coordinates exhibits that reflect academic and extracurricular activities, and creates displays and activities of student interest with the goal of developing leadership skills.  Freshmen and sophomores are welcome to speak with the Librarian about library related initiatives available for underclassmen.  


 

Library Staff

Eleanor Friedman

Eleanor Friedman

Titles: Librarian & Media Specialist
Degrees: BA, University at Albany
MSIS, University at Albany
MSED, Long Island University
Email:

Eleanor Friedman P’26 is the Fordham Preparatory School Librarian and Media Specialist.  Before joining the staff at the Prep she served as the New York State Director of the School Library System for the Southern Westchester BOCES region where she worked to build capacity in public, private, and parochial school libraries through professional development and digital information subscription services. With over a decade of experience as a teacher librarian in both public and private K-12 school settings, a reference librarian and coordinator of interlibrary loan and reserve services in an academic library, and an elected term as a Chappaqua Public Library Trustee, Ms. Friedman has broad experience in a variety of library settings in various capacities. Ms. Friedman is currently enrolled in the PhD in Administration and Supervision at Fordham University Graduate School of Education.