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Budget Vote and Trustee Election Results

Our Library Budget Has Passed! 440 Yes versus 31 No votes.

Nancy Comer and William Keller have been re-elected as Library Trustees, each serving 5 year terms.

Thank you for your support!

America 250th Anniversary

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the USA with the Port Washington Public Library as we not only recognize this important semi quincentennial founding of the United States of America, but also explore topics of freedom and democracy that are part of our shared American history. Throughout this year, the Library has organized a wide variety of programs and activities to commemorate the celebration as well as recommended reading and watch lists that have also been added to our America 250 webpage. A new a new local history exhibit, Cow Neck in the Revolution, is also on display in the History Center Annex from June through December 2026.

Click here for more information.
Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio

Join Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio as they present: "The Best of Broadway and Jazz Standards" which features a great mix of the best of Broadway songs, iconic jazz standards and songs from the Great American Songbook. For the past decade Rhonda Kay has performed for Long Island and New York City audiences and delighted them with her vocal talents. She will be joining forces with the Backstage Trio, some of New York’s most talented and experienced musicians. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Please note: This show was rescheduled from Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Click here for more information.
BUY TICKETS NOW FOR THE FOL’S 57TH ANNUAL BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON

Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Garden City Hotel, 11am - 2pm

Featuring: Emma Straub, bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow and All Adults Here. She will discuss her new novel American Fantasy (coming April 7), one of the NY Times' most anticipated releases of 2026, in conversation with acclaimed novelist Meg Wolitzer, author of The Female Persuasion and The Wife. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at pwpl.org/fol or pick up a reservation brochure in the Library.
Earth Day Celebration 2026

PWPL invites you to our annual Earth Day celebration! Bach to Rock bands will kick things off with live music from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Representatives from the Town of North Hempstead, along with many Port Washington environmental organizations, will be on site from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., sharing information about their latest sustainability initiatives. Bring your kids to the children’s table to create a fun, eco-friendly craft. The Library will also be offering environmentally conscious giveaways, including native plants. Most of all, enjoy the music and discover meaningful ways you can make a difference in building a healthy, sustainable community. The Earth Day celebration is funded by the PWPL Friends of the Library.

For more information on our Earth Day events, visit pwpl.org/earthday.
Latest Newsletter Issue Now Available

The March/April issue of Happenings is out! Discover what's happening at the Library.

Read Now
Pete Fornatale: Rock Radio Revolutionary

Pete Fornatale (1945-2012) was a longtime Port Washington resident and FM radio pioneer known for his eclectic music taste, insightful interviews with artists, and outspoken but measured commentary on the zeitgeist of the day. Over his nearly 50-year career as a DJ at New York stations WFUV, WNEW, and K-Rock, he inspired countless artists, industry players, and radio listeners. An exhibit of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia celebrating Pete’s life, work, and far-reaching influence is now on display in the History Center Annex.
Victoria Selbach – “We Are”

On view in The Adler Gallery from March 4 - April 30.

This exhibition features Victoria Selbach’s vibrant We Are paintings—large-scale silhouettes formed from natural imagery that celebrate our shared humanity and connection to nature. The series encourages us to look beyond differences, unite in protecting one another and the planet, and inspire the next generation of caretakers. A former Port Washington resident now based in rural Connecticut, Selbach is known for her empowering, lifesize depictions of contemporary women. Her work explores personal identity, generational feminine legacy, and collective responsibility. She has exhibited internationally, including at the Heckscher Museum of Art, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museu Europeu d'Art Modern (MEAM).

Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

Adult Events

Apr17

Sandwiched In with Dennis Raverty - Postwar Illustration

Join award winning teacher and art historian Dennis Raverty for a visual presentation "Living the American Dream - Postwar Idealism and Cold War Anxiety." In the decades after 1945, the United States experienced unprecedented prosperity, but anxiety about nuclear annihilation during the Cold War caused a widespread sense of dread. Yet advertising of the era ignored these ominous undercurrents and represented instead a cheery, carefree world of things, an ideal that homogenized the diversity of life as actually lived into a simulacrum of the American Dream fulfilled.

This program is part of the Library's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a 'hybrid' event that can be attended either "In-Person" or "Online" on the Zoom platform. You can choose which option you wish to register for below in the "Attend In-Person" OR "Attend Online" choices below.

12:00pm - 1:30pm View Details

Apr17

Weekly Scrabble Meetup

Drop in and play a game of Scrabble. No registration required.

1:00pm - 5:00pm View Details

Apr17

Cancelled: Cancer Prevention Begins at Home, for You and Your Pets

Join us for an interactive cancer prevention workshop covering common cancers in humans and animals, warning signs, and simple at-home physical exams to catch any changes early! Attendees will also receive a free printed physical exam checklist!

7:00pm - 8:30pm View Details

Apr17

Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio

Join Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio as they present: "The Best of Broadway and Jazz Standards" which features a great mix of the best of Broadway songs, iconic jazz standards and songs from the Great American Songbook. For the past decade Rhonda Kay has performed for Long Island and New York City audiences and delighted them with her vocal talents. She will be joining forces with the Backstage Trio, some of New York’s most talented and experienced musicians.

Children's Events

Apr17

Ready, Set, Story Time

For children ages birth to five with an adult.

Join your favorite librarians for stories, songs, and fingerplays. No registration required.

9:30am - 10:00am View Details

Apr18

Creative Readers

For children in Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Creative Readers is an arts and literacy inclusion program where children use theater, art, movement, and music to bring books to life. Facilitated by Program Director Elise May. Professional behavior support will be at all sessions. For program information and high school volunteer opportunities please email creativereaders@optimum.net or visit the Creative Readers page at pwpl.org/children/childrens-programs/cr/. Limited capacity. Application to register required.

10:00am - 11:00am View Details

Apr18

Creative Readers

For children in 3rd to 5th grade.

11:15am - 12:15pm View Details

Apr18

Read with Snowball

Grades 1-3

Come read for 15-minutes with Snowball, a super-soft, certified therapy bunny! After registering, you’ll get a confirmation email with a link to choose your time slot. Registration is required for each session. Register April 6. For Port Washington residents only.

Please note first-time participants will receive priority.

2:00pm - 3:30pm View Details

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Teen Events

Apr22

Raised Bed Gardening Workshop

Looking to start your own vegetable garden in 2026 or improve your current method of growing produce? Plant A Row for the Hungry Board Member and longtime gardener Bruce Frey will demonstrate how to build a raised garden bed on your own. He will also provide details on the types of soil components to use as well as the best way to irrigate your raised bed to enable you to bring out the best from your gardening efforts. No registration is required.

Sponsored by Plant A Row for the Hungry Port Washington

7:30pm - 8:30pm View Details

Apr23

Teen Pom Pom Sushi Workshop

Learn how to create non-edible sushi with yarn and pom-pom makers. Each project will also come with a set of chopsticks that you can decorate as well. Registration begins April 9.

7:00pm - 9:00pm View Details

Apr25

Earth Day Celebration 2026

PWPL invites you to our 11th annual Earth Day celebration! Bach to Rock bands will kick things off with live music from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Representatives from the Town of North Hempstead, along with many Port Washington environmental organizations, will be on site from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., sharing information about their latest sustainability initiatives.

Bring your kids to the children’s table to create a fun, eco-friendly craft. Visit with some live insects and birds of prey. The Library will also be offering environmentally conscious giveaways, including native plants. Most of all, enjoy the music, and discover meaningful ways you can make a difference in building a healthy, sustainable community.

The Earth Day celebration is funded by the PWPL Friends of the Library.

12:00pm - 4:00pm View Details

Apr29

Postponed- Teen Craft Bedazzle and Razzle Dazzle

Unleash your inner artist in this exciting workshop experience! Dive into the sparkling world of bedazzling, where rhinestones turn ordinary items into extraordinary treasures. Get ready to sparkle, shine, and celebrate your one-of-a-kind style! Registration begins April 15.

3:45pm - 5:00pm View Details

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