Port Washington Public Library

Important Library Statement

Please click below to read a special message from our Library Director and Board of Trustees regarding recent incidents.

Comunicado importante de la biblioteca

Por favor, haga click en el link para leer un mensaje especial del Director de la Biblioteca y de la Junta Directiva sobre los recientes incidentes.

Important Library Statement

PWPL SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 2026

Join us this summer for our 2026 Concert Series at the Sousa Bandshell in Sunset Park. All Concerts begin a 3:00pm and registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Click here for more information
Community Spotlight with Andy Barrow, Author of “Peter in Progress”

Join Andy Barrow Malone, who is a New York-Based writer who grew up in Port Washington, graduating from Schreiber in '04, as he discusses his debut novel, Peter in Progress. Described by Kirkus Reviews as a "lively coming-of-age story for adults" that draws inspiration from Andy's own experiences losing weight as a teenager and reckoning with his sexuality in his thirties. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is part of the Library's Celebration of Pride Month. Sponsored by the FOL.

Click here for more information.
PWPL BLOOD DRIVE

You may be astounded to learn that New York has never been self-sufficient in meeting its need for blood. There is no substitute for human blood and 1 in 3 adults will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. You can help remedy this situation by donating blood and giving the “Gift of Life.” For this Blood Drive when you donate you will receive a box of Girls Scout Cookies while supplies last. Reminder: Please bring your blood donor card or valid ID and make sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

Click here to make an appointment.
Latest Newsletter Issue Now Available

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

Read Now
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.
Jonathan Butterick – “Everything Must Go”

On view in The Adler Gallery from May 1 - July 1. Reception: Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Jonathan Butterick is a painter who works from his own photographs, creating acrylic gouache pieces on paper that act as small, luminous “windows” into overlooked moments. His work highlights saturated color, theatrical light, and quiet, human traces within dense, layered environments. With a background in printmaking, he uses flat shapes, bold edges, and layered color that are often enhanced with fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark pigments that shift under different lighting. Balancing memory and invention, his paintings aim to preserve fleeting places and evoke a sense of wonder in the everyday.
Mason on Main: A Photographic History of Mason Studio 1920-1985

This new local history exhibit, now on view in the Columns Gallery, highlights over 50 years of photography produced by Mason Studio, formerly located at 118 Main Street in Port Washington. Following its 1985 closure, the Library acquired approximately 20,000 photographs taken throughout Mason Studio’s many years in business. These photos are snapshots of life in Port Washington from the 1920s through the 1970s and include individuals, buildings, businesses, and events. This exhibit was made possible through the support of the Friends of the Library. Join us on Monday, September 15 at 2:30 pm for a reception.

Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

Adult Events

May26

Theater for Dessert

Reserved for Theater for Dessert rehearsals and performance.

7:00pm - 9:00pm View Details

May26

Fiction Book Club

Join fellow readers at the Library for an engaging discussion of The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:30 p.m.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and My Brilliant Friend, The Lion Women of Tehran is a mesmerizing tale of love and courage, and a sweeping exploration of how profoundly we are shaped by those we meet when we are young.

Copies will be available at the Information Desk or on Libby.

7:30pm - 8:30pm View Details

May27

Stretch, Sculpt, and Balance

Move through poses to increase flexibility, balance, strength, and range of motion. Marlene Kirsh, athletic trainer, and certified Pilates instructor, will lead the sessions. Chairs will be available if needed.

Classes begin on Wednesday, January 21, and run weekly through June 3, from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. No class on February 18, February 25, March 4, or April 8. Please bring a yoga mat and 3lb weights.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is required.

Sponsored by the Health Advisory Council.

*EXERCISE WAIVER

1:00pm - 2:00pm View Details

May27

Open Research Hours at The History Center

Open Research Hours at The History Center. Entrance to the Research Room is through the History Center Annex in the South Wing.

Outside of these hours, the History Center’s Research Room is accessible by appointment: please email localhistory@pwpl.org to make arrangements. Click here to view our Collection Guide.

2:00pm - 4:00pm View Details

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Children's Events

May28

Tummy Time Meet Up

For pre-crawlers

Join other parents and caregivers for a group tummy time and play session! Please bring a blanket for your child. For pre-crawlers; no walkers, please. Limited spots - Entry is first-come, first-served.

9:30am - 10:15am View Details

May29

Park Story Time

For children ages birth to five with an adult

Join your favorite librarians for stories, songs, and fingerplays across the street from the Library at Blumenfeld Park. No registration required.

In case of inclement weather, the Story Time will take place in the Lapham Room.

9:30am - 10:00am View Details

Jun1

Cow Neck in the Revolution

The area we now call Port Washington was occupied by the British for seven years during the Revolutionary War. Local families suffered immense hardship: they were forced to quarter enemy troops, had their children pressed into service, and even endured pirate attacks. Some Cow Neck Patriots bravely fought for American freedom while others assisted the revolutionary cause in secret – and some yet remained loyal to the Crown. These stories are explored in Cow Neck in the Revolution, presented in collaboration with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in celebration of 250 years of American independence. On display in the History Center Annex June through December 2026.

12:00am - 12:00am View Details

Jun1

A Time For Kids- Baby Start

Ages 3 months to 17 months

Join Ms. Karen as we introduce our littlest learners to the wonderful world of library programs. Activities include music, movement, fine and gross motor development and circle time. Focus is on early literacy, early language development and socialization. Registration required.

10:00am - 10:30am View Details

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Teen Events

May27

Intro to Cricut: Vinyl on Boats

Learn how to use the Cricut Maker 3 to make decals and label your boat.

All abilities are welcome, but we do ask that participants under the age of 11 be accompanied by an adult. All supplies will be provided.

Registration opens on May 13th. Priority will be given to Port Washington card holders.

6:30pm - 8:30pm View Details

May28

PWPL Blood Drive

You may be astounded to learn that New York has never been self-sufficient in meeting its need for blood. There is no substitute for human blood and 1 in 3 adults will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. You can help remedy this situation by donating blood and giving the “Gift of Life.” For this Blood Drive when you donate you will receive a box of Girls Scout Cookies while supplies last.

To schedule an appointment, CLICK HERE. Remember, Blood is Life…Pass It On!

Reminder: Please bring your blood donor card or valid ID and make sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

1:30pm - 7:30pm View Details

May31

Intro to Computer Science with Python

Discover coding through Python—a beginner-friendly, professional programming language used for data science, AI, web development, and more. Students learn the fundamentals through short, focused lessons and lots of hands-on practice. By the end, students will understand core programming ideas and approach problems with a clearer, more logical mindset. Both beginners and experienced coders are welcomed. Students must bring a laptop (district administered chromebooks are ok). *Please note that by signing up students are expected to come to every session - missing a week will cause students to fall behind. Registration April 16 for students grades 6-8.

1:30pm - 3:00pm View Details

May31