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. AS OF THIS WEEK A BLOOD EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED.

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

May28

Poetry Readers Circle Sponsored by the FOL's Ruth D. Bogen Fund

Join fellow readers for a new poetry discussion led by Nassau County Poet Laureate Paula Curci.

Paula Curci is the Nassau County Poet Laureate emeritus. As both the producer of Calliope’s Corner and What’s The Buzz, on Radio Hofstra University, and as a Poet Correspondent for The Scene.Life, Paula meets and interviews poets about their work. She is the co-founder the Shore Poets and co-editor of the micro- memoir anthology Poetry: “It’s a ‘Shore’ Thing! In an Unsure World. Through her Acoustic Poets Network Visitation Project, she facilitates introspective poetry workshops, open mics, and performs her poetry.

This month, we will be reading selections from William Shakespeare (Pages 111-134).

Copies of the selected text are available at the Information Desk. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library’s Ruth D. Bogen Memorial Fund.

1:30pm - 3:00pm 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.

AS OF THIS WEEK A BLOOD EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED.

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

May28

Books for Dessert

7:00pm - 8:30pm View Details

May29

Sandwiched In with Ron Brown - Göbekli Tepe - A Visit to the Oldest Place of Worship on Earth

Join Professor Ron Brown as he explores Göbekli Tepe in eastern Turkey, the oldest place of worship on the planet. Most people know St. Peters in Rome, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Western Wall in Jerusalem and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, but few know about what scholars have named Göbekli Tepe. The Egyptian Empire built the Pyramids of Egypt around the year 2,600 BC, Stonehenge was built around 3,000 BC, Göbekli Tepe was built by wandering hunters and gathers around 10,000 BC making it the oldest place of worship on Earth. Over the centuries they would gather every year, drag giant boulders from far away, carve strange animals and symbols into pillars and then suddenly covered their temple with dirt and disappeared into history. Who built this temple, why did they build it, where did they disappear to?

12:00pm - 1:30pm View Details

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Children's Events

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

Jun1

A Time For Kids

Ms. Karen presents educational activities, movement, music and a craft. For children ages 18 months to 5 years with an adult. Registration required.

Please note: each date is a separate registration.

10:45am - 11:30am View Details

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Teen Events

May28

PWPL Blood Drive

AS OF THIS WEEK A BLOOD EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED.

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