If you are a regular Library visitor, you're familiar with some disruption as we renovate this 45-year-old building.

Well, we are at the final stage of the work on the first floor project, which involves replacing the doors on the Library's front exit. The three doors we now have will be replaced by a series of automatic doors that will allow the public to more easily move in and out of the library, whether with a stroller, with their arms full, or utilizing a wheelchair or scooter. It will also help us control the temperature in the building, as the multiple doors will create an air lock that will help keep hot or cold air outside.

For the rest of this week, you will likely have to enter and exit the Library through the cafe. Entrance through the parking garage, whether by stairs or elevator, is not affected. We should be back to normal by Sunday. Next month, the contractors will
return to remove the exterior doors, and the work will be finished.

Thanks for your patience,
Brian Kenney
Library Director
bkenney@whiteplainslibrary.org

Just as every veteran has a story, every veteran's family member also has a story. For the past ten weeks, participants in the Families of Veterans Writing Workshop have worked on their stories, and are finally ready to share with the community. Attend a reading of their work on Monday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m. in Galaxy Hall. All are welcome.

Art Bennett will host a music workshop next Wednesday, June 26th at 6:00 p.m. Musicians of all musical skill levels welcome. Bring your instrument and any tunes you want to work on, or just bring your ears to relax and listen. Art likes to run a workshop-style event, where you get a chance to see how musicians who have never played before work together to create! An electric piano and a PA will be available.

The Strand Bookstore was chosen as a historic city landmark last week. Nancy Bass Wyden, the store's third-generation owner, isn't taking it as a compliment.

Margaret Atwood's first novel is coming to the small screen.

Elizabeth Acevedo becomes first woman of color to win the Carnegie Medal.

Joy Harjo is named U.S. Poet Laureate: the Oklahoma-born writer, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, is the first Native American to hold the post.

A library thrives, quietly, in one of Pakistan’s gun markets: the Darra Adam Khel Library, less than a year old and with more than 2,500 books, offers residents a respite from the arms bazaar that dominates local life.