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North Castle Public Library

North Castle Library Receives State Grant

October 24, 2018 by The Inside Press

The North Castle Public Library has been awarded a $135,000 grant for building improvements to its main branch in Armonk. The grant, part of $24 million in capital funds set aside for public library construction and other infrastructure projects in the 2017–2018 state budget, was announced in August by State Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) and State Senator Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester).

The North Castle Library “has put forward innovative plans for improving the infrastructure of their library building,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “It has been very proactive in making sure they are a 21st century institution.” Buchwald noted that while many libraries apply for grants, the process is very competitive, and not all libraries that apply receive funding. The North Castle library, he said, has successfully positioned itself as an innovator in library spaces and programs.

Additionally, the grants require matching funds from local supporters. “New York State has an interest in supporting libraries where the local community has been part of supporting its library as well; this ensures both state and local dollars go further,” he said.

The grants allow libraries to “expand the critical services they provide for the community,” said State Senator Mayer. “They are centerpieces of our communities in Westchester and throughout the state providing programming for children, seniors, and families.»

(L-R): Sean Ryan, Assemblyman David Buchwald and Marilyn Heimerdinger at the opening of the Friends Gallery at the North Castle Public Library.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF
ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID BUCHWALD

Sean Ryan, president of the North Castle Public Library Board, said the funds have been put toward an improvement initiative that was established in 2013 and implemented in 2014. At that time, the library trustees assessed the needs of the community, and put together a wish list of improvement projects totaling more than $1.5 million. This is the fifth grant the library has received from the state, and according to Ryan, the library’s current ‘to do’ list has projects extending into 2020 for both its main Armonk branch and satellite North White Plains branch.

Ryan noted that infrastructure improvements were critical for libraries to maintain the type of programming that is relevant in today’s fast-paced world of new media.

“Libraries are reinventing themselves,” he said. “Just ten years ago they were books on shelves. Now, they are social centers for educational and cultural activities.”

“The North Castle Public Library is thrilled to receive this library construction grant which enables us to renovate spaces dedicated to support our library’s programs for children, young adults and adults,” he added. This support “allows libraries to transform to meet current and future needs of our patrons.”

The North Castle Public Library has seen a dramatic increase in attendance since the improvement projects began. Last year, more than 163,000 people visited the library, and more than 35,000 attended its programs, which is twice as many as attendees recorded in 2012. The library currently runs more than 2,000 programs a year, and ranks third in the county for program participants.

The most recent grant has already been put to good use. A Friends’ Gallery, which will be used for adult programming and as a gallery space, has already been completed. In June, the room was dedicated to the Friends of the North Castle Public Library in appreciation for their contributions to the library. The gallery’s first exhibit featured a historical retrospective of the group, who in 1961 established the Armonk Outdoor Art Show as a way to raise funds for the library. The exhibit chronicled how the show, originally held in a small churchyard, grew to more than 185 artists from around the world. Other gallery shows will feature the artists Natalya Aikens and Doris Mady, woven and pottery art, and local photographers.

The grant also covers the creation of a New Young Adult room that will provide more space for teens to use the library facilities, and a new café offering drinks, light snacks, and a relaxing environment for everyone in the community. The final project covered by this grant is the expansion of the children’s room, where 600 square feet of dedicated program space will be added.

“These grants support library programs that equip children and young adults with lifelong learning and literacy skills,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “I’m pleased our libraries continue to develop new facilities and programs that enrich our communities.”

For more information on upcoming programs and exhibits, visit www.northcastlelibrary.org.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Assemblyman David Buchwald, building, funding, grant, insfratstructure, library, North Castle Public Library, Programming, revamp

Celebrate Indie Author Day

August 26, 2017 by The Inside Press

Come to the North Castle Public Library on Saturday, October 14, to celebrate Indie Author day! You can meet local authors Patricia Dunn (Rebels by Accident) and Jimin Han, ( A Small Revolution), participate in a creative writing workshop, have coffee and conversation with an author, attend a nationwide webinar on independent publishing, and more!

Our celebration will start at 11 a.m. and continue through 3:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Mary Johnson at the North Castle Public Library, 914-273-3887. Also, visit: www.indieauthorday.com.

Filed Under: Armonk Community Tagged With: Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Indie Author Day, North Castle Public Library

An Invite to Join Melissa Clark at a Literary Luncheon Benefit

July 25, 2017 by Inside Press

New York Times Food Writer and Prolific Cookbook Author Melissa Clark will be speaking at the Moderne Barn to benefit the Friends of the North Castle Public Library

Melissa Clark

Monday, November 13, 2017

Moderne Barn @ 11:30 a.m.

480 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504

 TICKETS $85

ON SALE SEPTEMBER 27

http://www.friendsncpl.org  

Food writer and cookbook author MELISSA CLARK is staff reporter for the New York Times Food section, where she writes her popular column “A Good Appetite” and appears in a weekly cooking video series.  Melissa has written 38 cookbooks, including her latest, Dinner: Changing the Game. She had been honored with awards by the James Beard Foundation and IACP and selected for the Best Food Writing Series. Melissa is a regular guest on the Today Show and Rachel Ray.  She has also been a judge on Iron Chef America and a frequent guest host on the NPR radio show The Splendid Table and on The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC.

Melissa will lead a discussion on her new book Dinner: Changing the Game with a question and answer period, plus a book signing. (Books will be available to purchase). The event will be held at Moderne Barn Restaurant in Armonk, NY featuring a three course luncheon, featuring a recipe from Melissa’s book, for $85.  Space is limited.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library Inc.  The Friends exists to help the Library achieve its maximum usefulness and benefit to the community as its informational and cultural center.  They create an awareness of the resources, educational and cultural programs and other activities made available to the North Castle community by the Library.  These resources, in turn, not only benefit North Castle and Westchester County, but also residents of neighboring towns and counties. The ARMONK OUTDOOR ART SHOW, currently in its 56th year, is also sponsored by the Friends–which will be held this year on September 23 & 24. 

The Melissa Clark luncheon is the 3rd speakers event in a series entitled Chefs are the New Rock Stars. Previous speakers included Ruth Reichl and Eric Ripert.

Filed Under: Armonk Community Tagged With: Chefs are the New Rock Stars, Cookbook Author, Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Literary Luncheon, Melissa Clark, North Castle Public Library, The New York Times

Dave Barry Returns Home to Speak at North Castle Public Library

March 11, 2017 by Inside Press

“At Easter, each person was issued a potted hyacinth, and we’d sing a song that had a lot of “alleluias” in it, and every time we’d get to one, we’d all hoist our pots over our heads. This is the truth. Remember it next time somebody tells you Episcopalians never really get loose.” ”—Dave Barry

Dave Barry. Photo by Ezra Goh.

Armonk, NY—Best-selling humorist and author Dave Barry returns to Westchester County this spring where he will speak before a live audience in his hometown of Armonk. “Dave Barry: A Homecoming” will occur Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., at the North Castle Public Library’s Whippoorwill Hall in Armonk, NY. General Admission is $50 per person. An exclusive reception with the author begins at 6 p.m. Reserved tickets can be purchased at EventBrite.   

Barry is a columnist with the Miami Herald. He joined the Herald in 1983. Barry attended elementary and middle school in Armonk, and was voted “Class Clown” when he graduated in 1965 from Pleasantville High School. He received the Pulitzer Prize for his newspaper columns in 1988, and has since written more than 30 books, including the Peter and the Star Catcher series. This past September, he published his latest called Best. State. Ever. A Florida Man Defends His Homeland.

Barry has been called the “Mark Twain of the Baby Boomer Generation.” Often, he writes about childhood and parenting, including his days in Armonk, where he and his family attended St. Stephen’s Church, located in the historic Bedford Road District on Route 22 near Interstate 684. The church is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary.

Proceeds raised by the Barry appearance will fund capital improvements St. Stephen’s. The church’s parish hall serves as a meeting and service facility for a number of Westchester County non profits, including the North Castle Boy Scouts. The Treasures Consignment store is also based at the hall. Treasures is a significant contributor to the Mt. Kisco Food Pantry.

Copies of Barry’s newest book called Best. State. Ever. will be available for purchase on site. The author will sign books following his appearance.  

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: author, Best.State.Ever, Dave Barry, Humorist, North Castle Public Library

Area Library Programming you Don’t Want to Miss

March 5, 2017 by The Inside Press

Round up by Beth Besen and the Inside Press

Don’t miss Beth’s story too on how “The Library” remains a vital community resource:  http://theinsidepress.com/how-our-libraries-stack-up-in-todays-digital-world/

Briarcliff Manor Public Library

Interested in re-inventing your adult self? Check out “What’s Next In My Life and Career?” Discovering Possibilities after 50 Thursday, March 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This program is offered through the Westchester Library System’s WEBs Career & Educational Counseling Service. Thinking of travel to Cuba? Join Our Librarian in Havana: Hemingway’s Cuba–librarians will speak on their recent visit to Havana, Cuba with special focus on American novelist Ernest Hemingway and his time there; Thursday, March 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Additional programming can be found online: http://www.briarcliffmanorlibrary.org/calendar.html

Chappaqua Library

This spring, the Chappaqua Library stage welcomes: Dance educator and Steffi Nossen School of Dance faculty member, Kristina Todd Nelson, on Wednesday March 21 and 28 from 10-10:30 a.m.; Kristina will teach Story Dance as part of the “Story Hour” program.

Additional upcoming stage guests include authors Lisa See and Sebastian Junger. Coming this fall: a month-long celebration of Broadway.

On Thursday, April 6, 7-9 p.m., The League of Women Voters of New Castle forum “Media and Politics: The Impact on our Democracy” will address the impact of these issues on the 2016 Presidential election and on future elections. Moderated by Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D., Political Analyst and Professor at Iona College with Panelists Jon Klein, Cable News and Internet Executive; Jerry McKinstry, Media Strategist and Journalist; and Phil Reisman, Columnist/Radio Talk Show Host.

 For more info, visit lwvnewcastle.org

Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D.
Jon Klein
Jerry McKinstry
Phil Reisman

 

 

 

 

 

Mount Kisco Library

Popular with so many, craft workshops will again be offered this spring: Earring making will take place on Tuesday, March 14, 4-5:30 p.m.; for every pair made, another pair will be donated to a women’s shelter. Kids from school-age through teen will enjoy making and flying their own Tyvek kites, Thursday March 30, 4:30-6 p.m.; registration required. Home-made rain sticks help usher in April showers on Thursday, April 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; registration required. Button snails to decorate a garden on Monday, April 10, 4-5 p.m. Kaleidoscope making on Tuesday, April 11, 2-3 p.m. https://mtklibraryfoundation.org/index.html

Mount Pleasant Public Library

Come see the Pleasantville Children’s Center Art Show, now through Thursday, March 23rd. Ongoing Baby Time, Toddler Storytime and Pre-School Storytime programs continue every week, along with knitting groups, reading groups and ESOL classes; check the library calendar for days and times: http://mountpleasantlibrary.org/en/about-new/events/calendar

North Castle Library

Dave Barry. Photo by Ezra Goh.

Best-selling humorist and author Dave Barry comes home to Armonk to speak before a live audience in “Dave Barry: A Homecoming,” Thursday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are on sale now online, via phone and, as space permits, at the door; proceeds raised will benefit Barry’s hometown St. Stephen’s Church and the North Castle Boy Scouts. Copies of Barry’s latest book Best. State. Ever. will be available for purchase on site, and the author will sign his books following the event. http://www.northcastlelibrary.org/

Ossining Library

10th year anniversary celebrations began this month and will continue for another six months with an extensive community outreach program–look for strategically located tables set out in the community (park, supermarket, train station) to inform, to engage the public in conversation, and to sign up new residents for library cards. Additionally, Reference Librarian Linda Levine, received a grant from Lifetime Arts for a creative aging special mural art workshop, going on right now. Cultural Program Specialist Carry Cubillos, received a grant from ArtsWestchester for an eight-week dance program that will include Samba, Salsa, Tango, Merengue, May through June.Artist, Shiela Hale of Katonah, is displaying her beautiful creation of book art at the library. The exhibition will be on display until the end of April on the second floor of the library. The exhibit titled “Lost & Found” – Including Scholar’s Desk & Volumes from a Black Library.“I am a lover of books, Shiela says, “…I like to see them lined up on shelves and stacked in towers. I always have one in my handbag and one in my car.”

http://www.ossininglibrary.org/pages/calendar/indexCalendar.html

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Briarcliff Public Library, Chappaqua library, Craft Workshops, Dave Barry, League of Women Voters of New Castle, Library Highlights, Library Programming, Mount Kisco Library, North Castle Public Library, Ossining Public Library, Pleasantville Children's Center Art Show

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