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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.

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Art Lecture with Alice Iglehart – Myer Myers

Myer Myers, a Jewish silversmith in colonial America, created outstanding works for leading members of the New York elite. Join us at the Library as museum educator, Alice W. Iglehart explores his exquisite objects, long regarded as among the most important American statements of the Rococo style. This is a America 250^th Celebration & Jewish American Heritage Month program sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

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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.

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Latest Newsletter Issue Now Available

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

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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.
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.
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.

Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

Adult Events

May15

Weekly Scrabble Meetup

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

1:00pm - 5:00pm View Details

May15

SoundSwap - Bobby Darin Multimedia 90th Birthday Celebration!

There truly is no story in popular music like Bobby Darin’s. He burst out of the gates singing lightweight rock ‘n’ roll for the kids before fine tuning his songs for the adults. He explored folk music and show tunes after perfectly mastering the art of singing standards backed by orchestras. He is often paired with Frank Sinatra as one of the premier purveyors of the swingin’ style. And, besides being a great songwriter and interpreter of songs, he was also a captivating impressionist and accomplished actor.

Few people know that Bobby Darin was also an ardent civil rights supporter and political activist, and a champion of the oppressed. Yet, while many other performers grew up in the grip of poverty with the overwhelming desire to escape it through their art, no others in modern time had to do it all with the knowledge that they only had a brief window of time to make it happen. Tony Traguardo tells the unique story of this incredible artist in a presentation featuring rarely seen video footage from different phases of Bobby’s career, combined with a live musical performance by Tony with guitarist/vocalist John Keating.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED.
You may register up to four people.
It allows us to alert you via e-mail if there are any changes to this event.

7:00pm - 9:00pm View Details

May16

Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving Course

The Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving Course will be offered on Saturday, May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seating is limited and registration is required and begins on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m. Priority will be given to Port Washington card holders. If you are a Port Washington card holder, please click "Register" below and enter your library card number below.

If you are not a Port Washington card holder, you will initially be placed on a Waiting List pending available space. Any available spaces will be filled from the Wait List 72 hours prior to the start of the class. Any cancellations are filled using the Wait List. Walk-ins are not permitted.

Payment of $33 via cash, check, money order, (payable to "Empire Safety Council"), or credit card will be collected by the instructor during class. There will be a 30 minute lunch break.

9:30am - 3:30pm View Details

May17

MAC - James Baik - Cellist

Join us at the Library for a live concert by Cellist, James Baik. James has been praised for his “undeniable authority” and warm lyricism, notably after his performance at the 2021 Queen Elisabeth Competition. He won the 2023 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and is a YCA Jacobs Fellow. He has appeared as a soloist with the Mobile Symphony and Hamilton College Symphony Orchestra, and performed with organizations including the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival and The Morgan Library & Museum. Upcoming engagements include debuts at the Kennedy Center and Merkin Hall, and a return to Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. An active chamber musician, James is a member of the Galvin Cello Quartet and has collaborated with leading artists such as Emanuel Ax and members of major string quartets.

3:00pm - 4:45pm View Details

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Children's Events

May16

Instrument Petting Zoo

Grades 1 & up with an adult

Come explore the fun world of music! Stop by and watch cool demonstrations of different string and wind instruments, then have a turn trying them yourself. Instruments are provided by Wright Music. No registration required—just stop by and join the fun!

10:00am - 11:30am View Details

May16

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 27. For Port Washington residents only.

Please note first-time participants will receive priority.

2:00pm - 3:30pm View Details

May18

ESOL Homework Help Program 2026

Elementary or Middle School Homework Help

The Port Washington Public Library ESOL Department offers a Homework Help Program where high-achieving high school volunteers tutor students.

Day: Mondays
Time: 4:30 PM–6:00 PM
Location: Hagedorn Meeting Room

For more information, please contact:

Paola Diaz: diazp@pwpl.org
Haydee Buitron: buitronh@pwpl.org

4:30pm - 6:00pm View Details

May19

Sing and Swing

For children ages 18 months to 5 years with an adult.

Interactive stories, rhymes and songs emphasizing early literacy skills and help instill a lifelong love of learning. Admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

9:30am - 10:00am View Details

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Teen Events

May17

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

May18

3D Printing Lab

Learn how to make a 3D model using the website Tinkercad.

Registration begins May 4th. This class is for all ages, anyone younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult.

You will receive your prints the following weeks after, and will be notified by email.

4:00pm - 5:00pm View Details

May20

Make Your Own Bath Bomb

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for a relaxing activity where you will be able to make your own bath bomb using various colors. All materials are provided by the library. Registration begins on Wednesday, May 6th.

3:45pm - 5:00pm View Details

May22