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The Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for Juneteenth.
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Are you ready to Level Up? We are! The Summer Challenge has begun! Our thanks to everyone who came out in the rain to our Bluey-themed launch party yesterday. Beans were slipped on, smiles were plentiful, and dozens of young ones signed up for the annual Summer Challenge. (But don't forget, the Challenge is for all ages!)
This month, we're leveling up our Juneteenth celebrations, too - once again joining forces with York Diversity Forum for two stellar author talks with Maine authors and scrumptious food!
And on June 5th, a program will offer a window into the lives of those affected by disability. Level up your awareness and prepare to be moved at INVISIBLE: Personal Stories from the Front Lines of Disability.
It looks like the weather is leveling up, too, and we have a whole week of sun on deck. Our supplications to the weather gods have evidently worked--until next weekend, anyway!
See you soon - and Happy Pride Month!
-YPL |
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Miss Katie and Miss Barb in their Bluey "Granny" costumes. It's a shame our youth librarians never have any fun. |  |
These kiddos nailed it! No young ones here, only grannies. |
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The 2025 Summer Challenge Starts Now! |
Libraries are a place for fun and games! We invite you to "Level Up" and join our summer reading challenge going on now through the end of July. Last year we had over 700 people participate. Will you help us beat our record this year by signing up!? Open to all ages, the Summer Challenge is a chance to read, win prizes, complete literacy-based activities, score a free book, and have fun! Not to mention there are plenty of special Summer Challenge events for all ages.
Register for the Challenge online and pick up your Summer Challenge game board at any service desk. This program is supported in part by a grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank. |
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Surf Point and York Public Library Welcome Noted Art Writer Carl Little |
In honor of our current art exhibit, Beverly Hallam: Chasing Light Carl Little will discuss his book, Beverly Hallam: An Odyssey in Art on June 7th. Little holds degrees from Dartmouth, Columbia and Middlebury and is the author of a number of art books, including The Watercolors of John Singer Sargent and Edward Hopper’s New England, as well as monographs on Dahlov Ipcar, Eric Hopkins, William Irvine, Irene Olivieri, John Moore, and other artists. Little writes for a range of publications, including Art New England, Hyperallergic, Maine Arts Journal, and Ornament. His second collection of poems, Blanket of the Night, came out in 2024. In 2021 the Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation honored Little with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his art writing.
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Celebrate Juneteenth at YPL |
York Public Library and the York Diversity Forum are partnering to bring you two programs this month in honor of Juneteenth. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. It's celebrated annually on June 19th and marks the end of slavery in the United States. On Tuesday, June 10, Carol Gardner will talk about her new book The Divided North: Black and White Families in the Age of Slavery. On Thursday, June 17, Peter D. Brown will speak about his book I AM JAYVYN. Our thanks to a generous donor who will provide delicious Jamaican fare for the June 17 event!
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Featured Events
| Click the links below for more information and to sign up. |
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The Death Cafe
Monday, June 2 at 10:00 AM @ Community Room A Death Cafe is a group-guided open conversation about death (with sweets!). There is no agenda, objectives, or themes. A facilitator is present to keep the conversation going (rarely necessary), answer questions, and correct misinformation.
INVISIBLE: Personal Stories from the Front Lines of Disability
Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 @ Community Room Community Connect Maine presents a collection of short videos about the lived experience of Mainers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers. These stories not only build connections and foster mutual support but also provide invaluable insights for policymakers striving to understand the complexity, diversity, and needs of the disability community. The screening is followed by a conversation with the filmmakers.
Beverly Hallam: Artist as Innovator with Carl Little, Author
Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 PM @ Upper Level
In his illustrated talk, art critic and author Carl Little will revisit the life and art of Beverly Hallam (1923-2013). Little will highlight Hallam, the innovator, who explored cutting-edge techniques, from acrylic to computer graphics. He will also share personal reminiscences related to his book, Beverly Hallam: An Odyssey in Art, and thoughts on Hallam’s legacy as an advocate for artists. This program is co-sponsored by Surf Point and York Public Library.
The Divided North with Carol Gardner a Juneteenth event
Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM @ Community Room Join Carol Gardner for a discussion on her latest book, The Divided North: Black and White Families in the Age of Slavery. The book follows two northern families, the Rubys and Gordons, in Portland, Maine, throughout the turbulent 19th century.
I Am Jayvyn with Peter D. Brown a Juneteenth event
Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30 PM @ Community Room Maine-based historical fiction author Peter Brown will discuss his new book, I am Jayvyn, which tells the story of Jayvyn, a 12 year-old boy taken from his African village by slave-traders in the early 1700s, his survival of the middle passage, and his subsequent enslavement in Barbados and South Carolina. Join us for light Jamaican fare courtesy a kind community member!
Ongoing Programs
Art Exhibit: Beverly Hallam Chasing Light On display during open hours through August 27 @ Upper Level
Alzheimer's Support Group
Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 AM @ Wheeler Room
Writing Group Third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 @ Wheeler Room
Italian Conversation Group
First Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM @ Wheeler Room
Week in Review Discussion Group Fridays at 3:00 PM @ Wheeler Room
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Author Talks and Book Discussions
| Click the links below for more information and to sign up. |
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Extinctopedia–A Discovery of What We Have Lost, What is at Risk, and What To Do About it with Smithsonian Scientists
Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00 PM @ online Extinctopedia tells a complex story, not just of those who are extinct but also of those in greatest peril, with explanations of what threatens their survival. It is also a story of hope. (Library Speakers Consortium)
Beverly Hallam: Artist as Innovator with Carl Little, Author Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 PM @ Upper Level
See above for details.
Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns with Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell Tuesday, June 10 at 2:00 PM @ online
Lisa Jewell introduces her forthcoming title Don’t Let Him In (Out June 24, 2025!). Along with an introduction to her newest bone-chilling, psychological thriller, Jewell will chat about her life as a writer and her critically-acclaimed body of work. (Library Speakers Consortium)
The Divided North with Carol Gardner Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM @ Community Room
Part of our Juneteenth collaboration with York Diversity Forum! See above for details.
Author Talk: I Am Jayvyn with Peter D. Brown Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30 PM @ Community Room
Part of our Juneteenth collaboration with York Diversity Forum! See above for details.
Virtual Author Talk: Living the Odder Life with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade) Tuesday, June 24 at 4:00 PM @ online
Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, Odder. (The Library Speakers Consortium's K-12 Summer Series)
Author Talk: Two Hundred Miles from Baghdad: Cultures, Conflicts and the Lost Art of Hitchhiking with Louis Salome Thursday, June 26 at 6:30 PM @ Upper Level
York Public Library welcomes Louis Salome, Foreign Correspondent and author of Two Hundred Miles from Baghdad: Conflicts, Cultures, and the Lost Art of Hitchhiking. By planes, trains, and automobiles, Salome has hitched his way through some of the most interesting - and volatile - places on Earth. He will be sharing excerpts from his book, along with his remarkable stories about journalism, hitchhiking and authoring books. |
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Children's Events | Click the links below for more information. Children's events do not require registration unless otherwise indicated. |
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Center for Wildlife: Animal Adaptations
Monday, June 2 at 3:30 PM @ Commnunity Room Join Center for Wildlife and their live, non-releasable raptor, reptile and mammal ambassadors for this special program! Educators will focus on seasonal wildlife and their adaptations as well as tips on spotting and helping local wildlife.
Stories and Stretches at York Land Trust Thursday, June 12 at 10:30 AM @ York Land Trust Headquarters
Librarian Barb will share a story with animal yoga moves and York Land Trust’s Miss Amelia will guide you through more mindful stretches. This is and OFF-SITE program, please register.
Canine Cuddles Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 AM @ Children's Room
Visit with Tucker and Rocco this month! They are great listeners - snuggle up and read to them.
Family Saturday - S'moreytime Saturday, June 28 at 10:30AM @ Children's Room
Join us for an extra special summer "S'moreytime". You'll hear some camp fire-ish stories, sing songs, and then we'll enjoy s'mores trail mix with the grahams, mini marshmallow and mini chocolate chips in the craft area! Suggested for ages 3 - 5, with a caregiver.
Ongoing Programs
Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Little Movers (Most) Thursdays at 10:30 AM
This program is not facilitated by a librarian. Open play.
Baby and Toddler Time Fridays at 10:30 AM |
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Teen Events | Click the links below for more information. Youth events do not require registration unless otherwise indicated. |
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Ramen Day - Teen Summer Challenge Kickoff
Wednesday, June 4 at 3:00 PM @ Community Room Do you love ramen noodles as much as we do? Ramen is the #1 snack of choice after school at the library! Teens and Tweens (grades 5+) can join us for a cup of ramen with various veggies, sauces, and seasonings. All ingredients will be provided - just show up ready to enjoy!
Big Ole Board Games - Oregon Trail
Wednesday, June 11 at 2:30 PM @ Community Room Load up your supplies and hitch up the oxen! It’s time to head out on the Oregon Trail in a life-sized recreation of the classic computer game. During your journey from Independence, Missouri, to Willamette Valley in Oregon, you and your team will encounter broken wagons, dangerous wildlife, and raging rivers. Can you work together to overcome the challenges of frontier travel—or will you die of dysentery?
Mario Kart Tournament
Wednesday, June 18 at 2:30 PM @ Teen Space Play against your friends in our Mario Kart Tournament. This program is for 7th - 12th graders.
T-Shirt Embroidery (BYO-SHIRT) Wednesday, June 25 at 2:30 PM @ Teen Space
Use our embroidery supplies to make a cool shirt for summer. Bring your own shirt! |
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Support York Public Library! |
The Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization - not a town department. Public funding provides a basic operating budget for the library, but we but we rely on contributions from individuals and businesses for 30% of our operational funding every year. If you enjoy the library and all that it has to offer, consider a donation today. Thank you!
Learn more about our funding
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YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS
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LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday Closed
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