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The Library will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Happy New Year from all of us at York Public Library!
January is a time for fresh starts, new ideas, and settling into cozy routines. Whether you’re setting a reading goal, want to learn something new, looking for a reason to get out of the house, or simply craving a quiet place to recharge, we’ve got a full slate of programs, resources, and small joys waiting for you.
If you are like several of our librarians on staff, you are a crafting fiend and swimming in supplies following the holiday season. You'll be happy to hear we have a CRAFT SWAP taking place this month. We also have some amazing author talks and lectures, a new take on our annual "Community Collects" art exhibit, and even a new Cook Book club! (The first book is Betty Crocker's Found Recipes. Sign up for a recipe at the front desk!) Our Digital Learning Lab is also offering a 5-week course for 4th-6th graders to build their own robots! Our thanks to the volunteers lending their expertise to bring about this exciting program. Read on for details.
Fun fact: Ukuleles were the NUMBER 3 MOST CHECKED OUT ITEM at our library in 2025! And because we KNOW you are curious... Here are the top ten fiction checkouts this year.
TOP FICTION CHECKOUTS IN 2025:
10) In Too Deep by Lee Child and Andrew Child
9) The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny 8) North Woods by Daniel Mason 7) Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
6) All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 5) Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney 4) Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
3) Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout 2) The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
and drumroll please... 🥁The number 1 most checked out work of fiction at YPL in 2025 is.... 1) The Women by Kristin Hannah
So there you have it! Have you read them? If not, scoot on over to our catalog and request one of these books. They've been very popular among your peers here in York!
Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2026, YPL
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It's TEE TIME! |
New obstacles. New activities. Mini-Golf at the Library is back in its third year... Book your tee time now!
Clubhouse Night for ages 21+ Friday, February 6
Tournament or Open Play golfing, light fare and 2 drink tickets; NEW Silent Auction, raffles, putting green, trophy presentation, and... 18 holes of mini-golf! All proceeds support the library you love! Tickets are $50 per person.
Family Fun Day for all ages - and free! Saturday February 7
It's Take Your Child to the Library Day! But you don't have to be a child to enjoy Mini-Golf at the Library. Play 9 holes of golf, or 18 if you're up for the challenge! Sensory-friendly hours from 2 - 4 PM.
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| BOOK YOUR TEE TIME! ⛳
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WITH GOLF HOLES / OBSTACLES BY.... YPL Librarians, York Ready for Climate Action, York Department of Public Works, Altrusa of the Seacoast, Coastal Ridge Elementary Green Team, Boy Scouts, Brixham Montessori School, Heart-to-Heart, Nick's Steakhouse, and more! |
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"Today's Middle East: Power, Politics, and Players" - A Camden Conference Program Pairing at YPL
| The Middle East region remains one of the world’s most intractable trouble spots. It is a volatile arena where regional powers, global interests, and local aspirations intersect in ever-evolving and often violent ways.
The 2026 Camden Conference will explore how traditional and emerging powers are reshaping relationships and testing alliances across this globally vital region. York Public Library is pleased to present a pairing of programs this month in partnership with the 39th Annual Camden Conference, Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics, and Players.
On January 22, Professor Derek Michaud, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Chair of Philosophy, Religious, and Judaic Studies at UMaine will join us remotely for "Perspectives on the Land: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Understandings."
In part II of the series, taking place January 28 in the Community Room, retired US Senior Foreign Service Officer Norm Olsen will speak about his personal experiences in his 34-year service in the Middle East at "Inside the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Reflections from a US Foreign Service Officer." |
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New Exhibit: Community Collects Art Committee Loves Art |
For York Public Library’s annual “Community Collects” winter show, the YPL Art Committee will showcase the art collected by its own committee members. Some of the artists included in the show are Ted Jaslow, Leslie DeMuth, Dewitt Hardy, Brett Gamache, Tom Glover, Paul Paris, and Maureen Reardon.The approximately three dozen works included present a wide range of media and content in both large and small pieces; you will see representational and abstract works, oil paint, watercolor, etching, photography, and collage. In the library’s glass display cases there will also be jewelry pieces in ceramic and silver. The variety of work testifies to the diversity of interests of the committee members and their evolving taste as they have created their personal art collections over many years!
Please join Committee members for an exhibit reception on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM in the Library’s Upper Level.
Left: Still Life with Books by Adeline Goldminc-Tronzo |
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Featured Events
| Click the links below for more information and to sign up. |
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NEW! Monthly Cookbook Club Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Noon @ Community Room
Save the date! York Public Library boasts a deliciously diverse collection of cookbooks. Each month in our Cookbook Club, we’ll dive into one of them and bring its recipes to life! Every registrant selects a recipe from the month’s selected book, prepares it at home, and brings it to share with the group. It’s part tasting, part show-and-tell, and all about good food and laughs. Come hungry for food and conversation! January's book is on display at the Circulation Desk next to Minnie!
AI Series #2: Beyond the Blank Page: How AI Can Spark Creativity in Art, Music, and Writing Tuesday, January 13 at 1:00 PM @ Wheeler Room
In this session we'll look at ways that AI can help generate art as a new medium for graphic design and music, as well as how to use AI as a tool to help artists get past "the blank page."
Craft Swap Tuesday, January 20 - Saturday, January 31 during open hours @ Upper Level
Bring in and take home CLEAN, new, or gently used craft supplies!
Cloud Library/E-Book Feedback Session for YPL Cardholders Wednesday, January 21 at 11:00 AM @ Wheeler Room
Library cardholders are invited to join Devin Burritt, our Reference and Technology Librarian, for an open session to discuss the library's current e-book access software CloudLibrary.
Death Cafe Monday, January 26 at 4:30 PM @ Community Room
This is a partnership event between York Community Service Association and York Public Library. |
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Author Talks and Book Discussions
| Click the links below for more information and to sign up. |
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Rand Clark: Appalachian Trail, God and Life: A Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Journey
Saturday, January 17 at 12:00 PM @ Community Room Register in advance and join us at the library for this live author talk with Rand Clark. He will discuss his book The Appalachian Trail, God, and Life: A Physical, Mental and Spiritual Journey.
Virtual Author Talk: Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine with Journalist Julia Hotz Tuesday, January 20 at 2:00 PM @ Online
Be sure to jump start your new year with us as we chat virtually with journalist and author Julia Hotz about her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. The Connection Cure combines diligent science reporting, moving patient success stories, and surprising self-discovery to help us discover the lasting and life-changing power of social prescribing. (Library Speakers Consortium)
Book and Dagger: How Librarians Became The Unlikely Spies Of World War II, Elyse Graham Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 PM @ Online
Author Elyse Graham will discuss her new book, "Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II," the true untold story of the academics who became OSS spies, invented modern spycraft, and helped turn the tide of the war to defeat the Nazis. York Public Library is happy to collaborate with Tewksbury Public Library to offer this virtual author talk.
Ahead of the Reading Curve Book Chat Wednesday, January 28 at 11:00 AM @ Wheeler Room
Connect with fellow book lovers to chat about newly released or soon-to-be-published titles.
Virtual Author Talk: NY Times Bestseller, The God of the Woods with Liz Moore Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM @ Online
Liz Moore will discuss her latest work, The God of the Woods, an instant New York Times bestseller and one of NPR’s 2024 “Books We Love” highlights. Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers Barbara Van Laar has gone missing. Barbara is the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. (Library Speakers Consortium) |
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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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Canine Cuddles
Saturday, January 3 at 10:30 AM @ Children's Room Join some of our canine crew for cuddles and comfort. We’ll also have some other calming activities in our cozy sunroom corner.
Storytime at York Land Trust Thursday, January 12 at 10:30 AM @ York Land Trust
Join Barb at York Land Trust headquarters for stories, songs and an activity. Located at 1 Long Neck Marsh Road in York. Please register.
White Pine Presents Animals in Winter Saturday, January 24 at 10:30 AM @ Children's Room
Come discover the wonders of nature in winter with White Pine Programs Saturday, January 24th! This hour and a half program for children ages 6 - 9 and their caregivers will teach about animal and plant behavior in winter and the secrets that hide in the snow. This program will run indoors and outdoors so come prepared dressed in layers, mittens/gloves, and winter boots to do some exploration outside! Siblings are welcome to join! Registration preferred but drop-ins welcome. |
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York Public Library's Digital Learning Lab is grant-funded through The American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative. Registration is required.
Beginning Vex Robotics 5-week session for 4th - 6th graders
Group A: Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 PM (starts 1/26) - Register
Group B: Tuesday and Wednesday at 3:30 PM (starts 1/27) - Register
In this program you will construct your very own robot, navigate them through exciting courses, and learn the basics of robotic programming. This is 5 week program with two sessions a week. Please only register for one group. There are no sessions during the week of February 16th.
This lab is meant to be an inclusive space, so if you have any individual needs, accommodations, or accessibility issues please let us know and your requests will be treated with privacy and respect. |
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Click the links below for more information. Youth events do not require registration unless otherwise indicated. |
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Drop in Crafts with Danie
Every day after school in January at 3:30 PM @ Teen Space Bored? Looking for somewhere exciting to go with your friends? Visit Danie in the Teen Space and check out some of the activities she has for you!
Midterm Mood Boost January 15 - 23 @ Teen Space
We're hosting some extra studious vibes Jan 15-23 in the Teen Space for midterms! We have everything you need to lock in and get in the zone.
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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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