The Library is closed Saturday, May 23 - Monday, May 25
for Memorial Day weekend.
May 2026
Hello friends,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to reduce stigma, raise understanding, connect people to support, and encourage communities to prioritize mental well-being. To that end, we're proud to offer our second annual Mental Health series in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Your Mind Matters: Cultivating Tools for Mental Wellness. We hope you'll join us to learn techniques for managing stress, building connections, and more. And don't miss our special event geared toward teenagers, a collaboration with Choose to Be Healthy and MaineHealth.
Birds are chirping, stories are unfolding, and creativity is in the air... and this month has a little something for everyone. In bittersweet news, we're also preparing to part ways with one of our longtime librarians later this month, Miss Katie, who has perfected the art of story telling and engaged with thousands of our youngest patrons in her ten years at YPL.
We hope to see you soon!
YPL
P.S. Diggin in the dirt? Don't forget to get your seeds from our seed library in the Upper Level!🪴
Since 2016, Katie Arey (“Miss Katie” to many) has been a bright and joyful pillar of the Youth Services Department, radiating kindness and welcoming patrons of all ages. Later this month, she’ll be stepping away from York Public Library to spend more time with her family. We hope we’ll still see her from time to time if we’re lucky!
Katie has been a true friend to our “littles” and to grown-ups alike, greeting everyone who enters the Children’s Room with heartfelt warmth and a twinkling smile. Her songs, rhymes, and stories have created lasting memories for many, and her impact on this space and this community will be felt for years to come. We will miss her.
Her final day will be Friday, May 22, if you’d like to stop by and say goodbye. (Forgive us in advance for our teary eyes!)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the importance of mental well-being. During this month we will be providing valuable resources for tweens and teens and raising awareness about the importance of mental health care. We will once again be providing Mental Health Kits to the tweens and teens of York. Additionally, we will be hosting a Healthy Teens Workshop in collaboration with Choose to Be Healthy and MaineHealth, as well as hosting some wellness activities specifically aimed at tween and teen wellness. Check out our calendar for details or email dfortin@yorkpubliclibrary.org.
York Public Library is pleased to welcome eleven selected artists from The Kittery Art Association in Eleven Views from Here. These artists reflect the depth and breadth of talent within an organization of more than 250 creators. Eleven artists, one community, countless ways of seeing: Eleven Views from Hereshowcases selected works from the Kittery Art Association—a gathering of voices as varied and vibrant as Maine itself. The exhibition opens May 2, with an opening reception with the artists on Tuesday, May 5 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s Upper Level.
We’re excited to share that our York History Digital Archive, hosted by Advantage Archives, will be receiving important updates in the coming weeks. These improvements are being made to align with updated accessibility standards under ADA Title II. The updates will enhance usability and make it easier for everyone to explore our local history collections, including newspapers and documents.
2nd ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH SERIES
Your Mind Matters: Cultivating Tools for Mental Wellness
YPL is happy to announce our second annual series on mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Click the links below for more information and to sign up. Brought to you by York Public Library, the York, Maine Rotary Club, and Community Partners.
Cornerstone VNA Community and Life Care Director and mental health expert Katie Michaud MS, OTR/L, will help you learn more about stress and how it can be managed.
Join professionals from the Maine Prevention Network for an upbeat, interactive evening designed for parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members who want to feel more confident supporting the teens in their lives.
This presentation offers an overview of mental wellness, with a focus on common psychiatric diagnoses including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD.
In this 60 minute workshop, participants will learn simple, effective techniques to calm the nervous system and to help them step out of overthinking patterns.
During the American Revolutionary War era (roughly 1765–1783), York, Maine was a small but active coastal community that reflected many of the larger political and military tensions happening across New England. Join James Kences for this enlightening talk and display.
York Public Library is pleased to welcome eleven selected artists from The Kittery Art Association. Please join us for a reception with the artists. Light refreshments provided.
Curious about the birds you see and hear every day? Join York County Audubon Society for an engaging introduction to birdwatching in beautiful York County—one of Maine’s most rewarding regions for bird enthusiasts of all levels.
Each spring, over five billion birds migrate to North American breeding grounds in one of nature’s most spectacular mass movements. Drawing on 25 years’ experience banding birds with Massachusetts Audubon, Maine Master Naturalist Frank Dehler will give a behind-the-scenes look at how a migratory banding station works and explain the importance of the data it collects for understanding the timing of songbird migration.
Join us in an online conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular Track series. (Library Speakers Consortium)
Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran. (Library Speakers Consortium)
What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief. (Library Speakers Consortium)
Join us at the library for a compelling author talk with John Olszewski, a true crime author, lecturer, and podcast co-host who has spent more than 30 years studying and corresponding with some of the world’s most notorious criminals.
Join some of our canine crew for cuddles and comfort. We’ll also have some other calming activities in our cozy sunroom corner. Pop by and see which pup is visiting the Library this month! They are great listeners - snuggle up or read to them.
Thursday, May 14 at 10:30 @ York Land Trust Headquarters
Join Barb at York Land Trust headquarters for stories, songs and an activity. This is an OFF-SITE program. Plan ahead! Wear your walking boots if you want to also enjoy a walk on the trails after the program.
Join Danie for a little sparkle and serenity as we create calming jars, an easy, hands-on craft designed to help you slow down, breathe deep, and find your calm.
Join professionals from the Maine Prevention Network for an upbeat, interactive evening designed for parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members who want to feel more confident supporting the teens in their lives. The prevention team will cover healthy eating and active living, tobacco prevention, and substance use prevention in an engaging, practical, and yes… even fun way.
This event mixes evidence‑based information with real‑life strategies, quick tips you can use right away, and a lively game‑show‑style Q&A to keep things moving. Expect helpful resources, meaningful conversation, and ideas for creating a positive environment where teens feel supported, valued, and ready to make healthy choices.
Refreshments will be offered during the event.
In partnership with Choose To Be Healthy and Youth Resiliency Coalitions at York Hospital MaineHealth
It’s a half-day! That means Lunch With Danie at the Library for tweens and teens in grades 5+. Join Danie in the Teem Room for sandwiches, mac & cheese, and ramen!
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!
