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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. The Pound Ridge Library is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and marking the occasion with a series of events called Building Together Growing Together.
The five-part series is designed to enhance the quality of life and learning throughout Pound Ridge. The program launches Thursday and will conclude with the final event on Oct. 11.
In celebration and commemoration of our 60th anniversary, we designed these programs to focus on the community, which was the original intent of the library, said Marilyn Tinter, library director.
The programs in the series breakdown like this:
- Appreciating Community
The first part, Pictures of Pound Ridge, will be presented by Louise Paolicelli, the Pound Ridge Neighbor to Neighbor liaison, and will include a slide viewing and discussion. The second part, Pound Ridge Past, will be presented by local author and columnist Bonnie Brodnick, to take a personal look at several Pound Ridge personalities. It will be held Thursday, noon to 2 p.m.
- Practicing Civility
The Power of Forgiveness Part 1 will be held March 22, 7:30 p.m., while Part 2 is slated for March 29, 7:30 p.m. This program will be facilitated by Ginger Benlifer, a local psychologist and include a film screening and discussion.
- Encouraging Compassion
This program will feature a screening of the Japanese film The Bluebird and be facilitated by Patricia Warble, executive director of the Drug Abuse Prevention Council. It will be held April 26 at 7:30 p.m.
- Enhancing Community Pound Ridge Pride Day
This event coincides with the community service fair in the Pound Ridge business district and is coordinated by Pound Ridge Partnership President Ali Boak. The date is May 20, 2-5 p.m.
- Cultivating Compassion
This event features a community-wide reading and discussion of Digging to America by Anne Tyler and feature a panel discussion of local clergy. The date is Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
The first program is about the towns past and Bonni Brodnick will be here to talk about her book, Pound Ridge Past, Tinter said. We thought that was a good way to open to it.
The besides history, the themes of civility and compassion are spread through the five programs. Tinter said she thought they were appropriate because they are things that enhance the quality of life in a community, which, she said, are an essential part of a public library.
What initiated my thoughts about this whole project was a film I had seen called The Bluebird, which is a film about bullying, she explained. The film was so compelling I felt we should show it in the community. It captures the essence of bullying. People dont realize how subtle it can be.
Tinter said the role of the public library has changed over the years and is no longer simply a place to check out a book or read a magazine. She said theyve become a community hub of sorts, a place where people can meet and exchange ideas.
We have tailored our services to meet the changing needs of community, she said. We are still the resource center, but we have become a gathering place for people to explore and grow and communicate. Its not just about coming to get a book anymore; we work with all the organizations in town and facilitate programs.
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