Connections

Jul 6 2026

Connecting communities is at the heart of all that happens at Crestwood Library. Highlighted in this issue are several ways the community blossoms and thrives hand-in-hand with our library.

Below find recent work of several of our community connections:

Recap Annual Meeting - Friends of Crestwood Library
Thu, Jul 9 Speed Readers - Run or Walk to Support Westchester Library System
Save the Dates - Centennial Concerts

Tue, Jul 28 Carlos Pavan

Sun, Sep 27 Local Musicians at Asbury United Methodist Church

New Ways to Get Communications About Crestwood Library

Remember we're closed Sundays in Jul and Aug.

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Message from Branch Administrator

Stitch, also known as Experiment 626, is a fictional character from Disney's Lilo & Stitch movies

Many of us have favorite animated characters. Stitch is my favorite as many Crestwood Library Patrons know. To me, Stitch exemplifies community. Though a bit mischievous, he is dedicated to supporting and protecting his family and community. That's what I see in many of the people who walk through our doors. They are interested in, and committed to, community through literacy.

"Everyone Belongs Here" is the YPL motto on our library cards, which is embodied in our interactions here at Crestwood Library. We have created programs in recent years to serve our communities different needs. Crestwood Knitting Circle led by local resident Cameron Lory Faulds has brought together knitters from beginners to experts to learn about and share their skills. For those who could not make it during the weekdays, Alison Robles, Librarian I, champions our Fiber Arts Saturday program. Reading Buddies, Snack & Read, and Crafternoon were introduced to serve families looking for interesting activities during the school break. New this summer is our Snack & Write Program, led by local high school student Katie Kelly. This program is open to students of all grades and will take place on Tuesdays from 2-4:30pm. Our Silent Reading Club provides a cozy, quiet environment for people so they can commit time to "just read" in their otherwise busy lives. Interns and VOLUNTEENS looking for worthwhile public service opportunities find them at Crestwood Library and gain valuable skills while supporting our community.

Friends of Crestwood Library (FOCL) is an organized community group with a long and generous history focused on supporting Crestwood Library. Recently, they have spearheaded the Centennial Celebration with Author Talks and Concerts and plans for much more. Below, see a summary of FOCL's recent Annual Meeting.

The community helps us but it's not a one-way street. We also serve the community. Handknitted blankets by one of our Fiber Arts superstars have been donated to local hospitals. (See more in article below). Offering a seed library for patrons to use in their own gardens, the library's gardens for learning about growing and composting, and activities to promote pollinators, such as monarch butterflies and bats, teach sustainability literacy for helping improve our community's environment.

"Be More Stitch" and become a great part of our community. Drop by soon to enjoy quiet and not so quiet moments.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Z Baird

Branch Administrator, Crestwood Library

"Everyone Belongs Here"

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Centennial Concert

Carlos Pavan in Concert - Jul 28, 7-8pm

Guitarist/composer Carlos Pavan will highlight the next Centennial Concert sponsored by Friends of Crestwood Library.

He has performed at Lincoln Center, New England Conservatory Jordan Hall and Brooklyn Borough Hall among others.

Hailing from Argentina, Pavan moved to the US in 2000. He has recorded four albums consisting of string quartet, chamber ensemble and trio concertante compositions.

Read a special interview with Pavan on his life and music by Honora Woodruff, a part-time clerk and life long patron at Crestwood Library.

Get a sneak preview of Pavan's music here.

Light refreshments will be served.

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Fun Run with Westchester Library System Including Crestwood Library Staff - Jul 9

Ready to race...or walk...with a bit of library swagger!

Join the Speed Readers, the team for the Westchester Library System (WLS, which includes Crestwood Library), and register for the Jul 9 (5 - 9pm) Corporate FunRun at Westchester Community College.

Free post-race beer and pizza, event swag AND a Speed Readers shirt! Help keep WLS's title as "Largest Team."

It is FREE for full-timers, part-timers, hourly staff, trustees and volunteers from any library in Westchester. Family and friends can join you at the discounted rate of $33. All participants register at Registration Link below

We need six volunteers to hold the Crestwood Library Banner.

Email z@ypl.org to help and you will participate for FREE.

Registration Link:

2026 Corporate FunRun/Walk - WLS Team Registration

Questions? Email askoutreach@wlsmail.org

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Cathy Walsh, President, Friends of Crestwood Library presents at Annual Meeting

See What We've Been Doing in the Community!

Friends of Crestwood Library - Annual Meeting

The past year was filled with exciting programs as Friends of Crestwood Library (FOCL) kicked off the Centennial for the Crestwood Library with Concerts and Author Talks.

To see a slide show of the Jun 9 meeting, click here.

The meeting also featured presentations by guest speakers including Kathie Jochen, with her sheepdog Bandit, who spoke about the successful Read to a Therapy Dog program that encourages young readers.

Also, Teen Intern Sofia Roberto showcased her learning experiences at the library.

Join FOCL and become part of our community.

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Members of Yonkers St. John's Riverside Hospital (SJRH) Maternity Services accept handknit blankets including blankets knit by Kristy LaBarbera, top row left, Volunteer, Crestwood Library. Joining Kristy LaBarbera and Maternity Services members are Bridgette Pennelle, Assistant Director of External Affairs, SJRH, bottom row left; Z Baird, Branch Administrator, Crestwood Library, bottom row second from left and Connie Cullen, Volunteer, Crestwood Library, top row right

Library Helps Knit Connections

to Local Hospitals

More than 25 handknit blankets were donated to St. John's Riverside Hospital (SJRH) Maternity Services in Yonkers on Wed Jul 1. The blankets were knit by volunteers with the lion's share being knit by Kristy LaBarbera, a Volunteer from Crestwood library.

Kristy truly brings to life the spirit of our library’s Knitting and Fiber Arts Programs. Kristy is a middle school math teacher at Westchester Hills School 29 who has been crocheting for over fifteen years. An avid reader, Kristy enjoys a variety of books including dystopian fiction, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy and retellings of fairy tales. She also enjoys puzzles and escape rooms.

These programs are for beginners through experts to show how literacy and all types of creative needle work, including knitting, embroidery and crocheting, intersect. Participants learn, practice and share together their skills and ideas. They read about and explore the world of needle craft.

Some projects are kept by their creators to use or share with family and friends. Other projects are made for donating to share the excitement and beauty of this work with the community.

Knitters meet most Wednesdays and Fiber Arts participants meet one Saturday afternoon a month. See here for upcoming schedule. Call the library to confirm sessions at 914-779-3774.

New Ways to Communicate to the Community

Though we're 100 years old, the Crestwood Library is no stranger to the latest in communications technologies. Through the efforts of Zoe Goncalves, part time junior clerk at the library, and our High School Teen interns Sofia Roberto and Olivia Bryant, you can now find Crestwood Library information online. If you sign up, you have at your fingertips the week's programs, resource links, special info, videos and even sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.

See QR Codes in illustration above to sign up for Instagram and TikTok for news and happenings focused on Crestwood Library.

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Dig Into Good Books this Summer!

Yonkers Public Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program

runs from Jun 1 to Sep 15. This annual initiative encourages residents of all ages to discover the joy of reading while helping children and teens maintain critical literacy skills throughout the summer months.

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Many thanks to Ann Rakoff, Board Member, Friends of Crestwood Library, for her generous donation to sponsor Connections for 2026. (She is one of the volunteers writing and sending Connections.)