I have some of my fondest earliest childhood memories of walking with my Mother to the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Pulling open those massive bronze doors in itself was thrilling! What treasures were there for me! I also loved Story Hours. I felt very grown up. Later in life as a young adult when money was more than tight (and now) going to the library held the same thrill and satisfaction. I have thanked Benjamin Franklin a thousand times for this institution.

Many years later I was so excited as a young Mother to introduce my children to books. As soon as the baby nurse left (that is another story!) I had to get to a book store for the very first books for my son. I proudly have double framed photos of each of my children holding open their first books!

Then years later the biggest moment of all - getting their own Library Card! You cannot replace that feeling of satisfaction when you have an armload of books. We are very fortunate to have all grown up in Katonah and having the Katonah Village Library as a great part of our lives. We have even stocked up and filled the car with books on the way to Cape Cod each summer.

The Children’s rooms are very spacious and inviting. There is also a more casual corner with floor cushions and chairs should you not have the patience to wait to get home in order to read your book - or have it read to you. Years later my children had their piano recitals in one of the special performance/gallery rooms.

Then there is Tina the Turtle who is kept in an aquarium tank. They accept donations for her care. This past week my daughter was in another room hanging a John Jay High School Art Show and I could not resist stopping in to see Tina. She has really grown!

Our Library offers many programs for the Children - Summer Reading Clubs, Halloween Story Hour Plus Parade, 6 different age based Story Times for preschoolers, book clubs for all ages, and then movies, books and play reading pizza parties for teens! I have noticed in their new bulletin that they also are having a New Mother’s Tea.

There are so many programs our Library offers that it is best that you discover it on your own. From their bulletin I have learned that in 2008 The Katonah Village Library held 443 programs!

Visit their website: KatonahLibrary.org

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom