The John C. Hart Memorial Library at 1130 East Main Street in Shrub Oak reopened its main floor on Thursday, November 12, at 9:30 a.m., with every regular service back in its usual place for the first time since early fall. The library describes the work as the first comprehensive update to its main public area in nearly 40 years.

Yorktown's community library closed early on Monday, November 9, to move its collection back onto the main floor and clear out the Community Room, which had been pressed into service while the interior work went on. Phase 1, the interior renovation of the main library, is complete. Phase 2, the final phase, covers additional furnishings and finishing touches and continues through December.

What changed

Regulars will notice the floor first: new carpeting and tile throughout. The old arrangement of separate desks has been replaced by a single, centrally located service desk. There is a dedicated teen area, a new reading lounge and an information wall, with updated furnishings across the building.

The library funded the project largely through a matching grant from New York State Aid for Library Construction, along with a private donation and other grants secured through state representatives. The library has not published a dollar figure for the work.

Late items are forgiven through November 30

Anyone holding Hart materials that were due on or after September 28 has until November 30 to bring them back, and no overdue fines apply to John C. Hart items between September 28 and November 30, 2026. Returns can go in the library's own book drop, the Town Hall return bin, or any Westchester Library System branch.

First weekend back

The first program on the reopened floor is a concert lecture in the Community Room on Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m.: Love Songs of WWII, performed by Diane Cypkin, professor emerita at Pace University, with the stories behind the songs and profiles of Harry Warren, Vera Lynn and Edith Piaf. It is open to all ages and registration is required by Friday, November 13, at 3 p.m.

On Friday, November 13, at 10:30 a.m., the library starts Little Gamers, a new early-literacy program in which toddlers play age-appropriate board and card games. Registration is online with a library card.

Hours

The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. from October 1 through April 30. It is at 1130 East Main Street (Route 6), Shrub Oak, NY 10588; phone 914-245-5262.

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