Join us for "120 Days of Lit," a four-month long celebration marking our library's 120th anniversary beginning on June 16th.
Featuring: special events, our popular Summer Reading program, an interactive storytelling adventure about Booklings, a collectible anniversary library card, and space improvements including new study pods and thoughtfully reorganized collections that will make discovering your next great read easier than ever.
Get a Library Card Events Calendar Summer Reading
Now's the perfect time to get a library card!
Celebrate our 120th anniversary with a special edition library card, starting June 16th.
Get a Library Card
Library shelving is now lower for easier access and the collections have been reorganized - no more split collections! Find your favorite books in one place!
Study pods provide a more comfortable environment where you can charge your devices during quiet study and focused work.
The library added new digital signage so we can deliver you the right information at the right time.
During 120 Days of Lit, the library will offer special events for individuals of different ages, interests, and abilities, including: storytimes, book clubs, author talks, augmented reality, gardening, summer reading events, and more.
Events Calendar
No one has seen Bookling activity in years.
Do you think Booklings are still in the library?
Take part in an interactive storytelling adventure to find out for yourself.
Before you embark on your adventure, go to the front desk to sign out your carrying case with a map and instructions.
Follow the map and scan QR codes at different Bookling Stops in the library where you can discover clues and stories about possible Bookling activity.
Visit the Bookling Museum near the service desk to learn more about Booklings and see what others have found.
Get your reading log and bracelent. For each 5 books you read, add another brag tag to your bracelet. Five brag tags wins a prize!
Summer ReadingThe library, known today as the Harrison Public Library, was established in 1905 as the Harrison Free Reading Room, located at the Aranac Club House on Harrison Avenue, later known as the Frank Sollazo Recreation Center. Starting out with just 365 books, services expanded through the years and the library was chartered as the Harrison Free Library in 1913.
After multiple failed referendums to build a dedicated library building, ground was finally broken at today's current location on Bruce Avenue in 1961. The library moved across the street from the Aranac to the new library building in the summer of 1962.
In 1955 the library was provisionally chartered as the Harrison Public Library, but didn't receive its permanent charter until it incorporated the Silver Lake Free Library, itself serving West Harrison residents since 1929, as the West Harrison Branch in 1967.
The lower floor of the West Harrison Branch was left vacant when the Silver Lake Recreation Department moved to the old Underhill School across the street. An expansion in 1977 repurposed the space into a new Children's Room.
A 1985 expansion of the downtown library building on Bruce Avenue nearly doubled the floor space, introducing a new Community Room, Children's Room, and lounge area. The Bruce Avenue entrance was closed off and the parking lot entrance became the main entrance to the library.
A generous donation from the Halperin family, along with additional community fundraising and public funds, led to a complete interior renovation of the downtown library starting in 2014, including a new Children's Discovery Center, Teen Center, and Learning Center. The building, renamed the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building, reopened in September, 2015.