Harrison Library Events to Tackle Key Issues

Community, civility and compassion—those three words will be key in a series of panel discussions and events scheduled at Harrison's public libraries geared toward bringing together the diverse groups of people who live in town.

Entitled "Building Common Ground: Discussion of Community, Civility and Compassion", the four-part series is part of a national initiative of the American Library Association and the Fetzer Institute.

Harrison is one of 30 libraries nationwide to receive a $2,500 grant to host the programs. Library Director Galina Chernykh applied earlier this year after reading a about Harrison's growing Latino, Asian and African American population. She thinks the discussions will become a way to bring the community together at the library, enhancing quality of life through understanding.

"It seems like the population is changing, but it is not reflected by (people) coming to programs and community gatherings," she said. "This will be a great opportunity to talk about it and bring it up."

Each event is open to adults and students in the community and will include a guest speaker, screening or activity covering topics involving race, inclusion and community understanding. The goal is to bring the community together through an open dialogue about difficult issues.

The first event will be a panel discussion hosted by Rabbi Barry Kenter, the rabbi of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center of Dobbs Ferry. The panel will be entitled "Reflection" and is scheduled for May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the .

On May 21, the downtown library will host a screening of the film "Reconnecting with Compassion", followed by a discussion with Sr. Haifa Bint-Kadi, the Muslim chaplain at Manhattanville College.

The library then hopes to take photographs of families who live, work or recreate in Harrison. Families are welcomed to have their photos taken and to share their story with the community on June 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the and on July 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the downtown library.

Under Chernykh's direction, the library has recently made a movement toward hosting more activities and community events. English as a second language classes, Mad Science visits and children's book readings have been successful, and the panel discussions offer an opportunity to grow on that.

The meetings will also bring together different sections of Harrison to discuss the way they view the town, and goals they might have for its future, Chernykh said.

"I think that open conversation will help determine which way to go, how we see our community" said Chernykh. "It's a great community, but there are so many different parts."