Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances, and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were once the subject of a pitched battle that landed on the steps of Congress. Told through the voices of key participants and witnesses, the film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to achieve their goal and change the lives of all Americans.
Hilary Klotz Steinman was born and raised in Westerly, RI and is an Emmy award winning documentary film producer and director. She has been producing historical and verite documentary films for over 25 years, with a focus on women’s history and the impact of technology on American lives. Her work has been featured on PBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, at Sundance Film Festival, the New York Historical Society and in theaters.
Film is 50 mins. SEATING IS LIMITED.
Screening followed by a Question & Answer session featuring:
Hilary Klotz Steinman, Filmmaker and Producer
Ruth Tureckova, Executive Director of the Frank Olean Center
Moderator: Gail Kahover, President of the Friends of the Westerly Library
Rhode Island PBS & The Public's Radio will also have a table at this event.
At our Annual Meeting, the Friends announced our new slate of Officers, Committee Chairs & Members at Large. It is with much gratitude, we bid farewell to Peg Murphy Bright as President. Fortunately, Peg will stay on as Programs' Committee chair. Former Vice President, Gail Kahover is our new President. For a complete listing of our leadership, click here.
THANK YOU to all the volunteers and customers of the 2024 Annual Friends' Book Sale. We raised over $13,000 selling gently-used books of all genres - fiction, non-fiction, children's, tweens, young adult, history, self-help, thrillers & more. Proceeds from the sale will go towards supporting programs at the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park.
Donations of all genres of books (hardcover & paperback) in good condition are accepted. Simply bring donations to the Circulation Desk at the library. Magazines, VHS tapes, textbooks, or Readers' Digest books are not accepted. Donated books are sold at our annual book sale in October. All proceeds help fund projects in the library & park.
The Friends of Westerly Library & Wilcox Park hosted an event featuring a conversation between Friends' member, Mary Weiss, and Patricia Walsh Chadwick, author of Breaking Glass: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street.
Wilcox Park's Runaway Bunny recently needed some upgrades to its surroundings for the safety of those enjoying a visit with the bunny and for easy maintenance.
Little Libraries are located throughout our community offering residents of all ages access to books within their own neighborhoods. We are proud to install and stock these local gems.
The Friends of Westerly Library & Wilcox Park donated an outside book return box offering the convenience of 24/7 book returns to all library patrons.