Lifetime Arts is pleased to announce that we will be honored by Westchester Library System (WLS) with a National Library Week Recognition Award at their 22nd Annual Book & Author Luncheon on Thursday, April 18, 2013 which will be held at CV Rich Mansion in White Plains, NY.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. This year’s National Libraries Week theme is “Communities Matter,” and the honorary national chair is Caroline Kennedy.

Since 2009 Lifetime Arts and WLS have partnered to offer nearly 40 creative aging programs in almost as many communities that have directly improved the lives of nearly 600 older adults in Westchester County libraries. In a press release dated February 28, 2013 (PDF), WLS executive director Terry Kirchner discussed the decision to recognize Lifetime Arts this year:

We are… thrilled to honor Lifetime Arts, a non-profit organization that allows WLS to sponsor creative aging projects for seniors. With these programs, the local public libraries have become art making centers, bringing together great teaching artists with librarians and seniors.

Maura O’Malley, Co-founder, President/CEO offered this reaction to the announcement:

Lifetime Arts is honored to be recognized by Westchester Library System.  From the outset, WLS has been an enthusiastic and committed partner with us in pioneering  new programming for older adults in public libraries.   With generous support from the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation, the Creative Aging Libraries Project, has grown from a small local pilot – here in Westchester – to a nationally recognized model for arts-based lifelong learning in public libraries.

We look forward to participating in the event in April and appreciate being recognized for this work in Westchester!