A Young Writers Workshop with Actress & Author Ally Sheedy
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📍Desmond-Fish Public Library · 472 Route 403, Garrison, NY 10524 Get directions ↗
🏷Free
About this event
Join us for a special creative writing workshop for young, aspiring authors featuring acclaimed actress and author Ally Sheedy. As the author of a 1975 bestselling young adult novel She Was Nice to Mice, Sheedy first captured the hearts of audiences with her witty tale of a clever and very observant mouse living in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. The book—written when she was just twelve years old—quickly became a beloved piece of historical fiction for young readers. Currently out of print, the book has become a collector’s item, but the library has acquired ten copies that are currently available to borrow. During this interactive program, Sheedy will be interviewed by screenwriter Emily Lansbury about her early writing journey, what inspired She Was Nice to Mice, and how she balances creativity across multiple artistic mediums. Sheedy will then lead participants in a mini- workshop where kids will craft a short piece of historical fiction told from the point of view of an animal of their choosing—encouraging imagination, empathy, and playful exploration of the past. In addition to her work as an author, Ally Sheedy is an award-winning actress known for her iconic performances in classic films including The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, High Arts and War Games, as well as the television show Single Drunk Female. She has also built a rich career in independent film, television, and theatre, and currently teaches and mentors young performers and writers as a professor at City College. Her lifelong commitment to the arts and storytelling makes her an inspiring guide for the next generation of creative minds. This event is free and open to the public, though space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. At the event, the Desmond-Fish Public Library will present Ally Sheedy with the Alice Curtis Desmond Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature. The Library’s co-founder, Alice Curtis Desmond, made her writing career as an author of books for young people. THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 17 AND WAS POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Attention aspiring witches! Stop by the library to decorate your own witch’s hat to wear during the festive Halloween season. For children in grades K-5. Registration is required. Please register each child individually. Celebrate Halloween 2026 With The DFPL Fantasy Friday: The Owl House Marathon Make Your Own: Halloween Witch’s Hat! Halloween Tall & Small LEGO Day Wild & Bright Reptile Show-Creepy Crawlies! Make Big Puppets for the Cold Spring Halloween Parade The Annual DFPL Pumpkin Glow If Anyone Builds It, Does Everyone Die? Looking at AI’s Spookiest Claims, From AI Gods to Evil Robot Superhackers Family Science Night: Halloween Monster Lab Halloween Donut Decorating For Kids “What Happens at Nightfall” Author Talk with Lauren Willig in Conversation with Allison Pataki Creators Workshop: Zombie Barbies
Ages 5–11
FREE
Halloween Tall & Small LEGO Day
Desmond-Fish Public Library · Garrison
Do you have a family of Lego masters monsters at home? Come together to the library and make spooktacular builds with us this fall! Costumes welcome! Teams of one adult and one child will work together to build and show off a Lego masterpiece (and may encounter a few unexpected tricks and treats). Please register once per team. You do not need to register each person separately. Do you have extra Lego gathering dust that you might want to see live a new life at the Library? We are always in need of extra bricks! Email us if you can help. Celebrate Halloween 2026 With The DFPL Fantasy Friday: The Owl House Marathon Make Your Own: Halloween Witch’s Hat! Halloween Tall & Small LEGO Day Wild & Bright Reptile Show-Creepy Crawlies! Make Big Puppets for the Cold Spring Halloween Parade The Annual DFPL Pumpkin Glow If Anyone Builds It, Does Everyone Die? Looking at AI’s Spookiest Claims, From AI Gods to Evil Robot Superhackers Family Science Night: Halloween Monster Lab Halloween Donut Decorating For Kids “What Happens at Nightfall” Author Talk with Lauren Willig in Conversation with Allison Pataki Creators Workshop: Zombie Barbies
Family
scienceFREE
Open Makerspace Hours
Desmond-Fish Public Library · Garrison
Want to create an object on a 3D printer? Cut decals on a Cricut? Engrave a gift with a laser cutter? Create custom chocolate molds on a vacuum former? You can do it all – and more! – at the Innovation & Learning Center, the Desmond-Fish Public Library’s makerspace and education center. During open makerspace hours, patrons can use, learn about, and experiment with all the tools available in the ILC, whether to work on a personal project, dream up something new, or just learn new skills. Don’t know what to make? A new stay-and-make project is available every month, suitable for both new and experienced creators! Click here for a full list of makerspace equipment and software. Please note: due to staffing limitations, use for other library needs, or repair status, not all equipment or software may be available at each visit. Email our Digital Services Librarian or book an appointment to inquire about the use of specific materials. Some equipment may require a short training session and not be available for use by children. Some consumable resources (3D printer filament, vacuum former sheets, wooden boards etc.) may incur a small fee. Patrons may bring their own consumable resources for no charge. In order to accommodate everyone, dedicated one-on-one instruction is not available during open lab hours, although assistance with projects is available as time permits. If you would like training or dedicated project assistance, please book an appointment. If you are seeking help with a computer or device issue, please book a computer help appointment. About the ILC The Innovation & Learning Center at the Desmond-Fish Public Library is a state-of-the-art makerspace serving our vibrant, diverse, and multigenerational community. Focused on the intersection of technology and the arts and dedicated to promoting social justice and information literacy through free access to technology, the ILC features a wide range of creative tools and innovative programming for community use, and is the umbrella under which digital services are provided to the DFPL community.
Kids
scienceFREE
Open Makerspace Hours
Desmond-Fish Public Library · Garrison
Want to create an object on a 3D printer? Cut decals on a Cricut? Engrave a gift with a laser cutter? Create custom chocolate molds on a vacuum former? You can do it all – and more! – at the Innovation & Learning Center, the Desmond-Fish Public Library’s makerspace and education center. During open makerspace hours, patrons can use, learn about, and experiment with all the tools available in the ILC, whether to work on a personal project, dream up something new, or just learn new skills. Don’t know what to make? A new stay-and-make project is available every month, suitable for both new and experienced creators! Click here for a full list of makerspace equipment and software. Please note: due to staffing limitations, use for other library needs, or repair status, not all equipment or software may be available at each visit. Email our Digital Services Librarian or book an appointment to inquire about the use of specific materials. Some equipment may require a short training session and not be available for use by children. Some consumable resources (3D printer filament, vacuum former sheets, wooden boards etc.) may incur a small fee. Patrons may bring their own consumable resources for no charge. In order to accommodate everyone, dedicated one-on-one instruction is not available during open lab hours, although assistance with projects is available as time permits. If you would like training or dedicated project assistance, please book an appointment. If you are seeking help with a computer or device issue, please book a computer help appointment. About the ILC The Innovation & Learning Center at the Desmond-Fish Public Library is a state-of-the-art makerspace serving our vibrant, diverse, and multigenerational community. Focused on the intersection of technology and the arts and dedicated to promoting social justice and information literacy through free access to technology, the ILC features a wide range of creative tools and innovative programming for community use, and is the umbrella under which digital services are provided to the DFPL community.
FREE
