Westerville Public Library

What a great night for mystery lovers!

Thank you to ML Cullen and Connie Berry, Author for spending an evening with us and sharing insights into their books, the writing process, and the mystery genre.

We also appreciate Birdie Books for providing copies of the authors' books for sale during the program. Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success! 📚️

Have you spotted this mural at the library yet?

Take a closer look at Westerville's history through Mvskoke, a mural by Dexter Komakaru featured in the America 250 Westerville mural project. ⁠
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Located in the hallway leading to the museum.

has always been more than a holiday. The day stands as a testament to and celebration of the unyielding spirit of a people.

Learn more and join in the celebration with Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/museum-store/juneteenth-reading-list

As we commemorate Juneteenth today, we remember the story of Mary King, whose enslavers concealed her legally free status from her. In some ways, her story mirrors the experiences of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, nearly two decades later, who were denied their freedom until the day that became known as Juneteenth.

When Thomas King, Mary's enslaver, died in 1846, his will manumitted Mary - but his executor and son Benjamin King didn't tell Mary that in the eyes of the law, she was free. Benjamin kept Mary in bo***ge for ten more months - until after she had given birth to another child so Benjamin could claim that child as his property.

Once the court finally enforced Mary’s freedom, she stayed and worked in Greenup County, Kentucky, where she had been enslaved, so she could buy her family's freedom. The emancipation deed ended up in the hands of Mary's grandson, Henry Wheatley Jr. Wheatley grew up and lived much of his adult life here in Westerville.

Henry donated Mary’s emancipation deed to the Hanby House, where he had lived in the early 1900s when it was still a residence and boardinghouse. Today the Ohio History Connection holds the original deed.

Pictured: a copy of Mary King's emancipation deed, dated 1847

Learn about creating graphic novels for kids and teens next Monday from bestselling author of the Lumberjanes series, Grace Ellis⁠.
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Q&A and book signing to follow. Books will be available for purchase. 📖

Share the love during Pride Month with our Pride Wall! ✨️ Add your voice to the community display located near the kids area.

The library will be closed Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.🎆

Mystery readers unite! Stop by this Thursday and listen to mystery authors Michelle Cullen and Connie Berry talk with each other about their latest novels, A Field Guide to Murder and A Grave Deception.

Discover the process of writing mysteries, the origins of the author's characters, and their journey to being writers. 📖🕵️‍♀️
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Book sale hosted by Birdie Books and signing to follow.

Spend quality time together and prepare your child for a lifetime of reading with this fun challenge! 📚️

1. Read 1,000 books with your baby, toddler, or preschooler to earn prizes.
2. Keep track of how many you've read in your spiral-bound notebook.
3. Stop by when you've reached a milestone to pick up your prize! 😁

Last Friday, we were honored to welcome the 2026 Associates for Mortenson Center for International Library Programs to the Westerville Public Library as part of their annual library tour. ⁠
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It was a pleasure to connect with librarians from around the world and showcase our library, community, and services. 📖