CARMEL, NY - Today Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne announced a brand-new initiative designed both to raise awareness about Putnam County's support for its public libraries and provide additional venues to answer residents' questions. The county executive's "Talking in the Library: Open Books, Open Government" summertime series of public events are scheduled at each of the Putnam County Libraries Association's eight member libraries, extending from the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring to the Brewster Public Library beginning on Monday, June 30. In fiscal year 2025, more than 10% of Putnam County's outside-agency funding was directed to libraries to assist in purchasing materials, staff salaries, building maintenance, programming, and more.

“When I ran for county executive, I pledged to continue my constituent-engagement opportunities while in office. I have kept that promise, and I'm thrilled to add more events in order to provide additional opportunities for residents to personally participate in their local government,” said Byrne. “As I said in my State of the County address in March, greater transparency builds more confidence in our institutions and helps us serve you better. Please join us for another round of constituent question-and-answer opportunities and public forums this summer at a Putnam County library near you."

The latest round of constituent forums comes on the heels of “Trailblazing with Byrne" events hosted in each of Putnam County's six towns during the month of May. Prior to this, Byrne delivered his State of the County address to local audiences at each of the county’s four senior centers in April as well as a "Coffee with Kevin" town-hall-style stop at Dana’s Diner in Mahopac. All events were free and open to the public. A list of Byrne's summer "Talking in the Library" events can be found below:

Reed Memorial Library, Carmel: June 6 (completed)

Butterfield Library, Cold Spring: June 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mahopac Public Library: July 7, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Desmond-Fish Public Library: July 8, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Brewster Public Library: July 8, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Putnam Valley Library: July 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kent Public Library: July 10, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Patterson Library: July 30, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.