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Image for event: Author and Librarian Douglas Westerbeke

Registration now closed

Author and Librarian Douglas Westerbeke

in conversation with BPL Director Ben Heckman

2024-04-30 19:00:00 2024-04-30 20:00:00 America/New_York Author and Librarian Douglas Westerbeke Join us at Gramercy Books for Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel that charts the adventures of one woman's journey as she tries to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving. Gramercy Books -

Tuesday, April 30
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-04-30 19:00:00 2024-04-30 20:00:00 America/New_York Author and Librarian Douglas Westerbeke Join us at Gramercy Books for Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel that charts the adventures of one woman's journey as she tries to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving. Gramercy Books -

Join us at Gramercy Books for Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel that charts the adventures of one woman's journey as she tries to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving.

NEW VENUE: NOW BEING HOSTED AT GRAMERCY BOOKS (2424 East Main Street).

Ohio Librarian Douglas Westerbeke’s A Short Walk Through A Wide World charts the incredible, adventurous life of one woman as she journeys the globe trying to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving. Douglas will be in conversation with Bexley Public Library Director Ben Heckman.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi in this dazzlingly epic that Shelf Awareness calls: “A wild romping adventure, a poignant tale of relationships and interconnectedness, and a compelling journey of self-discovery.” 

Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a spoiled and stubborn nine-year-old girl, comes across a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She tosses it over the fence, only to find it in her backpack that evening. Days later, at the family dinner table, she starts to bleed to death.

When medical treatment only makes her worse, she flees to the outskirts of the city, where she realizes that it is this very act of movement that keeps her alive. So begins her lifelong journey on the run from her condition, which won’t allow her to stay anywhere for longer than a few days nor return to a place where she’s already been.

From the scorched dunes of the Calashino Sand Sea to the snow-packed peaks of the Himalayas; from a bottomless well in a Parisian courtyard, to the shelves of an infinite underground library, we follow Aubry as she learns what it takes to survive and ultimately, to truly live. But the longer Aubry wanders and the more desperate she is to share her life with others, the clearer it becomes that the world she travels through may not be quite the same as everyone else’s...

Fiercely independent and hopeful, yet full of longing, Aubry Tourvel is an unforgettable character fighting her way through a world of wonders to find a place she can call home. A spellbinding and inspiring story about discovering meaning in a life that seems otherwise impossible, A Short Walk Through a Wide World reminds us that it’s not the destination, but rather the journey—no matter how long it lasts—that makes us who we are. 

A Short Walk Through A Wide World will be available for purchase at the event or at Gramercy Books any time after its April 2nd release.

Though a screenwriter by trade, Douglas Westerbeke has been a librarian at one of the largest libraries in the United States. Cinema and literature have had a strong influence on him, from the adventures of Indiana Jones and Forrest Gump to Borges, Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, and the work of Viktor Frankel. Westerbeke has also spent the last decade on the local panel of the International Dublin Literary Award, which inspired him to write his own book. 

Bexley Public Library Director Ben Heckman is a proud 2003 graduate of Capital University with a degree in education. After a short time as a teacher and as a manager with Starbucks, Ben’s passion for learning led him to Bexley Public Library, where he began his career at the circulation desk. Ben earned his Master’s in Library Science Degree in 2014, and served as BPL’s public services manager and as assistant library director before becoming director in 2017. Ben’s appreciation for serving the Bexley community reminds him daily of Mark Twain’s quote, “Find a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books, Reading, and Storytelling |

TAGS: | |

Bexley Public Library

Phone: 614-231-2793

Hours
Mon, Sep 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Sep 10 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Sep 11 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Sep 12 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Sep 13 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Sep 14 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Sep 15 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Bexley Public Library was founded in 1924 and first housed in Bexley High School, now Montrose Elementary School. The present building opened in 1929 and was designed by architects O.C. Miller and R.R. Reeves who drew upon French and Italian architecture from the 17th century for the design.

The library is located at 2411 East Main Street, at the intersection of East Main Street and Cassady Avenue. Parking is available in our parking lot on Euclaire Avenue and in front of the library on Main Street. Main Street is a No Parking Tow Zone from 4:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays.

Upcoming events

Sun, Sep 15, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 16, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 16, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 17, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 17, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Main Lobby

Tue, Sep 17, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 18, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 18, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Sep 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Sep 19, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Sep 19, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Thu, Sep 19, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Board Room

Thu, Sep 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Fri, Sep 20, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sun, Sep 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Quiet Reading Room

Mon, Sep 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 23, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
This event is full

Tue, Sep 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 24, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 24, 4:30pm - 4:45pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 24, 4:45pm - 5:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 24, 5:00pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 24, 5:15pm - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 25, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Sep 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Senior Center

Wed, Sep 25, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Sep 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Sep 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library

Thu, Sep 26, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Thu, Sep 26, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Thu, Sep 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Sep 28, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
South Bexley Community Gardens - Fairy Village

Mon, Sep 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 30, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Sep 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 01, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 01, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 01, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 03, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 03, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Thu, Oct 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - BPL Virtual Programs

Sat, Oct 05, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 08, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Tech Center Classroom

Tue, Oct 08, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Wed, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 09, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Senior Center

Thu, Oct 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 10, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 10, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Thu, Oct 10, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Fri, Oct 11, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sun, Oct 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Quiet Reading Room

Sun, Oct 13, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 14, 9:00am - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium,Creation Station,Group Study Room,Memory Lab,Tech Center Classroom,Virtual Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 15, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 15, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Tue, Oct 15, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Drexel Theatre

Wed, Oct 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 16, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 16, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Tech Center Classroom

Wed, Oct 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 17, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 17, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Thu, Oct 17, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Board Room

Fri, Oct 18, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Oct 19, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Oct 19, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
South Bexley Community Gardens - Fairy Village

Sun, Oct 20, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 21, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 22, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 22, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Wed, Oct 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 23, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Cancelled
Wed, Oct 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Senior Center

Thu, Oct 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 24, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Thu, Oct 24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration is now closed

Fri, Oct 25, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Fri, Oct 25, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 28, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Oct 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 29, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Oct 29, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Wed, Oct 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 30, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Oct 30, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Oct 31, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Nov 02, 10:30am - 3:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Board Room

Mon, Nov 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 04, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Tue, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Tue, Nov 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Tech Center Classroom

Wed, Nov 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Wed, Nov 06, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Cancelled
Wed, Nov 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Senior Center

Thu, Nov 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Thu, Nov 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Thu, Nov 07, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - BPL Virtual Programs

Fri, Nov 08, 10:00am - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Nov 09, 10:00am - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Nov 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Tech Center Classroom

Sun, Nov 10, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Mon, Nov 11, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Tue, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 12, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 12, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Wed, Nov 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Nov 13, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Nov 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Senior Center

Wed, Nov 13, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Creation Station,Tech Center Classroom
Registration opens Wednesday, October 30 2024 at 10:00am

Thu, Nov 14, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 14, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 14, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Fri, Nov 15, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Nov 16, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sun, Nov 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 18, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Friday, November 1 2024 at 10:00am

Tue, Nov 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 19, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 19, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium
Registration opens Tuesday, September 17 2024 at 10:00am

Tue, Nov 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Drexel Theatre

Wed, Nov 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Wed, Nov 20, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Nov 20, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Youth Services Space

Thu, Nov 21, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Thu, Nov 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Board Room

Fri, Nov 22, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sun, Nov 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bexley Public Library - Quiet Reading Room

Mon, Nov 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Mon, Nov 25, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Tue, Nov 26, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Nov 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Wed, Nov 27, 11:00am - 11:30am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium

Sat, Nov 30, 11:00am - 11:45am
Bexley Public Library - Bexley Library Auditorium