Pulitzer on the Road Coming to Winfield
PRESS RELEASE
Winfield Public Library was Chosen in a Highly Competitive National Search
Winfield, KS —Winfield Public Library is one of just 20 public libraries nationwide to host Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works That Inform, Empower & Inspire, a traveling exhibition produced by The Pulitzer Prizes in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA). Pulitzer on the Road will be on display at the Winfield Public Library, along with a series of related special events, from March 12, 2027 to April 26, 2027. Pulitzer on the Road brings together powerful examples of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, books, drama and music offering visitors a chance to explore the stories, images and creative works that capture history, American life and the world around us.
Part of a new nationwide tour running from 2026 to 2028, Pulitzer on the Road connects communities with the people and ideas behind Pulitzer Prize-winning works, while highlighting the essential role of journalism, arts and letters in a democratic society.
“Libraries help people make sense of the world and of each other,” said Library Director Tabitha Hogan. “Through powerful journalism, literature, photography, music, and art, Pulitzer on the Road invites us to explore the experiences, challenges, and achievements that connect us. We are excited to share this unique exhibit with our region and to create opportunities for thoughtful dialogue and learning.”
Spanning 1,400 square feet, the exhibition features six thematic sections with interactive elements and video and audio components. Visitors will encounter Pulitzer Prize-winning photography alongside headlines, book covers, cartoons, playbills and other materials. Highlights of the exhibition include Pulitzer Prize-winning works such as:
- Iconic photographs from World War II and wars in Vietnam, Ukraine and the Middle East, and of figures such as American presidents and Olympic athletes
- Reporting with national impact on public opinion and policy, such as the Watergate scandal, the Pentagon Papers, as well as from local newspapers across the country
- Works of literature such as poetry by Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost; fiction by Toni Morrison and John Steinbeck; and drama by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Arthur Miller
- Music winners such as Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan An interactive station where visitors can view examples of impactful Pulitzer-winning journalism from local and regional media outlets from their home states.
The exhibition is recommended for audiences high school age and older.
In addition to the traveling exhibition on loan, Winfield Public Library received a $3,000 cash grant to support exhibit-related public programs.
In addition to the exhibition, Winfield Public Library will offer a series of public programs and community conversations inspired by the themes of Pulitzer on the Road. Program details will be announced in the coming months as the library works with regional partners, educators, and community members to develop meaningful opportunities for engagement.
For more information about Pulitzer on the Road and related programming at Winfield Public Library visit wpl.org
To learn more about Pulitzer on the Road, visit ALA.org/Pulitzer
Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire is a collaboration between The Pulitzer Prizes and the American Library Association.
About the Winfield Public Library
Founded in 1913, the Winfield Public Library serves Winfield and the surrounding Flint Hills region as a trusted source of information, enrichment, and opportunity. Through collections, programs, technology, and community partnerships, the library supports lifelong learning, civic engagement, and free and open access to information. Community members make more than 51,000 visits to the library each year, reflecting the library’s role as a center for learning, discovery, and connection.
The Pulitzer Prizes are annual awards given for excellence in 23 categories across journalism, books, drama and music. Established in 1917 and administered at Columbia University, the prizes were endowed by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American journalist and newspaper publisher, who also established a journalism school at Columbia upon his death. Finalists are proposed by juries in each category, with the winners selected by a 19-member board composed of leading journalists, news executives, academics, and persons in the arts.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
New Classes for Fall – Senior Planet
WPL is offering three new Senior Planet classes this fall for adults looking to increase their technology skills. Registration is requested and can be completed by calling the library at 620-229-4470 or through our online events calendar.
Intro to Digital Wallets is a one-hour workshop to review the basic features of Apple Wallet and Google Wallet and discuss their uses and security considerations. The class will be offered twice – Monday, September 21 and Monday, September 28 at 2:00pm.
Computer Essentials is a five-week course that covers the essentials of basic personal computer use. The class meets twice each week – on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00pm-3:00pm beginning on October 4. WPL will provide computers to use during each session.
Managing Privacy Settings is a one-hour workshop to help safeguard online privacy. Participants should bring their phone or tablet to class. The class will be offered for Android devices on both Monday, November 9 and Monday, November 16 at 2:00pm and for iPhones on both Monday, November 23 and Monday, November 30 at 2:00pm.
The American Revolution Book Bingo
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with The American Revolution Book Bingo Challenge. Explore fiction and nonfiction books connected to the Revolutionary era, discover different perspectives on history, and complete bingo squares along the way.
Beginning September 1, pick up a bingo packet at the WPL front desk, choose books that match the prompts, and mark your progress as you read. Complete five squares in a row – across, down, or diagonal – to earn bingo and join the celebration of 250 years of American stories, ideas, and history. Finishers can return their card to earn a limited-edition celebratory shirt.
The American Revolution Book Bingo Challenge runs through November 30.
Optional: Join us for a watch party under the stars as we screen excerpts from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION – a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt – on Sunday, October 25 out on the library’s back patio.
Winfield Public Library Expands Access Through TechConnect Kansas
Winfield Public Library is proud to partner with TechConnect Kansas, a WSU Tech initiative focused on expanding digital skills across the state.
Through this partnership, community members can access free, self-paced training through the Cisco Networking Academy, available via WSU Tech and linked on our wpl.org/tech-help. These courses cover in-demand skills like cybersecurity, networking, programming, and data basics—helping participants build knowledge that can lead to new opportunities.
The library supports this work by providing a welcoming space, internet access, and laptops available for use in the library and Chromebooks available for checkout, so learners can continue their coursework in the library or from home.
By connecting people to both training and technology, Winfield Public Library is helping ensure our community has the tools and skills needed to succeed in today’s digital world.
To get started:
- Go to wpl.org/tech-help
- See Online Course List
- Click the course name, register and get started.
- Don’t see the course you are looking for? We can add any Cisco Networking Academy courses at your request – just ask us!
Need more help to get started? Schedule a 1:1 getting started session with the librarian by calling (620) 221-4470.
Unearth a Story This Summer at Your Library
Get ready—Winfield Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is back! This year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” invites readers of all ages to dig into adventure, discovery, and imagination all summer long.
Starting May 16, stop by the library to pick up your starter pack and begin your reading journey. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to track your progress, earn prizes, and join in on fun activities.
The program is open to kids, teens, and adults, with events and experiences designed for the whole family. From engaging programs to hands-on activities, there’s always something new to discover at your library.
Make reading part of your summer routine, build new skills, and create lasting memories along the way.
👉 Learn more and get started here: https://wpl.org/srp2026/
Let’s make this a summer full of stories, curiosity, and fun!
Watch TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures
Join us for a nationwide livestream event exploring democracy’s evolving story
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, our library will host a livestream of TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures, a daylong symposium featuring 15+ original TED Talks focused on the future of democracy.
Streaming live from Philadelphia leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebration, this landmark event convenes bold thinkers and civic leaders to share ideas and solutions designed to inform and inspire.
Through a collaboration with Visit Philadelphia and the American Library Association, and sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts, libraries across the country are hosting satellite livestream events – expanding access to these critical conversations and fostering local engagement nationwide.
We’re proud to serve as a host site and bring this important civic moment to our local community.
Event Details
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Baden Square, 700 Gary St.
10:00am – 11:30am: Talks, session one
11:30am – 12:45pm: Lunch, catered by Grouse Valley Catering
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Talks, session two
3:00pm – 4:30pm: Talks, session three
Free and open to the public! Whether you join us for all or part of the day, please register online here OR call the library at 620-221-4470 to let us know you are coming.
What to Expect
- Livestream of 15+ brand-new TED Talks from the Stage in Philadelphia
- A welcoming space for shared civic engagement
- Opportunities for reflection and conversation
Patio Party for Grand Opening Event
Winfield Public Library Celebrates Patio Grand Opening with Community Event
The Winfield Public Library is excited to announce the Grand Opening of its newly refreshed Patio on Friday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. Community members of all ages are invited to join the celebration and explore this welcoming outdoor space designed for reading, gathering, and enjoying library programs in the fresh air.
The Patio was designed by Agora Architecture with construction completed by Commerce Construction. Making the Patio a truly useful and inviting outdoor area for the community was a key request heard during the library strategic planning listening sessions. This project represents the library commitment to listening to community voices and turning that feedback into meaningful improvements.
The Patio project was made possible through generous grant funding and community support. This includes two significant grants from the T Mobile Hometown Grants Program and the South-Central Kansas Library System, along with generous contributions from the following donors:
T-Mobile Hometown Grant Recipient
South Central Kansas Library System
Friends of WPL
Galaxy Technologies
GE Aerospace
IdeaTek
RISE Cowley
Greg & Julia Thompson
The Chris Tyler Family
VJ Wilkins Foundation
City of Winfield
Mary & Gary Brewer
CDS Machine and Powder Coating
In memory of Shirley Marsh Everhart
Todd DeMint & Madeline Norland
RCB Bank
Ed & Kris Trimmer
Union State Bank
Beth & Steve Wilke
…and many more individual donors in our community
The event will begin with a brief presentation introducing the Patio project and recognizing the work and support that made it possible. Guests can enjoy refreshments while they mingle, explore the space, and connect with library staff and neighbors.
Following the presentation, attendees will be treated to live blues music performed by Clayton Crawford, the Winfield Whirlwind, a favorite regional musician known for his energetic style and deep local roots.
The Winfield Public Library is thrilled to offer this new space as an extension of its mission to bring people together, foster creativity, and support lifelong learning. The entire community is welcome to celebrate this milestone with an evening of music, refreshments, and connection.
For more information, please contact the Winfield Public Library at your preferred contact information.
Citizen Science at the Library
Did you know everyday people can help real scientists anywhere in the world with their research? As part of a national effort to engage citizens in 2.5 million acts of science this April, Winfield Public Library is partnering with SciStarter to host two Citizen Science Connected events. We’ll connect virtually with participants around the country AND the scientists behind these research projects. Mark your calendars!
Voices of Freedom with the Smithsonian Institute Friday, April 10 from 1:00pm-3:00pm
Earth Day Animal Spot-a-Thon Wednesday, April 22 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Backyard Birds
On Saturday, March 7 at 10:00am WPL will host an introduction to identifying and attracting birds common to our area. Participants will learn how to identify common species by sight and sound, as well as simple ways to attract more species to their own yards.
Local bird enthusiast Rex Herndon will guide us through the basics of bird watching, with a special focus on getting comfortable with binoculars, field guides, and identification apps.
A follow up program will be held offsite on Saturday, March 28 at 10:00 at the home of presenter Rex Herndon. Please note: participants must provide their own transportation to the off-site location in Arkansas City. Call the desk or view the calendar for the address.
Friends Annual Book Sale
The Friends of the Winfield Public Library will hold their annual book sale February 20, 21, and 22 at the Winfield Public Library. The three-day format includes a members-only preview sale, one day of public sale, and a “bag sale.”
On Friday, February 20 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm a preview sale will be open to all current members of the Friends of the Winfield Public Library. Memberships may be purchased at the door; individual memberships are $10 and family memberships are $20.
The sale will then open to the public on Saturday, February 21 from 9:00am to 2:00pm and Sunday, February 22 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Sunday is “bag sale” day, where community members can fill a bag for a flat $5 fee.
