Discover More at Your Waterford Public Library - May 30, 2023

A note of gratitude from the Library Director, Chris Johnson

It was a fair to remember! Thanks to the 600+ folks who showed up on a very rainy day in May to participate in our 100th anniversary fair day. We had fun and we hope you did too! Special thanks to our sponsors M&T Bank, who not only provided financial support, but volunteered on the day of the fair. Thanks also to the intrepid Waterford Fire Police; Officers Fredricks & Hodges; the Waterford Rotary; Rider Strano, our model train conductor; Xen's Critters who filled in at the last minute for our petting zoo; our hardworking library trustees who had been preparing the games and sorting through the book donations for many weeks, and who managed the giant book sale and manned the Community Center; Danielle McCarty and her team of volunteer face painters; and all of the WHS Honor Society students and teen volunteers who helped in so many ways!

Much gratitude goes to our library staff who helped plan the event, kept everyone organized and still provided excellent library service on fair day. Thank you to everyone who purchased books at the fair, we raised nearly $600 that day!

Special thanks to State Representative Kathleen McCarty and State Senator Martha Marx for the official citation conferred upon the library, and to Senator Blumenthal's office for the certificate of special recognition in honor of the library's 100th anniversary.

Last, but definitely not least, thank you to Town Historian Robert "Bob" Nye for an informative and entertaining overview of the library's first century. We will be uploading the video to our YouTube channel in the very near future.

Have a service idea or a suggestion that you wish to share? Please stop in to see me at the library, or send an email to cjohnson@waterfordct.org.  Thank you and I hope to see you at the library this summer!

Last Call for Centennial Donors! We are holding a special fund drive in honor of the library's 100th anniversary. Our goal is to have 100 donors donate $100 (or more) by June 10. We are very close to meeting this goal! All donors to this special campaign will be included on a commemorative donation poster that will be displayed in the front entrance to the library. You may choose to remain anonymous, if you prefer. Pick up a donation envelope at the library, or download one to donate by check, or donate online via PayPal. Help the library to continue our mission to provide books, programs and services to the Waterford community for the next 100 years! Thank you for your support!

Beginning on July 10, Waterford, and our three Groton partner libraries, are introducing a new Automatic Renewals service. Any library materials that are eligible for renewal, will be automatically renewed for you. You will receive an email notification three days before your due date to advise you of the status of your items and to identify which items, if any, have been auto-renewed. Of course, you have no obligation to retain the materials, if you prefer to return them early. We hope that you will enjoy this new convenience.

I am Zelda: an original play
Tuesday, June 6, 6:00 PM  -  7:30 PM IN PERSON

Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is often known as the crazy wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby.  This original play will pay tribute to an often misunderstood woman. Registration is required.  Rita Parisi founded her little production company, Waterfall Productions, in 2005 in order to create original theatrical presentations that entertain and inspire her audiences.

Thank you to M & T Bank for funding this program!    
 
REGISTER

Summer Kickoff!
Monday, June 26, 4:00 PM  -  6:00 PM

Find Your Voice at the library! Our summer reading program begins in June! Join us for a special presentation from our friends at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center at 4:00 pm then hang out for some crafts and activities for the whole family. This program is for all ages and no registration is required.

This program is funded by the New England Chapter of the Association of Rural & Small Libraries.

Fire Safety Storytime
Wednesday, June 21, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Join Ms. Kathy, our local Life Safety Educator for a special storytime and touch-a-truck program! Learn about how we can plan and be safe in our community and have a chance to explore a fire truck, ambulance, and police cruiser.  This program is for all ages and no registration is required.  

World Affairs Lecture Series
Thursday, June 1, 6:30 PM IN PERSON

June 1 - Iran at a Crossroads: In September 2022, Iran's morality police arrested a young woman for a dress code violation, and she died in their custody. This kicked off a massive wave of protests that are still ongoing, posing the greatest threat to the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic since its establishment in 1979. We will discuss the underlying causes of these protests, the implications for the Middle East and what, if anything, the U.S. can do to promote democracy Iran.

To complement our recently completed Great Decisions Discussion series, Dr. Eric Fleury, Assistant Professor of Government and International Relations at Connecticut College is providing a series of 20 minute, illustrated lectures on the following world affairs topics. There will be an opportunity for questions after the talks. Registration is not required. Photo credit: Connecticut College.

Book Discussion @ the Senior Center
24 Rope Ferry Road
Thursday, June 8, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM IN PERSON

Join Jill at the Waterford Senior Center as she leads this discussion of The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore (2017).  For fans of Hidden Figures, comes the incredible true story of the women heroes who were exposed to radium in factories across the U.S. in the early 20th century, and their brave and groundbreaking battle to strengthen workers' rights, even as the fatal poison claimed their own lives.  Multiple copies of this title are available at the library for check out.  This event is in partnership with Waterford Senior Services.

Author Talk with Marcos Lopes
Saturday, June 10, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM IN PERSON

Born in Capão Redondo, São Paulo, Marcos grew up surrounded by poverty, drugs and violence. A difficult childhood led to a personal life riddled with crime and met with death. Through the tragic loss of a friend and the support of local youth center Casa do Zezinho, he was able to shift his future. Through his past hardships, Professor Lopes aims to uplift and create a life story focused on education, helping others and instilling change.  Marcos Lopes is a Brazilian Professor, social educator, and author of Zona de Guerra “The War Zone”.

Don't Make the Same Mistake Twice: reincarnation or deja vu?
Wednesday, June 14, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM IN PERSON

Are you having weird dreams and strange memories? Feel like you have been somewhere before?  Thinking maybe it's deja vu? Our presenter is Sydney Sherman.  As a career registered nurse, Sydney has witnessed death and the dying process through her work. Since childhood, Sydney has had an awareness of the energies around her and others.  Her hope is that each of us can determine the reality of the afterlife in a rational and scientific way. Registration is required.

REGISTER

Cradle to Grave: Documenting Death, Birth and Marriage in your Family Search
Thursday, June 22, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM ONLINE
Designed for an introductory audience, this program will guide attendees through the next steps of documenting a family after searching the census.  This is a Zoom event. Bryna O'Sullivan of Charter Oak Genealogy is our program presenter.  

REGISTER

Visit our Virtual Author Talks website for complete details and to register for upcoming talks or to view recordings of previous events.

Scribl Art Workshop Series
Starting Thursday, June 29, 10:00 AM

Join us for this 4-part Scribl Art Workshop series presented by PeaceLove Foundation, a nonprofit group.
Registration is required as space is limited; register for one or all four!
 - Thursday, June 29th - Transformation Collage
 - Thursday, July 13 - Dual Emotions
 - Wednesday, July 26 - Story Shoes
 - Thursday, August 10 - Mandalay Poetry

REGISTER

Adult Grab & Go Craft- Origami Aloe Plant
Beginning Saturday, June 3
Adult Grab & Go Craft - Origami Aloe plant
Pick up your Grab & Go Craft and make an origami aloe plant to put on your desk at home or in the office! While supplies last.

Teen Craft Night
Thursday, June 1, 5:30 PM  -  7:00 PM

Freestyle arts & crafts night: Come with an idea and use our supplies! For this special craft night teens will get to choose their own project. Project ideas could include:  Painting, Drawing, Origami, Styrofoam Prints, Weaving, Collage, and more! Registration required for teens 12-18 years old.  All materials will be provided.

REGISTER

Mindful Finals
Monday, June 12, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Teens! It's almost the summer - you just have to get through these last few pesky finals. Come to the library after your finals on Monday to take a deep breath and destress with some snacks, crafts, and activities. Stop by the library meeting room anytime between noon and 2:30 pm for your moment of zen. No registration required, all high school students are welcome.

Teen Drop In Craft
Thursday, June 15
5:30 PM  -  7:00 PM IN PERSON

Stop in to the Teen Section of the library to create a macramé daisy keychain! No registration required. Ages 12-18. Drop in any time between 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
 
Mondays: June 5, 12, 19, 26
10:30 - 11:00 AM IN PERSON

Get ready to read and get your wiggles out! Join Ms. Jenna at the library for some fun stories, songs, and dancing. Recommended for ages birth to five years old with a caregiver. In the lower level Meeting Room. No registration is required

Toddler Art
Wednesday, June 7, 11:00 AM  -  11:45 AM
Join us for this hands on art session for young ones to explore through process art with the help of their adult!. Ages 3– 5. Registration required.

REGISTER

Star Lore of the Ojibwe
Tuesday, June 20, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Star Lore of the Ojibwe

Join presenters from Mystic Seaport for this show that will explore the star lore of the Ojibwe, a First Nations tribe living in the Great Lakes Region of southern Canada and the Midwestern United States. We will discover the elements that make up the traditional ecological knowledge of the Ojibwe, to see how they incorporate their cultural values into creating an understanding of the world around them. Recommended for ages 8 and older, no registration required.
This program is funded by the New England Chapter of the Association of Rural & Small Libraries.

Nutrition by Ms. Natalie
Thursday, June 29, 4:00 PM  -  5:00 PM

In this special program we will be learning how to make a simple, healthy snack at home and why it is so important for our bodies and minds to make healthy choices. Ms. Natalie from Nutrition by Natalie will be presenting. Recommended for ages 6 to 12 years old. Registration is required and opens on June 1. This program is funded by the CT State Library Services and Technology Act Summer Enrichment Grant.

REGISTER

Family Movie Matinee
Friday, June 30, 2:00 PM  -  4:00 PM

Find your voice during our singalong movie matinees! Each month will feature a different family friendly movie that includes catchy, original songs. Singing encouraged! Feel free to bring a blanket and snacks. Visit our website for movie details. No registration required.

DROP IN ACTIVITIES

STEM Adventure: Activities with Paper
Monday, June 5
4:00  -  6:30 PM IN PERSON

Can you fit your head through an index card sized paper? Have you tried a Mobius Strip Challenge? Join us in the Children's Room between 4:00 and 6:30 pm to learn how to do to these fun paper STEM activities. Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration is required.

Creation Station
Tuesday, June 6
4:00  -  6:00 PM IN PERSON

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm for a fun craft and to get your creativity flowing!  Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Drop in Craft: Juneteenth Craft
Monday, June 19
4:00 -  6:30 PM IN PERSON

Join us in the Children's Room between 4:00 and 6:30 pm to celebrate Juneteenth with a craft. Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration is required.

Build Club
Tuesday, June 27
4:00 -  6:00 PM IN PERSON

Build with a variety of STEM sets that we have! Try some challenges and prompts from the library or just let your imagination take over. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

GRAB & GO CRAFTS

Puppet Fish
June 3 - June 16

Narwhal
June 17 - June 30

Stop by the Children's Room to pick up supplies to make a Grab & Go Craft at home! Check our Facebook page (@waterfordpubliclibrary) for a step-by-step video tutorial on how to make your craft.
Available while supplies last!

For 2023, the library will feature an activity-packed monthly calendar to support early literacy skills based on the Every Child Ready to Read® practices of reading, writing, singing, talking, playing - and now counting!  This resource contains twelve months of learning activities, book lists, nursery rhymes, and more. On one side is a calendar with a fun skills-building activity for each day and the other contains supplementary content like nursery rhymes, early literacy tips, song lyrics, or suggested reading material.  Available in both English and Spanish on our website and in print at the library!  Click here to access this resource. Content is provided by the Public Library Association.

Explore Our Digital Resources!

Have you tried Libby yet? Join OverDrive experts for a one-hour Getting Started with Libby webinar. Learn the basics, find out what makes Libby different, ask questions and access additional learning resources after the webinar ends. Great for new users and those making the switch from OverDrive. Register for one of these free monthly sessions!

Discount Tickets Available!

June is a great time to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum! Borrow the library's museum pass for half-price admission for up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Regular Admission:

 - $25.95 Adult
 - $23.95 Senior (65 and up)
 - $21.95 Youth (13 to 17)
 - $18.95 Child (4 to 12)
 - Children 3 and under free

We've partnered with Connecticut's own WNBA Team, the Sun!

Use the code WPL23 as the promo code on Ticketmaster to receive 20% off any tickets for a 2023 CT Sun home game at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Multiple copies of these titles are available for check out in the library. For more information on the book, click on the covers below.

Mystery
Wednesday, June 7
6:30 PM IN PERSON
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (2018)

Speculative Fiction
Monday, June 19
7:00 PM ONLINE

All Systems Red by Martha Wells (2019)

REGISTER

Write Night
Wednesday, June 28
6:30 PM ONLINE
A writing group that meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

REGISTER

Friday Afternoon
Monday, June 23
1:00 PM IN PERSON

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (2021)