Southbury Public Library Happenings Newsletter - November 2023

Adult Events
Information and Registration: Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130
All programs require registration unless otherwise noted. The majority of programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget. For all virtual adult programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.

Gladius: Flamenco Guitar Concert
Thursday, November 2, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Join us for an amazing performance by award-winning composer and accomplished classical guitarist Gladius! Come enjoy the energizing sounds of Gladius' electric flamenco guitar! To register, click here.

Trains and Train Stations in Southbury
Saturday, November 4, 1-2:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required (Waitlist Only)

Join John Dwyer as he invites you to “Take a Ride On the Highland Line,” a virtual tour with historical photos and drawings of the sites and the stops between Waterbury and Hawleyville. We will cover the story of the New York and New England Railroad from its conception to closing. He will also share dramatic tales of the loss of property, life and limb that rode these rails. To register, click here.

Write it, Polish it, Publish it - A Writing Group: Session 2
Saturday, November 11, 10am-1pm, Brown Room, Registration Required

Come join Southbury Poet Laureate Faith Vicinanza as she leads a writing workshop as part of a year long series. Explore the writing process through writing prompts and sharing your work. Any time is the perfect time to work on a new skill, or spend time with an old friend, your writing, whether you write poetry or prose, short fiction, non-fiction, or a blog. To register, click here.

Genealogy Basics: Where Do I Look Next?
Thursday, November 16, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Not every source will answer every research question. This program will introduce the most commonly used sources for US genealogy and discuss what questions about our ancestors they can and cannot answer. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.

350th Community Quilt - Public Viewing
Sunday, November 19, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Please join the Arts & Culture Subcommittee for a viewing of the 350th Community Quilt Project. Learn more about how the project came together over the last year, and hear some of the beautiful stories behind the quilt squares. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, click here.

Coloring Club
Monday, November 27, 2-3:30pm, Brown Room, Registration Requested

Welcome to the Adult Coloring Club! Join us for a relaxing hour of therapeutic coloring in the Brown Room. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is requested. To register, click here.

Wednesday at the Movies
 
One Moment (2022) NR
Wednesday, November 8, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Middle-age siblings struggle to manage their lives while caring for their recently widowed aging father. Welcome to the "sandwich generation." Register here.

Barbie (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, November 15, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. Register here.

5000 Blankets (2022) PG-13
Wednesday, November 22, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

When her husband has a mental breakdown and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement that inspires a city. Register here.

Jules (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, November 29, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Milton lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Register here.

Evening at the Movies

Blackberry (2023) R
Thursday, November 9, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone. Register here.

Adult Book Clubs
The Southbury Public Library offers three book clubs: Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club, Nonfiction Book Club and Mystery Book Club. Join us for a discussion about this month’s books. Print copies are available at the Circulation Desk, there's no registration required and new members are always welcome!

Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, November 8, 10-11am, Brown Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing King Richard: Nixon and Watergate, by Michael Dobbs.

In January 1973, Richard Nixon had just been inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. He enjoyed an almost 70 percent approval rating. But by April 1973, his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasized into what White House counsel John Dean called “a full-blown cancer.” King Richard is the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate conspiracy unraveled as the burglars and their handlers turned on one another, exposing the crimes of a vengeful president. For more information, click here.

Mystery Book Club
Monday, November 13, 3-4pm, Kingsley Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing Desert Star, by Michael Connelly.

A year has passed since LAPD detective Renée Ballard quit the force in the face of misogyny, demoralization, and endless red tape. But after the chief of police himself tells her she can write her own ticket within the department, Ballard takes back her badge, leaving “the Late Show” to rebuild and lead the cold case unit at the elite Robbery-Homicide Division. For more information, click here.

Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, November 28, 6:30-7:30pm, Brown Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing The Violin Conspiracy: A Novel, by Brendan Slocumb.

When Ray McMillian discovers that his beat-up, family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach, and together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Without it, Ray feels like he's lost a piece of himself. As the competition approaches, Ray must not only reclaim his precious violin, but prove to himself—and the world—that no matter the outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him. For more information, click here.

Technology Help

Technology Help with James Chapin
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1pm, Reference Area, No Registration Required

Do you have technology questions or are you having issues with a device? Come by for help with local tech expert James Chapin. Feel free to ask your questions to our Reference Staff as well. For more information, click here.

Reference Technology Assistance

Did you know that the Reference Department offers assistance with mobile devices, downloading our e-resources, and more? If you have a simple question, stop by the Reference Desk more than an hour before we close and we can assist you. Like other Reference Questions, you may have to wait for a Reference Librarian to be available. If your question is more in-depth or you're not sure how long it will take, call the Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130 to inquire about making an appointment. Most of our assistance is related to answering questions about how to use a device, app, or website. We cannot touch your device directly, but instead we teach you how to do what you are looking for help with. If you have a hardware question or very technical question, we recommend visiting James Chapin during his Technology Help on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm.

Children and Teen Events

Information and Registration: Children/Teen Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 3
See below for information about our upcoming Children's and Teen Programming! All of our Children's and Teen Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget.

Children and Teen Reading Challenges:

1000 Books Before Kindergarten (0-PreK)
Ongoing, On Paper and Online on Beanstack

Read a book (any book!) to your newborn, infant, or toddler and keep track with a paper log or on Beanstack. Repeats count! If you read 1 book a day for 3 years, that’s 1095 books! 10 books a week for 2 years is 1040 books, and 3 books a day in one year is 1095 books. Every book you read you get one sticker, and if you finish you can get a certificate, small prize, and your picture on our wall of fame if you’d like! Pick up a paper log from the children’s department or visit Beanstack to get started online.

100 Books Before Graduation (Grades 9-12)
Ongoing, Online on Beanstack

Read 100 books before High School Graduation! 100 books may seem like a lot (and it is), but it works out to about 1 book every 2 weeks. When you sign up, get a special tracking bookmark to fill out as you read. Make it to half way and get a $5 Gift Card to Dunkin' or The Bakery. Read 100 books and get a special throw blanket! Every 10 books you read, pick out something from the prize box (pins, stickers, animal sticky notes, and more!). Visit Beanstack to find out more and get started!

Monthly Mini Reading Challenge: Read Grateful (PreK-Grade 12)
November 1-30, Online on Beanstack

Join us on Beanstack for our next Mini Monthly Reading Challenge! Complete the challenge within the month, and get a SurPRIZE! Our November theme is Read Grateful, and our challenge this month includes minutes read and some activities. Find out more and sign up on our Beanstack page here.

Who Was? Reading Challenge (All Ages, Best for Elementary School)
Ongoing, Paper Only

How many Who Was? Where Was? or What Was? books can you read? Get a checklist from our Children’s Department and keep track. Read 10 books and get your choice of special bookmark. You can repeat this challenge again if you read another 10. Click here to access the books in our catalog.

Children's Storytimes:

Drop-In Storytime (All Ages)
Monday, November 6, 13, 20, & 27, 10-10:30am and 11-11:30am, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Join Miss Jen for stories, rhymes, and a small craft every Monday! All ages are welcome. Find out more on our website here.

PJ Storytime (All Ages)
Thursday, November 16, 6-6:30pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Grab your PJs and a stuffie and join Miss Jen for a drop-in PJ Storytime! Listen to bedtime stories, songs & rhymes and complete a small craft. Find out more on our website here.

Babies & Books Storytime (6-24 Months)
Tuesday, November 14, 10:30-11am, Storytime Room, Registration Required – Space Limited

Babies and Books is an interactive lapsit program for babies ages 6-24 months and their parents and caregivers. Find out more and register on our website here.

Toddler Time Storytime (Ages 2 & 3)
Wednesday, November 1 & 8, 10:30-11am, Storytime Room, Registration Required – Space Limited (Waitlist Only)

Parents and caregivers are invited to join their toddlers ages 2 and 3 for theme based stories, songs, and a craft. Find out more and register on our website here.

Stories & More Storytime (Ages 4 & 5)
Thursday, November 2 & 9, 10:30-11am, Storytime Room, Registration Required – Space Limited

Children ages 4 and 5 able to sit and pay attention independently are invited to listen to longer stories and complete a craft or activity. Find out more and register on our website here.

Special Events for Children:

Studio Ghibli Party (Grades 4-8)
Friday, November 3, 6-7:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join library staff member Katie and teen librarian Eli for a Studio Ghibli Party, where we’ll make crafts related to different Ghibli films, have some related snacks, and watch a movie. Our crafts will include a soot sprite and origami totoro. Gluten and dairy will be present in this program. Find out more and register on our website here.

Open House Make or Take Craft (All Ages)
November 4, 11, 18, & 25, All Day, Upstairs, No Registration Required

Stop by the Youth Services department Saturdays to make a thematic craft. Make it here or bring it home. Crayons and glue sticks are available in the library. Available while supplies last. Find more and on our website here.

The Sparkly Bun Book Reading with Author Keith Stoeckler (All Ages)
Saturday, November 4, 11-11:30am, Storytime Room, Registration Required

Join CT author Keith Stoeckeler as he reads his new picture book, The Sparkly Bun! Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the reading. Find out more and register on our website here.

Lego to the Library! (Ages 5-10)
Thursday, November 9, 3-4pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required

Join us for an afternoon of LEGO fun! We’ll provide the LEGO bricks, and you bring the creativity! You can free build, or work off of instructions. Find out more and register on our website here.

Madfrogger & Friends Book Reading with Author Will Michael (All Ages)
Saturday, November 11, 10:30-11:30am, Storytime Room, Registration Required

Will Michael is a local educator, videographer, and musician. He will be reading his new books from the Madfrogger & Friends series as well as showing the music videos that accompany each book. He will also share a hands-on presentation of animal skeletons to teach children how to identify animals in Connecticut. Find out more on our website here.

Crash Course Cooking: Pizza (Grades 2-5)
Saturday, November 11, 11am-1pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Everything you wanted to know about making pizza - from dough to sauce to toppings to the plate in just two hours. Join Mr. Matt as we explore the world's favorite food and make some fabulous pies for ourselves! For 2nd and 3rd grade participants, an accompanying adult must also register separately to assist in the pizza-making process. Find out more and register on our website here.

Wallace & Gromit Craft & Watch Party (Grades 2-5)
Tuesday, November 14, 6-7:15pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join Katie and Cole to explore the wonderful world of claymation! We will watch "Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave", and then make our own clay creations using oven-bake clay. Our clay creations will be baked after the program, and will be available for pickup the next day. "Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave" contains brief scenes of mild cartoon violence. Find out more and register on our website here.

Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, November 17, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.

Open Video Game Play (Ages 8-12)
Saturday, November 18, 9:30-11am and 11am-12:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Attention gamers! Join us at the library for some open video game play on a wide variety of gaming systems, such as Nintendo, XBox and Playstation. We are offering two 90 minute play sessions, from 9:30-11am and 11am-12:30pm—sign up for one or both sessions. Find out more and register on our website here.

ARTuesday (Ages 7 & Up)
Tuesday, November 21, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Do you love art? Join us for a playful, messy, and expressive art experience where there is no right or wrong. Come play and experiment with a variety of art mediums and themes. Smocks recommended. Please wear something you don't mind getting messy. Find out more on our website here.

ARTuesday (Ages 3-6)
Tuesday, November 28, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Stop by for a playful, messy, and expressive art experience where there is no right or wrong. Come play and experiment with a variety of art mediums and themes. Smocks recommended. Find out more on our website here.

Hanukkah Storytime with Miss Hadassa (All Ages)
Thursday, November 30, 4:30-5:15pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required

Join us for an educational (and entertaining) Hanukkah Storytime with Miss Hadassa from Chabad Jewish Center of Oxford! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history and traditions of Hanukkah. Find out more and register on our website here.

Special Events for Teens:

The NEW Junior Friends (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, November 2, 6-7:30pm, Lower Level, Registration Required

Looking for regular service hours? Would you like to work with the Friends of the Southbury Public Library and support their work in the book sale and in funding our events for all ages? Consider joining the Junior Friends! We’ll be meeting every first Thursday of the month from 6-7:30pm and work on various projects to help support the Friends. Find out more and register on our website here.

Studio Ghibli Party (Grades 4-8)
Friday, November 3, 6-7:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join library staff member Katie and teen librarian Eli for a Studio Ghibli Party, where we’ll make crafts related to different Ghibli films, have some related snacks, and watch a movie. Our crafts will include a soot sprite and origami totoro. Gluten and dairy will be present in this program. Find out more and register on our website here.

String Art (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, November 14, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Learn string art basics, including how to use a hammer and nails. Create a hangable piece of string art, and go home with a reusable pattern. If you have your own pattern or picture you’d like to try, bring it with you! Find out more and register on our website here.

Food Explorers: Chili Mac & Cheese (Grades 6-12)
Wednesday, November 15, 4-5pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join Food Explorers for a mouth watering dinner recipe, perfect for a chilly fall evening. You’ll be making Chili Mac & Cheese! Everyone will learn how to make this tasty dish come together, and will get to choose their own toppings. Recipe is nut free but will contain dairy and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.

Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, November 17, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.

Super Smash Bros. Video Game Tournament (Grades 6-12)
Saturday, November 18, 1-4pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join us for our Super Smash Bros Ultimate game tournament with OneUp Games! Challenge your friends, choose your main and see if you can last to the end! Controllers will be available, but you can bring your own if you prefer! Find out more and register on our website here.

Mad Science Monday: Paper Airplanes (Grades 6-12)
Monday, November 27, 4-5pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Explore physics with paper airplanes! What makes some paper airplanes work better than others, and how do the forces of thrust, lift, drag, and weight affect our planes? Join us to build and test a variety of planes. Find out more and register on our website here.

Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, November 28, 6-7pm, Tutor Corner

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) members can directly influence our teen book and AV collections, teen programming and events, and other teen services. Each monthly meeting opens with a discussion about ideas for programs, materials, and more and closes out with some special volunteer projects. If you are interested in becoming a TAB member, fill out the application form on our website and we will contact you.

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library sponsor almost all of our fun virtual and in-person programs found on the calendar page of our website. For more information about the Friends, click here.

Holiday Lobby Book Sale
Wednesday, November 8 - December 2023, Open During Library Hours, Lobby and Gloria Cachion Art Gallery

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library are having a Holiday Lobby Book Sale! Located in the lobby and Gloria Cachion Art Gallery of the Southbury Public Library, the Holiday Lobby Book Sale begins Wednesday, November 8, and is ongoing through the month of December. This sale features a wide selection of books for all ages, including Children’s, Cooking, Boutique, History, Biography, Fiction, Nonfiction, Special Interest and so much more. Open during library hours and refreshed regularly with new books, there's something for everyone at the Holiday Lobby Book Sale!

Library Coffee Station
Year-Round, Open During Library Hours, Lobby

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library's Coffee Station is up and running! Located in the lobby of the Southbury Public Library, just $1.00 gets you a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea! All proceeds go to the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Book Donations
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:30am, Library's Below Ground Rear Entrance

Donate gently-used or new books (hardcover & paperback) for adults, teens and kids, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, puzzles, vinyl records, and collectibles! Please bring donations to the library's below ground rear entrance, as indicated in red in the picture above, every Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11:30am.

Brinker Fireplace Room Display: The Town of Southbury: 350th Anniversary

This November, the Southbury Historical Society's display celebrates the 350th anniversary of the Town of Southbury. Included in the Brinker Fireplace Room display are historical photographs and memorabilia.

Artist of the Month: Historical Photography Exhibition of Southbury

The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee is proud to announce the continuation of its historical photography exhibit that highlights the history of the Town and its people over the past couple hundred years. The second installment of this popular exhibition is titled “Growing Southbury” and will run November 2 – 29, 2023 in the Gloria Cachion Gallery at the Southbury Public Library. This month features a completely new set of photographs that are mix of old and newer ones, curated from the collections of Southbury Historical Society, Heritage Village Foundation, Southbury Land Trust, Bent of the River Audubon Center, Ludorf Family, Robert S. Bryan and many others.

This free photographic exhibit is the second of three months’ worth of changing images that celebrate some of Southbury’s outstanding people, places, institutions, and events. The changing exhibit is over a three month period from October to December.

The first offering, “Early Southbury”, ran the month of October and has been very well-received. Guest book comments include: “Great Exhibit. Items I had not seen before in other history books.” “Spectacular pics! And extremely helpful captions.” “Interesting step back in time.” “A trip through the past”.

Captions for the photographs are once again provided by John Dwyer, Town historian and co-chair of the 350th Committee, and Melinda Elliott, Southbury Historical Society President and 350th Committee member. Gosia Liedlich, the town’s Digital Communications Specialist and a member of the 350th Anniversary Committee, was the point person for this project, including collecting and assembling the photographs.

The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee hopes that residents and visitors will return for this second offering, learn something new about the town and come away with a deeper appreciation of Southbury.

The exhibit will be open during regular library hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The exhibit will also be online as a virtual gallery here. Please visit our website to learn more.