When we created our new logo and branding for the Waterford Public Library a few years ago, we knew we had come to a point where it wasn’t just about books anymore. Visiting your public library should be a discovery experience where all ages are welcome.
In an age of rapid information dissemination, new ideas, new technologies, and new authors, your public library is a great place to start.
September is an easier month for programming in contrast to our busy summer schedule. School begins, the leaves begin to fall and we all share a moment of exhalation.
Next time you’re with us, please say hello to our new director of youth services, Jenna Bivona. Jenna joins us from the Cora J. Belden Library in Rocky Hill. She is delighted to be here in Waterford and looks forward to meeting all of our children, teenagers and families. Join Ms. Jenna for a 45-minute weekly family story lesson on Monday mornings at 10:30 am beginning September 12.
We have something new to share with our library community – we’ve partnered with the Library Speaker’s Consortium. This new library partnership offers a series of virtual lectures from best-selling authors and thought leaders that we typically would not have the budget or connections to host.
In September we welcome the bestselling author and internationally renowned educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba, author of Raising Thrivers: Parenting Tips & Tools to Help Kids Thrive in an Uncertain World; and bestselling author Simon Winchester, author of The Men Who United the States, The Professor and the Madman, The Map that Changed the World” and many others.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Hernan Diaz, author of the new books Trust and In the Distance, will also be on board this month. This is an exciting opportunity for us to share with you wonderful authors on a variety of topics. Visit our website and click the Spotlight on Virtual Author Talks link to learn more and enroll in these free online programs.
The One Book One Region summer program continues Thursday, September 8 at 6 p.m. with a free screening of the film, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. This screening complements the 2022 title Being Heumann: An Repentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. Crip Camp is a 2020 American documentary film that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Crip Camp begins in 1971 at Camp Jened, a New York summer camp described as “a laid-back, free-spirited camp for teenagers with disabilities.” The tour takes place in the Mystic Luxury Cinema.
The writers’ final will be Thursday evening, September 22 at 7 p.m. when we personally greet author and disability rights activist Judith Heumann at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium.
On Saturday September 10th, Dr. Keith Barker, Professor Emeritus at the UConn School of Engineering, will present “The Railroad in Southeastern CT.”
Join us for a virtual presentation on Winterizing Your Garden on Saturday, September 24th. Our moderator is Craig Floyd, Manager of Coogan Farm, Mystic.
Why we dream and how dreams can be used is the topic of a virtual conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bendor on Thursday evening September 29th.
If you’re interested in reading or writing crime fiction, you should join us to write detective fiction with Barbara Fagan Speake: Lessons Learned. She has written ten crime novels, nine starring Scottish detective Annie Macpherson, all set in Connecticut.
On Wednesday evening, September 14th, we have your pipeline to success. The Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board project coordinator will provide an overview of the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, which offers free training to address the hiring needs of electric boats, members of the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance and other manufacturers. This presentation is intended for job seekers.
Our monthly Friday afternoon book discussion group starts again on September 23rd. Our virtual Write Night writing group continues every fourth Wednesday of the month. And finally, our virtual Speculative Fiction discussion group continues on the second Monday of every month. A list of titles is available in the library with multiple copies of the books available to borrow four weeks prior to the discussion.
For the teens, we’re having a craft night on the first Thursday night of every month this fall. CT Kid Governor Makhi Ettienne-Modeste will be here on Saturday 24th September to talk about his campaign platform to protect our pets! There will be an illustrated presentation by Makhi and a Q&A session between the audience and Makhi, concluding with an activity.
We continue to offer both virtual and face-to-face events. For more details on all of our programs and to register, visit our website waterfordpubliclibrary.org and then click on the Events Calendar tab. Be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter on our website for the latest information on all library events and services. Please also “like” us on Facebook!
Jill Adams is Director of Adult Services at Waterford Public Library.
