A Note from the Library Director, Chris Johnson

Thanks for all of the love that was shared on our in-building flipcharts for Library Lovers month. In March, we would like to learn more about what we can do to make your library experience even better. What collections, programs, digital resources, and services would you like to see us offer? What improvements can we make to our building and spaces - both inside and out? This information is helping us with the beginning stages of developing our new strategic plan. In the coming months, we will be distributing more formal surveys and convening focus groups to collect more structured feedback. Please share your thoughts on our flipchart next time you visit, or send me an email to [email protected]

As we continue to celebrate our library's 100th anniversary year, I wanted to share this lovely memory provided to us by Holly Camerota. Holly's mother, Mrs. Walter L. Anderson, aka Mary M. Anderson, was the library's storyteller extraordinaire in the 1950s. Holly shared the photos below with us.

According to local news coverage, in a 1958 article written by Eugene Secunda, "The children of Waterford have a land of make-believe awaiting them every second and fourth Saturday at the library on Great Neck Road."  Mrs. Anderson, "the Story Lady of Waterford," would dress in elaborate costumes and share two hours of stories and poems with local children!

We would love to hear about your memories of the library. Please send me an email, or drop off your recollections that we can use in a shared scrapbook celebrating the first 100 years of our Waterford Public Library. 

An Evening with Eleanor Roosevelt: a portrayal
Wednesday, March 8
6:30 PM IN PERSON

Join author, playwright and historian Carol Cohen as she portrays Eleanor Roosevelt.  During this presentation, meet Eleanor Roosevelt at her home in Hyde Park, New York, to learn about her role as a human rights activist.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments including Eleanor's favorite dessert. The program will begin at 7 p.m. with the arrival of Eleanor. There will be no Q & A during the performance, however, after the presentation, Eleanor will stay to answer questions one-on-one.  Registration is required.

Register

Our presenter is Carol Cohen.  Carol is on the faculty of Lesley University Graduate School of Education in Massachusetts. This event is co-sponsored with the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Hodges Birthday Bash
Saturday, March 11
1:00 -  3:00 PM

Stop by the library meeting room anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 pm to celebrate the birthday of our favorite furry friend: Officer Hodges. There will be snacks for both people and pups as well as doggy crafts and activities galore.

All ages are welcome, no registration is required.

Monday, March 20 watch the film "Trail Magic" the inspiring story of this historic hiker which includes interviews with family, historians and hikers.  Grandma Gatewood was the first woman to solo thru-hike the 2,050 mile Appalachian Trail, in 1955 at the age of 67 -- but that was only the beginning of her walk into history! Registration is suggested. 

As a follow up to this film preview, join us for a virtual talk with Ben Montgomery, author of Grandma Gatewood's Walk, on Tuesday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m. Use this link to register for this Zoom event.

Thank you to Eden Valley Enterprises for assisting with the showing of this film.

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

Great Decisions Discussion Group
Thursdays March 9- May 11
6:30 PM  -  8:00 PM

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves independently reading the weekly article in the Great Decisions briefing book, then meeting as a group to watch a 20-30 minute master class recorded lecture, followed by a one hour civil discussion about a current critical global issue facing America today. Our discussion facilitator is Mariette Ogg, Retired Associate Professor of English, United States Coast Guard Academy. You are not expected to have any special knowledge of the topic to participate, the only requirement is that you read the assigned article in advance of our discussion.

There is a $35 materials fee for the briefing book that can be paid by cash or check, made payable to Waterford Public Library, Inc., at the first session. Please register for the series using the link below. In your registration, please indicate if you would like the library to purchase a printed book for you, or you do have the option to purchase either a printed or digital version on your own using this link.

Register

Ann Petry's The Street: a book discussion
Monday, March 13
6:00 PM IN PERSON

As a follow up to the Ann Petry panel discussion that took place on February 11, Laurie Wolfley, a member of Waterford RISE and a member of the English faculty at UConn Avery Point, will be leading a discussion of Ms. Petry's book, The Street, originally published in 1946. The first novel by an African-American woman to sell more than a million copies, its haunting tale still resonates today.  Registration is suggested. Copies of the book are available at the library for check-out

Waterford Little League: the early years
Wednesday, March 22
6:30 PM IN PERSON

Baseball in Waterford is King. Waterford's pride and tradition of winning baseball championships is well established throughout the state. Its high school team alone has won eleven State championships, including five runners-up finishes. The book describes year by year summaries of regular season, post-season playoffs and all-star tournament results. Our speaker and author is Don Richmond.  Don played baseball and soccer for Waterford High School and Eastern Connecticut State College. He has fond memories of all his teammates and coaches, from Little League through his college years.

Thank you to Waterford Historical Society for co-sponsoring this event!

Transparent Language Online provides an effective and engaging experience for language learners looking to build their vocabulary, practice their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and maintain what they learn. With courses and supplemental resources in 110+ languages, Transparent Language Online can be accessed anytime, anywhere, on almost any device. Also included is KidSpeak, a fun, age-appropriate online language course designed for children ages 6 and up! KidSpeak introduces your children to English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. Both resources are free with your Waterford Library Card!

Mondays: March 6, 13, 20, 27
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

Board Game Bonanza
Saturday, March 25
2:00—4:00 PM IN PERSON

Stop by the library meeting room anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 pm to play one of our many board games! We have all of the classics and some new ones to try with friends and family. No registration required, recommended for ages 4 and older.

DROP IN ACTIVITIES

Creation Station
Tuesday, March 7
4:00  -  6:00 PM IN PERSON

For this special session we will be creating a piece to celebrate Women's History Month. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

St. Patrick's Day Craft Special
Monday, March 13
4:00 -  6:30 PM IN PERSON

Join us in the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:30 pm for a special St. Patrick’s Day themed Craft. You will get to make a Shamrock friend, and a Leprechaun  Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration is required.

STEM Adventure: Flower and Airplane
Monday, March 27
4:00  -  6:30 PM IN PERSON

March is Women’s History Month!
Learn how to make a tissue paper flower, and an airplane made of clothespin and popsicle sticks in commemoration of Amelia Earhart. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 

Build Club
Tuesday March 28
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

Dr. Seuss' Lorax
March 4 - March 17

Bird
March 18 - March 31 

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

Your Waterford Library Card provides free access to two collections of Scholastic eBooks: TrueFlix offers 200 non-fiction titles for readers in grades 3-6, and BookFlix features fiction and non-fiction titles to share with preschoolers through 3rd graders.

Teen Craft Night
Thursday, March 2
5:30 PM  -  7:00 PM IN PERSON

At this Teen Craft Night you will create a 3D portrait of Frida Kahlo in honor of Women's History Month! Teens will learn how to make a variety of paper flowers and leaves and then will be able to use them for the 3D portrait. Registration required. Recommended for ages 12-18 years old.  

Register

Teen Drop In Craft
Thursday, March 16
5:30 PM  -  7:00 PM IN PERSON

Stop in to the Teen Section of the library to learn how to tie a Celtic heart knot. This knot can be turned into a keychain, bracelet, or necklace!

For teens, ages 12-18. No registration required. Drop in any time between 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Introducing Palace 

The Palace app is another great way to access free eBooks and eAudiobooks using your library card. It combines Waterford's Overdrive collection with titles from the Connecticut State Library--although you can keep using the Libby app, too! Click here for more information or call us at 860-444-5805 ext. 2.

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.

Borrow a Museum Pass!
March is a great time to visit the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, located in the heart of Hartford. The library's museum pass provides free admission for two adults. Regular admission to the museum is Adults: $15, Seniors: $12, Students with ID: $5, Youth, ages 17 & under: Free. Use this link to check the availability of this pass in our catalog.

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