December 2023

Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.
Mary Oliver, Snowy Night from Why I wake early, c2004

A Note from the Library Director, Chris Johnson

I am pleased to announce that our board of trustees approved a revised mission statement for the library at its November 14 meeting. Our new mission is "to enrich, educate and connect our community through discovery and access to ideas, information, technology and entertainment."

Our mission and our list of values are available for your review on our website.  This latest revision to our mission and values is the first outcome of our strategic plan project. Our committee is comprised of Jill Adams, Head of Adult Services; Jenna Bivona, Head of Youth Services; Eileen Boyce, Library Board Co-Secretary; Laura Erickson, Head of Technical & Circulation Services; Mim Wagner, Library Trustee; and me. We have written, what we believe to be, is a very strong draft plan. This week we are sharing it with our consultant, Maureen Sullivan, and the other six libraries who are part of the inaugural cohort of CT libraries participating in a joint effort to revise our library's plans. This initiative, sponsored by the Connecticut Library Consortium, and managed by its director, Ellen Paul, has resulted in significant cost savings to our library than if we had engaged a consultant on our own. Another positive outcome is that all of us on the committee have gained valuable skills that will enable us to successfully update our plan in future years, perhaps without the need for a consultant. 

In January, we will present our final strategic plan to the full library board for review, and hopefully, adoption. We look forward to sharing our final plan with you in February. We have learned a great deal from the thoughtful input that was provided to us in your survey responses and at our community conversations, and we have used that to inform our strategic initiatives and goals. We will continue to use your input to create our annual action plans that will guide our operations in the coming three years.

More good news to share: we now have two ukuleles for you to borrow, thanks to generous donations from  Mary Randolph, the leader of Ukuleles by the Sea, and Geneva  Renegar. We also have lesson books that you can borrow. Our first happy borrower was our own John Carta, a familiar face to you all, I'm sure!

This month I will be celebrating my third year serving as director of the Waterford Public Library. It has been my pleasure to meet many of you, over that time. I thank each of you for your support of me and of your library. Our annual fund mailing is going out very soon. The library counts on your generous donations to fund our robust collections and our educational and entertaining programs and events for all ages. Gifts of any amount are appreciated. If you prefer to donate online, or if you wish to become a monthly sustaining donor, you may do so by clicking the Support the Library icon on our website.

I wish each of you a very happy and healthy holiday season and I look forward to seeing you at the library!

Library Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday hours: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The library will be closed on the following holidays:
    Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve
    Monday, December 25: Christmas day
    Sunday, December 31: New Year’s Eve
    Monday, January 1: New Year’s Day

On Friday, December 8, the library will stay open until 6 p.m. Access to restrooms via our rear entrance will be provided for the duration of the lighting event on the Jordan Green.

Pre-Tree Lighting Event
Friday, December 8, 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Stop by the library meeting room before the town Tree Lighting ceremony! From 4:00 to 6:00 pm we will have festive crafts and activities for the family. At 5:15 pm local author John Lehet will read his picture book Milton the Rein-Moose, the perfect cozy winter story. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome, no registration required.

Music Telling Stories: a musical performance
Saturday, December 9 , 3:00PM - 4:00PM IN PERSON

Join us for a holiday musical performance with Irene Mrose Rissi on viola; accompanied by Linda Hinz on piano. Registration is suggested.

Thank you to Dominion Energy for funding this program.

REGISTER

A Christmas Carol: A One-Man Performance
Thursday, December 14, 6:30PM - 8:00PM
IN PERSON

In 1853 Charles Dickens began public readings of his most popular work, A Christmas Carol. When he ended his performances in 1870, he had read it 127 times. Tonight Mr. Dickens will come alive again reading A Christmas Carol.  This performance will be about 90 minutes including a 10 minute intermission.  Registration is suggested.  

Kenneth Noll is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut and has been performing in community theater for over 20 years.

REGISTER

Family Movie Matinee - Frozen (2013, Rated PG, 108 minutes)
Friday, December 29, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Join us during your school vacation for Disney favorite, Frozen! Bring your blankets, pillows, and snacks down to the meeting room for a cozy winter afternoon. All ages are welcome, no registration required.

Film: It's a Wonderful Life
Saturday, December 16, 2:00PM - 4:00PM IN PERSON

Frank Capra's classic stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a decent small-town banker who learns what life would have been like if he'd never been born. Registration is suggested for this event. Join us for a lecture on this film presented virtually on Tuesday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m.

REGISTER

Lecture: America’s Favorite Holiday Movie: A Look Inside It’s a Wonderful Life
Tuesday, December 19, 6:30PM - 7:30PM ONLINE

Voted the most inspirational movie ever made by the American Film Institute. This talk will examine the fascinating story of It’s a Wonderful Life, looking at the challenges of how it was made, its surprisingly dark portrait of small-town life, and how it became the ultimate portrayal of holiday goodwill and cheer.
Registration is required for this virtual event. Our speaker is Brian Rose, professor emeritus at Fordham University.This presentation is sponsored by the Waterford Public Library, Groton Public Library,  Otis Library of Norwich, Stonington Free Library, Mystic & Noank Library and the Bill Memorial Library.

REGISTER

Book Discussion @ the Senior Center
Friday, December 8 , 10:30AM - 11:30AM IN PERSON

Join the Library Director, Chris Johnson, at the Waterford Senior Center as she leads the discussion of The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice (2021).  The Amazon Charts bestselling author of Last Day delivers a haunting thriller about how far one wife is willing to go to expose the truth?and the lengths someone will go to stop her.  Multiple copies of this title are available at the library for check out. This event is in partnership with Waterford Senior Services.  Join us! 

Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library. Registration is required by contacting Senior Services at 444-5839.

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

Craft Night
Thursday, December 7, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

At this craft night, participants will learn how to make a mini mechanical sculpture featuring flying snowy owls! All materials will be provided. Recommended for ages 11 and up. Registration required.

REGISTER

Teen Drop In Craft
Thursday, December 21, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Drop in to the Teen Section of the library anytime between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. to make a Winter Solstice craft. Ages 12 and up. No registration required.

Teen Bullet Journal Class
Thursday, December 28, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Do you want to get organized and motivated for the New Year? Join Miss Ashlee and learn how to create a bullet journal for 2024! All materials will be provided. Registration required. Ages 12-18.

REGISTER

Read to Scout
Saturday, December 16, 2:30PM - 3:30PM

We are excited to welcome a new certified therapy dog to the library! Come practice your reading skills and give Scout a cuddle in the Children's Room. All ages are welcome, no registration required.

Family Storytime!
Monday, December 4, 11 & 18
10:30 - 11:00 AM IN PERSON

Toddler Craft: Snowman Photo Craft
Friday, December 8, 11:00AM - 12:00PM

Join us for a fun-filled crafting session where the little ones will use their creativity, and fine motor skills to put together a snowman and give it a personal twist with their adorable faces. Please bring a photo of your face to make it uniquely yours! For ages 3 to 5 years old, no registration is required.

Fantasy Book Club
Monday, December 11,  4:00PM - 5:00PM

If you're a fan of wizards and witches, dragons and knights, or mythical creatures of all kinds, this book club is the perfect place to share your passion for the genre. Bring your favorite fantasy book to life with fellow adventurers - you choose the book! We will also make a fun craft. See you in the realm of fantasy! Recommended for ages 9 to 12 years old, registration is required.

REGISTER

DIY Instruments: NYE Noisemakers
Thursday, December 14, 4:30PM - 5:30PM
 
Ready to create, play, and dance? Join us for this DIY instrument program in which kids will learn how to make noisemakers for New Year's Eve! Registration required. Recommended for children ages 6-10 years. All materials will be provided.

REGISTER

Story and Sensory Play
Friday, December 15, 11:00AM - 11:45AM

Join Miss Ashlee for a story and then explore multiple sensory stations! Recommended for ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver. No registration required.

Sign and Sing
Saturday, December 16, 10:30AM - 11:00AM
 
Join Ms. Janine for Sign and Sing! This fun storytime will include basic signs that both children and their caregivers will benefit from knowing. For ages birth to 5, no registration required. Thank you to CT Humanities for providing funding for this program.

Toddler Art
Wednesday, December 20, 11:00 AM  -  11:45 AM

Time to get creative (and maybe a little messy)! This hands on art session is for young ones to explore through process art with the help of their adult. Miss Ashlee will start the session with a short story! For ages 3 to 5 years old, registration is required. This program will take place downstairs in the lower level Conference Room.

REGISTER

Cookie Decorating
Tuesday, December 26
1:00PM - 2:00PM OR 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Bring your culinary creative vision to life with our holiday cookie decorating program! For ages 4 and up, registration is required. Please only register for one session of cookie decorating.

REGISTER: 1:00PM

REGISTER: 4:30PM

Local Author Visit
Wednesday, December 27, 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Join us for a fun and interactive visit from local author Judy Ricketts-White! Judy will share her stories and lead the group through some writing and drawing activities. Copies of her Slater Mountain series and coloring books will be available for purchase. Recommended for ages 8 and up, registration recommended.

REGISTER

Fossils to Footprints
Thursday, December 28, 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Join presenters from the Niantic Children's Museum for this fun, hands-on event. Go back to prehistoric times to discover what fantastic creatures roamed the earth! Find out what they may have looked like, acted like, and ate. Recommended for ages 5 and older, no registration required.

DROP IN ACTIVITIES

Build Club
Tuesday, December 12
4:00 -  6:00 PM

Stop by the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm to build with a variety of STEM sets that we have! Recommended for ages 4 and older, no registration required

Drop in Craft:  Snowglobe Ornament
Monday, December 18
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Join us in the Children's Room anytime between 4:00 and 6:30 pm to create an adorable Holiday Snowglobe Ornament.  Recommended for ages 5 and up, no registration required.

GRAB & GO CRAFTS

Acorn
Dec 2 to Dec 15

New Year's Eve Craft
Dec 16 to Dec 29

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 in English or Spanish. Content is provided by the Public Library Association.

Speculative Fiction
Monday, December 11
7:00 PM ONLINE
REGISTER

Daemon by Daniel Suarez (2006)

Friday Afternoon Book Club will resume in January

December ART WALL: Stephen Holt

Local artist, Stephen Holt, started out as a self-taught painter in his early twenties. He later took courses at Mitchell College and appreciated the guidance of artist Gershon Camassar as mentor. His work consists of predominantly plein air oil landscapes and has been displayed in various local events including New London's Boats, Books and Brushes.