A Note from the Library Director, Chris Johnson

Our strategic planning process is continuing. Thank you to everyone who completed our new survey. We are seeking input from as many Waterford residents and library users as possible. If you have not yet done so, we request that you please take a few minutes to complete our October survey. We would also very much appreciate your help in sharing the link to our survey with your family, friends and neighbors. The survey will be open for the month of October.

In addition, we invite you to join us at one of our upcoming community conservations. Details on each of our sessions is provided below.

If you prefer to share your feedback directly with me, please stop in to see me at the library, or send an email to [email protected].  Thank you for your support of the Waterford Public Library!

Strategic Planning Activities

As we continue our strategic planning process, we are again looking to collect your feedback about the library. We would appreciate if you would please take our new online survey. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Printed copies are available at the library.

Community Conversations

Tuesday, October 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 21, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Monday, October 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

We hope that you will participate in one of our upcoming community conversations. Join us in the library's meeting room for a relaxed guided discussion with your fellow Waterford Library users to help us plan the library's future. To register, please use one of the buttons below. Walk-ins are also welcome!

October 17

October 21

October 23

Coffee with Director

In reviewing the feedback from our first survey in August, we heard that some of you have yet to meet our current library director, Chris Johnson. While Chris's door is always open for an impromptu visit, we wanted to extend a formal invitation to stop by for a meet and greet with Chris. This will also be an opportunity for you to provide unstructured feedback on your experience at the Waterford Public Library and provide input on our new strategic plan. Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome!

REGISTER

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. begin tomorrow, October 15!

It's International Observe the Moon Night!
Saturday, October 21, 5:30PM - 8:00PM

All ages are invited to join us in the rear parking lot of the library as we welcome Dr. Leslie Brown, of Connecticut College, together with the Thames Amateur Astronomical Society.  Telescopes will be provided by the Society for viewing, however, everyone is welcome to bring their own.  Rain date and/or cloud cover will be Sunday, October 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Outdoor Halloween Family Movie
Friday, October 27, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us in the library parking lot for an Outdoor Halloween Family Movie Night! Kick your Halloween weekend off with a fun, family friendly movie. Bring snacks, blankets, and drinks as you enjoy the movie from the comfort of your car or sit outside with a radio. Approximate start time is 6:00 pm, depending on when the sun sets.

This year, we will be showing The Addams Family (2019), rated PG, run time 86 minutes.  

If it rains, this event will move indoors to the library meeting room.

Shred-It Day!                                                           
Saturday, October 28, 10:00AM - 12:00PM IN PERSON                       

We're offering a free Shred-It Day in the library's rear parking lot on Saturday, October 28th, from 10 to 12 noon.  Limit of 3 boxes or bags. Please bring donations for the Waterford Community Food Bank.

Thank you to our sponsors: Infoshred and Liberty Bank.

Sound Healing: a workshop with CT State Troubadour Kala Farnham
Saturday, October 28, 2:30PM - 4:00PM

IN PERSON

Join us for a restorative sound bath utilizing traditional healing instruments such as Himalayan singing bowls, chimes, shamanic drumming and chant to immerse listeners in sound vibration and invite them into a state of meditation with elements of the nada yoga tradition.  We welcome CT State Troubadour Kala Farnham.  Kala Farnham is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. She began her musical journey at a young age, and in high school she established herself as a working musician.  

Haunted Gingerbread Houses
Thursday, October 19
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM  (ages 12 - 18)

Get ready to be spooky! We will be making haunted gingerbread houses with a large variety of Halloween candies. All materials will be provided - just bring your creativity! Registration is required for this event.

REGISTER: ages 12-18

Teen Drop In Craft
Thursday, October 26, 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 hanging paper pumpkin!  Ages 12 and up. No registration required.

Family Storytime is back!
Monday, October 16, 23, 30
10:30 - 11:00 AM IN PERSON

Toddler Art
Wednesday, October 18, 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. For ages 3 to 5 years old, registration is required. This program will take place downstairs in the Meeting Room.

REGISTER

Haunted Gingerbread Houses
Thursday, October 19
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (ages 6-11)

Get ready to be spooky! We will be making haunted gingerbread houses with a large variety of Halloween candies. All materials will be provided - just bring your creativity! Registration is required for this event.

REGISTER: ages 6-11

Sign and Sing
Saturday, October 21, 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Join Ms. Janine for our first session of 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.

Pumpkin Painting
Monday, October 23 & 30, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Paint your very own pumpkin just in time for Halloween! Registration is required. Please register our family for one session.
For ages 5 and older.

REGISTER: Oct 23

REGISTER: Oct 30

Special Halloween Storytime
Monday, October 30, 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Join us for an extra special, extra spooky storytime! Sing, dance, and listen to a story to get into the Halloween spirit. Costumes are encouraged. No registration required, ages birth to five with a caregiver.
 
DROP IN ACTIVITIES

Lego Club
Tuesday, October 24
4:00 -  6:00 PM IN PERSON

Drop in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm to build with some LEGO sets! No registration required, recommended for ages 5 and up.

GRAB & GO CRAFTS

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!

Digital Resources

Download up to 5 free Kanopy films each month with your Waterford Library card. Check out their horror films collection, if you dare! Download the Kanopy app to get started! Kanopy works on over 16 platforms including Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku. Learn more at Kanopy's supported browsers and devices page.

Museum Passes

Visit the Florence Griswold Museum in October to enjoy their annual Wee Faerie Village! For this exhibit, the library pass admits up to 2 adults and 2 children under 18 for $5 per person.

We Need Your Donations!

 - The Library accepts one bag or box of your gently used book, magazine and media donations at our frontStack of books desk. Please no textbooks or encyclopedias..

 - For our book sale, and our circulating collection, we are collecting jigsaw puzzles. Our only request is that you please do not donate puzzles that you know are missing pieces.

 - Support the Library's Annual Fund! Did you know that a large portion of our library's materials, programming and services budgets are funded directly by your donations? Gifts in any amount are appreciated. If paying by check, please make payable to Waterford Public Library, Inc. or donate online.