What’s happening…
Masking inside the Library is optional but appreciated. Thank you.
During September, BML will host Library Card Sign-up activities for children including make your own library card holder, library card bingo, decorate a bookmark, and fun prizes!
Along with books, media, & graphic novels, patrons can find a variety of educational resources and activities. We have library programs that serve children of all ages like: weekly story & music times, special interest clubs, Teen Advisory Board, craft and STEM activities, and unique programs.
Crafting Connection
Carving with Papa Elf
Tuesday, Oct 18th 5:30 pm
Rick “ Papa Elf” Johnson returns to BML with another carving class. We will carve a little hedgehog from a small basswood egg. These are the same hedgehogs Rick carves and hides throughout the Valley for people to find! These critters even have their own page: “Papa Elf’s Hidden Little Critters”, where you can see the ones that have been found, or post one you discovered! Check out Rick’s main Facebook Page, “Papa Elf Woodcarvings”.
Rick will go over: safety, caring for the knife, layout & the basic cuts. The goal is to create and take home a finished hedgehog.
As we will be working with very sharp knives, this program is limited to adults 18 years and up, please. Seats are limited, so register here or call 860-345-2204.
ESSEX & HADDAM LIBRARIES
TO SPONSOR FORUM
FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
AND STATE SENATOR CANDIDATES
Tuesday, November 1st 6:30 PM
Valley Regional High School
Essex and Brainerd Library will jointly sponsor a forum for senate and house candidates in our shared district.
Moderators will be Essex Library Interim Director Ann Thompson and Brainerd Library Director Tom Piezzo.
District 36 Incumbent Rep. Christine Palm (D) & Chris Turkington (R)
District 33 Incumbent Senator Norm Needleman (D) & Brandon Goff (R)
Questions for the candidates can be sent by US Mail, dropped off at either the Essex Library (33 West Ave, Essex, CT, 06426) or Brainerd Library (920 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438) or emailed to Ann Thompson athompson@essexlib.org or Tom Piezzo tpiezzo@brainerdlibrary.org.
Please submit questions for State Rep & Senator candidates separately.
To be considered for inclusion questions must be relevant to state issues, particularly at the district level, and not constructed in a way as to favor a particular candidate. Questions must be received by Wed, October 26th.
The Haddam Writers Group
10 – 12 on Thursdays in the History Room.
Brainerd Library’s “Nature’s Inspiration” Book List
The theme of this list is “the natural world” and includes topics like: backyard habitats & gardening, climate change, outdoor adventures, rainforests, coral reefs, trees, survival, sustainability and wildlife. Represented in these fiction and non-fiction books [selected by BML staff & Friends] are novels, poetry, children’s, teen’s, illustrated, scientific, and graphic novels. They provide entertainment & insight as well as information & education. We hope you’ll enjoy the beautiful illustrations, the lyrical prose, and exciting plots –
And be inspired by them! A short list of resources is included.
Click here for a survey from our community partner Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services.
Brainerd Book Club
Will meet on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of each month.
The book choices are rather eclectic as they select from a diversity of genres. Discussion is always friendly and expansive. All are welcome to join. The library orders books in advance which can be checked out as needed.
“All About Opossums”- a presentation with photos/video of the rescue & opossums!
An overview of wildlife rehabilitation and the role of rehabbers with focus on opossums and Ferncroft’s rescue efforts with them. Additionally, they discuss various topics such as supporting wildlife during winter, preparing emergency roadside kits, turning your property into a sanctuary, learning more about becoming a rehabber or wildlife volunteer, etc. There is time at the end for Q&A, “meet and greet ” & have a photo taken with the ambassador opossums. The ambassadors wear a harness and leash, and are very gentle. Guests are not allowed to hold them, but are encouraged to pet their soft fur. Kids love letting an ambassador grasp their finger with a tail.
Lavender’s book will be available for sale.
Culinary Club
2nd Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
We are back and cooking!! In this unique book club we discuss our favorite recipes and what we bring to the meeting. If you need inspiration we have cookbooks to help!
Themes for the Meetings:
October 12th Breads & Spreads Register here.
A requirement of the club is to bring a dish to the meeting. We will meet on the back lawn. Please register above or call 860-345-2204.
Click on the image to access Workforce Solutions through ResearchIT CT!
Whether you’re looking to find a new job in your current field or pursue a career in a different industry, Job & Career Accelerator™ has the powerful tools and expert guidance to help you through every step of the process. Job & Career Accelerator™ puts everything you need to land a job in one place. For more Job Related Resources [Search Sites, Webinars, Resume help] visit our Job Search page!
BML is pleased to announce that we offer a pass to the:
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338
Ask at the Children’s Desk, where all museum passes are held.
The Friends of the Library welcome new babies to the community and introduce them & their families to the library with a free baby gift bag!
If you or someone you know has a new baby, please stop in, or tell them to pick up a free baby gift bag!
Gift bags are at the Circulation desk & the Children’s Department desk.
We hope new patrons will take a little time to explore what BML has to offer!
Bringing the Outside In
Thanks to the Friends, BML has birdfeeders! They are right outside the windows in the Children’s Department with guides & binoculars to identify the birds. We also installed a bluebird house! Link to Free Audubon Bird App
New to birding? Right outside your window is a great place to start. Here is a list of some of the most common backyard birds found around the country.
Even if you’re an experienced birder, the list includes some fun facts about our most common—and beloved—feathered friends. Learn More These goldfinches showed up in April at our window feeder and are now regulars.
BML magazines include: Birds & Blooms, National Geographic & Smithsonian to check out. Complete list in our Reading Room.
BML’s Game Collection!
Brainerd Library has a collection of board games for all ages and Nintendo Switch games for checkout! Call or check the catalog to see what’s available. When it’s too rainy or hot to play outside, stop in and grab one of these games!
BML is pleased to announce: We have 2 passes to the Hill-Stead Museum!
The passes may be checked out and provide 50% off general admission for 2 adults & 2 children. List of Museum Passes
Hill-Stead was the first architectural project of Theodate Pope Riddle (1867–1946), one of the first licensed female architects in the U.S. The Colonial Revival mansion is one of the few remaining representations of early-20th-century country estates with 152 acres. Hill-Stead gives a personal view of renowned masterpieces, textiles, and decorative arts. The museum’s collection of paintings includes: Monet, Degas, Whistler, Manet and Cassatt.
Want to know what’s new in our YA collection?
Sign up for this newsletter to learn about the new books we get each month! Each newsletter will include pictures and a brief synopsis of each new book.
Teens and adults looking to sign up can email kmoore@brainerdlibrary.org to get on the mailing list.
Visit our games & puzzles page! There are daily puzzles, online games like Wordle, Tetris, Mahjong Solitaire, jigsaws [even create your own] and more fun distractions to try.
Try Something New! Click right Icon for more…
Write with confidence across documents, email, & the web. Features help strengthen spelling, grammar, & style. And even get suggestions in different languages! Receive basic guidance in over 20 languages.
River Runner
The Google Maps app now has a split-screen street view option on Android. Turning it on lets you use Street View and the map simultaneously, which makes finding and navigating to a destination—or virtually exploring the surrounding area—much easier than relying on the map or the street view alone.
How to Tether your Mobile Phone Internet to your Laptop
If you’re traveling or do not have an Internet connection, you can connect by using your phone. Perhaps you’ve heard of a personal hotspot, but don’t know how to set it up. This article will explain how to tether an iPhone or Android phone to another device, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. Note: Setting up a personal hotspot may affect your wireless data plan and you may need to speak to your mobile phone carrier. It may be as simple as turning it on in your phone and plugging the USB cable into your laptop! Link to Android only phone tethering directions
Non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
Links direct you to a free app on the Apple Store site.
SkyView® Lite [Google Play App for Android Devices]
Find stars and constellations! Open SkyView® Free and let it guide you and identify them. SkyView Free is a beautiful, intuitive stargazing app that uses your camera to spot and identify celestial objects in sky, day or night.
Phone & Tablet app for Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks & magazines. Libby can also send library books to your Kindle.
Materials may be borrowed for 14 days.
Materials may be renewed for 14 days if there are no holds on the items.
10 loans at one time
“Resume lab” and live, online job coaches help job seekers: target suitable jobs, prepare and practice for job interviews. The Adult Learning Center provides: career-enhancing skills through test preparation (including GED and the U.S. Citizenship Test) and live, online academic tutors for writing assistance, computer literacy, and software assistance.
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Let’s Play!
y Overdrive