What’s happening…
Masking in the library is optional but welcome. Thank you.
Brainerd Memorial Library Association
Serving the community since 1908
We’ve just earned our 2023 Gold Seal with Guidestar. We are excited to share the work our nonprofit does through our Profile. Learn how you can support us and make a difference.
Pokemon P
arty!
Saturday, Feb. 4, 11-1
This year’s “Take Your Child to the Library Day” celebration is all about Pokémon! Join us for Pokémon crafts, activities, games, snacks, & cool surprises!
Celebrate Black History Month!
Visit History.com to discover the origins via galleries, articles, & documentaries.
Browse the exhibitions in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art
Explore Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Listen to some Motown! A Greatest hits collection
Culinary Club
2nd Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
February 8th
(March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14)
We have made plans for 2023!!
Feb. 8th Non-Chocolate for Your Sweetheart- recipes without chocolate
Mar. 8th What can you do with fruit?
Apr. 12th Spring Tonic (non- alcoholic)- as Spring arrives, prepare a dish to give us a feeling of well-being.
May 10th Thinking of Mom – a recipe that reminds you of Mom or a loved one.
June 14th From Crook to Cook- BML will provide cookbooks for celebrity chefs that have been in prison; eg. Snoop Dog. If you have any questions, contact Laurie at lgardner@brainerdlibrary.org. We will meet in the History Room. Please register here.
The Crafting Connection: Flowers are Blooming
Monday, Feb. 13, 5:30pm
Getting tired of winter? Join us as we shake off the winter blues by making a colorful Embroidery Hoop with Flowers. In this session, we will be creating flowers with felt and sewing them onto an embroidery hoop to make a 3D artwork. An example will be provided for inspiration. All supplies supplied. This is an in-person class. This craft is for ages 16+. Register early to reserve your spot.
Love Lost and Found with Sara deBeer
Thursday, Feb. 16, 6:30pm
In this program of folktales, characters experience love in a variety of ways. From the twists and turns of romantic love to a mother determined to save her beloved daughter, these stories invite listeners to reflect on the many meanings of “love”. In 1978, Sara deBeer provided library outreach in Albany, NY, telling stories to kids in city parks and housing projects. In 1980, she’d received a Yale fellowship to wander the west coast of Ireland and listen to traditional tellers. Sara’s great love is telling traditional folktales from world cultures. Listeners discover the richness of each culture while appreciating the universality of human experiences. This is an in-person program. Register here.
Brainerd Library’s “Nature’s Inspiration” Book List
The theme is “the natural world” and includes: backyard habitats & gardening, climate change, outdoor adventures, rainforests, coral reefs, trees, survival, sustainability and wildlife. Represented 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.
Book Lists links below & copies at the library, with a display of books available for checkout near the Adult Non-Fiction Section. Extended list with descriptions Book list with titles and locations
Brainerd Book Club
Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm
The book choices are rather eclectic; selected 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.
For more info visit our Bookclub page.
Click on the image to access Workforce Solutions through ResearchIT CT!
Whether you’re looking to find a new job in your field or career in a different industry, Job & Career Accelerator™ has the powerful tools and expert guidance to help you through 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:
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center!
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!
Please visit our website & Facebook Pages to sign up for our E-newsletters and discover Children’s activities and events.
Bringing the Outside In
Thanks to the Friends, BML has birdfeeders! They are 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
Get to Know These 20 Common Birds
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 cold to play outside, stop in and grab one of these games!

Open Library and Internet Archive
Non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.