What’s happening…

BML IS HIRING A CIRCULATION ASSISTANT

Hours: 18 weekly

Job Summary:
This position provides front-line customer service to library patrons and assists with the daily operations of library circulation. The Circulation Assistant is responsible for checking library materials in and out, assisting patrons with library accounts and services, processing holds and transit materials, shelving materials, and maintaining an organized and welcoming public service environment.

The Circulation Assistant also provides basic technology and general library assistance, and supports other library departments as needed. The position requires frequent interaction with patrons of all ages and abilities and may include working evenings and Saturdays. Circulation desk coverage will be at both the Main Circ. desk and in the Children’s Department.  Drop off or submit applications to Marissa [Director at mlehmacher@brainerdlibrary.org] or Robbie {Assistant Director at rmarshall@brainerdlibrary.org].

APPLICATION 

JOB DESCRIPTION

BRAINERD LIBRARY SURVEY

The BML Board of Trustees invites our community to fill out a quick survey to let them know what you think about your library.  What do you like best?  What would you like to see?  Please access the link here to weigh in. 

Thanks very much for your time!

BML has a new Director!

We are excited to announce that Marissa Lehmacher has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Brainerd Memorial Library!

Marissa has been a valued member of the Brainerd team for the past 13 years, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to our library and its patrons.  Through her most recent position as our Head of Youth Services, she helped foster a love of reading and learning in Haddam’s families and provided meaningful connections with children and their caregivers through programming and warm conversation.

Marissa possesses a deep understanding of our library and the community we serve through her years of experience at Brainerd, and her compassion and cordiality will lead her to thrive in her new role. 

We are excited to see what she will bring to the library!

Please join us in congratulating Marissa.  We hope you’ll stop by the library and say hello!

BRAINERD & ESSEX LIBRARY TO HOST CANDIDATE FORUM

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14th, 6:30pm

The forum will be for State Senate and State House candidates in our shared districts in the auditorium at John Winthrop Middle School in Deep River. Participating candidates for the District 36 House seat are incumbent State Rep. Renee LaMark Muir (D) and Guy Tuccero (R); for the District 33 Senate seat, participating candidates are incumbent State Senator Norm Needleman (D) and Charles Ferraro (R). The Moderators will be Essex Library Director Ann Thompson and Brainerd Library Director Marissa Lehmacher.

Questions for candidates may be sent by Mail or dropped off at Essex or Brainerd Libraries, or emailed to Ann Thompson athompson@essexlib.org or Marissa Lehmacher, mlehmacher@brainerdlibrary.org. Please submit questions for Representative and 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 October 7, 2026.

SEPTEMBER AUTUMN TEA PARTY POSTPONED!

MOVED TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH DUE TO THE STORM

NOV 8th 1PM – 3:30PM

UPDATES TO FOLLOW…

The BML florists are still rockin’ those arrangements!

Today’s [9-30-26] vases. As long as the flowers continue to bloom, we will have seasonal arrangements. They range from $5 – $10 and fresh ones are created on Tuesdays.

SPOOKY CT WRITING CONTEST!

Brought to you by CT libraries.  BML has accepted the invitation to participate and hope our community will enjoy the challenge.  Please either email [rmarshall@brainerdlibrary.org] or drop off a copy of your submission and we will send it to the coordinators.  Here are the guidelines.  Stories Must:

• Be set in CT

• Be a maximum of 2,750 words

• Be original and no AI

• Not have excessive language or gore

• Be written by authors living in our town

“BUTTON ” MAGNET

Wednesday, Sep. 30, 6:30pm

You can never have too many magnets!  Using air dry clay and decoupage we’ll make some fun and colorful magnets.

Register here.

BLUE FIRE STAGE PRESENTS OSCAR WILDE 

FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 6pm

Don’t miss this entertaining evening with Blue Fire Stage.
Our local theater company presents an evening with Oscar Wilde.
Join them for a play reading of The Importance of Being Earnest
and sit back and be captivated. REGISTER HERE.

FLOWER ADVENTURES: TINY ARRANGEMENTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 6pm

Honey I shrunk the flowers!!  This month for Flower Adventures we will  make tiny arrangements. All itty bitty vases and petite flowers provided.

Register here.

HADDAM LAND TRUST 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 6:30pm

Ever wondered about the land preserves around Haddam? Who creates them?
Who tends to them? Come to this presentation by Peter Smith of the Haddam Land Trust
and learn about the preserves and how the Trust maintains them.

REGISTER HERE.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 6:30pm

Registration required, begins Oct 2.

Brainerd celebrates the life of Tim Curry with a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Come as you are or in costume.

NEW MUSEUM PASSES!

2-Free Admission Passes to the wonderful Stowe Center Museum! https://stowecenter.org/visit/ The campus includes the beautiful Stowe & Katharine Seymour Day houses, the Visitor Center & Museum, Nook Farm Neighborhood [the Mark Twain House is next door], and historic gardens. We also have passes for the Mark Twain House, CT River Museum, Hill-Stead Museum, Florence Griswold Museum and more! Here’s the list: https://brainerdlibrary.org/museum-passes/

ATTENTION à TOUS!  FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB

3rd WEDNESDAYS

6:30 – 7:30pm

This is a no-pressure, encouraging space to practice your français! We welcome Francophones of all levels, but to get the most out of our time together you’ll want to have some basic French conversational skills. For teens and adults.

BML’s GAME COLLECTION!

Brainerd Library has a fine collection of board games for all ages and Nintendo Switch games for checkout!  Call or check the catalog to see what’s available.  Catalog When it’s too wet or cold to play outside, stop in and borrow one of these games!

PUZZLE CLUB 

1st & 3rd TUESDAYS 1-3

CULINARY CLUB  

2^nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30PM

Calling all cooks and food lovers! Join this monthly themed potluck and meet other folks passionate about food. It’s easy! Just make a dish, and join us for a great meal at the library.

FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE!

For interested genealogy researchers, BML has a subscription for patrons to check out.  Here is a link to further free resources you can download like a Starter Genealogy Package.

HADDAM SENIOR CENTER

MYSTERY BOOK CLUB

LAST MONDAYS 1PM

The Haddam Senior Center will host a mystery book club.  It will meet on the last Monday of the month at 1pm at the Senior Center. 

Brainerd Library will help provide the books. 

2 BIRDING BACKPACKS Available to Borrow!

The backpacks from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County include: binoculars, birdsong, bird ID & bug guides, bug collector kit, information & ideas for exploring nature, and outdoor scavenger hunt cards. These backpacks are available for patrons to check out and take along on a nature & birding adventure.  Ask at the circulation desk to borrow!

The BOOK NOOK, our onsite bookstore, is located in the back corner with some enjoyable and interesting titles for perusal and purchase.  Maybe pick up some surprises for family and friends!  Children’s books are on the lower level in a bookcase across from the elevator. Best prices in CT!

Sign up for our E-Newsletters!  Don’t miss anything! Events, Programs, & Activities, New Resources, Friends’ News, New Materials & Services, and Local News & Important Information. 

For a more interactive experience, visit our Social Media sites.

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Booklist Reader is here!

Booklist Reader features readers’ advisory recommendations for readers & listeners of all ages. It’s filled with high-interest, top 10 themed lists as well as read-alikes, trend alerts, & new releases, plus content from their partners; LibraryReads & PBS Books.  Booklist Reader is at the check out areas.  Pick up your copy!  

BML magazines include: The Atlantic, Better Homes & Gardens, Birds & Blooms, Booklist, CT Gardener, CT Magazine, Consumer Reports, Family Tree, People, National Geographic, Taste of Home, & Yankee to borrow.

BRAINERD KNITTING CLUB

1st TUESDAYS 3 – 4:30PM

LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM

BRAINERD BOOK CLUB

4th WEDNESDAYS, 6:30PM   

This group is not staff-run but supported by the library. They meet the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm in BML’s large Conference Room. The book choices are eclectic as they try to select from diverse genres. Discussion is always friendly and expansive. All are welcome. BML orders books in advance which can be checked out as needed. Link to book info.

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 offers a pass to the:

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center!

Ask at the Main Desk, where all museum passes are held.

Open Library and Internet Archive

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

Building for the Future:  Book-a-Brick Renovation Campaign

BML holds 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

Link to Hill-Stead Museum Website

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, and decorative arts. Paintings include: Monet, Degas, Whistler, Manet & Cassatt.

Let’s Play!

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.

Libby by Overdrive