What’s happening…

During extreme heat events, the library functions as a cooling center during our regular open hours.  Please feel free to come in and enjoy a cool beverage or watch a film.

The “BML Florists” are selling their lovely floral arrangements. [$5-$10]  Stop by to pick up a vase of bright summer flowers for your table – or to brighten someone’s day! If you contact the library, Jenny will make you one with flowers currently blooming in our gardens. 

Plant Sale Continues! We still have some lovely plants donated by the Garden Club, Friends, staff, and Trustees. These include: irises, sedum, tomato & pepper seedlings, strawberries, daylilies, & perennials. Prices range from $1 – $8. 

Adult Summer Reading

Reverse Book Club

Tuesday, Jul. 8, 6:00-8:00pm

Join us at 6pm to discuss any books you’ve read for Summer Reading.
Light refreshments will be available.

BML is Excited to Welcome the Higganum Farmers Market!

Wednesdays 4:30, June 4th – Sept 17th

The library continues to partner with the Farmers Market, on a weekly basis.  So while you’re enjoying perusing the wonderful local products, stop by the Library & Friends’ tables.  They will provide activities & crafts, as well as many free materials to take home.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone!

Drop-in Crafts – Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30

Patrons asked for an adult daytime craft program.  We’re pleased to provide projects in our bright comfortable library!

Wednesday, July 2 1:30-3:30pm

Come by to make a fun and bright flower from paper leaves and spiral flowers.

Puzzle Club – 1st & 3rd Mondays  11 – 1

No need to go out after dark.  Come in, relax, socialize, & create!

Wednesday Evening Crafts 

Let’s Have a Tea Party! (& Craft a Fascinator)

Wednesday, Jun. 25, 6:00-8:00PM

You are cordially invited to a Brainerd Tea Party, complete with refreshments.  Come dressed in your finest tea party outfit, and craft a fascinator if you please! Please bring your own teacup or mug. All Ages are welcome. Register here.

Christmas in July

Wednesday, Jul. 16, 6:00-8:00pm

Let’s get started on ornaments!  Make a fabric patchwork ornament
and swirled paint ornaments.  All materials provided. Register here.

Culinary Club: Library Recipes!

Wednesday, Jul. 9, 6:30

Come and join this fun themed potluck. Share your recipes and talk about your favorite foods. This month attendees will bring a dish made from a cookbook at the library! If you need help finding one, come on down to the library and ask any time.

Birding Backpack Available to Borrow!

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County presented BML with a birding backpack.

It includes: binoculars, birdsong, bird ID & bug guides, bug collector kit, information & ideas for exploring nature, and outdoor scavenger hunt cards. This backpack is available for patrons to check out and take along on a nature & birding adventure.  Ask at the circulation desk to borrow!

The Book Nook has returned [in its usual location in the back corner] with some enjoyable and interesting titles for perusal and purchase.  Maybe pick up some surprises for family and friends!  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.

Genealogy Club members are welcome to meet and share materials.  There are no formal workshops or instruction at this time.

Here is a link to Ancestry.com to begin your family searches.

Booklist Reader is here!

Booklist Reader is a magazine that features diverse readers’ advisory recommendations for readers & listeners of all ages. It’s filled with high-interest, top 10 themed lists showcasing books you can read & check out now. Booklist Reader’s pages also provide read-alikes, trend alerts, & new releases, plus content from their partners; LibraryReads & PBS Books.  Copies of Booklist Reader at the check out area.  Don’t forget to pick up your copy!  

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

Brainerd Book Club

Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm   

This group is not staff-run but hosted by the library. They meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at a member’s home until the renovations are completed. Email Marijean for the location at conradmarijean@gmail.com. The book choices are rather eclectic as they try to select from diverse genres. Discussion is always friendly and expansive. All are welcome to join. BML orders books in advance which can be checked out as needed.  Click here for more 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 Children’s Desk, where all museum passes are held.

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.  When it’s too wet or 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.

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

JobNow

“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.