What’s happening…

Masking in the library is optional but welcome. Thank you.  

Our Annual Appeal is underway.
Please click here to read our mailing, and click here to donate via PayPal.
Thank you!

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.

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

Culinary Club

Brainerd Book Club

Meets 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.

For more info contact Marijean at conradmarijean@gmail.com

The Haddam Writers Group

10  – 12 on Thursdays in the History Room.

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:

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center!

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!

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 rainy or hot to play outside, stop in and grab one of these games!

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

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

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, 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.

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.

Try Something New!  Click right Icon for more…

Get intelligent writing assistance from Microsoft Editor

River Runner

Spend a minute or two with River Runner, a site that allows you to “drop a raindrop” anywhere in the contiguous United States and then shows you a visualization of the downstream path to where the raindrop ends up.

How to Use Split-Screen in Google Maps

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

Open Library and Internet Archive

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

SkyView® Lite

Brings stargazing to everyone! Simply point your iPhone, iPad, or iPod at the sky to identify stars, constellations, satellites, 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.

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.