Southbury Public Library Announces April Events: Crafts, Books, History, Science and More!

Adult Virtual Events

Information and Registration: Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130

All programs require registration unless otherwise noted. The majority of programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget. Until further notice, all programs will be virtual. For all adult programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.

Lincoln's Inaugural Address
Tuesday, April 6, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Join us to learn more about the speech of Abraham Lincoln. The year 1861 was a tumultuous year for the United States, and President Lincoln's Inaugural Address discussed many of the complex issues of the time. Register here.

Pollinators in My Backyard
Tuesday, April 13, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required

Victor DeMasi, lepidopterist, will take you on a sunny day walk through his pollinator meadow in Redding, Connecticut. Along the way, we will view some of the rare and common species he has seen there in 40 years of stewardship. Register here.

The 19th Amendment: A Tale of Suffrage, Sacrifice, and Success
Tuesday, April 20, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required

Join us for this lively and engaging presentation commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Learn more about the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, a 72-year struggle for women to obtain the legal right to vote in all states without restrictions. Register here.

Debt Management and Credit Repair
Tuesday, April 27, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required

Are you concerned about your credit? Do you need help managing your budget? Are you telling yourself, "I'll worry about the bills later." If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" then it's time to reassess your financial health. If you are facing debt, it doesn't have to go from bad to worse. CT Department of Banking Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Titsworth will discuss ways to manage your debt and repair your credit the right way and avoid common mistakes. Register here.

 Virtual Adult Book Clubs

Mystery Book Club
Monday, April 12, 3-4pm, Online, Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Register here.

Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, April 14, 10-11am, Online, Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Register here.

Tuesday Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, April 27, 3-4pm, Online, Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing White Horses by Alice Hoffman. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Digital ebooks and audiobooks are available through Hoopla. Register here.

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Children and Teen Virtual Events

Information and Registration: Children/Teen Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 3

See below for information about our upcoming Children's and Teen Programming! All of our Children's and Teen Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget. Until further notice, all programs will be virtual. For all programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email reminder with the Zoom links approximately 24 hours before the start of the program.

Children's Storytimes:

Drop-In Storytime (All Ages)
Monday, April 5, 12, 19, & 26, 10:30am, Online, No Registration Required

Join us every Monday morning on the Youth Services Southbury Library Facebook Page. This storytime will be live at 10:30am and viewable after, with no Facebook account required to watch. Our Friend Miss Ann is back to share stories, songs, and a simple craft all themed around a different fun topic each week. Craft supplies can be picked up in the library after storytime and are available while supplies last (they go quickly!). Find more on our website here.

Storytime with Katie (All Ages)
Wednesday, April 7, 14, 21, & 28, 10:30am, Online, No Registration Required

Join us online on the Youth Services Southbury Library Facebook Page (live at 10:30am and viewable after, no Facebook account required to watch) for a special virtual storytime and craft. Miss Katie will share stories, rhymes, and songs geared towards toddlers and older. Crafts can be picked up in the library after storytime and are available while supplies last (they go quickly!). Find more on our website here.

Special Events for Children: 

Saturday Open House Take and Make Craft
Saturday April 3, 10, 17, & 24, All Day, Upstairs, No Registration Required

Stop by the Youth Services Department every Saturday to take a home a thematic craft (while supplies last)! Due to COVID-19 this program is Take & Make only. Find out more on our website here. 

Our Favorite Books (Grades 2-5)
Tuesday, April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 12-12:30pm, Online, No Registration Required

Join Miss Heather on our Southbury Library Youth Services Facebook page for a read aloud of some of our favorite stories each Tuesday afternoon. Catch us live or watch it later! No Facebook account required to view. Find out more on our website here.

First Chapter Friday (Grades 1-5)
Friday, April 9, 16, 23, & 30, 4:00pm, Online, No Registration Required

Join Miss Heather on our Southbury Library Youth Services Facebook page as we explore some of our favorite chapter books each Friday afternoon (except for Friday, April 2 when the library will be closed). Catch us live or watch it later! No Facebook account required to view. Find out more on our website here. 

Food Explorers: Strawberry Crumb Bars (Ages 7 and Up and Their Families)
Tuesday, April 6, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join Miss Carla, Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers, and learn how to make Strawberry Crumb Bars! This class will be conducted using Zoom. Find out the ingredients list and register on our website here.

STEAMonday: Rain Cloud in a Jar (All Ages)
Monday, April 19, 4pm, Online, No Registration Required

Join Miss Heather for an afternoon of science fun. This month we're exploring clouds and rain with a weather experiment - all in one jar! Tune in to our Southbury Library Youth Services Facebook page at 4:00pm to catch us live or watch later! No Facebook account required to view. Find more, including the ingredients list to follow along at home, on our website here!

Spring Bulbasaur Planting Craft (for Grades 2-5)
Thursday, April 29, 4:30pm, Online, Registration Required

Miss Katie will share gardening themed stories as we make a recycled planter and learn how to plant care for seeds. Pick up your craft packet anytime after Friday, April 23 during open library hours. Find out more or register on our website here. 

Special Events for Teens:

Math and Science Homework Help (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, April 1, 15, & 29, 4-5pm, Online, Registration Required

Do you have a question about your science or math homework, or do you need some help understanding a concept from one of your STEM classes? Join us Zoom for some one-on-one help! Triloshan is a senior at Pomperaug High School who has been tutoring in math and science since middle school and currently tutors at Kumon. He has experience in many AP math and science classes, and enjoys tutoring at all levels of STEM topics. Find out more or register on our website here 

Citizen Science Month: EyeWire (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, April 8, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited

Citizen science is the involvement of everyday members of the public in crowdsourcing scientific research, and April is Citizen Science Month! In this program, we'll be going over how to use EyeWire: a game that uses crowdsourcing to help map the retina in the game. By mapping neurons in EyeWire, you are helping with real neuroscience research at Princeton! Find out more or register on our website here. A computer and a device that can access Zoom are required for this program; if your computer can access Zoom, only one device is required. 

Teen DIY-to-Go: Macramé Sun Wreaths (Grades 6-12)
Starting Monday, April 12 while supplies last

Pick up complete kits to make a macramé sun wreath from the Teen Department starting Monday, April 12. This sunny craft was inspired by Shadow and Bone, a book series by Leigh Bardugo that is being adapted as a Netflix show premiering in April. This sun summoner inspired wall art can celebrate your love of the Grishaverse, or just be a celestial decoration. You can work on the kits in your own time, or you can wait and work on them together with us during our Virtual Meetup (see below for more information)! To find out more about the kits, visit our website here.

DIY Blackout Poetry on Zoom (Grades 6-12)
Wednesday, April 14, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited

April is National Poetry Month. Join us virtually to create black out poetry, a fun and easy way to make poetry and art, and upcycle old book pages. With blackout poetry, you take an already existing page of text and cross out all the words you don't want to keep in your poem. You can cross them out with straight lines, squiggles, or anything you like to create a unique mix between poetry and art. Kits with all needed supplies will be available to pick up in the library during open hours starting Monday, April 5. Find out more and register on our website here.

Food Explorers: Loaded Veggie Tot Nachos (Grades 6-12)
Monday, April 19, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited

Food Explorers is back! Join Katie, Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers to make Loaded Veggie Tot Nachos! We'll be making tater tots from scratch using your choice of either broccoli or zucchini, baking them until crispy, and loading them up with your favorite toppings. Find out the ingredients list and register on our website here.

Citizen Science Month: ZSL Instant Wild (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, April 22, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited

Citizen science is the involvement of everyday members of the public in crowdsourcing scientific research, and April is Citizen Science Month! In this program we'll be going over the Zoological Society of London's Instant Wild. Contribute to conservation research and get a rare glimpse into some of the world's wildest places. We'll go over how to use Instant Wild, and identify some animals together. No prior scientific knowledge is required, but you will need a smartphone, tablet, or computer that can access Zoom. Find out more on our website here.

Virtual Craft Meetup: Macramé Sun Wreaths (Grades 6-12)
Monday, April 26, 4-5pm, Online, Registration Required

Join us on Zoom to work on your Macramé Sun Wreath together! Have some company while you work on your project and ask any questions you may have. Registrants will receive Zoom log in credentials; register on our website here.

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The Friends of the Southbury Public Library

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library are sponsoring many of our fun virtual programs found on the calendar page of our website. In addition, the Friends book sale area in the lobby is still open! Stock is replenished daily. Gift-quality books, puzzles, boutique items, art history books, coffee table books, holiday books, cookbooks and audiovisual vinyl records, CDs and DVDs are available. Exact change or checks are requested as the library staff cannot make change and the Friends cannot accept credit cards for this sale. Set up with COVID shields for shopping protection. For more information how to contact the Friends of the Southbury Public Library click here. 

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Brinker Fireplace Room Display of the Southbury Volunteer Firemen's Association Ladies' Auxiliary

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Southbury Volunteer Firemen's Association is currently sponsoring an informative display about the group's services and activities in the glass display cabinet in the Southbury Public Library's Brinker Fireplace Room. The mission of the Ladies Auxiliary is to support the Southbury Volunteer Firemen's Association and the community. Their display can be viewed anytime during library open hours. If interested in becoming a member, participation is open to anyone at least 18 years of age. Meetings are held at 7pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month September through June at the Center Firehouse on Main Street South. To learn more about the Auxiliary and their upcoming events, like and follow them on their Facebook page @SVFALA. For more information on becoming a member, email the membership committee at SVFALadies@gmail.com or call (203) 262-0615.

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Gloria Cachion Art Gallery: Mike Berlinski

April 3 - May 26, 2021

Mike began drawing and painting at the age of seven. He is basically self-taught and works primarily with oil paints. Most of his paintings are painted largely outdoors, sometimes even completed on location. This type of painting is known as Plein-air or open-air. For the past twenty years that he has been a serious artist, this form of painting has become increasingly popular and practiced. Even some of his successful studio painter colleagues sometimes paint outdoors in order to more truly capture the light and colors.

Being an artist is not always an easy journey. It helps that Mike feels like a maverick, an explorer of the unknown and of what is possible both as expressions of what he sees and feels and the continuing unfolding of his abilities. He wishes he could say being born with talent makes for an easy life. He used to think that when he was younger. Then he committed himself to the work, finding out along the way that it is a tremendous amount of hard work and at times personal sacrifice. He goes on to say that it's okay though, because while it can be frustrating, many more times it's downright joyful!

Mike enjoys being an artist. He is grateful for all the nice thoughts, appreciation and interest in his work. So, he'll continue to develop and improve on his journey, happy for the opportunity to create and for the people in his life. Ultimately his goal is to share what he perceives as the incredible beauty of the natural world and hopefully some of the feelings of joy as well!

Mike has exhibited widely and in different venues throughout the state, including libraries, art galleries, and art associations. He has given art demonstrations and taught oil painting classes. He is currently accepting commissions as well.

The exhibit will be open during regular library hours April 3 through May 26, 2021. Please visit our website to learn more.

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