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 except the Coloring Club. For all adult programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.
Central and Eastern Europe - How Shifting Boundaries Have Affected the Search for Your Ancestors
Wednesday, May 12, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required
Central and Eastern Europe have seen an ever-changing set of borders, with countries growing larger and smaller, disappearing, and then reappearing-often with a change in names. It is important to know the situation in your ancestor's homeland at the time they left for America. Some of the information you discover might seem counter-intuitive. Knowing the history of border changes might clarify your search! Register here.
Baseball In American Culture: Literature, Song, Movies, The Stage, Radio, And TV
Thursday, May 13, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required
From Abbott and Costello to Moneyball, baseball has been an integral part of American culture since the end of the Civil War. Even though baseball is not as popular as it once was, its influence can be found in surprising places. Join us for this fun and informative lecture to learn more about America's favorite pastime from long time sports caster Evan Weiner. Register here.
Coloring Club
Monday, May 24, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required- Space is Limited
Welcome back to the Adult Coloring Club! Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is required. No walk-ins will be allowed. Register here.
Spy Mistresses of World War II
Tuesday, May 25, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required
Join us for this lively and engaging presentation about the history of women spies in World War II. Learn more about how these special women took dangerous risks, completed their missions, and served the allies. Register here.
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
Thursday, May 27, 1-2:30pm, Online, Registration Required
Join us to learn about Jackie Gleason, one of the greatest American entertainers of all time. With a bright and varied career as a stand up comic, situation comedian, dramatic actor, writer, director and producer, and arranger of music, Gleason appeared in vaudeville, night clubs, Broadway, was a stock player for Warner Brothers, and became a television icon, noted for the Honeymooners and the Jackie Gleason Show. Register here.
Virtual Adult Book Club
Mystery Book Club
Monday, May 10, 3-4pm, Online, Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Register here.
Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, May 12, 10-11am, Online, Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Register here.
Tuesday Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, May 25, 3-4pm, Online, Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. There will be copies available in hard copy at the circulation desk. Digital ebooks and audiobooks are available through Hoopla. Register here.
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 youth services 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, May 3, 10, 17, & 24, 10:30am, Online, No Registration Required
Join us every Monday morning except Memorial Day 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 Heather is here 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, May 5, 12, 19, & 26, 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 May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, All Day, Upstairs, No Registration Required
Stop by the Youth Services Department every Saturday to take a home a fun seasonal 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, May 4, 11, & 18, 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, May 7, 14, & 21, 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 on Friday afternoons. Catch us live or watch it later! No Facebook account required to view. Find out more on our website here.
Food Explorers: Southwest Taquitos (Ages 7 and Up and Their Families)
Thursday, May 13, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Katie, Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers and learn how to make Southwest Taquitos. This class will be conducted using Zoom. Find out the ingredients list and register on our website here.
Monday, May 17, 4pm, Online, No Registration Required
Join Miss Heather for an afternoon of science fun. This month we're exploring the science of colors and flowers while making a beautiful craft. 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!
Minecraft Inspired Bee Box Craft (for Grades 2-5)
Thursday, May 20, 4:30pm, Online, Registration Required
Miss Katie will share bee themed stories as we make Minecraft inspired square bees! Pick up your craft packet anytime after Friday, May 14 during open library hours. Find out more or register on our website here.
Special Events for Teens:
Teen DIY-to-Go: Felt Bird Bookmarks (Grades 6-12)
Starting Monday, May 10 while supplies last
Pick up complete kits to make a felt bird bookmark from the Teen Department starting Monday, May 10. International Migratory Bird Day was on Saturday, May 8 this year, but we want to celebrate birds the entire month. You can choose between two birds that travel to be in Connecticut: the blue-green tree swallow or yellow and gray Connecticut warbler. To find out more about the kits, visit our website here.
Food Explorers: Cheesy Broccoli Orzo (Grades 6-12)
Wednesday, May 12, 5-6pm, Online, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Katie, Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers to make Cheesy Broccoli Orzo for dinner! This im-pasta-bly good meal is as tasty as it is easy to prepare. Find out the ingredients list and register on our website here.
LitLoot: Book Subscription Boxes for Teens (Grades 6-12)
Sign Ups Start Monday, May 17, Registration Required- Space Limited
We are very excited to introduce our new book subscription boxes for teens! Get two book selections customized to you along with some extra add-ons in this box of book magic. Register and fill out our survey starting Monday, May 17. Your personalized box with two library books and extra goodies will be available to pick up from the library starting Tuesday, June 1. Spots are limited. Find out more, including how to register on our website here.
Virtual Craft Meetup: Felt Bird Bookmarks (Grades 6-12)
Monday, May 24, 4-5pm, Online, Registration Required
Join us on Zoom to work on your bird bookmarks 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.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library
May is a bright and busy month for the Friends of the Southbury Public Library with a Donation Day and a Pop Up Book Sale!
On Saturday, May 8 from 9:30am-3:30pm they will be accepting books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and books on CD. Please bring all donations around to the back of the library and to the basement rear entrance. Rather than collecting books from the front of the library, the Friends will be using our rear, basement entrance to accept all donations.
On Saturday, May 22 from 10am-3pm, the Friends are very excited to announce their Pop Up Sale on the Portico! This special $1 sale will be on the covered walkway portico in front of the main doors to enter the library.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library sponsor almost all of our fun virtual programs found on the calendar page of our website. In addition to their special Saturday, May 22 book sale, the Friends book sale area in the lobby is still open during library hours! 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.
Brinker Fireplace Room Display: Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
We are very excited that our friends at Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust have joined us to put up a vibrant display in the Brinker Fireplace Room! Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is a nonprofit organization focusing on environmental education and the acquisition, conservation, and stewardship of open space. Through its land trust initiatives, Flanders actively works to protect important natural sites and the area's landscape character and quality of life. Flanders manages over 2,400 acres of preserved land in Woodbury and neighboring towns. Trails at its seven major nature preserves are open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk. Educational programs for children and adults are offered at the Van Vleck Farm and Nature Sanctuary, Flanders' main campus in Woodbury.
Flanders' popular summer camp series opens June 7 and runs through September 3! Children can explore nature, art, agriculture, and ecology in a fun, healthy, and stimulating outdoor environment. From farming fun to outdoor explorations, art adventures or creative cooking, Flanders' summer camp offers more than 60 programs to keep children ages 3 to 13 entertained!
Flanders invites the whole community to come out and spend a fun filled family day exploring their farm and nature sanctuary on Saturday, May 22 from 11 AM to 4 PM during their Flanders Festival: A Celebration of Art, Farming & Nature! Come enjoy a picnic lunch and meet their brand new animal arrivals at the Flanders North Barn.
On June 4th at 6pm, Flanders welcomes all ages and levels to participate in their 6th Flanders Field & Forest 5K! Run, jog or walk through 3.1 miles of beautiful trails!
To learn more about Flanders and all their upcoming programs and events visit their website at flandersnaturecenter.org or call 203-263-3711.
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.