Adult 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. For all virtual adult programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.
Willie Niniger and Jan Scruggs Celebrate the 60s Concert
Friday, June 2, 7-8:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required (Waitlist only)
Come to kickoff our summer series and listen to the songs of 1960s. Willie and Jan return to the Southbury Public Library to perform a variety of favorites from the decade, including Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, Sonny & Cher, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor and Carole King and more! To register, click here.
Improve Your Smart Phone Photography, Improve Your Marketing
Tuesday, June 6, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Good photographs share information about your business instantly. Learn to recognize the difference between a powerful image and an ineffective photo. Understand the three elements that your photos need to engage the viewer. Simple tools and an inexpensive app on your phone will tweak and improve all your images. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.
Drum Away the Blues with Craig Harris
Tuesday, June 13, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join percussionist, author, and Washington, DC radio host Craig Harris for a fun-filled, stress-relieving mix of songs, stories, and participatory music-making. To register, click here.
Juneteenth: The History
Thursday, June 15, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us as we explore the history and origins of America’s most recent addition to our national holiday schedule. It’s the 11th national holiday and the first authorized in the 21st century. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.
A Poetic Immersion with Billy Collins
Thursday, June 15, 6:30-8:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join Southbury's poet laureate in a poet immersion celebrating the poetry of Billy Collins. Bring your love of poetry, your love of Billy Collins, and your favorite poem or two or three to share. Dubbed “the most popular poet in America” by Bruce Weber in the New York Times, Billy Collins is famous for conversational, witty poems that welcome readers with humor but often slip into quirky, tender, or profound observations on the everyday, reading and writing, and poetry itself. Come join in the craft, the humor, the wit, the brilliance of Billy Collin's poetry. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.
Brian Gillie's "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll"
Friday, June 16, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us for an afternoon of interactive retro-groove of singing, dancing, history, stand-up piano playing, original sound bites, radio commercials, impersonations and attitude. Explore the story of rock’s first fifteen years and its evolution through gospel, rhythm & blues and country and western. Meet the singers and rock groups from doo-wop, Motown, girl groups, surfin’, soul music, novelty songs and more; Little Richard to Coasters, Chuck Berry to Beatles, Elvis to Four Seasons. To register, click here.
In Their Own Words: Songs of Our Seafaring Traditions
Saturday, June 17, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us for a performance of music from the English-speaking maritime world during the period from the 1790s to the 1930s. Mariners developed sea chanteys to coordinate shipboard work and composed songs to sing at leisure. In doing so they described their lives and expressed their thoughts and opinions. Learn more about the lives of deep-water sailors, fishermen, whalers and others who made their living at sea. To register, click here.
Give My Regards to Broadway
Friday, June 23, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Sit back and enjoy a musical journey down "the Great White Way" as jazz pianist John Brighenti performs a selection of iconic Broadway tunes. To register, click here.
History of Connecticut Schoolhouses
Saturday, June 24, 1-2:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us for returning local author Melinda Elliott to discuss her book Connecticut Schoolhouses Through Time as part of the 350th History Series at Southbury Public Library. Learn more about the history of Connecticut schoolhouses, with a focus on Southbury schoolhouses. To register, click here.
Coloring Club
Monday, June 26, 2-3:30pm, Brown Room, Registration Requested
Welcome to the Adult Coloring Club! Join us for a relaxing hour of therapeutic coloring in the Brown Room. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is requested. To register, click here.
Gay Pride: More Than a Parade
Tuesday, June 27, 7-8:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required
What started as an angry mob's riotous reaction to a police raid in 1969 ignited the gay rights movement and has over time grown to become an annual worldwide celebration. Join us as we examine how this phenomenon grew into a joyous tradition, including the annual parade that fills the streets of New York and other communities. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.
Defeating the Demonic
Thursday, June 29, 6:30-8:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join Ed and Lorraine Warren protege Jason Mcleod for an in-depth lecture concerning the most fascinating and frightening case of his 33 year career:The Science and Spirituality Behind the Case which became known as Dark Siege: A Connecticut Family’s Nightmare. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.
Wednesday at the Movies
Invitation to a Murder (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, June 14, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested
1934. Miranda Green and five other strangers, are invited to the remote island mansion of billionaire Lewis Findley. As the weekend progresses the clues about why they have been invited begin to unfold along with a sinister mystery. Register here.
Jesus Revolution (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, June 21, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested
The true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California. Register here.
80 for Brady (2023) Not Rated
Wednesday, June 28, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested
Inspired by a true story, a group of friends made it their life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady. Register here.
Evening at the Movies
Emily (2022) R
Thursday, June 8, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested
A journey into the life of Emily Bronte, one of the world's most famous, enigmatic, and provocative writers, who died, too soon, at age 30. Register here.
Spoiler Alert (2022) PG-13
Thursday, June 22, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested
The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship, which takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Register here.
Adult Book Clubs
The Southbury Public Library offers three book clubs: Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club, Nonfiction Book Club and Mystery Book Club. Join us for a discussion about this month’s books. Print copies are available at the Circulation Desk, there's no registration required and new members are always welcome!
Mystery Book Club
Monday, June 12, 3-4pm, Kingsley Room, No Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing Water Like a Stone, by Deborah Crombie. For more information, click here.
Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, June 14, 10-11am, Brown Room, No Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist's Memoir of the Jim Crow South, by Winfred Rembert and Erin I. Kelly. For more information, click here.
Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, June 27, 6:30-7:30pm, Brown Room, No Registration Required
This month we'll be discussing Trust, by Hernan Diaz, winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. For more information, click here.
Technology Help
Technology Help with James Chapin
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1pm, Reference Area, No Registration Required
Do you have technology questions or are you having issues with a device? Come by for help with local tech expert James Chapin. Feel free to ask your questions to our Reference Staff as well. For more information, click here.
Reference Technology Assistance
Did you know that the Reference Department offers assistance with mobile devices, downloading our e-resources, and more? If you have a simple question, stop by the Reference Desk more than an hour before we close and we can assist you. Like other Reference Questions, you may have to wait for a Reference Librarian to be available. If your question is more in-depth or you're not sure how long it will take, call the Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130 to inquire about making an appointment. Most of our assistance is related to answering questions about how to use a device, app, or website. We cannot touch your device directly, but instead we teach you how to do what you are looking for help with. If you have a hardware question or very technical question, we recommend visiting James Chapin during his Technology Help on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm.
Children and Teen 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.
Children's Storytimes:
Drop-In Storytime (All Ages)
Monday, June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:00-10:30am OR 11:00-11:30am, Storytime Room, No Registration Required
Join Miss Jennifer for stories, rhymes, and a small craft every Monday. This is the same program offered at two different times. All ages are welcome. Find out more on our website here.
PJ Storytime (All Ages)
Thursday, June 22, 6-6:30pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required
Grab your PJs and a stuffie and join Miss Jen for a drop-in PJ Storytime! Listen to bedtime stories, songs & rhymes and complete a small craft. All ages welcome. Find out more on our website here.
Special Events for Children:
Open House Make or Take Craft (All Ages)
Saturday, June 3, 10, 17, & 24, All Day, Upstairs, No Registration Required
Stop by the Youth Services department Saturdays to make a thematic craft. Make it here or bring it home. Crayons and glue available in the library. Available while supplies last. Find out more on our website here.
ARTuesday (Ages 7 & Up)
Tuesday, June 6, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required
Summer Reading Begins!
Saturday, June 10, All Day, Second Floor and Online
Join us for the start of Summer Reading! You can register in person at the Second Floor Circulation Desk, or online with our easy-to-use tracker, BeanStack! Log your reading time, attend fun events, and participate in other activities! See our website here for more information.
Let’s Make Oobleck! Science with Dr. Seuss (Ages 4-7)
Thursday, June 15, 4:30-5:30pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required – Space Limited
Inspired by Dr. Seuss' Bartholomew and The Oobleck, we will be conducting a science experiment and creating the mysterious green substance known as Oobleck, which has both solid and liquid properties! Find out more and register on our website here.
ARTuesday (Ages 3-6)
Tuesday, June 20, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required
Join us for our new ARTuesday for Ages 3-6! Stop by for a playful, messy, and expressive art experience where there is no right or wrong. Come play and experiment with a variety of art mediums and themes. Smocks recommended. Please wear something you don't mind getting messy. Find out more on our website here.
Jack & the Beanstalk Musical Readers (Ages 8 and Under)
Wednesday, June 21, 11am-12:15pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required
Creating Musical Readers is a musical literacy program recommended for children ages 8 and under, developed and presented by the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. WSO musicians bring beloved children’s stories to life, reading aloud and playing their instruments as part of “story time” at public libraries throughout the region. Find out more on our website here.
Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, June 23, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for our first-ever Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.
Family Science Afternoon with the Connecticut Science Center (Grades 3-8 & their families)
Sunday, June 25, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us for a family science afternoon with the Connecticut Science Center! From 1-1:45, enjoy the Extreme Air Show! See the amazing power of air as we make objects hover in mid-air, break a board using only a ping pong ball, and explore the effects of the pressure that surrounds us. You’ll be blown away by our extreme air finale! After the show, enjoy some hands-on activity stations to explore these and other scientific principles! Find out more and register on our website here.
Monster Tea Party (Ages 5-10)
Tuesday, June 27, 3-4pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Miss Katie for a very special Monster Tea Party. You will experiment with acids and bases, share monster stories, and complete a craft. Wear something you don't mind getting dirty! Find out more and register on our website here.
Build Your Own Sticker Book: ICONS (Ages 7-12)
Tuesday, June 27, 4-5:30pm, Brown Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for a Build Your Own Sticker Book program! The ICONS Sticker Book contains 62 amazing, inspirational people from all walks of life in world history! Each sticker book contains 6 pages of stickers with detailed instructions for use. Find out more and register on our website here.
Imagine Nation: Bird Feeders (Ages 5-11)
Thursday June 29, 11:30am-12:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
This program is designed to educate children on ways they can help the bird population throughout the year. In this workshop, students will learn how to make bird feeders out of organic and environmentally friendly materials. Find out more and register on our website here.
Food Explorers: Mini Lemon Pies (Ages 6 & Up)
Thursday, June 29, 2:30-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Food Explorers for a delicious summer cooking program! You’ll be making Mini Lemon Pies: a graham cracker crusted, a delicious citrus filling of cream cheese and lemon curd, topped with homemade whipped cream. Recipe is nut free but will contain dairy. Find out more and register on our website here.
Tiny Food Explorers (Ages 2-5 & Caregivers)
Friday, June 30, 10:30-11:30am, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited (Waitlist only)
Join Tiny Food Explorers for some fun with food! Come and explore new flavors and textures while playing games all about food and MyPlate! You’ll make a hands-on healthy snack that even the pickiest of eaters will be keen to try. All snack ingredients will be nut free but may contain dairy. Find out more and register on our website here.
Special Events for Teens:
Summer Reading Begins!
Saturday, June 10, All Day, Second Floor and Online
Join us for the start of Summer Reading! You can register in person at the Second Floor Circulation Desk, or online with our easy-to-use tracker, BeanStack! Log your reading time, attend fun events, and participate in other activities! Find out more on our website here.
The Great Cereal Taste Off (Grades 6-12)
Monday, June 19, 2-3pm, Brown Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Cheerios, Cap'n Crunch, Wheaties and more! Which breakfast cereal will reign supreme? We'll sample a variety of cereals to figure out our favorites, and crown one cereal the best of all! Please note: wheat/gluten will be present in this program. Find out more and register on our website here.
Paint Your Pet! (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, June 20, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Create a portrait of your family pet with watercolor artist Nancy Roman! No experience necessary. All materials will be provided - paint, paper, brushes, etc. You will need a 5” x 7” photo of your pet (we can print it for you if you send it to us at least 24 hours in advance), and if you want to attend but don’t have a pet or picture, that’s okay! We will have some for you to choose from. Find out more and register on our website here.
Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, June 23, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for our first-ever Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.
Family Science Afternoon with the Connecticut Science Center (Grades 3-8 & their families)
Sunday, June 25, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required
Join us for a family science afternoon with the Connecticut Science Center! From 1-1:45, enjoy the Extreme Air Show! See the amazing power of air as we make objects hover in mid-air, break a board using only a ping pong ball, and explore the effects of the pressure that surrounds us. You’ll be blown away by our extreme air finale! After the show, enjoy some hands-on activity stations to explore these and other scientific principles! Find out more and register on our website here
Mad Science Monday: Magnetism (Grades 6-12)
Monday, June 26, 4-5pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join us for our first ever Mad Science Monday! Explore the wonders of magnets with a variety of hands-on experiments and demonstrations. Find out more and register on our website here.
Pride Perler Bead Bows & Bow Ties (Grades 6-12)
Wednesday, June 28, 4-5pm, Brown Room, Registration Requested
Join us to make perler bead bow ties and hair bows! We’ll have the supplies and patterns for a variety of pride flag color combinations, or you can make your bow/bow tie in any color combination you like (pride related or otherwise!). Find out more and register on our website here.
Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, June 27, 6-7pm, Tutor Corner
Teen Advisory Board meets the last Tuesday of the month. Currently, applications for Teen Advisory Board are closed.
Food Explorers: Italian Fruit Tarts (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, June 29, 4-5pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited
Join Food Explorers for a delicious summer cooking program! You’ll be making Italian Fruit Tarts, using fresh, seasonal fruit to create this yummy dessert, along with a tasty crust and lemony filling. Recipe is nut free but may contain dairy. Find out more and register on our website here.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library: Lobby Book Sale and Library Coffee Station
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library sponsor almost all of our fun virtual and in-person programs found on the calendar page of our website. For more information about the Friends, click here.
Lobby Book Sale
Year-Round, Open During Library Hours, Lobby
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library's Lobby Book Sale continues year-round! Located in the lobby of the Southbury Public Library, this sale features a wide selection of books for all ages, including Children’s, Cooking, Boutique, History, Biography, Fiction, Nonfiction, Special Interest and so much more. Open during library hours and refreshed regularly with new books, there's something for everyone at the Lobby Book Sale!
Library Coffee Station
Year-Round, Open During Library Hours, Lobby
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library's Coffee Station is up and running! Located in the lobby of the Southbury Public Library, just $1.00 gets you a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea! All proceeds go to the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.
Brinker Fireplace Room Display: Sustainable Southbury
This month, sustainability is on display in the Brinker Fireplace Room as Sustainable Southbury shares some of their recent efforts. This grassroots group is focused on sustainability efforts throughout the town of Southbury and the pursuit of the Town's accreditation as a Sustainable CT town. To learn more about Sustainable Southbury, visit our display in the Brinker Fireplace Room and their website here.
Artist of the Month: Betsy Rogers-Knox and Students
The Gloria Cachion Gallery at the Southbury Public Library will showcase the art of Betsy Rogers-Knox and some of her students. “Botanical Explorations” will be on display from Friday, June 2, 2023 through Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Enjoy the watercolor paintings of local botanical artists and gardeners who have created unique watercolor paintings inspired by our wildflowers and forests here in Connecticut.
The other artists included in this show are students of botanical artist Betsy Rogers-Knox and include: Nancy Dauz, Vicki Mulligan, Kim Doyle, Kate Pomeroy, Liz Mainolfi, Christine Doty, Mary Fracchia, and Claire Simler.
Betsy’s work has been shown widely in the US and exhibited in London at the Royal Horticultural Botanical Art Show in 2016 and 2019 where she won The Judges Special Award for her series of six paintings depicting Beckley Bog in Norfolk, CT. Her work has been exhibited at the 11 – 23rd ASBA Annual International Exhibitions in NYC and throughout the US.
Betsy has been teaching Botanical Art for 15 years to adults in her studio in Bethlehem, online, and at local venues in Litchfield County, including Hollister House Garden. Betsy also teaches online for the New York Botanical Garden.
She can be reached at: brogersknox@gmail.com or through her website: rogersknoxart.com
The exhibit will be open during regular library hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The exhibit will also be online as a virtual gallery here. Please visit our website to learn more.