Welcome back to Behind the Stacks! We hope everyone is staying cool and safe as we roll into August. Did you catch us at the Savin Rock Festival? If you were on the ground and not flying high in a helicopter, you might have seen the West Haven Library’s booth! We gave out books, candy, stickers, and library swag, we registered Westies for library cards, and had tons of people participate in our “Guess the Number of Marbles” contest. Much to our surprise, the winner guessed the exact number of marbles in the jar with their guess of 382! What are the chances?! The winner will receive a Visa gift card–be on the lookout for more raffles and contests from the West Haven Library! Stop by the Main Library for another opportunity to win a small prize with our Adult Summer Scavenger Hunt! With the theme for the summer being “Level Up at Your Library”, we’ve got some visitors from the video game Legend of Zelda–cute little forest creatures called Koroks! If you find a Korok hiding around the first floor of the library, bring the little guy up to the main desk for a prize!
While we do love to have fun, we also know the importance of having informative, educational programs for our community to benefit from. For example, on August 9th a real estate representative will be giving a First-Time Homebuyers seminar. Join us in learning all about how the homebuying process works–this presentation will include an overview of the homebuying process, tips on putting your team together, understanding credit, loans, rates, and out of pocket expenses, as well and tips on what not to do! On Aug. 15 we will be hosting a DRS Table Event where representatives from the CT Department of Revenue Services will be available to answer questions related to Connecticut taxes and familiarize taxpayers with their new online portal, myconneCT, where you can file Connecticut tax returns, make payments, and view your filing history. On Aug. 18 you can attend our Youth Mental Health First Aid training which teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents. This program is led by MHFA Project Director, Erica Skoutas of Bridges Healthcare. Visit our website to register. On Aug. 20, you can stop by the library and speak with insurance agents to get answers to your questions about Medicare and learn about final expense planning, financial advice, and homecare. We will also be hosting several free and interactive ASL (American Sign Language) lessons taught by an experienced tutor! Lessons are designed for beginners and novices and open to all ages. We will be learning a variety of practical, necessary, and conversational signs. Check out our website or call the library to see what dates are available and sign up!
The West Haven Library also has a variety of ongoing clubs to join here at the library if you are looking to socialize with others in the community who share the same interests! Of course, there are several book clubs at both the Main Library and Ora Mason branch. Ora Mason also has a dedicated Quilting Club that meets on Monday evenings once a month! At the Main Library, you can join our Crochet Club (knitters are welcome too!) or try out new recipes with our monthly Cooking Club! This month, the theme for Cooking Club is finger foods–share a familiar dish with friends or use this as an opportunity to flex your culinary chops with something new! New Haven Zine Scene is also hosting monthly meet ups at the West Haven Library! Join us to make zines, read zines, and share zine joy with fellow zinesters! The library hosts a variety of crafts for adults each month. This month, join us for Lino Printing where you can learn how to create block prints from composition to drafting to carving linoleum to printing your new linoleum stamp. Choose a pattern as simple as a heart or make an etching as complex as a landscape painting! You can also sign up to make Jellyfish Bracelets–you will learn how to create your own handheld loom and use a “jellyfish” weaving technique to create your own bracelet! Registration is required for these crafts, as space and supplies are limited.
Lastly, it’s that time of year again where our volunteer group, the Friends of the West Haven Library, will be hosting its fall Fill-A-Bag book sale! On August 30th, you can come by the library and purchase one of our bags for $10 ($5 for the last hour of the sale) and fill it up with as many books as it can hold! The sale will be held from 10 to 2 at the Main Library.