Welcome back to Behind the Stacks! We had a wonderful time seeing so many of our patrons over the weekend at the Apple Festival–thank you to the First Congregational Church for putting together such a fantastic community event.
We gave out more than 100 children’s books, signed a few Westies up for library cards, and of course passed out some fun WHPL swag. Did you miss your chance to purchase a copy of WestHavenOpoly? These West Haven themed Monopoly board games make fantastic gifts and are available at the Main library for $10 each; all proceeds benefit the West Haven Rotary Club and the Friends of the West Haven Library. Many of you also participated in our Candy Corn Count–our new “guess how many in the jar” challenge for this month. The person with the closest guess will receive a gift card! We hope everyone had as great of a time as we did and we very much look forward to seeing you at more community events!
Beginning in October, the Main library will go back to being open until 5 p.m. on Saturdays. We will still be closing on Mondays at 5 for the time being. Both West Haven libraries will be closed on Oct. 13 in observance of Columbus Day. We will also be closed to the public on Oct. 20 for professional development.
These all-day staff meetings help us better serve the community by giving us an opportunity to educate ourselves on the latest library services, practices, and safety measures. We appreciate our patrons’ patience and understanding as we do our best to ensure we can provide Westies with the best possible service and resources.
The main library will be hosting an “Awkward Art” Drop and Dash event on the 6th and 14th of this month. Use whichever materials and mediums available to create art from a prompt by random selecting setting, subject, and action to create. Participants from the program have an opportunity to exhibit their Awkward Art in the library’s community “Bad Art Show” in November.
On Nov. 7, teens grades 6 through 12 have the chance to participate in our Teen Taste Testers: Candy Craze taste test. Registration is required as spots are limited.
On Nov. 15, stop by the library and speak with representatives from United Way of Greater New Haven! Learn about their programs that help community members living in greater New Haven to find local resources based on financial stability. Their local community navigators will help connect you to the right resources and community partners so you can achieve your financial goals. Also on the 15th, patrons can attend a First Time Homebuyers Seminar to learn all about the process of purchasing your first home.
Topics that will be covered in this presentation include: an overview of the homebuying process, putting your team together, affordability, credit, loans, rates, out of pocket expenses, and helpful tips on what not to do.
A new and exciting art exhibition has come to our Ora Mason library. Explore the Green Knights’ evolving story–from the last all-male class at Notre Dame High School to the start of a new co-ed era, this exhibition celebrates creativity, tradition, and change. Spanning from September 22nd to Nov. 19, this exhibit is free to the public and open to all! The exhibit itself will display the work from the last all-boys class.
The art reception on Nov. 10 will additionally show work from the girls from the new co-ed classes, symbolizing the changes and transitions happening at Notre Dame High School. Stop by Ora Mason to enjoy this exhibit.
Save the date for Oct. 4 –The Friends of the West Haven Library will be teaming up with Panera Bread in Milford for a fundraiser! Between 4-8, order from Panera of Milford and show the cashier our flyer, whether digital or a physical flyer, and 25% of proceeds will benefit the Friends! Flyers will be available at both library locations. You can even order online through the Panera app using the promotion code FUND4U to ensure a portion of your proceeds benefit the Friends. This fundraiser is the perfect excuse to splurge on some yummy food for dinner and a good cause! We hope to see some of you there.