Welcome back to Behind the Stacks and Happy New Year, Westies. As we dive head-first into 2026, the West Haven Library has plenty of exciting events coming up to help you get your New Year started off right.
New to the Main Library this year is an event for our homeschool community–Home School Hangout. This casual library meet-up begins January 9th and is for homeschooled children ages 5 and up, and their families. Work on personal projects, play board or card games, connect, and meet new friends. Feel free to bring your own project, game, art, writing, crafts, or anything else your child loves. Stop in, stay awhile, and enjoy the community.
We will also have Energy Consultant and Realtor Jamie Dawn from Solar Homes 360 hosting an informational presentation on Saturday, Jan. 10 at noon. Anyone who has been considering solar panels or just wants to learn more about them and how they work can join in. Jamie will be covering how solar panels work, their impact on climate, the installation process, their cost, and how they can save money. This presentation is solely informational and there will not be any solicitations for sales at the event. Unable to make that date? Jamie will return to the library on Jan. 27 for an evening presentation at 6.
In new and very exciting news, we are partnering with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive on Jan. 12 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All donors will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. This also includes travel, hotel, $1,000 gift card, pregame activities, and more. Stop by and donate blood to help strengthen our community and help meet hospital and patient needs. Please contact the library at (203) 937-4233 or the Red Cross directly at 1-800-733-2767 to register for an appointment.
Stop by our Ora Mason branch on the Jan. 14 to meet Captain Jacob Urban from the West Haven Fire Department–he will be stopping by the library with everyone’s favorite furry firefighter, Danny the Fire Dog. Kids will learn important fire safety tips in a friendly, easy-to-understand way, then enjoy wagging tails, belly rubs, and plenty of silly doggy smiles with Danny. It’s the perfect mix of learning, laughter, and lovable dog energy–fun you won’t want to miss.
We will be having another CPR/AED class on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Ora Mason Library. This class will provide bystander training in performing CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and how to use Narcan in the event of an overdose. This class will be taught by an EMT and staff from Yale New Haven Health and Yale-New Haven Hospital. We will also be having this class on Feb. 24 at the Main Library and March 30 at the Ora Mason Library. Registration is required for all of these classes, so be sure to register online through our website or over the phone.
Local author Robin Cannon will be returning on Jan. 20 for another discussion of her book Into the Shallows Darkly. This crime drama is set in 1980’s New England and follows a young attorney investigating the sudden deaths of his uncle’s law partners, convinced that his uncle is the next target. Come enjoy a discussion and light refreshments.
West Haven Library is entering the New Year with the hopes of providing even more excellent resources and stellar customer service to our patrons. We here at the library are committed to our community, whether it’s helping find the book or movie you want, giving some technical guidance online, creating spaces for social and recreational connection, or simply being a third space where all walks of life are welcome with no expectations other than keeping the library a safe space for all. We wish everyone a prosperous and joy-filled 2026.
I’m looking forward to coming to the events at the library this year. I’m hoping there will be more art exhibits by our local artists for me to come & see.