Welcome back to Behind the Stacks! We hope everyone is recovering well from what turned out to be the biggest snowfall our town has seen in years. As a warming center and a community resource, we here at the library take great pride in our commitment to our residents–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!
There is still space left for kids ages three to five to celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day on Feb. 7. Burn off some energy with Bring the Hoopla, a unique, high energy hula hoop program guaranteed to get kids moving and build their self-confidence, teamwork and creativity. No hula hoop experience necessary! Thank you to the Friends of the West Haven library for generously sponsoring this program.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the library joins in on the fun with our Blind Date with a Book display. Whether you’re celebrating the day with a partner, or flying solo, these fun displays let you cozy up with a good book that you may not have otherwise chosen. Each book will be gift wrapped and labeled with a heart that will give you a few key details about the title. Check out the book that appeals to you most and you will also get a sweet treat to enjoy when you get home and unwrap your Blind Date with a Book! Ora Mason will be adding to the fun with two separate chances to win a raffle prize: one by filling out and returning a Rate Your Date card after you read your Blind Date book, and one by selecting titles by black authors in honor of Black History Month.
Children are invited to celebrate Black History Month at Ora Mason by helping create a community quilt inspired by the famous quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Created by African American women using fabric from everyday life, these quilts are an important part of Black history and are known for their bold colors, patterns, and storytelling.
The Main Library will also host Black History Month events for children and adults alike. All month, children can pick up a Take & Make Peace Bracelet kit while supplies last. Beginning Feb. 23, celebrate Black Children’s Book Week with a scavenger hunt through the Children’s Department learning about Black authors and illustrators and their picture books. Each participant will win a small prize and be entered into a raffle to win a BCBW tote bag and copy of Mychal Threets new picture book, I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.
Adults are welcome to attend our Black History Month Poetry Lounge (Open Mic Night) on Feb. 11. Join us for an evening of reading and listening to original poetry by poet Sister Deborah Elmore. Feel free to share your own poetry as well!
Up for a challenge? Pop into our Reference Department and take part in our Guess the Globe Challenge! Use geography clues and reference books to guess what year our globe was made (this globe has been in our Reference room longer than the staff!) and win a sweet treat and bragging rights.
While in the Reference Department, you can also challenge yourself or a friend to a game of Scrabble. And as a reminder, all West Haven Library locations will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16 for President’s Day.
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!