Welcome back to Behind the Stacks! We hope everyone is keeping warm and safe as this winter weather persists. We are excited to announce that we now have a Toy Library at our Ora Mason Library! This new Toy Library makes it easy and exciting for children to borrow a toy to enjoy at home. They simply choose a toy picture from the white board, bring it to the desk, and check out their special pick. With building toys, musical instruments, sensory items, and imaginative playsets to choose from, there’s something for every child to explore and love. This collection is made possible by a grant from Traveling Toys, a Connecticut non-profit organization! We hope to see you enjoying this collection soon!
We have a number of exciting events coming for the kids! At the Main Library, there will be a Black Children’s Book Week Scavenger Hunt starting on Feb. 23. Participants will win a small prize, learn about Black authors and illustrators through their picture books, and will also be entered into a raffle to win a copy of Mychal Threets new picture book, “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.” Danny the Firedog will be visiting on Feb. 24 at 10:30 am, along with Captain Jacob Urban of the West Haven Fire Department! Stop by for a story time with this dynamic duo to learn important fire safety tips and spoil Danny with pets and belly rubs! Finally, there will be a Black History month themed STEM challenge for grades 4-6 on Feb. 26. We will be making straw rockets and lunar landers in honor of Astronaut Mae Jemison and NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson!
At our Ora Mason Library, students are invited to spend the afternoon at the library learning about one of nature’s most fascinating creatures: Axolotls! Ashley from the Amphibian Reptile Center will be sharing her slideshow presentation, All About Axolotls, which will cover axolotl biology and conservation. She will also be bringing in live axolotl fosters in for attendees to meet. There will also be a “Pages and Parfaits” event on March 9 at 6 p.m., where attendees can celebrate Nutrition Month with a story and a snack! This will be a fun, hands-on program for kids in grades K-3 to listen to a food-themed story time and then build their own yogurt parfait with yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy toppings. Registration is required for both of these events, so make sure you contact the Ora Mason Library at (203) 933-9381 to guarantee your spot!
We also have some great events coming up for the adults! On Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. we have a representative from CommuniCare coming to the library to host a bilingual program called ¿Qué Es Salud Mental? What is Mental Health? This is an informal coffee hour where people can come in, enjoy some light refreshments, and speak with her about the topic of mental health. Anyone interested in learning more about this topic in a welcoming environment should feel free to stop in! Also in February, our Crochet club will be having their next meeting on the 27th at 11:00 am. This group meets once a month to share patterns, ideas, and advice while working on the current projects! Knitters and new crocheters are welcome to join in on the fun as well!
On March 18, we will be having an informational seminar on the topic of buying an investment property. This presentation will cover the financial benefits of buying a multifamily property and how you can use this property to generate consistent cash flow, diversify your income, and secure long-term financial stability. On March 24, paranormal expert Charles Rosenay will be hosting his presentation, True Ghost Stories of Connecticut – The Shaman & The Showman. Learn all about the haunted history of Connecticut’s most paranormal happenings and watch a display of real ghost hunting equipment!
And lastly, thank you to everyone who came out to the library to donate blood for the American Red Cross in January! We were so happy to see so many new and familiar faces that day coming into the library and donating blood to help people in need. We will be hosting another blood drive at the library on Wednesday, April 8, between 10-3. Registrations are now active, so you can sign up for an appointment anytime through the Red Cross website. You can also contact us at the library at (203) 937-4233 ext. 2 and we will be happy to sign you up for an appointment.