Welcome back to Behind the Stacks. First and foremost, we’d like to give a huge shout out and thank you to our incredible children’s librarians, Ms. Amy, Ms. Amanda, Ms. Carrie, and Ms. Tatiana, for a wonderfully fun (and funny) Summer Reading Finale last week.
Held outside the Main Library, this event hosted dozens of children with their families for face painting, games, and activities. Kids were invited to take part in many summer crafts such as sand art, hand-fan decorating, and a community lantern painting art installation. And of course, no summer event would be complete with a bubble station. Winners of our Summer Reading Challenge and Scavenger Hunts were also presented with our gift basket and gift card giveaways. They also got a chance to explore our current Bookmobile and meet our Outreach Librarian, Melissa. In addition, this is the second year in a row that kids who complete their summer reading get the coveted opportunity to “Pie a Librarian” — and pie us, they did. The results were lots of laughs and smiles from children and adults alike, and an abundance of Wet Wipes for clean-up. Thank you to the Friends of the Library and Sandy Point Neighborhood Association for sponsoring so many of our Summer Reading events–the library could not offer so many fantastic children’s events without your support.
Speaking of the Friends of the Library, we are just about two weeks away from our Fill-A-Bag book sale being held on Sept. 5. This volunteer-run sale is one of Friends largest fundraisers throughout the year. The way it works is simple: purchase one (or more) of our bags for just $10 each and fill them up with as many books as they can hold. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. sharp.–Arrive right on time for the best pick of the selection. At 1 p.m., the price of bags will drop down to $5 for the remaining hour of the sale. All proceeds from these sales come right back into the library, as the Friends fund many events and programs, along with purchasing our Museum passes. Save the date and spread the word.
Join us on Aug. 26 and again on Sept. 2 for our two-part series Weathering the Storm: Get Prepared. This NOAA-funded workshop series is designed to help older adults prepare for severe weather events. Learn simple, practical strategies to stay safe before, during, and after storms, flooding, high winds, and power outages. Participants will learn how to create a personalized emergency plan, build an effective emergency kit, stay informed, respond to weather alerts and learn to prepare for unique needs, including pets. Older adults, caregivers, and those who support them are encouraged to attend. Members of the general public are also welcome.
Hosted by UConn Extension in partnership with the West Haven Library, this series provides tools and resources to help protect you and your loved ones.
As a reminder there is still time to contribute to our Food Drive for WHEAT of West Haven. The library will be collecting non-perishable food donations for WHEAT until Aug. 31. Donated items can be dropped off at either the Main Library on 300 Elm St., or the Ora Mason Library on 260 Benham Hill Road. All donated items will be delivered to WHEAT and given out to community members in need. Please contact us with any questions.
On Friday Sept. 11, join us at the West Haven Public Library for a blood drive hosted by the American Red Cross. This blood drive will take place from 10 to 3. To schedule your blood donation appointment, please sign up online through the Red Cross, call the library at (203) 937-4233 ext. 2, call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. You can also stop by the library or email wmcirc@westhavenlibrary.org. Appointments are preferred to guarantee your spot, but walk-ins are also welcome. Please contact us with any questions.