Welcome back to Behind the Stacks. The Friends of the Library want to thank everyone for the incredible turnout for our Fill-A-Bag book sale this month. Even after having to postpone it due to parking lot repairs, so many members of our community (and neighboring towns) showed up to fill their bags full of books. We had beautiful weather, unbeatable volunteers, and just the best interactions with our patrons throughout the day. Stay tuned for an announcement about an indoor, winter book sale the Friends are planning.
We mentioned in our last article that we are currently embarking on the process of building our new strategic plan for the next 3-5 years, and we are looking for your feedback to help guide us through this process. First, we have a 5-minute survey where you can answer questions about the library, our current services, why you do or don’t visit the library, what we can improve upon, and more. Paper surveys will be available at both library locations for anyone who prefers that format, and everyone who fills out a survey will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a free tablet. Additionally, we will be hosting community conversation groups where you can share your thoughts about the library and ideas for its future with us directly. These will take place at the Ora Mason Library on Oct. 27 from noon-2 p.m., and at the Main Library on Nov. 5 from 7-8 p.m., and Nov. 14 from noon-1 p.m. Please feel free to stop by and share your input, as well as fill out our survey. Your input will help us understand our community’s needs and priorities as we plan for what comes next.
Do you or does someone you know struggle with low-vision or blindness? The library has a monthly support group dedicated to supporting these individuals and sharing information. This event takes place on the third Friday morning of every month. Attendees can listen to speakers sharing information about services, chat with low-vision and blind individuals who understand the challenges you face and enjoy a supportive environment to make connections. Another support group the library will be hosting is Out of the Abyss: Suicide Support Group. On the last Tuesday evening of each month, this suicide prevention and mental health support group for young adults is hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). This group is a peer support space for individuals experiencing thoughts of suicide. Attendees can connect with others who understand and share their experiences and feelings, while building coping skills and resilience. Explore pathways towards healing, hope, and purpose in this safe space.
As many of you now know, you can access your account and manage books you have on hold through our Libraries Online app. What you may not know is that even if you search our catalog for the items you want and you do not see it available anywhere in our system, all hope is not lost. Our library is a part of a consortium that includes over 30 other libraries in Connecticut that we share items with. Our catalog reflects only the items within this consortium; meaning there are still dozens of libraries in the state we can use to search for your desired book, DVD, or other circulating items. We can do what is called an Interlibrary Loan, where we put in a special request to an outside library and see if they are willing to lend the item to us. So don’t fret if you don’t immediately see the item you are looking for–ask your friendly neighborhood library worker for some assistance and we will do our best to get you what you need.
As we approach the end of October, often dubbed “Spooky Season” by those who enjoy their fair share of Halloween hijinks, there is still time to check out our book displays for the month. Ora Mason has a book display dedicated to movie thrillers, while the Main Library has a whole display of spooky stories in the Circulation Department for adult readers. The Children’s Department, also known as the Graham Room, is proudly displaying their Halloween and Dio de los Muertos related books.
Kids can also get in the Halloween fun with our Outdoor Story Walk at the Ora Mason Library from Oct. 26 through the 30th. Drop by any time during regular business hours for an outdoor story walk featuring Halloween Scare in CT, written by Eric James and illustrated by Marina Leray. This event is family-friendly and recommended for ages 4 and up. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged, but please, no spooky masks. Stop by the Circulation Desk for a Q&A sheet, follow the story, and return your completed sheet for a participation prize. Finally, kids 4 and under can stop by the Main Library on Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m. for our Storytime Costume Parade. Enjoy a story time and costume parade through the library followed by mini pumpkin decorating in the Children’s Department. No registration required so feel free to drop in.
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