Summer Reading Time! Join our summer reading programs at chbooth.readsquared.com. We have programs for ages 4-fifth grade and grades 6-12, and chances to take part in summer fun challenges and win prizes!

Need book recommendations? Readers of all ages can get book recommendations at chboothlibrary.org/for-readers. If you need assistance getting a book, either online or through curbside pickup, e-mail us at help@chboothlibrary.com.

Children’s Programs

We will not have any in-person reporting this year for Summer Reading. Beginning on June 16, readers can grab a “summer reading bag to go” at one of the tables under the tent in front of the library during curbside pickup hours. Inside you will find beads you can string on a necklace, also included, to reward yourself for each book you read, and the details of our weekly summer fun challenges. Each week there will be a new set of challenges. For each challenge you complete, take a photo and e-mail your entry to summerfunraffle@chboothlibrary.org. Submit your entry by Saturday of the current week to earn a chance to win one of four gift certificates worth $25 each.

Celebrate the end of school and the start of summer by attending a virtual concert on Friday, June 19, at 3:30 pm, when Matthew Mazur of Turtle Dance Music performs live via boxcast tv. Join us for this novel 30-minute performance which will be include dancing, singing, imaginative storytelling, laughter, and a shared love for the public library system. Copy and paste the link in your browser to enjoy the show: bit.ly/3dO13xP.

Young Adult Programs

All programs are for grades 6-12 unless otherwise noted.

Summer reading began June 16. Sign up at chbooth.readsquared.com and log your reading until the end of the summer. Read whatever you want, and each week you’ll have a chance to win prizes. The more pages you read, the better your chances of winning. Follow us on Instagram at @chboothya for book reviews from our YA Librarian and teen volunteers!

The YA Summer Book Club will have its first virtual meeting on Tuesday, June 23, from 2 to 3 pm, on Zoom. In this meeting, learn how to sign up and take part in our summer reading challenge, join the conversation about what you’ve been reading lately, and what you’re looking forward to reading this summer. Registrants will receive a link to our video chat the day before the program.

How is this even real? Processing the Pandemic’s Socially Distant Life on Thursday, June 25, at 5 to 6 pm, on Zoom. Join Lia Levitt of Academic Architect for a forum for teens and their parents to discuss the recent changes to their education, social, and familial norms. Through an interactive discussion, you’ll learn key coping skills to process emotions and harness your energy and goals into healthy, tangible steps to move forward. This program is for middle and high school students and their parents/guardians. Please register to receive an invitation to the Zoom call the day before the program.

Adult Programs

Virtual Book Group III: Download our next selection, The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai, from theclub.hoopladigital.com. We’ll have a discussion via Zoom on Tuesday, June 30, at 7 pm. For more information and to sign up, visit chboothlibrary.org.

Adult Summer Reading begins Friday, June 19. This year will be a little different, since we won’t have physical prize boxes at the library, but we’ll still have the mini-reviews and virtual entries for prizes. Please visit our calendar to sign up (on the 6/19 date) so we can send you information about the challenge.

Reading Challenge June 2020: Adaptations. Since we seem to be living in a golden age of literary adaptations, both new books and honored classics, let’s read a book that’s been made into a TV show or movie. Find our recommended list on our “For Readers” page.

Reading Challenge Roundup, Tuesday, June 23, 7 to 8 pm. Have you been participating in the 2020 Reading Challenge? Do you miss the chance to talk with others about the books you’ve been reading and what looks good for next month? Check in with staff from the library and other readers at this virtual meeting!

That’s great, but how do I get my hands on books? The library continues to add more e-books and digital audiobooks to our collections, and you can also pick up items with our curbside service. There are several ways for you to request books. The best way is to use the Evergreen catalog with your library card as you are searching to see what you want. However, you can also text 475-215-2754; call 203-426-4533; or chat/e-mail from our website — just click Ask A Librarian. Don’t know what you want? Contact us and we’ll make some recommendations.

When your items have been retrieved, you will be contacted to set up a pickup time at the tent on our front lawn on Main Street. Pickups are by appointment only Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1 and 4 pm. Thursdays we provide the service from 1 to 7 pm, and we now do Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.

Please let us know if you require assistance or your items delivered to your trunk.

For staff and patron safety, we do not accept returns at curbside.

In order to safely receive returns, the library has closed its book drops temporarily and set up drop off days and times. Return times are Tuesdays, noon to 4 pm; Thursdays, 3 to 7 pm; and Saturdays, 10 am to 1 pm. Come to the back parking lot and go to the POD of the day to drop off your items. These returns days are dependent upon the weather, so if rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast, contact us first.