Holiday Closing

The library will be closed Monday, October 11, in observance of Columbus Day.

Now On View

*Second Floor Exhibit: The Scrapbag Quilters exhibit “Common Object, Uncommon View” is on display through October 29 on the second floor of the library during regular library hours. Please stop by to see these one of a kind creations.

*Journey Within: Authentic Voice, a healing meditative art group, will present an exhibition it’s calling “Journey Within” this month. An opening reception is planned for Sunday, October 10, from 1 to 4 pm, and the collection will then remain on view until October 29.

Works by six members — Sharon DeJoseph, Scott Duggan, Amy Grigholm, Jackie Kelly, Jane Know and Marion Pierce — of the meditative art group that has been meeting for more than ten years will be featured. 

Children’s Programs

*Art Experiences: Artist and educator Randi Rote will inspire kids to create collages in the style of picture book artist Leo Lionni during two workshops.

Ages 5-7 can try their hand at this art form on Wednesday, October 13, at 4 pm. Ages 8-10 can they join Randi for their workshop on October 20, also at 4.

Class size is limited and registration can be done online. A $3 material fee is due on the day of the program.

*Science Fun with Bonnie Shugrue: Educator Bonnie Shugrue will conduct an “Icky Science” workshop on Thursday, October 21, at 4 pm. Ages 7-10 will have the opportunity to make and play with gooey mixtures and solutions.

A $3 material fee is due the day of the program; online registration is requested. 

*Halloween Craft with Marie Walker: Marie Walker will conduct a Halloween craft workshop on Monday, October 25, at 4:15 pm, in the children’s story hour room.

Children ages 6-9 will make a necklace and bracelet using Halloween themed beads.

Register online; a $3 material fee is due on the day of the program.

*Drawing Pumpkins: Artist Kristine Humber will lead children in a pumpkin drawing workshop on Wednesday, October 27, at 4:15 pm, in the children’s story hour room.

Ages 8-12 will use spray paint, coffee filters, yarn and markers to create their unique interpretation of pumpkins on a vine.

Register online; a $3 material fee is due on the day of the program.

*A Ride On The Magic School Bus: Mark your calendars! On Saturday, November 6, at 2 pm, world renowned author-illustrator Bruce Degen will be at the library to talk about his latest Magic School Bus offering, The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge.

We are very fortunate to have such an esteemed talent living in our community. Mr Degen will talk about the creative process and the research he did for the book.

Copies of Climate Challenge will be available for purchase following the presentation, which is recommended for ages 7 to adult. Online registration is requested.

Young Adult Programs

*Creative Writing: Poetry signups are open.

Liz Arneth, a retired English teacher and Newtown resident, will lead five group sessions for young adults in grades 6-8. The group is limited to ten students who either live or attend school in Newtown.

Sessions will meet Mondays, October 18 to November 15 (with a make-up session on November 22 if needed), 6 to 8 pm each week.

Students will be expected to attend all five meetings. Register online.

*Halloween Show: The teen drama group Mask & Wig Players will present their Halloween show, “Ghosts Among Us,” on Sunday, October 24, at 3 pm.

Inspired by a tour of the library attic, the young thespians in grades 6-12 are will perform their versions of local ghost stories and spooky tales. Please join us.

Programs For Adults

*“Mark Twain, A Book Discussion Series” with Julie Stern: In this year that will see the publication of Twain’s autobiography, so scandalous that it was kept under wraps for 100 years after his death, let’s read and discuss classic works by Mark Twain and see why he may well be the greatest American novelist.

Join us on Wednesdays at 7:30 for the following titles: The Prince and the Pauper, October 13; The  Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, October 22; and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, November 10.

*Book Groups: The Daytime Book Group will discuss Memoirs of an Invisible Man by H.F. Saint on Monday, October 18, at 1 pm; The Evening Book Group will discuss The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway on Thursday, October 28, at 7:30 pm; and The Nonfiction Book Group will meet to discuss Lost City of Z on Tuesday, November 2, at 1 pm.

Newcomers are always welcome at any of the library’s book discussion groups.

*Beading Classes I & II: Local artist Pat Martin will teach two classes on the art of beading.

Use beautiful seed beads, lovely crystals, foiled accent beads, and one of a kind blown beads to make a lanyard and/or earrings. Once you’ve learned a few simple techniques from Pat you’ll be able to make beautiful jewelry at your kitchen table.

Classes are limited to 12 each, and registration in necessary.

Beading I: Make a Lanyard will be on Thursday, October 28, at 7 pm, and there is an $8 supply fee due at time of registration.

Beading II: Earrings will follow on Thursday, November 4, at 7 pm, and there is $12 supply fee, also due at registration.

*Celebrating Chocolate: On Wednesday, November 3, at 7 pm, we will celebrate the wonderful world of chocolate with baker Maria Poirier Brandriff. Online registration is requested.

New Due Dates For Certain Items

Please note effective October 1, the following changes have been made to the length of check-out periods:

*All NEW books will circulate for 14 days, with two renewals if no one else is waiting. Fines will be 15 cents per day for overdues.

*All magazines will circulate for 14 days, with two renewals if no one else is waiting. Fines will be 15 cents per day for overdues

*All Non-Fiction and Educational DVDs and videos (these have blue dots) will circulate for 14 days with 2 renewals. Fines will be 25 cents per day for overdues.

*Check-out period length for all other materials will remain the same.

Why make the change?

As you may know we are part of the Bibliomation consortium of libraries, which includes such area libraries as Bethel, Brookfield, Monroe, New Milford, Southbury, Ridgefield and nearly 60 other public and school libraries in the state. Bibliomation is requiring these changes in an effort to standardize policies in the consortium. This will help eliminate confusion when materials are shared through interlibrary loan and help standardize processing of items.

A great bonus will be that the waiting lists for the newest, popular books will move much faster! We will do our best to make this a smooth transition.

Thank you for your understanding as we make these changes.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 203-426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings.