Children’s Programs

*New This Week: Drama Workshop with Leland Kellogg: Professional actress Leland Kellogg will conduct a week-long drama workshop for children ages 7-10. The participants will meet from 2 to 4 pm, the week of July 7-12.

The focus for this session will be an original play on endangered species. Children will be involved in all aspects of production. Class size is limited to 15. Charge for this program is $20, due upon registration. Additional costs are being funded by the Friends of the Library. Sign up in the children’s department.

*P.J. Family Story Time and Puppet Show: Join us for our first P.J. Time on Wednesday, July 9, at 6:30 pm, in the library’s meeting room. Children ages 3 and up will enjoy stories, songs and a puppet show. Come in your PJs and bring your blanket. No registration is required.

*World Wise Story Time: Philomena Conti and Rabiya Ansari are leading a series of story hours this month for children ages 7-10 that will focus on habitats around the world. Children will explore the people, plants and animals that live in the tundra, forests, grasslands, and deserts of the world.

The classes will run from 11 am to noon and are scheduled for Thursdays in July. Registration is required for each session. Class size is limited to 20 students, and registration is open.

Classes and their focus will be as follows: July 10, deserts; July 17, grasslands; and July 24, forests.

Young Adults Programs

*Nutmeg Book Discussion: On Wednesday, July 16, at 4 pm, we will talk about Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, a story of how a young Mexican girl finds a way to rise above the circumstances of a family tragedy. Books are available now in the Young Adult Area.

Check one out and sign up at the main floor circulation desk or by calling 426-4533. This program is for ages 10 and up or students entering fifth grade or higher in the fall (no younger siblings, please).

*Poetry Workshop: Join us on Tuesday, July 22, from 3 to 4:30 pm, when published poet Thalia Marakas will work with ages 10 and up (or entering fifth grade or higher in the fall). Curious beginners to experienced writers are all welcome to join in this exploratory, creative afternoon. The workshop is limited to just 15 students. Register at the main floor circulation desk or call the library.

Adult Programs

*Book Discussions at the Library: A variety of book groups meet every month at the library which are open to the public. On Monday, July 14, the daytime group will get together at 1 pm to discuss Road from Coorain by Jill Kerr Conway and then on July 15 at 7 pm the Mystery Group will discuss Dying for Chocolate by Dianne Mott Davidson.

*Computer Classes: Dan Tannenbaum of Newtown Computer Training Center will return to the library on Saturday, July 12, from 9 am to noon, to teach a computer class for the true beginner. The focus will be on keyboard keys, shortcuts, and functions keys. Mouse skills will also be emphasized.

A class for intermediate users will be offered on July 26, also from 9 am to noon. This class will focus on more advanced Web issues including downloading files, saving pictures as well as topics related to email.

Pre-registration is required for both classes and a $10 fee is required for the intermediate class. Call the library for more information.

*Summer Concert Series: Bring a picnic basket and your lawn chairs and spend a happy hour or so listening to some homegrown local musical talent on the lawn behind the library. The series continues this year on Friday, July 18, with a performance by Washboard Slim and the Blue Lights, and then concludes on Friday, August 15, with The Golden Angels Jazz Band.

Concerts take place at 7 pm. In the event of rain concerts will be moved inside the library.

Call the library at 426-4533 to register for any of its programs or for additional information. The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Friday from noon to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The library will be closed on Sundays until Labor Day.