April/May Virtual Programs

Virtual programs image
The East Hartford Public Library is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of virtual programs for the months of April and May. Enjoy our offerings from the comfort and safety of your own home!
 
Register for library programs by clicking the registration link listed for each program, or view our complete calendar of events. Library programs are free of charge and open to residents of all towns.
 
For families
School Break Business Tic-Tac-Toe
Support local businesses and learn more about the opportunities provided by your local library with School Break Business Tic-Tac-Toe! During April vacation, your family has a chance to win an exciting prize for participating in School Break Tic-Tac-Toe, co-sponsored by the Town's Development Department. To participate, pick up a tic-tac-toe card at the library, or print one out from the library's website (after March 29). Use the card to select three businesses that make a "tic-tac-toe" (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally). Visit each of them, and find Bug Byte, Pinion, and Creative Kid -- the Makerspace mascots -- in the window. Take a picture at each location, and post it to Facebook (tagging East Hartford Public Library) or Instagram (tagging ehplmakerspace)-- or e-mail them to us at ehpl-reference@easthartfordct.gov. Everyone who submits three photos will be entered into a drawing for one of five $50 gift cards to an East Hartford business, plus a free 3D print from the library's Makerspace. Bug Byte, Pinion, and Creative Kid will be appearing in local business windows from April 10 through 18, and entries must be submitted by April 18. The prize drawing will be held on Monday, April 19.
 
Dog Tug Toy
Tuesday, April 13, 3:30 PM
Learn how to make a knotted tug toy for your pup! Register in advance for a supply kit, and we’ll teach you step-by-step over Zoom. Tweens, teens, and adults welcome. Register here.
 
Talewise Presents Revenge of the Toxic Robot
*POSTPONED*
Celebrate Earth Day with this interactive storytelling presentation from Talewise (formerly known as Sciencetellers). When the town’s park is suddenly gated and locked, a group of friends decides to investigate. Their adventure leads them deep into the woods, where they are chased away by an eccentric robot powered by toxic sludge! For families. 
 
Fantasy Flowers
Tuesday, April 27, 3:30 PM
World still feeling a little dull? Join us to make brilliantly colored tissue paper flowers while we wait for the showers to end and the real flowers to bloom! For all ages, although under 8 should be accompanied by an adult. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up. Register here. 
 
Butterflies and Bows
Tuesday, May 11, 3:30 PM
Celebrate spring with paper butterflies and bows for someone special! Tweens, teens, and adults welcome. Register here.
 
DIY Seed Bombs
Saturday, May 15, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Get your garden ready for all your outdoor adventures! Pick up supplies from the library in advance. If you want to make your seed bombs with us, we will host an optional Zoom meeting. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up. For all ages. Register here. 
 
Worms and Compost
Tuesday, May 18, 3:30 PM
What happens to a pile of old leaves when you add a dash of time, some kitchen scraps, and a splash of moisture and warmth? Soil perfect for a garden! Pick up a kit to make your own mini-composter and join us to see how to get it started. Wash your hands well, then finish with a snack of worms and dirt. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up. Please note that this kit contains food items. For an ingredients list, e-mail Sandra Van Vooren at svanvooren@easthartfordct.gov. For families. Register here. 
 
Makerspace program: Augmented Reality Workshop
Thursday, May 20, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Dive into a unique artform where you can create your own augmented reality app you can share with friends! You will only need a computer and a smartphone. For tweens, teens, and adults. Register here. 
 
For young children
Stories and More!
Wednesdays, 9:30—10:15 AM
Join us for fun with stories, games, fingerplays, music, and more! Have a scarf or something soft to wave and a shaker or something that makes noise handy to use. Best suited for ages 2-6 years old. Click on each individual date to register: April 7, April 21, April 28 and May 5, May 12, May 19 (no program April 14 or May 26).
 
For teens
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 6, 7:15—7:45 PM
Tuesday, May 4, 7:15—7:45 PM
Join the library’s Teen Advisory Board. We’re looking for new members to speak up and share ideas on what they want in their library! For grades 8 – 12. Click on each date above to register for the Zoom link.
 
Bottlecap Magnets
Wednesday, April 7, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Spruce up your fridge with these colorful magnets! Pick up supplies from the library in advance. If you want to paint your magnets with us and catch up with your friends, we will host an optional Zoom meeting. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up! For grades 6 - 12. Register here. 
 
Youth Summer Career Bridging Workshops (week-long program)
Monday - Friday, April 12 - 16: two sessions per day: 10:00 - 11:30 AM and 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Are you between the ages of 16-24 years and looking for help finding a job? Join us for 10 workshops on building and writing a resume, finances, learning how to apply for a job, getting a photo for your LinkedIn, interviewing practice, participating in a job fair, and more. Workshops are sponsored in partnership with East Hartford CONNects, Liberty Bank, and Town of East Hartford Youth Services. Each session includes time to ask questions. This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library. Registration will open on Friday, March 19.
 
Teen Spotlight Series on Careers: Pharmacology
Tuesday, April 13, 7:15—7:45 PM
Join us each month for a chance to learn more about careers. Want to know more about pharmacology? Meet Dr. Nicole Clemons, who was raised in Manchester, CT and graduated from Manchester High School in 2013. She attended the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in Kingston, RI. After graduating from pharmacy school in May 2019, Dr. Clemons went on to do a PGY1 pharmacy residency program at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Through her residency program, she was able to explore her interests in oncology pharmacy. She began working for Yale New Haven Health at a Smilow Care Center in July 2020 and currently works at the care center at Saint Francis. Outside of pharmacy, Dr. Clemons' main interests are playing golf and technology. Sign up for the Zoom link to get your questions answered in real-time. Register here. 
 
Paper Bouquets
Wednesday, April 21, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Embrace spring and create beautiful paper flowers that never wilt! Pick up supplies from the library in advance. If you want to make your bouquets with us and catch up with your friends, we will host an optional Zoom meeting. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up! For grades 6 - 12. Register here. 
 
Baby Yoda Candle Holders
Wednesday, May 5, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
The force is strong with this one! Pick up supplies from the library in advance. If you want to make your very own Baby Yoda candle holder with us and catch up with your friends, we will host an optional Zoom meeting. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up! For grades 6 - 12. Register here. 
 
Teen Spotlight Series on Careers: Mechanical Engineering
Tuesday, May 18, 7:15-7:45pm
Join us each month for a chance to learn more about careers. Want to know more about mechanical engineering? Meet Jason Lee, Assistant Professor-in-Residence in the department of Mechanical Engineering at UConn for 7 years. He earned his bachelors at UC Berkeley and his masters and Ph.D. at UT Austin, all in Mechanical Engineering. Before teaching at UConn, he was a postdoc at MIT. He teaches project-based first year and senior capstone courses in addition to core courses like thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. He has worked on research projects related to polymer nanocomposites and nanofibers as well as manufacturing and aerospace applications. He is excited to see the work that SpaceX and NASA have done together over the last few years and is interested in getting involved in new projects like improving the dexterity in EVA (Space Suit) gloves. He is looking forward to an open discussion with students about the Mechanical Engineering department and hearing what students are interested in. Sign up for the Zoom link to get your questions answered in real-time. Register here. 
 
For teens and adults
Make & Mail a Card-a-Month
Thursday, April 1, 4:00 PM
Thursday, May 6, 4:00 PM
Join us on Zoom each month to create a cross-stitch greeting card. Register in advance for a supply kit. No experience necessary. For teens and adults. Click each date above to register for the Zoom link.
 
Makerspace Paint Night: 3D Woodcut Tree
Thursday, April 8, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Paint a standable woodcut tree. Great as a decoration for your desk or for hanging jewelry. Paint will be provided, along with the woodcut of the tree design. Sign up at least 72 hours in advance of the event so that we have time to prepare supplies for you. For teens and adults. Register here. 
 
DIY Book Nook
Wednesday, April 28, 6:30 PM
Create a one-of-a-kind book nook diorama for your bookshelf using recycled materials! Each kit will include everything you need to create this scene, including fairy lights for a cozy glow. For teens and adults. Register here. 
 
Poets’ Trees
Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
In honor of Arbor Day and National Poetry Month, poets are invited to submit videos of recited or performed poems, raps, or spoken word pieces celebrating trees. Poets Marilyn Johnston, Jane Schneeloch, John L. Stanizzi, and Elizabeth Thomas will be contributing poems. For more information about participating as a poet, contact Adult Services Librarian Rolande Duprey at rduprey@easthartfordct.gov. Please register, best suited for teens and adults. Register here to attend as an audience member. 
 
Stop-Motion Animation
Thursday, April 22, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Bring your drawings to life with stop-motion animation. All you will need is your smartphone and something to draw and color with. We will provide a camera stand, which you can pick up at the library. For teens and adults. Register here. 
 
May the Fourth be Medley! Trivia Night
Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
May the Fourth be Medley! Join us for an interactive night of trivia covering science fiction in all its forms: movies, TV shows, novels, short stories, music, and more! Come bring your trivia A-game and see if you can best the Quizmaster. Best suited for teens and adults. Register here. 
 
Makerspace Paint Night: Mother’s Day Design
Thursday, May 6, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Paint a unique Mother’s Day design just for mom! We will provide a wood tile, stencils, and paint. Sign up at least 72 hours in advance of the program so that we have time to prepare supplies for you. For teens and adults. Register here. 
 
Rainbow Wall Hanging
Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 PM
Brighten your space for spring with a macrame rainbow wall hanging! Register in advance for a supply kit. For teens and adults. Register here. 
 
For adults
Small Business 101
Tuesday, May 18, noon – 1 PM
Tuesday, May 25, noon – 1 PM
Are you thinking of taking the next step and opening your own small business? Are you newly in business but need some support? Join us for these informative webinars sponsored in partnership with East Hartford CONNects and the Town of East Hartford Development Department. Presenters will include representatives from the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center, the University of  Hartford, Goodwin University, and the Town of East Hartford, as well as local business owners. Each session will include time for participants to ask questions. Registration is required. Register for one or both sessions by clicking the dates above.
 
Propel East Hartford
With funding support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, we are planning an exciting lineup of spring programs on civic engagement offered in partnership with Living Room Conversations. Stay tuned for more information! Propel East Hartford programs are for people who want to make a difference in East Hartford. To join the Propel East Hartford mailing list, e-mail Sarah Morgan, library director: smorgan@easthartfordct.gov