Library Programs for January/February 2022

Register now on the library's online events calendar for January/February programs at East Hartford Public Library! 

 

The East Hartford Public Library is open Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, and Sundays from 1:00 - 5:00 PM (from January 9 - March 27).

 

Wednesday, January 12, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Visualize your goals for the new year with a mixed media art collage! Register in advance for a supply kit, and we’ll craft together over Zoom. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Thursday, January 13, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Join us on Zoom and create your own video game world with Tinkercad. You’ll need a computer or tablet. For all ages.

 

Wednesday, January 19, 6:30 - 7:15 PM

Make a bright and cozy scarf with a length of fleece and yarn. Sign up to get a craft kit, then join us on Zoom to create together. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Thursday, January 20, 3:30 - 4:30 PM

We will use recycled papers to create unique, colorful beads for a bracelet or necklace. Register in advance for a supply kit, and we’ll craft together over Zoom. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Thursday, January 27, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Join us on Zoom and paint a winter wonderland. Canvas and painted provided. All you need is a paint brush and your imagination. Sign up is required at least 72 hours in advance. For all ages.

 

Friday, January 28, 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Make an out-of-this-world votive holder with a stained glass effect! Sign up to get a craft kit, then join us on Zoom to create together. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Wednesday, February 9, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Join us to make a Valentine’s Day gift for someone special! Sign up to get a craft kit, then join us on Zoom to create together. We’ll show you how to turn felt into a woven heart basket for tiny treats, or into a stuffed decoration. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Thursday, February 10, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Create a colorful card for someone special! Register in advance for a supply kit, and we’ll craft together over Zoom. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Wednesday, February 23, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Learn some simple sewing to create handwarmers for your pockets! Register in advance for a supply kit, and we’ll craft together over Zoom. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Friday, February 25, 3:30 - 4:30 PM

We’ll make a fun and funky scarf from old t-shirts with no sewing, just lots of cutting and creativity! Sign up to get a crft kit, hunt down some old shirts, then join us on Zoom to create together. For tweens, teens, and adults.

 

Thursday, January 13, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Calling all local history buffs! Join us for a night of East Hartford trivia. Come and show your town spirit by battling the Quizmaster on local lore. To participate, you’ll need two devices: one to access the Zoom program, and one to run the Kahoo! app (or website). Registration is required for this virtual program. Best suited for adults and teens.

 

Tuesday, January 25, 6:30 – 7:30

Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 – 7:30

Join us each month to connect with local authors. Learn about them, their books, and their journeys to publication. Each session will be recorded and archived on the library YouTube channel for later viewing. Are you an author interested in participating? We welcome local (Connecticut) authors who write for all audiences—children, teens, and adults—to join this celebration of local literary talent. Preference for participation is given to East Hartford authors. To learn more, or to sign up as an author, e-mail adult services librarian Rolande Duprey: rduprey@easthartfordct.gov. To register as an attendee, visit the library’s events calendar.

 

Wednesday, January 12, 4:00 - 4:45 PM

Wednesday, February 16, 4:00 - 4:45 PM

Who loves comics and graphic novels?? We do! In January, we’ll explore adventure stories. In February, we’ll explore the stories you love! No assigned reading for either month. Please come prepared to talk about what you like. Best suited for children ages 8 - 12.

 

Tuesday, January 18, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Do you have young children at home? It’s time to start thinking about preschool for the 2022 - 2023 school year. Application deadlines are drawing near! Join us for live online presentations for area preschools and daycare centers, including CREC and magnet schools, to learn more about their programs. RSCO applications are due by January 31. Get information on curriculum, costs, locations, and how to access application materials. Visit our website for an up-to-date list of area schools and centers that will be represented.

 

Monday, February 14, 3:30 – 4:30 PM

Pick up supplies from the library in advance for this fun craft! This week we are decorating Valentine cupcakes! If you want to do the craft with us and catch up with your friends, we will host an optional Zoom meeting. For ages 9 - 12.

 

Tuesdays

January 4, 11, 18, & 25

February 1, 8, & 15

6:00 – 7:00 PM

Want to change the world? Join our club and learn computer science skills from your peers and library staff. When you join, you’ll learn to code from fun and simple online coding tutorials from Girls Who Code, build community through interactive activities, and learn about inspiring role models. No coding experience necessary, all are welcome. For grades 6 – 12.

 

Thursday, February 10, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Create some paper art in person! We’ll be cutting designs with the Sihouette Cameo and making dimensional art. For all ages.

Staff member: Marc

Registration limit: 10

 

Thursday, February 24, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Create your own masterpiece painting to take home. We’ll have all the supplies, just make sure to dress appropriately in case it gets messy! For all ages.

Staff member: Marc

Registration limit: 10

 

Friday, January 28, 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Friday, February 25, 9:30 –11:30 AM

Are you thinking of taking the next step and opening your own small business? Are you in business already and interested in learning more about the resources available to you? Join us at the library on the fourth Friday of the month between 9:30 – 11:30 for Small Business Support open hours. Learn about help available for both aspiring and established small business owners, and speak with a representative from the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 400 members in East Hartford, Marlborough, and Glastonbury. In the event of inclement weather, the Open Hours will be moved to a virtual format. Register for a reminder, and to be notified of event updates, including featured partners for each session. Walk-ins welcome! Small Business Support Open Hours are sponsored by the East Hartford Public Library, the Town of East Hartford Development Department, and the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

 

Thursday, February 17, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Join local artist Georges Annan-Kingsley for a conversation and discussion about his works that will be on display at the library from January 31 to March 3, 2022. Georges’ work reflects a diversity of traditions, themes, and backgrounds. Please register for a reminder.

 

Begins January 3

Brrr...it’s cold outside! Come inside and see if you can find the penguins hiding in the Children’s Department during the month of January. Make sure to pick up some great books about penguins and other cold weather animals before you head out! Stop by the Children’s Desk to participate.

 

Tuesday, February 1 - Saturday, February 5

We love the library and know you do, too! Join us for activities all week to learn more about what East Hartford Public Library offers you and your family. Come do our scavenger hunt and see if you can find the hearts spread out around the Children’s Department. Drop in to decorate a heart for the library and one to take home. Sign up for a free library card! Make sure to pick up some great books about kindness, love, and sharing before you head out. Stop by the Children’s Desk to participate. Best suited for families with children ages 3 years and older.

 

Saturdays, January 29 & February 26, 11:00 AM - noon

Come read to the library’s furry friends! Members of the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs group will be here with their dogs. Reading aloud to a dog can improve fluency, confidence, and comfort around dogs. Children and teens can sign up to read to a dog for 15 minutes. Bring your own book or borrow one from the library! Readers and dogs will be spread out throughout the Children’s Department for social distancing and seated on blankets. Chairs will also be provided. Registration is required. Best suited for children ages 5 and up who are reading independently.

 

 

Co-sponsored by Propel East Hartford and the East Hartford Black Caucus

 

Did you know that East Hartford has the second highest diversity index in Connecticut? The diversity index tells us the chance that two people chosen at random will be from different racial and ethnic groups. Learn from your diverse neighbors and share your own story through participation in a Living Room Conversation on Race & Ethnicity at the library.

 

Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Each session will gather 4 - 7 people for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share and learn, and be curious. 

 

No preparation is required. Identical sessions will be held daily from Sunday, February 6 to Thursday, February 10, as well as a special session for teens (13 – 18) held on Tuesday, February 22. Sessions will be offered in person or via Zoom (see individual program listings). Register for the session that is most convenient for your schedule. 

Propel East Hartford is a stream of programs and services for people who want to make a difference in East Hartford. To join the Propel mailing list, e-mail Sarah Kline Morgan, library director: smorgan@easthartfordct.gov

 

To learn more about the East Hartford Black Caucus, e-mail easthartfordblackcaucus@gmail.com

 

Sunday, February 6, 2:00 PM (in person)

Monday, February 7, 2:00 PM (virtual)

Tuesday, February 8, 6:30 PM (in person)

Wednesday, February 9, 10:00 AM (in person)

Thursday, February 10, 6:30 (virtual)

Tuesday, February 22, 6:30 PM (virtual)(teens)

 

The Raymond Library is located at 840 Main St., East Hartford, CT. Library staff can be reached by phone during library open hours at 860-290-4330.