Winter Virtual Programs for All Ages from East Hartford Public Library

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The East Hartford Public Library is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of virtual programs for the months of December and January. 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 children and families
Stories and More!
Wednesdays, December 2—January 27, 9:30—10:15 AM
Join us for fun with stories, games, fingerplays, music, and more! Have a scarf or something to soft to wave and a shaker or something that makes noise handy to use. Best suited for ages 2-6 years old. Register by clicking on each individual date: December 2, December 9, December 16, December 23, December 30, January 6, January 13, January 20, January 27.
 
Winter Tree Workshop for Families
Saturday, December 5, 10:30—11:30 AM
Brighten up your winter decorations with a handmade evergreen tree. We’ll provide enough materials to make two trees. Sign up to pick up a kit then join us on Zoom to learn how to construct your trees. One kit per family. Best for families with children ages 5 years and older. Please provide your own scissors. Register here.
 
Mindful Mondays
Mondays, December 7 & 21, 4;00 - 4:45 PM
Learn ways to keep you calm, cool, and collected. Each week we’ll learn techniques and do activities in these areas: Focus, Calm, Move, Change, Care, and Reflect. This program is in partnership with East Hartford Youth Services. For ages 6 years and older. Click on the individual date to register: December 7, December 21
 
Gift Making for Kids: Grades 1-5
Wednesday, December 9, 3:30—4:30 PM
Want to make gifts to give to family or friends? We don't want to spoil the surprise so sign up to get a kit to make a gift for an adult, teen, and kid in your life. You'll have enough supplies to make 2 of each gift. Join us on Zoom to learn how to put them together. Best suited for kids in grades 1-5. Register here.
 
Best Ever Pet Show 
Tuesday, December 29, 3:00—4:00 PM
Who's got the best pet? You do! Get ready to show us your pet and tell us all about them. How did you get your pet? How do you care for them? What's the best thing about having your pet? Sign up to join us for a chance to give your pet a shout out! Best for families of all ages. Register here.
 
Family Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Thursday, December 31, 11:00 AM—noon
Ring in 2021 with a fun virtual celebration. We'll make hats, noisemakers, and more then countdown to noon! Register to pick up a celebration kit in advance. Best for families of all ages. Register here.
 
Cooking with Lindsey from ShopRite
Thursday, January 7, 4:00—5:00 PM
Love to cook? Or want to learn how? Join us to make a recipe that will be ready for dinner! Sign up to receive the recipe, ingredient and supply lists, and the Zoom link. For families of all ages. Register here.
 
For teens
Teen Program: Giftmaking
Wednesday, December 16, 3:30—4:30 
Pick up supplies from the library in advance. This week we are doing gift making! Need a fun simple gift for someone special? We have you covered! If you want to do the craft with us and catch up with your friends we will host an optional Zoom meeting. Call 860.290.4330 to request supplies to pick up. Grades 6-12. Register here.
  
Teen Program: Snowpeople Cupcakes
Wednesday, December 30, 3:30—4:00  
Pick up supplies from the library in advance for a fun craft. This week we are decorating snowpeople cupcakes! If you want to do the craft with us and catch up with your friends we will host an optional Zoom meeting. Call 860.290.4330 to request supplies to pick up. Grades 6-12. Register here.
 
Teen Program: Galaxy Calming Jars 
Wednesday, January 13, 3:30—4:00 
Pick up supplies from the library in advance for a fun craft. This week we are making galaxy calming jars! If you want to do the craft with us and catch up with your friends we will host an optional Zoom meeting. Call 860.290.4330 to request supplies to pick up. Grades 6-12. Register here.   
 
Teen Program: Make Your Own Penguin
Wednesday, January 27, 3:30—4:00  
Pick up supplies from the library in advance for a fun craft. This week we are making pom pom penguins! If you want to do the craft with us and catch up with your friends we will host an optional Zoom meeting. Call 860.290.4330 to request supplies to pick up. Grades 6-12. Register here.  
 
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 1, 7:15—7:45 PM
Tuesday, January 5, 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. Register by clicking on each date: December 1, January 5.
 
Teen Spotlight Series on Careers: Chemical Engineering
Tuesday, January 26, 7:15—7:45 PM
Join us each month for chance to learn more about careers. Want to know more about chemical engineering? Meet University of Connecticut Professor Daniel D. Burkey, Ph.D., Professor-in-Residence, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education and Diversity, and University Teaching Fellow. Sign up for the Zoom link to get your questions answered in real-time. Register here. 
 
For teens and adults
Live at the Makerspace
Thursdays, December 3—January 28 (no program December 24 & 31), 5:00—7:00 PM
It’s time to create, collaborate, and innovate! Join our Makerspace staff via Zoom and we can help you work on your projects or show you what we’re working on. We’re here for you (virtually) so stop in and let’s get creative! Register for individual programs by clicking on each date (special programs listed):
 
December 3: Create a Sculpey Snowman! (10 and up)
We will be making winter snowman designs with clay that you can bake in the oven and paint after its cooled.  Sign up at least 72 hours before the program and we will have a kit with clay for you.
 
 
December 17: Holiday coasters
We will be creating holiday coasters from wooden tiles. You can use them as decorations or as a coffee coaster. Sign up at least 72 hours before the program and you can pick up a kit at our walkup window with coasters, stencils, and some paint. All you will need is brushes for the paint.
 
 
Winter Village Houses
Wednesday, December 9, 6:30 PM
Add some sparkle to your home holiday decor with a festive winter village for your mantle or table centerpiece. Register for the workshop, and we'll supply you with a kit in advance. For teens and adults (12+). Register here.
 
Facebook for Community Builders (Propel East Hartford)
Saturday, December 12, 10:30 AM
Learn the basics of community-building on Facebook. We’ll look at the difference between profiles, groups, and pages, and discuss best practices for each. Bring your questions! The presentation will be interactive. For adults. Register here.
 
Festive Paper Stars
Tuesday, December 15, 4:00 PM
Brighten your space with paper stars for the new year. We will learn two different styles of stars. Register in advance to receive a kit with supplies, or use paper that you have at home. Please provide your own scissors. For teens and adults (12+). Register here.
 
Creative Storytelling
Monday, December 28, 10:30—11:30 AM 
Discover creative ways of telling stories by engaging new technology and artistic accessories. For adults and teens. Register here.   
 
Introduction to Pinterest
Saturday, January 9, 10:30 AM
Starting a new hobby, organizing your home, or cooking healthy dishes in the new year? Learn how to use Pinterest to create a digital bulletin board to organize ideas found online. For teens and adults (12+). Register here. 
 
Poets Welcome in the New Year
Tuesday, January 12, 6:30—7:30 PM
Poets of East Hartford are invited to submit videos by January 2 of recited or performed original poems that welcome in the new year. To submit poems, contact librarian Rolande Duprey: rduprey@easthartfordct.gov. These recordings will be premiered in a virtual program on January 12. Registration required for the Zoom event. Register here.
 
Cut the Cord
Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 PM
Replace your costly cable service for a fraction of the price. Instead of overpaying for a massive selection of channels you never watch, discover how easy it is to choose the services you want. For adults. Register here.
 
Star Wars Trivia Night
Thursday, January 28, 6:30—7:30 PM
Calling all residents of the Inner Core, Mid Rim, and Outer Rim! Think you have the chops to best the Jedi Quizmaster? Drop in for a fun evening of Star Wars trivia, brought to you from a galaxy far, far away.  While we won't debate whether Han Solo or Greedo shot first, we'll explore the common and obscure lore of the Star Wars universe. Best suited for adults and older teens. Participants will need a separate device to submit your answers to the trivia questions through the Kahoot! app or website. Register here.
 
To view more virtual program offerings from the Town of East Hartford, check out options from Parks & Recreation, the Senior Center, and Youth Services. We are working together to bring high-quality virtual options for residents of all ages.
 
The East Hartford Public Library is located at 840 Main St., East Hartford. For current information about our hours and services, please visit our website: www.easthartfordct.gov/library or “like” us on Facebook.