Please note the following:
Monday, December 25: Library Closed for Christmas Day
Monday, January 1: Library Closed for New Year's Day
|
|
A Note from the Director
 |
|
December @MNL is filled with a variety of educational and festive programs for patrons of all ages. In particular, I would like to mention our Veterans Resources Information Fair on Tuesday, December 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Ames Room.
A variety of organizations will be here to talk with Veterans and family members one-on-one about resources that are available in our area. There will also be an opportunity to visit with LuLu, a miniature therapy horse, and Bella, a therapy dog, enjoy a free chair massage and free refreshments. There will also be a raffle for door prizes. I hope that you can come down or share this information with a local veteran!
Also this month, I am pleased to announce the debut of two new services --
- You may now use a debit or credit card to pay for library fines, copy and print fees and donations that total $3 or above using our chip-enabled Square Reader. Ask at the front desk for assistance. There is no additional fee for this service.
- Now available for check-out - our Sprint Wifi hotspot that provides portable internet access for up to 10 devices! The Wi-Fi Hotspot will circulate for 2 weeks. The complete lending policy is available for review here.
In this season of giving, we are so very
grateful for the generous gifts of time, talents and financial support that we continue to receive from all of you. Thank you and my best wishes for a peaceful and happy holiday season!
|
|
You Gave.
We had a modest goal of raising 1.25% (approximately $1,500) on Tuesday, November 28 for our Annual Fund.
YOU helped us raise more than
$7,600 in one day through Facebook, our website, checks and corporate matching gifts!
Wow!
The $2M matching funds pledged from Facebook and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was quickly 'depleted' within 15 minutes of the campaign start at 8:00 a.m. EST. Overall, global users
donated $45M through Facebook
to non-profits on Tuesday--a remarkable show of support and care for charities all around the world.
Thank you for honoring the Library with your gifts!
|
|
|
|
Annual Tree Trimming
Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Drop by the Mystic & Noank Library on Saturday, December 9 to start the holiday season off right with decorations and ornamental crafts.
The Library will have supplies available for the trimming of our library tree, as well as decorations children can take home. In addition, the 3D printers will be set up with ornament demonstrations throughout the day.
|
Looking for the purrrrrfect gift?
We have Mito Mouse Pads available at the front desk for only $5 each! Pick one up for your own desk and maybe for a friend's!
Be sure to check out Mito's Instagram account under the name
@MitoTheLibraryCat
where he shares his adventures!
|
|
|
|
Friends of M&NL
Like-New Book Sale
LAST DAYS!
The sale finishes Saturday, December 2 at noon in the Ames Room
You don't want to miss THE sale of the year!
Get a jump on your holiday shopping while saving on the pocketbook, too! Our Friends of the Library have chosen the best books for this sale. All genres and interests will be available, including children's books, cookbooks and best sellers!
Holiday gifts and ephemera for sale, too!
|
|
|
Annual Giving Tree
Through Saturday, December 16
Our Giving Tree is on display at the Library--won't you support a local family this holiday with a gift? Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center and Groton Social Services provide us with lists of recommended gifts for less fortunate families in the area.
You may take a tag and purchase a new, unwrapped gift of that type, and bring it to the library by December 16. Thank you for your participation!
|
|
|
Food for Fines
with the Bill Memorial Library
NOW through Saturday, December 30
It's the month of giving! This year, the
Mystic & Noank Library and Groton's Bill Memorial Library are partnering together to collect food for our neighbors in need.
Throughout December, both libraries will be offering a seasonal exchange that allows you to help the hungry while clearing yourself of late fees. Bring nonperishable, unexpired food items to either library and, in exchange, you will pay off your fines!
Your donation must be worth roughly the same value as your fine in order to have the fee completely forgiven.
Please note - food donations cannot be used for lost or damaged material fees.
You may make multiple donations; you may also make donations even if you don't have any fines!
Food donated to the Bill Memorial Library will be given to the food pantry at Groton Human Services,
food donated to the Mystic & Noank Library will be divided between the Food Bank at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Shelter and the Food Pantry at Groton Human Services.
We invite everyone to participate in this wonderful food drive, co-sponsored by the Bill Memorial and Mystic & Noank Libraries!
|
|
|
Paula's Presents
at Seasonal Home of Gales Ferry
Sunday, December 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
As many of you know, library supporter and friend,
Ken Knott, recently lost his wife, Paula. In conjunction with Jo Wood and Barbara Candler,
Seasonal Home of Gales Ferry is hosting an event--
Paula's Presents--as a fundraiser for our library.
There will be a wonderful selection of gifts from the boutique Periwinkle in Washington, D.C. Paula was a partner in this lovely shop that sells gift baskets to many clients; including the White House.
Proceeds from the sale of
Paula's Presents will be donated to the Mystic & Noank Library in her memory.
Please stop by the shop on
Sunday, December 3, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for a special reception at
Seasonal Home to honor Paula. All are welcome! Please note: the shop is not handicapped accessible.
The sale of items in the
Paula's Presents collection will continue throughout the holiday season, so even if you cannot attend the reception, your purchases can help support the M&NL anytime through December. Please feel free to share this information with friends and family.
Thank you to Ken, Jo and Barbara for this generous memorial event in honor of a much beloved and missed member of our Library community. We are very grateful.
|
|
|
|
Veterans' Resources Information Fair
(rescheduled from November)
Tuesday, December 5 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join us for a Free Veterans Resources Fair!
A variety of Federal, State and Local organizations will be available for one-on-one conversations and to answer your questions.
Organizations include:
- CT Dept. of Labor - New London Veterans Services
- CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Guardians of the Purple Heart
- Horses Healing Humans
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Senior Resources of Eastern CT
- Stonington Institue
- Team RWB
- Thames Valley Council for Community Action
- Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services
- Work Vessels for Vets, Inc.
Free refreshments, chair massage, interaction with a miniature therapy horse, therapy dogs and door prizes will be available, too. This event is open to Veterans and family members of all ages. No registration is required. Hope you can join us!
|
|
|
|
Julianne Johnson |
PeaceLove Workshop: Mandala Poetry
Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m.
PeaceLove, a Rhode Island-based art studio with a nationwide mission, is changing how people think about mental health. It provides expressive arts programming to help individuals and communities create peace of mind.
Julianne Johnson of Mystic River Residential Care, who supports PeaceLove's artistic efforts, has created such a program for our community with her new offering, Mandala Poetry. Students will learn to make Mandala Poetry that is as visually stimulating as it is emotionally expressive. Patrons must be 15 years or older in order to participate - seats are limited to twelve.
Registration is required; please sign up via the library website HERE or call us for assistance.
|
|
|
|
Save Your Sanity over the Holidays
Thursdays
, December 7 and December 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Kristin of
Skillful Meanz is returning to offer four one hour sessions to help you "
Keep Calm & Carry On
" during the often hectic holiday season.
These class will cover mindfulness of breath, of body, of thoughts, and of emotions, and will consist of some discussions and some guided meditations. The goal is to get you started on developing a personal practice of your own that you will continue into the New Year!
Registration is required for this free series of classes; please sign up using the form
online here. Space is limited to 40 participants.
|
|
|
Children of Abraham Lecture
Monday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.
A History of Conflict and Cooperation in the Middle East and the Roots of the Current Crisis
It seems that the only task harder than keeping track of the violence in the Middle East is explaining it.
To the outside observer, the region's politics and perpetual unrest are confounding and complex. Yet, viewed within the context of history, the reasons behind these troubles are less difficult to grasp. This presentation will shed light on the roots of the conflict in the Middle East and provide a basic understanding of how it reached the crises it faces today, from Jerusalem to Egypt to Syria, to Iraq, and beyond.
Hosted by Tom Verde (M.A., Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations), an independent scholar and journalist who has lived in and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, reporting on its culture and history.
This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
|
|
|
|
Carol-o-Grams
Friday, December 15 at 3:30 p.m.
Stonington High School Chamber Singers will perform live for approximately 30 minutes at the Library!
Stop in to listen to some holiday favorites!
|
|
|
NEW December Tech Classes
Choice of either 10:15 a.m. OR 5:30 p.m. session
for each class
Monday, December 4: Stop-Motion Animation Workshop
Learn how to make fun stop-motion videos using an ipad and ordinary craft supplies! These mini-movies employ a special animation technique that is very easy to learn and use as well as to teach others at home! Great activity for the holiday season. Register here for 10:15 a.m. Register here for 5:30 p.m.
Monday, December 11: Free Photo Editors
Learn how to clean up and edit your photos using FREE online editors! These sophisticated web options allow you to perform most of the ordinary editing tasks a Photoshop program would, and additionally let you enhance, remix and sometimes even store your pictures!
Monday, December 18: Cloud Computing
Find out how to access, edit and store your data on the Cloud! Those who have never used cloud storage options before will learn all about the many free, easy to use, and safe web programs for organizing and accessing your files.
Attendees should provide their own devices.
Registration is required
; please sign up via the library website above or call for assistance.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date!
Technology Drop-In Day
Saturday, January 6 from 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
Have a question about your new iPad? Holiday gift of a tablet but not sure how to use it?
Library Staff will be on hand to provide one-on-one training - bring your questions and your device - no need to schedule an appointment.
|
|
|
|
Art in the Ames Room: Fabulous Fakes
December 5 through January 6 during regular library hours.
Stop by the library t
o view
Plein Air Group which includes Carol Connor, Carrie Reynolds, Carole Erdmann and Carmel Bourneuf.
Oils and water colors are their favorite mediums---treat your eyes to a fabulous visual feast this month!
|
|
|
|
A Gift for The Library
We are thrilled to accept a custom-made wood chess table to our Library!
The table was given by
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Garbarino on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary in memory of their son Robert Eugene.
The table is on the second floor, adjacent to the reading area previously dedicated to the Garbarino's son.
Players of all ages are encouraged to stop by and play a game during regular library hours (pieces are provided and stored within the table).
Thank you in advance for honoring this unique and valuable gift with your thoughtful play care (no drinks or feet on the table, please).
An M&NL thank you to the entire Garbarino family for this beautiful addition to our library. We are sure to enjoy it for many years to come!
|
|
|
|
An Updated Version
Look what will be arriving soon thanks to a generous donation from the
Sidney Gross Memorial Fund- the 2018 World Book Encyclopedia!
World Book remains the premier print source for users of all ages to easily learn and explore any topic or interest.
Look for it later this month in the Children's Room, and enjoy discovering something new.
|
|
|
All book club meetings are scheduled for the Ames Meeting Room at M&NL. All readers are welcome to join any of these groups. There are no fees, and the Library works to provide copies of the books being discussed. Note: CLAMs participants purchase their books.
Afternoon Book Club
(first Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.)
December 6:
A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman
January 3:
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
Evening Book Club
(usually first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.)
December 6:
Nutshell
by Ian McEwan
January 3: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
History Book Club
(second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.)
December 12:
Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, by Ben MacIntyre
(Part I)
January 9: Rogue Heroes (Part II)
Captain John Porter Civil War Book Group (third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.)
December 20:
This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War
by Drew Gilpin Faust
January 17: Gray Ghost: The Life of Col. John Singleton Mosby by James Ramage
CLAMS (Classic Literature at Mystic) Book Club
(Mondays at 7:00 p.m.)
December 4: Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
|
|
Teen & Children's Programs
|
|
Saturday Holiday Movie
Saturday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Join us in the Ames Room for this fun family movie! Bring your favorite snack and a covered drink!
Funding generously provided by the
Friends of the Mystic and Noank Library.
|
|
|
|
Friday School Vacation Movie
Friday, December 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Join us in the Ames Room for this fun family movie! Bring your favorite snack and a covered drink!
Funding generously provided by the
Friends of the Mystic and Noank Library.
|
|
|
|
Saturday Family Matinee
Saturday, December 30 at 3:00 p.m.
Join us in the Ames Room for this fun family movie! Bring your favorite snack and a covered drink!
Deep (2017), PG, 1h 32 mins
Funding generously provided by the
Friends of the Mystic and Noank Library.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lyman Allyn Museum |
|
Teen Art Programs
In collaboration with educators from the
Lyman Allyn Museum in New London, we are offering new art programs, just for teens!
Thanks to a grant from the
Mystic Rotary Club, these programs will be held at the Library and
are free for participants. Join us!
You can register for one or both of these special sessions. P
rograms
begin at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 28 - H
and painting canvas totes inspired by adult coloring books
Saturday, January 27 -
Sculpt Your Own Coral Reef, inspired by The Coral Reef Project, an installation opening at LAAM that day by Williams School teacher Tekla Zweir
|
|
|
|
Afternoon Wii U Gaming
Stop by the Mystic & Noank Library on Fridays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm for some fun among friends. Get your game on with other kids and teens! Join casual tournaments and game with your friends.
Gaming offers an outlet for creativity and problem solving, while the Library provides an atmosphere of community and sharing. Games are appropriate for ages 9 and up. Come join in on the fun!
|
|
|
This weekly club is for kids interested in learning fun and interactive Scratch programming! Participants will have the opportunity to create virtual games, music videos, art projects and more - all of their own digital design!
Children ages 10 and up are welcome.
|
|
Winter Preschool Storytimes
Winter Storytimes begin the week of January 8, 2018.
Registration is available on via EventKeeper on the library website
now or by calling (860) 536-7721.
StoryTimes are scheduled to meet weekly Mondays through Thursdays, classes consist of stories, finger-plays, crafts, and songs.
Due to demand registration is required and class size is limited.
In the case of over-enrollment classes will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
StoryTime sessions last for eight weeks and are free and open to the public.
|
|
|
1KBK is a HIT!
We are thrilled with the response to our
Groton Education Foundation funded program
1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
We have 58 'readers' registered and 2 have already read 1000 books! Congratulations!
So far, more than 4,000 books have been read by our participants--great job, everyone!
The program is available to all families with children
be
tween the ages of birth to 5 years old. The goal is to read 1000 books together prior to the child's start of formal schooling or Kindergarten.
Sound impossible? It's not!
Three books a day for one year is
over 1000 books
!
We love celebrating the children's successes and honoring them with prizes to keep them motivated! Interested? Stop in the Children's Room and find out more--we'd love to see you.
|
|
| We both read >1000 books! |
Sign up in the Children's Room during regular library hours--it's FREE!
|
|
|
|
News, Meetings & Programs
|
|
Brain HQ: Brain Training Software
The library is pleased to now provide access to BrainHQ - cutting-edge, research-based, brain training software.
Thanks to generous funding from the Mystic Rotary Club and the library's Kroeger Porter Fund provided by longtime library supporters Captain John D. Porter and his wife Mary Katherine (Kroeger) Porter, this important resource is available to cardholders of all three Groton Libraries - Mystic & Noank Library, Groton Public Library and Bill Memorial Library.
To access BrainHQ, you must have a current library card to one of these three libraries and have set-up a PIN using the
"My Account" link.
Learn more about BrainHQ from PositScience.
|
|
|
|
Cribbage Club Continues
Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.
Do you know how to play cribbage or are ready to learn?
Join us each week at M&NL! Cribbage is a great way to keep your mind sharp and meet new friends. For more information, please call Donna Anderson at (203) 470-4566 or email
[email protected]
.
Writers' Group
Join a varied group of writers every Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (December 4, 11, 18). We welcome all genres to discuss, review and work on our craft together.
Knitters Unite
Knitting Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. each month (December 12 and 26). All levels are welcome. Please join us!
|
|
|
|
Bereavement Counseling
December 5 and December 19 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (ongoing on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month)
These sessions are open to all who are coping with the loss of a loved one
and led by caring professionals from the Center for Hospice Care of Southeastern CT. Sessions are free but do require pre-registration. Please call (860) 848-5699 to register.
|
|
|
|
Museum Passes Available
Kids home from school? Grandparents needing a day out?
Stop by the Children's Room to review the passes and discounts available.
More information on our website
here!
We thank the Friends of M&NL for their generous support of the museum passes.
|
|
|
Book-A-Librarian
I
n Need of Technology Tutoring?
If so, please consider the Mystic & Noank Library's Book-a-Librarian program, in which you sign up for an individual one (1) hour session with a librarian and receive a private tutorial on whatever technological query you may have!
Lesson topics have included Windows 10, web design, Microsoft Office, and the use of devices such as Smartphones, iPads, e-readers and social media! New topics include employment websites, resumes and cover letters, web design, and more!
To register, please call the library at (860) 536-7721 or use our online form here!
Appointments must be requested AT LEAST one day ahead of the desired date; they will be scheduled according to the patron's and the librarian's mutual availability.
|
|
|
|
Wowbrary!
Don't forget to register for our information service,
Wowbrary
by
simply clicking here!. Be sure to then check your email for the verification message.
With Wowbrary, you will receive a weekly email on Saturday mornings highlighting any new book, audiobook, DVD or CD titles added to our collection in the previous week. A smart link directly into the library catalog will allow you to easily place a reserve on any titles that you wish to check out!
|
|
|
|
| It's the Most Wonderful Time |
The countdown is ON to the close of another calendar year!
6...5...4...
As we prepare to welcome 2018 (and our 125th year of excellent library service), we reflect on 2017 and how much we enjoy providing you with the services you need and have come to expect at M&NL.
Help us maintain our level of high-quality programming, resources and experiences by making a gift to our Annual Fund today.
3..2..1..
Your tax-deductible donation to our Annual Fund supports all the services and resources you need, strengthens our collection and ensures our viability in our unique and special Mystic community.
|
|
|
There is still time before the snow falls to
Book a Brick! Thanks to many generous patrons, 145 bricks have been ordered as part of this fundraiser for the library--
thank you!
Is someone on your gift list have everything? Is the New Year worthy of celebrating something big? A brick is a perfect present!
Don't miss this opportunity to make a gift of a commemorative brick at M&NL in honor of your loved one, a special anniversary or to promote your business.
We are proud to display these meaningful messages on our beautiful entryway
and would love to add your personalized brick to our ever expanding special sidewalk.
Each brick can include up to 3 lines of text with 16 characters per line. Each 4" x 8"
paver is $125.00 and installation of engraved bricks will be done in sections on a rolling basis.
Questions? Contact Karen Bradshaw at (860) 572-8191.
|
|
|
|
|
Support the Library with Amazon Smile
|
|
A Preview of M&NL January 2018
Programs
Details to follow next month.
Technology Drop-In Day
Saturday, January 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Skype for Beginners
Monday, January 8 (10:15 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.)
I
ntro to Canva
Monday, January 22 (10:15 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.)
Monday, January 29 (10:15 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.)
Friday Feature Films Return
Friday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Victoria & Abdul (PG-13, 2017)
1/25 Online Fundraiser for our 125th
Thursday, January 25
Family Movie Matinees: Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.
January 6 ~
Spark
January 13 ~
Boss Baby
January 20 ~
Despicable Me 3
January 29 ~
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Young Engineers' Club (YEC) is Coming
Saturdays, specific dates TBD. This program is open to middle and high school students and will allow participants to tinker, create and build! We will use STEAM
materials
, including the
library's
3D printers as part of this program! Registration is limited but enrollment is FREE, thanks to the generous support of the Sidney Gross Memorial Foundation. Contact Roberta Donahue for more information!
Save the Dates!
Great Decisions Discussion Group will return on March 2, 2018 on Friday mornings!
Stay tuned for details...
|
|
|
Monday-Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Hours 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
