BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER

October 5 - 10, 2026

Come Bloom with Us!

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Booksellers' Cellar October Specials:

Cookbooks + Mysteries: Buy One, Get One Free

Prosser Library

1 Tunxis Ave

860-243-9721


Mon: 10 am-5 pm

Tue-Thu: 10 am-8 pm

Fri: 10 am-5 pm

Sat: 10 am-2 pm

McMahon Wintonbury Library

1015 Blue Hills Ave

860-242-0041


Mon, Wed, Thu: 10 am-8 pm

Tue: 10 am-5 pm

Fri: 10 am-5 pm

Sat: 10 am-2 pm

Public Service Announcement: Temporary Parking Changes


The McMahon Wintonbury Library parking lot is now open. Landscaping and other site work will continue throughout the fall, which may impact some parking spaces. Thank you to the Blue Hills Fire Department for their generosity and partnership throughout this process.


The Prosser Library parking garage is temporarily closed to vehicle and foot traffic. An oversized vehicle damaged the parking garage ceiling, and Public Works is working on repairs. At this time, we do not know when access to the parking garage will be restored. Handicap-accessible parking is available in front of Prosser Library along Tunxis Avenue, as well as in designated spots in the parking lot at the base of the bridge.

BPL Celebrates Banned Books Week with Emmy Award-Winning Film: The Librarians

It's Banned Books Week, an annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read, spotlights censorship, and highlights challenged or banned books. The 2026 theme is: "Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read." To take action, we will watch and discuss the Emmy Award-winning documentary film, The Librarians. In the film, librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights.


In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQIA+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work, the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale. 


Runtime: 1h, 34m. Panel discussion to follow. Refreshments will be served.

Museum Pass Highlight

Events This Week

Teddy Bear "Clinic" Storytime (Prosser)

Monday, October 5 at 10:30AM

Kids, bring your own stuffie for a check-up! The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District will present a special Teddy Bear Clinic Storytime. Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal for a fun and interactive experience. Nurses will be on hand to help children give their cuddly friends a “check-up,” learn about healthy habits, and explore healthcare in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. Best for ages 1 to 5.

Prison Arts Program: Art Exhibition & Reception (Prosser)

Tuesday, October 6 at 4PM

Join us for a special exhibition featuring artwork created through Community Partners in Action’s Prison Arts Program. We are proud to bring this collection to the library and provide our community with an opportunity to experience the creativity and perspectives of Connecticut’s incarcerated artists. Guests are invited to view the exhibition, learn more about the Prison Arts Program, and connect with others through the arts.

Based on a True Story: Separating Fact from Fiction in Hollywood's Horror Films (Prosser)

Tuesday, October 6 at 6PM

Join us for an event featuring the real cases behind some of Hollywood’s best-selling horror films such as The Amityville Horror and A Haunting in Connecticut. BPL is excited to host Joe Franke, a seasoned paranormal expert and protégé of the Warrens. In this exclusive session, Joe will share several chilling accounts of cases his mentors were called to assist with. He will also clarify some of the popular myths surrounding these stories. Whether you’re a dedicated horror fan or simply curious, you won’t want to miss this event. For Adults.

Paws & Pages: Special Storytime With The Connecticut Humane Society (McMahon Wintonbury)

Wednesday, October 7 at 10:30AM

Join us at a storytime for early learners interested in pets. For this program, a Connecticut Humane Society Educator will share two or three pet-themed stories and then lead an interactive discussion about safe and kind interactions with the type of companion animal featured in the book. This program will not include live animals for safety, allergy, distraction, and fear concerns. For this youth program, the educator will use life-size plush pets for hands-on demonstration and interactive learning.

Book Voyagers: Picture This Cuento (Prosser)

Wednesday, October 7 at 6PM

Book Voyagers is back—this time as a bilingual program! This four-week series, in partnership with CT Humanities, is designed for children and their caregivers to promote the joy of reading and encourage families to create literature-rich home environments. All participants will receive a copy of the book to keep. Families should plan to attend all four sessions or as many as they can. Registration is required, so please register for each date your family plans to attend. Best for grades 1 to 3.

Writing The Personal Narrative (Prosser)

Saturday, October 10 at 10:30AM

Have you always wanted to tell your story but didn't know where to begin? Join memoirist Wendy Swift, author of A Dream Life, as she leads a workshop designed to help writers create narrative nonfiction essays that form the foundation of a memoir. Bring notebooks, pens, or laptops, and Wendy will bring prompts and suggestions for publishing. For Adults.

Ongoing Events

Atlantic Magazine Discussion Group (Prosser)

Tuesday, October 6 at 11:30AM

Caregiver Support Group/Healing Hearts (Bloomfield Senior Center)

Wednesday, October 7 at 1:30PM

Youth Chess Club (McMahon Wintonbury)

Wednesday, October 7 at 5:30PM

Millennials Read (Corazon Tequilero, Simsbury)

Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30PM

Library Friends Meeting (Prosser)

Thursday, October 8 at 1PM

Wintonbury Book Discussion: The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb (Virtual)

Thursday, October 8 at 5:30PM

Conversations & Camaraderie: A Conversation Group for Men (Prosser)

Friday, October 9 at 10:30AM

Homeschool Fun Friday: Children's Museum—Animals & Engineering (Prosser)

Friday, October 9 at 1PM

Teen Gaming @ Prosser

Friday, October 9 from 2:30-4:30PM

Banned Books Week: Protect the Freedom to Read

 

And Tango Makes Three

by Justin Richardson

Children's Fiction

 

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Malinda Lo

Teen Fiction

 

Sold
by Patricia McCormick

Teen Fiction

 

Looking for Alaska

by John Green

Teen Fiction

What are you reading? Tag us and let us know on Instagram or Facebook @bplct

BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

McMahon Wintonbury

1015 Blue Hills Ave.

Mon, Wed, Thu 10 am-8 pm

Tue 10 am-5 pm

Fri 10 am-5 pm

Sat 10 am-2 pm

860-242-0041

Prosser

1 Tunxis Ave.

Mon 10 am-5 pm

Tue, Wed, Thu 10 am-8 pm

Fri 10 am-5 pm

Sat 10 am-2 pm

860-243-9721


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