A collection of community programs and resources at NHFPL and beyond.
NHFPL has gone fine free!  As of July 1, 2020, the New Haven Free Public Library no longer charges late fines for overdue materials. Visit the website for more information.
NHFPL Updates
Ives Main Library:
  • Curbside pick-up is available Monday - Saturday by appointment. Click here to learn how you can request items.
  • The Tech Center is open for computer sessions by appointment. Call 203-946-8130 x 101 to book a session Monday - Saturday. 
  • NEW! MiFi hotspots are now available for New Haven residents to borrow. These hotspots provide free internet access for up to 3-5 devices at a time. Call the library at 203-946-8130 x 101 for more information and to reserve one today.

Fair Haven, Mitchell, Stetson, and Wilson Branch Libraries:
  • Curbside pick-up is available Monday - Friday by appointment. Click here to learn how you can request items.

All locations:
  • Please call to register for a library card or renew your library card over the phone: 203-946-8135.
  • Book drops are open 24/7! Please use the book drops at all five library locations to return library items.
  • All in-person programs and meeting room reservations are cancelled until further notice.

Library Closings:
The New Haven Free Public Library will close at all locations for the federal holiday on Saturday, October 10 and Monday, October 12.

For all our 2020 holiday hours, please refer to Holiday Closings.
Young Minds & Teen Programs & Resources
Live Story Times from NHFPL Staff
Starting October 1, live Facebook Story Times will be available in English Monday through Thursday at 11 am and in Spanish Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 am. Join on Facebook!

You can also watch prerecorded Story Times on the NHFPL website. All of the Story Times are created by our Young Minds staff with new books posted daily. Stay tuned to see what else they read!
Understanding Your Child's Rights in School
Tuesday, October 20, 4-5:30 pm
Education is a critical aspect of children’s development and health. It is important to know what laws protect our children while in school. This workshop will provide an overview of basic education laws and rights, including during COVID times. The program is presented by Alice Rosenthal, a senior staff attorney with the Center for Children’s Advocacy. Alice is a New Haven native and attended New Haven Public Schools.

Find More on Our Calendar!
There is lots more happening with NHFPL for children, families and teens. Explore what's coming up on our calendar!
Adult Programs & Resources
¡Fiesta Latina!
Friday, September 18 - Tuesday, October 13
Viernes 18 de septiembre – martes 13 de octubre
The Yale Peabody Museum’s 18th annual ¡Fiesta Latina! is expanding and moving online! Visit their website, Facebook page, and Yale’s YouTube channel all month long to watch and share videos celebrating traditional and contemporary Latin American cultures.
La 18va ¡Fiesta Latina! organizada por el Yale Peabody Museum está expandiendo sus horizontes y moviéndose al mundo virtual. Visite su sitio web, página de Facebook y el canal de YouTube de Yale todo este mes para ver y compartir videos celebrando culturas tradicionales y contemporáneas de Latinoamérica.
Send us Your Pandemic Stories!
Over the past six months, the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the world. But how has it changed your world? NHFPL wants to collect stories to share now and with future generations of the greater New Haven community. We welcome all of your experiences, whether they are happy, painful, or surprising.

Disaster Preparedness: Are you ready? Don’t get caught unaware!
Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 pm
Learn the basics of how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Learn about emergency and survival kits, local emergency management programs, FEMA and American Red Cross guidelines, and much more. Presented virtually by Martin Torresquinterro from the New Haven Department of Parks and Recreation and Trees.

Join via Zoom with Password: 084579
Inklings All-Ages Writers Group
Tuesday, October 6, 6-7 pm
Join Wilson Library's monthly writers' group facilitated by Lucy Gellman of the Arts Paper in partnership with the Long Wharf Theatre. New writers welcome! Feel free to follow a given prompt or work on your ideas. Register in advance and attend via Zoom.

Urban Life Experience Book Discussion Series
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Saturday, October 17, 12 pm
George Washington Black started out as a field slave on a sugar plantation called Faith in Barbados. After being "loaned out" to the master's scientist brother, "Wash" goes on a worldwide adventure while constantly looking over his shoulder for a slave-catcher hired by his master. Reserve a physical copy of this book to pick up curbside, or find it online!

Mitchell Monday Afternoon Book Club
Monday, October 19, 1 pm
Join a virtual discussion of The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. Reserve a physical copy of this book to pick up curbside, or find it online!

Animation Celebration! Edgar Allen Poe Adaptations
Monday, October 19, 7-8 pm
Join an online movie discussion club focusing on animated films from around the world and throughout history. This month we will get into the Halloween spirit by taking a look at how the works of Edgar Allen Poe have inspired animators!

Genre Book Club
Wednesday, October 21, 6 pm
This month, in celebration of Halloween, the Genre Book Club will be reading thriller/horror novels. If you prefer non-fiction, true crime would be a great alternative! If you haven't read something on the topic, you're still welcome to join us to discuss your most recent reads! No registration is required. Open to teens and adults.

Democracy in America
Join us for a third year of this series presented in partnership with Public Humanities at Yale. 
Monthly discussions will take place via Zoom.
Democracy in the United States and the Idea of the Post Office
Tuesday, October 27, 7-8 pm
Philip Rubio, North Carolina A&T University, author of Undelivered: The Great Postal Strike of 1970 and the Manufactured Crisis of the U.S. Postal Service. Find it!

Microsoft Virtual Classes
Wednesdays, 12-1 pm and Thursdays, 4-5 pm
These 60-minute introductory classes in Microsoft Word and Excel will help you get started with these key programs! Visit our calendar to sign up for a specific class date or email tsmith@nhfpl.org for more information.
Online English Conversation Class
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm
NHFPL, in cooperation with New Haven Adult Education and Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, is offering online English conversation instruction. Beginner to advanced - all are welcome. Visit our calendar to sign up for a specific class date.
Virtual Meditation In Partnership with Elm Community Insight
Monday through Friday, 7:30-8:30 am
This time will include space allowed for discussion of meditation practice. Use this link to join at the time of the session.

Saturday Morning Sangha and Book Group
Saturdays, 10:30 am-12 pm
These sessions will include a brief talk on improving skills, and an open discussion.
Enjoy Ives Squared at Home!
Artrepreneur Series Goes Virtual! 
Join us for a conversation with prominent New Haven artists as they discuss the opportunities and challenges unique to being an artist and an entrepreneur. This series is facilitated by local artist and entrepreneur, Eric Rey. We are proud to partner with the Arts Council of Greater New Haven on this inclusive dive into arts and entrepreneurship which is generously funded by the New Haven Innovation Collaborative and CTNext. 
Click the links below for the Zoom information:
Salwa Abdussabur
Thursday, October 8, 2 pm

Ro Godwynn
Thursday, October 22, 2 pm 
Jocelyn Pleasant
Friday, October 30, 1 pm

Steve Driffin
Thursday, November 12, 2pm
Collab Virtual Office Hours – Virtual Meetings
Collab is a small business, nonprofit, and for-profit support program committed to serving Connecticut entrepreneurs. Get one-on-one advice about obtaining capital, mentorship, and other resources for entrepreneurs based in Connecticut. For more information about Collab, visit collabnewhaven.org.

Digital Toolbox Resource:
Foundation Directory Online
Ives Squared has launched its Digital Toolbox initiative to highlight helpful database resources for entrepreneurs that you can access for free with your library card. Foundation Directory Online is a research tool to help nonprofits find the grantmakers most likely to fund their projects.
Click here to visit our Electronic Resources Collection and visit the section for “Business, Jobs and Nonprofits” to get temporary remote access to this resource with your library card. 
Intro to Foundation Directory Online
Wednesday, October 21, 4-5:30 pm
Looking for grants for your nonprofit? Come learn how to use Foundation Directory Online, the most comprehensive prospect research tool for fundraisers, with over 226,000+ grantmaker profiles. You will learn how to search for grantmakers who have funded organizations working on causes and with communities similar to those you serve.

Take and Make Project Kits
To help our community learn new creative skills, we’re offering a series of kits with all the supplies and instructions needed to make a certain project. And join us on Friday afternoons for virtual programs to make the projects together!

September 28-October 9: Cross Stitch Animal Cards. Learn the basics of cross stitching with these cute cards. Each one looks like an animal with pre-punched holes that make it easy to sew little sweaters onto them. Register for the Cross Stitch Animal Cards program on Friday, October 9 from 3-4 pm.

October 13-24: Abstract Painting. You don’t need to consider yourself a painter to create this colorful work of art. A video from Creativebug will show you how to make this project, or register for the Abstract Painting program on Friday, October 23 from 3-4 pm.

October 28-November 7: Paracord Bracelets. Bracelets made from parachute cord are both attractive and could be used as rope in an emergency. Make these bracelets to keep for yourself, or donate to Operation Gratitude to be sent to deployed troops or first responders. Register for the Paracord Bracelets program on Friday, November 6 from 3-4 pm.

To request a kit and schedule an appointment to pick it up, please call the Ives Squared department at 203-946-8130 ext 140. There are a limited number of kits available, and they will be given out first come, first served with a limit of two kits per family.
Computer Programming Office Hours
Mondays, 6:30-8:30 pm
Meet virtually with full-stack developer Page Swanson to consult on any questions you may have about computer programming. Make an appointment.

Learn to Code
Every Other Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 pm
Join full-stack developer Page Swanson to learn the basics of computer programming. This program will be held virtually via Zoom.
October 13 Register
October 27 Register
November 10 Register
November 24 Register
Intro to Audio Editing with Audacity
Make a one-on-one appointment to learn the basic skills of editing sound with Audacity, an audio editing software. Audacity is a free, open source, "Digital Audio Workstation" with an intuitive interface and large community of users worldwide. It is a great program for learning basic audio production skills and concepts.

To arrange a time for instruction, email Austin at alarkin@nhfpl.org
Find More on Our Calendar!

There is lots more happening with NHFPL for adults. Explore what's coming up on our calendar!
Collection Connection
Check out our new titles available for curbside pick-up!
Click here for instructions on how to reserve one of these items for curbside pick-up.
Community Programs & Resources
COVID-19 Business Advising from Connecticut Small Business Development Center
The Connecticut Small Business Development Center is fully-staffed with experienced business advisors ready to help the state’s small businesses navigate these unprecedented times. CTSBDC is a no-cost resource for small business owners who are looking to access expert advice on a variety of topics.

Their areas of expertise, among others, includes:
• Loan and grant application process
• Disaster preparedness & recovery
• Financial analysis
• Digital marketing
• E-commerce

For more information on no-cost advising from the CTSBDC please sign up for business advising. Check out our upcoming webinars
Online Classes Available From Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven
"Transforming Lives Through Literacy"...That is the mission that inspires and guides the free programs offered by Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven to any adult hoping to enhance their future through the power of reading and writing, despite uncertain times. They are currently offering free online classes in basic literacy and ESOL (English for speakers of other languages). If you want to volunteer to be a tutor please register online.

Adults can sign up now for FREE classes taught remotely:
For basic literacy classes in New Haven:
Laura Fawcett, (203) 776-5899 or laurafawcett@lvagnh.org

For ESOL classes in New Haven:
Erica Hoffman, (203) 285-2482 or ericahoffman@lvagnh.org
Free Online Career Resources Job Training Program with SkillUp CT
Governor Lamont announced the expansion of SkillUp CT for qualifying residents who have been unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The at-home learning program offers free online job training and access to 5,000 courses in information technology (IT), business analysis, customer service and project management, just to name a few.

Additionally, job-seekers can apply to open positions on three sites: CT Hires State Job Bank, National Labor Exchange (NLx), and Indeed Custom Portal for CT Jobseekers.
Emergency Response Volunteers Needed: Contact Tracers
The City of New Haven is seeking Contact Tracers to support the New Haven Health Department to perform COVID-19 contact tracing. This is in tandem with the City’s efforts to increase testing, improve communication and implementation of isolation and quarantine. This will fortify efforts to control the pandemic in New Haven.

COVID-19 Resources
Please visit these trusted sources for current information and updates.
City of New Haven COVID-19 Hub
Visit the City of New Haven COVID-19 website for the latest developments from City Hall, reliable local and global statistics, and guidance documents for community agencies on operations during this time.
Yale New Haven Health Hotline
Yale New Haven Health has opened a call center for individuals
with questions about COVID-19. The number is 833-275-9644.
For more information, click here.
Sign up for State Alerts from the Governor
Governor Ned Lamont is calling for all Connecticut residents to sign up and get up-to-the-minute news on Coronavirus COVID-19 and other vital news for the state via your cell phone. Visit ctalert.gov.

Want more? Check out our CalendarSign up for emails here!