Newsletter - April 2022

Check out what's new at the Library!

Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,

There’s a lot to talk about for the upcoming month at the library. For starters, April is National Poetry Month. If you are one of the people who rarely or never reads poetry, consider taking the time out this month to check out a selection from our book display and give it a try.

This year, we will be celebrating by inviting one of our local poets, Susan Katz, to read from The Limits of Light, her latest book of narrative poems that explore how the tales of Greek mythology compare to contemporary life. Katz will be presenting live at The Maxx on Thursday, April 7^th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Call the library to sign up. Katz is a resident of Washington, CT. Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the event.

April is also an exciting month because the Connecticut Center for the Book at Connecticut Humanities is accepting submissions for the 2022 Connecticut Book Awards.

Categories include Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Books for Young Readers. Authors and illustrators must have been born in Connecticut, be a current Connecticut resident of at least three years’ standing, or the work may be substantially set in Connecticut. A special category called the Bruce Fraser Spirit of Connecticut Award is in memory of longtime director Bruce Fraser and celebrates Connecticut's sense of place. Submissions are being accepted through May 2, 2022. For more information, please visit https://ctcenterforthebook.org or contact ctbook@cthumanities.org with any questions.

With spring in the air, April is the time to start thinking about planting your garden. You can save money and take part in a fun exchange by participating in our in-house seed library. Stop by and choose from our selection of herb and vegetable seeds. Bring back what you don’t use. All seeds are FREE! You are encouraged to save your seeds as you harvest and donate them back to the library for others to enjoy. We welcome all non-GMO seed donations. Ask to see the collection when you are browsing in our lobby or call and place a hold for pick-up.

Check Us All Out!

In celebration of National Library Week, the New Milford Public Library is collaborating with area libraries to offer the Check Us All Out! challenge during the month of April (April 3-May 3.) Participating libraries include New Milford Public Library, Sherman Library, Bethel Public Library, New Fairfield Free Public Library, Mark Twain Library in Redding, C.H. Booth Library in Newtown, Ridgefield Library and Danbury Library.

Your library card grants you access to all of Connecticut's libraries. Take this challenge to learn about some of the unique features of these neighboring libraries. Collect clues in person or online to fill in the puzzle. New Milford clues are online only due to our construction closing. Once you complete the puzzle, figure out the final clue and submit your answer to earn a chance to win a special prize!

Click here to learn more about it and link to the puzzle or stop by the library during curbside hours to pick up a copy.

New from Mobile Beacon

Going on vacation where the wi-fi is questionable? Is your wi-fi spotty at home? Well, we have the answer for you! We are pleased to announce that we have upgraded our supply of hotspots to loan to our patrons. This model is a 4G T-Mobile device.

If you are interested, stop by the library and check one out for 2 weeks.

Foundation Directory Online: Important Access Update

Foundation Grants Online and Grants to Individuals at the library have been an invaluable resources to our local nonprofits and all those who seek grants. The Foundation Grants network allows you to research grants and funder data, network with other local nonprofits, and get hands-on help with your fundraising search. In addition, Grants to Individuals is the smartest, fastest way to find scholarships, fellowships, and awards for students, artists, researchers, and individuals. Due to licensing limitations, these services have been limited to inside the library.

To provide our New Milford patrons with full access to the Foundation Grants databases while we are closed, the Brookfield Public Library has kindly agreed to temporarily host the service until our doors are open to the public. When you are ready to search for grant providers that meet your criteria, go to the Brookfield Public Library in person and use a computer or laptop to link to Foundation Directory Online from the New Milford E-Resources webpage. Once there, you will be able to create an account using your New Milford Public Library card barcode that will allow you to access the full set of resources. Brookfield Public Library staff will be available to answer your questions and help you to direct your search.

The Brookfield Public Library is located at 182 Whisconier Road in Brookfield. Their hours are:

M, W – 10 am-6 pm

T, Th – 10 am – 8 pm

F, Sat – 10 am-5 pm

Su – 12-4 pm

Readers Rejoice!

We have a new BONUS BOOK feature to offer our readers! When you check out any item from the library, a staff member will also select an additional title from our new book collection for you to try. The Bonus Book will include a bookmark with a place for you to write a brief review if you decide to read it and want to let us know what you thought. Here are some samples patron reviews:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - "This was picked for me from the staff but I had already read it but decided to re-read it. I'm glad I did! It is a quick read with a wonderful flow - the message is to not give up but it is done in a way that is humorous and so different from other of this genre! I loved it twice!"

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi - "I loved the Henna Artist and it was fantastic to follow Malik's story as a young adult in this novel. Great read!"

The End of Her by Shari LaPena - "Full of suspense - enjoyed the unexpected storyline twists."

Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker - "Suspenseful-easy reading"

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson - "Suspenseful & exciting"

Staff Picks

Check out what our staff is currently reading!

Kathryn -

The Guardians by John Grisham, about a lawyer turned pastor whose mission in life is to exonerate wrongly accused innocent people who are in jail. It's wonderful work until he gets caught up in a dangerous case where the real killer doesn't want the truth revealed.

Amy –

Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley keeps YA readers on the edge of their seats. Daunis, using her knowledge of Ojibwe traditional medicine, decides to help the FBI investigate a new drug that is threatening her community. I like Daunis's spunk and tenacity while trying to straddle two different worlds.

Leslie -

Angels in My Hair: The True Story of a Modern Day Irish Mystic by Lorna Byrne. Amazing book!

Lorna --

The Lincoln Highway

by Amor Towles

18-year old Emmett, recently released from juvenile work camp, prepares to go on a journey to California with his younger brother. His plans are disrupted by two of his friends, who have escaped from the same camp and appear at his childhood home with another destination in mind. If you feel put off by the size of this book (close to 600 pages), don’t be. It reads like a bag of potato chips. The story pulled me along without a single gratuitous word and I loved every minute of it.

A Thousand Ships

by Natalie Haynes

The Trojan war from the women’s point of view. For those who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Circe. I listened to this audiobook in Hoopla, but it will also be available in hard copy.