Best wishes to Andrea Buka

Andrea Buka retired last month from Ledyard Public Library after nearly 25 years. Andrea had many roles over the years, including Library Assistant, Sunday Supervisor, co-creator of the Teen Program, and Head of Technical Services. In addition, Andrea initiated the Maker Program for all ages, coordinating and sometimes teaching a variety of classes including textile arts, 3-D printing, robotics, container gardening and even a hands-on blacksmithing workshop at the Up and Down Sawmill. Andrea will continue to devote time as a volunteer archivist for the Ledyard Historical Society and be an active team member of the Friends of Ledyard Libraries annual silent auction. In addition, she looks forward to spending more time with family and friends, and re-exploring many of her creative and culinary hobbies! We all wish Andrea the very best in her future adventures.

March is Women's History Month

Be inspired to read something new today. Check out our displays at both library buildings and also our downloadable materials available through Libby, Hoopla, and more.

Welcoming Library

The Welcoming Library is a positive pop-up conversation about immigration, and the acclaimed collection of picture books features New Arrival and New American families reflecting these themes. Readers and listeners of ALL AGES will have a chance to "meet" these families on the page while exploring the commonalities shared by all cultures. Further exploration is available using the I'm Your Neighbor discussion questions, which makes this collection great for classroom use or reading one-on-one. These items are now available to check out and will be showcased through mid-April.

Giggles and Wiggles Storytime

Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

10:30 a.m.

Bill Library

Ages Infant – 3

Great stories, fun finger plays, and lots of dancing. Registration is not required. However, space is limited to the first 20 families.

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

10:30 a.m.

Gales Ferry Community Center

Ages 3 – 5

A fun and energetic storytime! Learning stations will be offered at the end of each storytime to actively engage, entertain, and build the skills of the children who participate. Registration is not required. However, space is limited to the first 15 families.

STEM Explorers of the Deep

Wednesday, March 8: Cartesian Diver

Wednesday, March 22: Nautical Flags

4:00 p.m.

Bill Library

Ages 5-12

Cartesian Diver: Learn about divers and the effects of underwater pressure. Then make your own bottle diver science experiment.

Nautical Flags: Decipher signals and create messages using nautical flags.

We have once again partnered with New London County 4-H to provide STEM kits to children ages 5 – 12. Some of the activities will be done as a group at the Bill Library, but others will be take-home kits for you to work on at your leisure. If you can’t make it to the in-person program, you can always register to do the activity at home. Each activity has its own how-to video and other resources. Register for each week individually.

Creating Memorable Moments

Saturday, March 18

10:30 a.m.

Bill Library

Family Event

We are excited to have Winsome Bingham lead this workshop on creating memorable moments with your family. Her debut book, Soul Food Sunday, is a NYT Best Seller and a celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table. Join us to learn from this amazing and LOCAL author. Register your family for this exciting workshop today!

Chess for Kids

Monday, March 20

4:00 p.m.

Bill Library

Ages 8 and up

Join us to play a game of chess! Beginners and intermediate players are welcome. Kyle Pearson will lead kids ages 8 and up in chess strategy and practice as needed. All chess boards will be provided unless you would like to bring your own.

Congratulations to Norah who is well on her way to reading 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten provides an innovative yet fun approach to establishing strong early literacy skills. Parents and caregivers can sign up for this free program at the Ledyard Public Library and keep track of the books they read with their children. This program helps instill the confidence necessary so our youth can become strong readers and be successful in school and life.

Military Communications at Sea

Saturday, March 4

10:30 a.m.

Bill Library

Grades 5 - 8

To be able to successfully communicate with other ships the Navy has used a variety of ways to effectively pass along vital information. In this lesson educators from the Submarine Force Library and Museum will teach students about these forms from the British and the birth of our nation to present. 

Scribl Art Workshops

Monday, March 13: Mandala Poetry

5:30 p.m.

Bill Library

Teen and Adult Program

Mandala Poetry: learning to be present in the moment while being more conscious of inner thoughts and feelings

PeaceLove began when cousins Matt Kaplan and Jeff Sparr wanted to change the way they saw people approaching mental health. They wanted to create a space that encouraged creativitity, self-expression, and storytelling. With the goal of making expressive arts programming as accessible as possible in a changing world, PeaceLove created Scribl. This is an in-person experience that uses simple creative activities to help participants let go, reflect, and connect. This program is for teens and adults but children as young as 10 can participate if they have an adult present and participating in the workshop as well. Registration is required as is wearing a mask because of the affiliation with L & M Hospital.

Harry Potter Trivia

Saturday, April 1

2:00 p.m.

Bill Library

Grades 4 - 12

Do you think you know everything about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? This topic is back by popular demand! You could win a gift card if you can answer the most questions correctly. Play as a team or individually.

LitLoot boxes are now available for those who registered for March.

These personalized literary subscription boxes are thoughtfully created for registered teens based on their reading preferences. LitLoot includes two books, craft materials, and other fun library swag! Don't miss your chance to register for our next LitLoot boxes.

Ledyard Cookbook Club

Tuesday, March 7

12:30 p.m.

Gales Ferry Community Center

We have a really fun cookbook this month, Food between Friends by Jesse Taylor Ferguson and Julie Tanous. We are going to see if the recipes live up to the carefree vibe of the cookbook. Come and join us, we always have a great time! This group typically meets the first Tuesday of each month and books are available to pick up at the Gales Ferry Library. 

“Tomato, Tamata, High or Low” presented by Ray Hasson

Saturday, March 11

1:00 p.m.

Bill Library

Join the Ledyard Garden Club and Ledyard Library in welcoming Ray Hasson who will present an exciting talk about Tomatoes. No matter how you pronounce it, tomatoes are one of the crops with the greatest variety. They are also the most popular fruit to grow. You'll find them in suburban gardens and in containers on high-rise apartment balconies. We'll talk about varieties, uses, pests, and diseases. Learn how to grow, and more, the fruit you love.

American Presidents Book Discussion

Tuesday, March 14

7:00 p.m.

Bill Library and Zoom

Join us for a discussion about the shortest term President, William Henry Harrison. While he spent only a month as President, he had a long military career beforehand that will provide for an excellent discussion. Books are available at both Bill and Gales Ferry Library.

Senior Center Book Club

Wednesday, March 22

10:30 a.m.

Ledyard Senior Center

12 Van Tassel Drive, Gales Ferry

Join us this March as we discuss the book Educated by Tara Westover. Growing up with a dysfunctional family, never sent to school, Tara Westover defies the odds and grows into an educated, accomplished woman. This biography is awe inspiring. We would love to have you join us! This group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month and books are available to check out at the Gales Ferry Library.

Genealogy Club

Wednesday, March 22

1:30 p.m.

Bill Library and Zoom

Are you interested in delving into your family history but don’t know where to begin? Join the Ledyard Library’s Genealogy Club! Each month, we will have a reading selection that utilizes and discusses pertinent methodologies for genealogists such as “microhistory”.

This month, patrons are encouraged to pick up a copy of the book “The Return of Martin Guerre” from the library to read. This classic “microhistory” offers readers an interesting methodology to apply to their own genealogical work. Reading this book is not necessary to participate in the club.

Please bring your own research, notes, and questions to talk about with the group.

Adult Board Game and Book Club

Saturday, March 25

2:00 p.m.

Bill Library

Come to the Bill Library on the fourth Saturday of every month to try out different board games and talk about a related book.

March's Game: Ticket to Ride

We encourage patrons to read anything train or travel related. However, this is not required.

“The Golden Age of Hollywood” presented by Dr. Brian Rose

Tuesday, March 28

7:00 p.m.

Bill Library and Zoom

Join the Ledyard Library in welcoming Dr. Brian Rose as he presents this exciting talk!

From the late 1920s through the end of World War II, studios like MGM, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and RKO dominated film production, not only in America but throughout the world. The reasons for Hollywood's success during this period are intriguing. Despite the economic problems posed by the Depression, the studios became virtual entertainment factories with each studio producing more than 50 movies a year. The legacy of these years of frenzied activity is among the best-loved, and most significant films, ever made.

This presentation will examine the forces that made Hollywood the giant of global film-making and the special nature of its achievements during its Golden Age, including discussions of studio politics and economics, the star system, and the nature of the movie-going experience. There will also be an analysis of why this period was so short-lived and of Hollywood's desperate attempts, beginning in the 1950s, to recapture its faded glory.

Tax Forms are available!



Ledyard Library has the Federal 1040 and 1040-SR tax forms available to pick up for free. Also available is the accompanying instruction booklet for these forms.

If you require a different Federal form or a State form, our staff can assist you with printing for the standard printing fee of 10 cents per page.

The 2023 Ledyard Seed Library is now open! We have a wide selection of free gardening seeds, including vegetables and fruit, flowers, herbs, mixed wildflowers, 3-sisters bundles, and locally grown with a nice selection of native species from the WildOnes—Mountain Laurel Chapter. The main location is at Bill Library, however we’d also like to introduce you to our Ledyard Seed Library “Sampler” at Gales Ferry Library. The main Seed Library has the largest quantity and variety of seeds as well as a wide selection of gardening books, brochures, seed catalogs, educational articles, DVDs, and great courses programs. The Seed Library Sampler has a diverse selection of seeds, gardening books, brochures, and seed catalogs, just on a smaller scale. Be on the lookout for several gardening programs -- details and registration information will be on our Facebook page and website. We look forward to seeing you at either or both locations to help kick off your gardening season!

Please join the Friends in celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2. 

Calling all crafters! Now is the time to start that project to donate to our fall fundraiser in November. All gift-quality crafts are appreciated.

Our next meeting, Thurs. April 13, will be at Gales Ferry Library at 7 pm. We will be holding elections for the board. We are in need of a Treasurer, vice president, and three members at large. A member at large is a voting member, but has no other specific duties.

Remember to visit the ongoing book sales in both buildings - in the meeting room at Bill Library, and the Book Cellar at Gales Ferry Library, each of which are open during normal library hours. All sales go towards support of the library. We are currently accepting donated items at both buildings including fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, CDs, audio books, puzzles, and games in good condition or new condition.

Key dates:

March 2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Next meeting - Thursday, April 13 at Gales Ferry Library, 7:00 p.m.

What we need:

Volunteers to join our board

Sarah Desormier, President

860 464-9538, Friends@Ledyardlibrary.org