Update to Library Hours

Closed on Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day

Last week, we celebrated National Library Week (April 23 - 29, 2023), a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, recognize library workers' contributions, and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2023 was "There's More to the Story," illustrating the fact that in addition to books, libraries offer countless resources.

I would like to hear your story about how Ledyard Public Library has made an impact or difference in your life! Stop by, give me a call, or send me an email to share your story.

Jennifer Smith

Library Director

jsmith@ledyardlibrary.org

860-464-9917

Libraries strengthen communities and transform lives every day. In addition to well-loved books, your library offers innovative programs that promote lifelong learning, connect patrons to technology, and advance knowledge.

Last month, we encouraged patrons and library lovers to make a gift in support of your library to recognize Library Giving Day. Thank you to the following individuals and families who showed their love for Ledyard Library by making a donation:

• Richard Morange
• Gayle Wilson
• Grenger Family
• Kathleen Edgecomb
• Carol Sormrude
• Beth Rumery

Giggles and Wiggles Storytime

Wednesdays – May 3, 10

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 – May 4, 11

10:30 a.m.

Gales Ferry Community Room

Ages 3 – 5

A fun and energetic storytime! Learning stations are 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.

Chess for Kids

Monday, May 8

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. The instructor will provide all boards unless you would like to bring your own.

Mother’s Day Tea Party

Saturday, May 13

10:00 a.m.

Gales Ferry Community Center

All Ages

Let's celebrate Moms for the amazing job they do! We invite Moms of all ages and their children to a special spring tea at Gales Ferry Community Center. A story will be read and sweet treats will be had by all! This event is currently full, but please register for the waiting list if you are interested. As places open up, you will be contacted by library staff.

Tour of the Up-Down Sawmill and Mother’s Day Craft

Saturday, May 13

2:00 p.m.

Sawmill Park

172 Iron St, Ledyard

All Ages

Another way to celebrate Moms and all they do! Join us for a tour of the Up-Down Sawmill and then create a craft to give to Mom for Mother's Day. 

Graphic Novel Book Club

Cartooning Workshop with Brett Swanson, author of Power Kid Comics

Monday, May 22

4:30 p.m.

Bill Library

Ages 8 - 11

Brett Swanson, creator of Power Kid Comics, will present a cartooning workshop. Please note the special time for this event. For 2nd-5th graders and registration is required. This program is made possible with help from CT Humanities and the Ledyard Public Library Commission.

What We Know About Early Literacy

Early literacy (reading and writing) is the natural development of skills through the enjoyment of books, the importance of positive interactions between babies and parents, and the critical role of literacy-rich experiences.

Literacy development begins at birth and is closely linked to a baby’s earliest experiences with books and stories. Babies learn language through social literacy experiences – parents interacting with them using books. These experiences also serve to associate books with parental affection, attention, and approval.

Read to Succeed!

A study of 3-to-5-year-olds who were read to at least three times per week found the children:

• Two times more likely to recognize all letters
• Two times more likely to have word-sight recognition
• Two times more likely to understand words in context

Visit the Ledyard Library to pick up a literacy calendar and learn more about our ongoing programs that are focused around early literacy.

Teen Photography Contest

Submissions Close: May 5

Voting Opens: May 8

Winners Announced: May 22

Grades 7 – 12

There is still time to submit photos in our Teen Photography Contest! Teens are invited to submit photos via email starting Monday, April 10 in three categories. Participants can submit one photo per category. Categories include animals/pets, landscape/nature/scenery, and books (favorite read, favorite place to read, etc.). Photo submissions will close Friday, May 5. Community voting will begin on May 8 via Google Form. The highest vote-getters from each category will receive a $20.00 Amazon gift card. Winners will be announced on May 22. Submissions can be sent to Mrs. Burt at sburt@ledyardlibrary.org.

Scribl Art Workshops

Monday, May 15: Dual Emotions

5:30 p.m.

Bill Library

Teen and Adult Program

Dual Emotions – exploring the relationship between different emotions experienced at once

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 creativity, 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.

Ledyard Cookbook Club

Tuesday, May 2

12:30 p.m.

Gales Ferry Community Center

We typically meet the first Tuesday of every month to explore cookbooks and their various recipes. This month, we highlight Mexican cooking. We will celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with an assortment of dishes from cookbooks that can be picked up at the Gales Ferry Library. We’d love to have you join us!

Contact: Andrea at 860-464-6943 or aholbrook@ledyardlibrary.org

Presidential Hopefuls Book Discussion

Tuesday, May 9

7:00 p.m.

Bill Library and Zoom

Join the Ledyard Library for a discussion of those who tried, and failed, to become President. We will examine their careers and electoral losses and ask ourselves what could have been different. Our discussions will cover figures such as Henry Clay, Victoria Woodhull, and William Jennings Bryan.

Our first figure for discussion is Henry Clay. Books are available for pickup at both the Ledyard Bill and Gales Ferry locations.

Victorian Poetry Reading with Alexis Delorge

Tuesday, May 16

6:30 p.m.

Bill Library

Join the Ledyard Public Library in welcoming local author and poet Alexis Delorge for this exciting literary event!

Alexis will be reading a selection of Victorian-era American poetry from poets such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Walt Whitman. Her readings are powerful and bring out the beauty and emotion of these pieces of great American artistry.

Adult Board Game and Book Club

Saturday, May 20

2:00 p.m.

Bill Library

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

This month, we will be playing Catan: Trade, Build, Settle – the classic game centered on exploration, trade, and resource management.

We encourage patrons to read any books related to exploration. Choices can range from adventure books about far-ranging quests to history books about treks through the Jungle. The choices are nearly limitless! However, this is not a requirement to play, and beginners are always welcome!

Senior Center Book Club

Wednesday, May 24

10:30 a.m.

Ledyard Senior Center

12 Van Tassel Drive, Gales Ferry

For the month of May, we are discussing One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle, a mother/daughter story that is transcendent.

This group typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Contact Andrea at 860-464-6943 or aholbrook@ledyardlibrary.org if you have questions.

Genealogy Club

Wednesday, May 24

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.

For May, patrons are encouraged to pick up a copy of the book The Ravine: A Family, a Photograph, a Holocaust Massacre Revealed by Wendy Lower from the library to read. Not only is it a powerful and moving book about the Holocaust but Lower’s analysis is also well-suited for studying how to analyze historical photographs.

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

On May 1, the OverDrive app will be discontinued. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to make the switch to Libby, our newer reading app. Libby has the same goal of connecting you to the Ledyard Library and to your favorite books, audiobooks, and magazines.

Thanks to feedback from librarians and readers, Libby is more accessible for everyone. If you've enjoyed using the OverDrive app, we really hope you'll love Libby.

Ledyard Library is here to help you make the switch. Give us a call or ask the next time you come in. Our librarians are ready and happy to assist you!

If you are looking for additional free access to ebooks and audiobooks, we also recommend downloading The Palace app.

The Palace Project is a non-profit ebook and audiobook marketplace developed in consultation with libraries, for libraries. The Palace app allows libraries to serve content from all of the major e-content vendors including Palace Marketplace, which offers a diverse mix of titles from major publishers, dozens of independent publishers, and Amazon Publishing.

Ledyard Library is here to help you get set up with this new app. Give us a call or ask for help the next time you come in. Our librarians are ready and happy to assist you!

Erin

Big Tree by Brian Selznick

Jackie

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham

Jen

The Hundred Dresses written by Eleanor Estes and illustrated by Louis Slobodkin

Laura

The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood

Matt

Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard written by Ronald Wimberly and illustrated by Brahm Revel

Stacey

Harold the Iceberg Melts Down written by Lisa Wyzlic and illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse

Click on the above book titles to place a hold online or give us a call and we can place the hold for you.

No Mow May is here! This initiative encourages keeping lawns unmown for the month of May in an effort to create natural habitats and food sources for early-season pollinators such as bees. For more information about wildflowers and the importance of attracting pollinators, check out our wide selection of gardening books. The Ledyard Seed Library offers American Meadows mixed wildflower seed packets, generously donated by Bio Tech Pest Controls to Ledyard Public Library. Happy Spring!

Friends Meeting

Thursday, July 10

Executive meeting - 6:00 p.m.

General meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Gales Ferry Library

We are still in need of a treasurer and a vice president for our board. Please consider joining us for a two-year term. 

May is Get Caught Reading month. You might receive recognition if you are caught reading at either of our buildings!

Our Annual Book Sale at Bill will be held earlier this year. The sale dates are Friday, August 18 through Sunday, August 27. We are in need of donations of books in good or better than good condition for the annual book sale. We are in particular need of recent adult fiction.

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. Stay tuned as we will be asking for donations of themed baskets as well.

Remember to visit the ongoing book sales at both library buildings – in the meeting room at Bill Library and the Book Cellar at Gales Ferry Library, each of which is open during normal library hours. All sales go toward support of the library.

Mrs. Burt, our Children's Librarian, is in need of AA batteries for her bubble blower. She uses it for each storytime, and it is very popular! The batteries will also be used for playaways and other needs as they arise. If you would like to donate, please drop off a new package at either library. 

Sarah Desormier, President

860-464-9538, friends@ledyardlibrary.org

Janice W. Bell Historical Research Room at the Bill Library

Ledyard Historical Society

New hours: The archive is open on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

(except holidays) and other days by appointment.

We are excited to announce that the Ledyard Historical Society was a recipient of a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from Connecticut Humanities. We are grateful for this funding and look forward to using it to restore our website, which will once again allow access to our growing digital collection as well as increase the pace of our ongoing digitization projects.

Email us your questions about Ledyard and Gales Ferry history or local families. Donations or loans for digitizing are welcome. Appointment requests or donations may be made by emailing Andrea Buka at research@ledyardhistory.org.