CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY - Summer 2025 -June/July Edition | |
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News and Updates
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From the Director
Summer Reading 2025
Spellbound: The Enchantment of Reading
Come be enchanted this summer! Reading is “a uniquely portable magic” according to Stephen King, and we agree!
What do you love to read? Mysteries? Fantasies? Thrillers? Memoirs? We have them all – and if they aren’t available on our shelves in print, we can request a title from another library in our 30 library consortium – and have them ready and waiting for you (and your children) on our curbside table. Are you a fan of audiobooks? We offer a huge range of titles ready to download to your phone, tablet or kindle.
Our staff has been hard at work preparing the library --- creating displays, transforming the children’s room, planning activities for all ages. We have a special adult reading raffle sponsored by the Friends of the Library and our Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit in August. Check our calendar for weekly choices, then join us or simply stop by when you have a moment. We are always here to help you find your next great read and/or a companionable spot to to enjoy it. We offer reading enchantment all day every day during library hours.
Let yourself come under the spell of a good book!
“Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real.” ― Nora Ephron
Happy summer and happy reading!
Gayle
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June 18th, 4:00-5:00 PM
&
June 21st, 11:00-12:00 PM
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Dragon Eye Adventure
is back!
Sculpt, decorate, and paint a two-dimensional clay dragon profile, then choose from our special collection of glass dragon eyes to give your sculpture a spark of life!
Ages 7 and up. This is a drop-in activity, but space is limited – arrive on time (or early) to make sure you get a spot!
Call the Library at 203-393-2103
for more information.
| | | Earn a Bead or a charm for every 20 minutes you read and create a custom necklace! All participants will receive a necklace chain when they sign up. | |
Add a leaf with your name on it to our Enchanted Summer Reading Trees for every 20 minutes of reading you record - and a fantasy creature for every 200 minutes!
Help us fill our enchanted trees!
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Join us for LEGO Club this summer!
The Club will meet in the Children's Room on Thursdays, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, starting June 26th. It is a drop-in program open to all ages, but a parent or guardian must be present for participants 12 and under. Both LEGO and DUPLO blocks are available for free-building!
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Adult Summer Reading
Our adult summer reading raffle is offering a bit of digital excitement with a special raffle just for adult readers, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For every book you read (or listen to) enter your name r to win one of two “Enchanted Ipad Packages” – each includes an ipad, a case, wireless earphones and two hours of instruction (at your convenience) from a library staff member to get you started with setting up the device and learning about our apps for downloading ebooks and audiobooks.
We encourage reading and entering multiple times! Names will be drawn in late August.
Forms are available in the Friends area near the double doors or can be submitted here, or simply email your name and book title to the library at ClarkMain@bethanylibrary.org. (The link will also be on our website).
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Early Reader Book Club
Wednesdays 1:30 - 2:00 PM
June 25, July 23, Aug 13
Drop in
For children grades K-2. Enjoy the new Early Reader book collection at the Library by joining our summer Book Club!
Maintain and strengthen your reading skills during the summer break. Themed books will be read aloud and discussed, with time to check out books; get your first library card if you don't already have one! We will end with a monthly scavenger hunt in the Library.
Participants can add to their Summer Reading Program reading log and earn charms as part of this program. Caregivers must remain in the Library while the program is in progress.
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Tuesdays July 1, 8, 22
2:00-3:00 PM
Drop in - ages 10 and up
Come learn to crochet (no experience needed) and create a baby creature of your own!
Amigurumi is a specific type of crochet, focusing on creating 3D, stuffed, and often small, crocheted toys or figures.
Yarn and all materials provided!
| Check our calendar for summer Dungeons and Dragons Activities. | | |
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Thursdays, July 10 - August 15
11:00 - 12:00 PM
Come get Spellbound with Fractured Fairy Tales!
Come to the Library on Thursdays, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, for a fun twist on a classic fairy tale, along with a craft and/or STEM activity perfect for kids ages 2-10 (and parents must remain in the library during the activity).
Drop in - this program will run from July 10 – August 15.
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Wednesday Storytimes
10:45 - 11:15
Drop in
For preschool ages, with a grownup present. Enjoy songs, nursery rhymes, puppets, read-aloud stories, and a craft, followed by open playtime and socializing. Make new friends and develop skills to prepare your little one for group engagement!
Ask about the Library's
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
program!
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1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Book Bags
Take a look at our new themed bags, collect reward stickers for each 100 books you complete – and get ready to read, read, read in the upcoming year.
Not signed up for the program yet?
No problem, come to sign up and get started!
For ages 0-5
More information here.
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Arts@Clark!
Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit
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Spellbound:
Art, Poetry and the Enchantment of Reading
Join us on August 3 for our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit. This year, we are welcoming poets and writers to share their artistic voice.
This “plein air” experience is in the tradition of our famous Connecticut art colonies. Enjoy sharing the work of local artists and having conversations that engage and support local arts. This event is our gift to the community and is free to all participants --- artists, would-be artists and those who are simply looking to enjoy, renew and refresh on a beautiful summer afternoon.
Mark your Calendars!
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Sunday
August 3
1:00 - 5:00 PM
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Arts@Clark!
Artist Reception
July 12, 2025 - 1:00 - 3:00 PM
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An artist reception will be held on July 12, 1:00 - 3:00 PM for the local artists featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibits for June and July, Elizabeth Smolinski & Susan Taddei.
Elizabeth Smolinski grew up in New Haven and moved to Woodbridge in 2006. Oil paints and charcoal are Elizabeth’s favorite art media, and she typically works from her own photographs in the style of realism. Making time to create art is a priority for her, and she loves meeting new people via art. She enjoys elevating things that are easy to overlook, like flags hanging above, or the shadows cast by pond lilies, into compelling images of unconventional beauty.
Susan Taddei moved to Bethany in 1974. She is a self-taught quilter who sews on a vintage Universal De Luxe machine that is over 75 years old. Brightly colored batiks are her favorite quilting fabric. She is very grateful for the generosity of the members of the quilt bee she was part of when her children were young, who taught her many sewing techniques and provided endless inspiration, and loves to give quilts to her friends and family to honor milestones of their lives. Besides quilting, Susan’s other hobbies include singing in the Our Lady of the Assumption Church choir and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Their work will be shown in the Community Room and the downstairs display cabinets in June and July. Stop in to take a look!
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Volunteer to help the
Friends of the Library
bake sale for the outdoor art exhibit on on August 3rd.
Cookies, cakes, goodies of all kinds are appreciated. Call the library at 203-393-2103 to sign up. Items may be dropped off at the library on Saturday August 2 or before noon on Sunday August 3.
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Special thanks to Miss Dorothy
from the Bethany Library Association and Clark Memorial Library
Dorothy Esparo retired in April 2025 after many years of service to the library.
We have a special envelope in the Children's room if you would like to add a note with well wishes.
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