| | |
BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
NEWSLETTER
September 28 - October 3, 2026
| |
PLEASE NOTE: If you are viewing this newsletter with your Gmail account, you will need to click on "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" (at the bottom of the page on the left side) to view the entire newsletter.
| | |
Prosser Library
1 Tunxis Ave
860-243-9721
Mon: 10 am-5 pm
Tue-Thu: 10 am-8 pm
Fri: 10 am-5 pm
Sat: 10 am-2 pm
| | |
McMahon Wintonbury Library
1015 Blue Hills Ave
860-242-0041
Mon, Wed, Thu: 10 am-8 pm
Tue: 10 am-5 pm
Fri: 10 am-5 pm
Sat: 10 am-2 pm
| | |
Public Service Announcement: Temporary Parking Changes
The McMahon Wintonbury Library parking lot is now open. Landscaping and other site work will continue throughout the fall, which may impact some parking spaces. Thank you to the Blue Hills Fire Department for their generosity and partnership throughout this process.
The Prosser Library parking garage is temporarily closed to vehicle and foot traffic. An oversized vehicle damaged the parking garage ceiling, and Public Works is working on repairs. At this time, we do not know when access to the parking garage will be restored. Handicap-accessible parking is available in front of Prosser Library along Tunxis Avenue, as well as in designated spots in the parking lot at the base of the bridge.
| | |
Our third year of Homeschool Fun Fridays at BPL begins on October 2. Programs are best for ages 5 to 12, but homeschoolers of all ages are welcome!
Bloomfield Public Library is excited to partner with the Children's Museum of West Hartford, who will join us on the first two Fridays of each month.
First Friday: The Children's Museum Robotics Club. The first Friday of each month will focus on in-depth robot building. Museum staff work with club members to code finches and microbits to create a project they can build on each week. Registration is required for the Robotics Club, and participants are asked to commit to becoming a team member and attend on the first Friday of the month as often as possible.
| | | |
Participants must be able to read at a chapter-book level and work independently in order for the instructor to give full attention to every child.
Second Friday: Live Animals & Engineering. The Children's Museum will dedicate the second Friday of each month to sharing live animals and providing engineering challenges.
Third Friday: Board Games. Registration is appreciated for set-up purposes.
Fourth Friday: Social Hour for Families. Drop in and mingle with other homeschool families. Share ideas, caregiving tips, lesson plans, and more.
| | Online Resource Highlight | | Join the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) for a special storytime! We'll read The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. Together, we'll explore colors and emotions through this engaging story, followed by a hands-on activity designed for preschool children and their caregivers. Best for ages 2 to 5. | | | Make an Onigiri Rice Plushie with BPL staffer Christina. You will learn how to hand-sew the cutest rice ball plushie ever! We’ve got all the supplies covered—just bring your creativity. For teens ages 12 to 19. Limited space available. | | | Join us for an education program from the Alzheimer’s Association’s Empowered Caregiver initiative. Learn about healthy habits for your brain and the importance of taking action to protect your brain at every age. Build a personalized action plan for a brain-healthy lifestyle. For Adults. | | | We've all heard stories of art prodigies - those who were seemingly born with paintbrushes in their hands. But what about those who changed the art world by tapping into their lived experiences? Let’s explore the work of contemporary artists over age 60. While there are some names you have likely heard of, you will also view the work and hear the stories of artists you may have never heard of before. BPL welcomes back Helane Rheingold of Conversations with Art. For Adults. | | | Join the No Child Left Inside ® Program/CT State Parks as we explore the trees and leaves outside of the library. We will collect leaves in red, orange, yellow, and brown. Together, we will sort them by color, size, and shape. Best for ages 2–5, but all ages welcome! | | | Bloomfield has amazing stories to tell! Connecticut’s 169 towns have many histories. The locations, people, and legends make each town special and different from its neighbors. Connecticut has a wide variety of geographical features which influenced how towns grew and prospered. Participants will learn how and why Bloomfield developed over time, and discover how its inventions and industries contributed to the growth of the state and country. Best for ages 8 and up, but all are welcome! | | | Join Mark Gostkiewicz of Tri Gable Lea Farm for a practical, down-to-earth introduction to the craft of the home apothecary. This class focuses on the simplicity and ease of growing your own herbs and processing them into useful, high-quality products for your home. You’ll learn how to grow versatile plants and master the basic methods of preservation and extraction—all with a focus on tradition, safety, and the satisfaction of a handmade lifestyle. For Adults. | | | Melanie Lambert from the Center for Medicare Advocacy will present how to make the most of your Medicare. Topics covered will include the differences between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, how to review your coverage options during open enrollment, and how to appeal Medicare service terminations and coverage denials. For Adults. | | | At 95 years old, Bloomfield resident Ruth Weiner is one of the youngest living survivors of the Holocaust. Ruth will share some of her experiences as a young girl in Vienna, and how the Holocaust affected her family as “one of millions.” Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions, since Ruth believes that “the only thing worse than talking about bad things is not talking about them.” She’ll also share ways to get involved to help others stand up in the face of hate. For Tweens, Teens, and Adults. | | | BPL is pleased to host Ethan Rutherford, local author of North Sun, or The Voyage of the Whaleship Esther. A finalist for the National Book Award, the novel is a tale of adventure that also looks unsparingly at the cost of environmental exploitation and predation. He’ll discuss his inspiration for writing the book, the writing and research process, and his experience as a CT author. Ethan will read from his book and answer questions from the audience. Books will be available for purchase. This program is presented in partnership with CT Humanities. For Teens and Adults. | | | |
Meditation (Virtual)
Wednesday, September 30 at 1:30PM
| | | |
Youth Chess Club (Prosser)
Wednesday, September 30 at 5:30PM
| | | |
Teen Gaming @ Prosser
Friday, October 2 from 2:30-4:30PM
| | | |
|
This Is My Home, This Is My School
by Jonathan Bean
Children's Fiction
| |
|
For Black Girls Like Me
by Mariama J. Lockington
Middle Grade Fiction
| |
|
Homeschooling
by Ginny Yurich, MEd
Adult Nonfiction
| |
|
The Unseen World
by Liz Moore
Adult Fiction
| | What are you reading? Tag us and let us know on Instagram or Facebook @bplct | | BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY | | |
McMahon Wintonbury
1015 Blue Hills Ave.
Mon, Wed, Thu 10 am-8 pm
Tue 10 am-5 pm
Fri 10 am-5 pm
Sat 10 am-2 pm
860-242-0041
| | |
Prosser
1 Tunxis Ave.
Mon 10 am-5 pm
Tue, Wed, Thu 10 am-8 pm
Fri 10 am-5 pm
Sat 10 am-2 pm
860-243-9721
| | |
If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to sign up to receive updates from Bloomfield Public Library, sign up here.
| | | | |