BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER

September 28 - October 3, 2026

Come Bloom with Us!

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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.

Welcome, Homeschoolers!

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

Events This Week

Special Storytime & Craft with the Greater Hartford RSCO (Prosser)

Monday, September 28 at 10:30AM

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 for Teens (McMahon Wintonbury)

Monday, September 28 at 5:30PM

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.

Building Brain-Healthy Habits (Bloomfield Senior Center)

Tuesday, September 29 at 5PM

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.

Better Late Than Never: Artists Over Age 60 (Virtual or Prosser)

Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30PM

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.

Storytime & Craft Hour: Fall Colors All Around Us- Leaf Sorting and Matching (McMahon Wintonbury)

Wednesday, September 30 at 10:30AM

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!

History of Bloomfield with Mystic Seaport Museum (Prosser)

Wednesday, September 30 at 4PM

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!

The Herbal Apothecary: Making Tinctures, Salves, and Teas from Your Garden (Prosser)

Wednesday, September 30 at 6PM

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.

Making The Most Of Your Medicare (Prosser)

Thursday, October 1 at 6:30PM

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.

Surviving the Holocaust: A Conversation with Ruth Weiner (Prosser)

Friday, October 2 at 3PM

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.

Author Talk: North Sun by Ethan Rutherford (Prosser)

Saturday, October 3 at 11AM

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.

Ongoing Events

Tech Time With Marc Edrich (McMahon Wintonbury)

Monday, September 28 at 6PM

Teen Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting (McMahon Wintonbury)

Tuesday, September 29 at 4PM

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

Board Game Afternoon (Tweens, Teens & Adults; McMahon Wintonbury)

Saturday, October 3 from 12-2PM

Homeschooling

 

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


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