New Milford Public Library Newsletter - April 2026 | | | | |
Passport to CT Libraries Program
April 1st - April 30th
Visit Connecticut Libraries throughout the month of April for a chance to win up to a $200 VISA gift card! Nearly 160 Connecticut libraries are proud to participate in the Connecticut Library Association’s Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program. To begin, visit the New Milford Public Library to pick up your Passport and first stamp. Then, visit other participating libraries, show your Passport and collect stamps. If you visit at least 5 participating libraries, return your Passport to us by May 11th, 2026. CLA will be giving away a total of SIX $200 gift cards, one for adults and one for children in each of three categories. See the main desk for your Passport and more information.
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Let's get cooking, New Milford! We’re creating a New Milford Cookbook with YOUR family recipes. Find your favorite family recipes and let us know what category they are. We’re looking for authentic family recipes. The cookbook will be published in August for purchase. Proceeds will go to the Friends of New Milford Library. The library reserves the right to choose which recipes to publish.
We will be collecting recipes from March 2 through June 5. Please send in your recipes by email at: adultreading@newmilfordlibrary.org
Or bring the recipes to the library and hand them in at the front desk! Any questions? Call 860-355-1191 ext. 4216
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New Milford Poetry Contest
Write your heart out and enter the 2026 Poetry Contest!
- Open to New Milford residents and students in New Milford schools.
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4 categories: Youth ages 8-12; Teens ages 13-18; Adults ages 19-55; Seniors ages 56 and older.
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Submissions accepted through April 24.
- Cash prizes.
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Poetry Reading May 23 at 2:00 at the library.
- Winning poems displayed at the library.
- A collaboration between the Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts, and New Milford Public Library.
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Library News:
New Tutoring Policy
The Library is pleased to welcome tutors as part of our role in supporting learning. Please review the updated tutoring policy and procedures.
All tutors must sign in and sign out and present a valid photo ID.
Tutors that seek to use study rooms must ensure that a parent or guardian completes a waiver form before the tutoring sessions occur.
For children under the age of 12, a parent or guardian must remain in the Library building during tutoring sessions.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone.
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Tech-Talk
Tech-Talk is a premier collection of articles, videos, and webinars developed each week by top training experts for busy professionals, educators, and learners. It helps people stay current, relevant and productive using technology … and become better communicators in the workplace and at home.
Tech-Talk also has a newsletter that patrons can sign-up for. Here is the link.
https://www.tech-talk.com/login/nmpl?login_code+nmpl
username: nmpl
password: nmpl
Live Tech-Talk Webinars:
Unlocking Canva Features Without the Overwhelm
Wednesday, April 8th, 3 pm
Canva keeps adding features… and confusion. This friendly webinar shows novices and returning users how to navigate the new Canva interface with confidence. Learn how to create clean, compelling graphics without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
The Secret Productivity Tool in Creating a Table of Contents
Wednesday, April 22nd, 3 pm
Creating a Table of Contents in Word isn’t just formatting…it’s a productivity superpower. In this webinar, learn how Word’s built-in styles make documents easier to navigate, update, and share. It’s ideal for reports, manuals, proposals, and long documents that need clarity and professionalism.
Registration link for
Tech-Talk webinars: https://www.tech-talk.com/webinars?login_code=nmpl
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Library Services:
Poster Printer
- Large posters: $ 9.30, greater than 24″ by 18″ but equal to or less than 24″ by 36″ (matte paper)
- Medium posters: $ 7.00, equal to or less than 24″ X 18″ (matte paper)
- Email requests to posters@newmilfordlibrary.org.
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Interested in designing your own poster? We can show you how! Just book a Tech Help appointment to get started.
- **Please allow one week for the completion of posters.**
Large Format Cold Laminator
(24″ wide)
- Laminator fees are $ .20 per inch based on the amount of plastic sheathing used. The Laminator is 24″ wide.
- **Located on the 2nd floor ask staff at the Reference desk for assistance.**
| | | A Message From Our FRIENDS of the Library | | |
Isn’t it wonderful to have more daylight hours? It’s a sure sign that warmer weather is on the way and that Mother Nature will be working extra hard to provide us with green grass, leafy trees, and colorful flowers. Think Spring! Friendly Finds will have a variety of books to celebrate Earth Day, which is on
April 22nd. Lesser-known this month is World Art Day, commemorated on April 15th. Art books of all types are available at Friendly Finds. After you find a book or two there, take a quick trip upstairs–the second floor of the library has an art gallery. The exhibits, which change on a regular basis, feature works by local artists.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The FRIENDS’ Big Spring Book Sale will take place Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2. On Friday from 10am to 11am there will be a $5 “early bird” fee, then from 11am until 4:30pm admission is free. Saturday is free all day from 9am until 4pm. Come shop!
The FRIENDS of the Library use book sale proceeds to fund museum passes and many varied programs at the library. You get to enjoy the books and the benefits! Cash, check, or Venmo are accepted. We gratefully accept donations of books in good condition that you no longer need or want. Volunteers will be at the back entrance of the library every Saturday from 9:30 until Noon for
assistance. (You can also return books that you previously purchased from the FRIENDS!) To learn more, visit our website at www.FONML.com or e-mail us at FONML001@gmail.com
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DID YOU KNOW?
Your library card can be stored digitally on your phone by choosing to use apps, such as Acorn, Express Checkout, Key Ring, Stocard, and cloudLibrary.
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Community Service Project for Knitters and Crocheters
We need your help! Knit or crochet hats, mittens, scarves and lap blankets to give to NM Social Services. Your simple act of kindness in the creating and giving of something handmade can bring a little warmth, comfort and joy to each recipient.
Call the library 860-355-1191 and ask for Jody for more information.
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Reserve Museum Passes
New Milford residents can now reserve museum and cultural passes on our website. Reservations can be made up to three months ahead of time. You may also visit the library and check out an available pass. Out-of-town residents can also come into the library and check out passes. Special thanks to the Friends of NMPL for sponsoring these passes. Remember that these passes are loaned for three days only.
Going to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT, is a wonderful way to spend a family day. With our passes, you'll receive a discounted rate of $10 each ticket for up to six guests. www.beardsleyzoo.org
| |  | Come see the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT. It's a wonderful place to connect with amazing artwork. Our passes allow free general museum admission for two adults, 18 and older. Ages 17 and under are free. https://www.thewadsworth.org | | | | |
The library is hosting Andrea Price-Johnson's exhibit entitled, "Breath and Bloom: Nature Refined" through April 9.
From April 10-May 14, we'll be featuring "Lorraine Ryan: A Lifetime of Art." And our display case will show the pottery of Roberta Ajuha. Don't miss the works of these amazing artists. Artist reception is April 11 from 1:00-3:00.
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SCORE at the Library!
Have a business idea? Want to grow your business? SCORE volunteers can help. Make an one-on-one appointment for April 14 HERE. There are four appointments for each session: 5:00-5:30, 5:30-6:00, 6:00-6:30, 6:30-7:00.
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April Tech Programs
Drop-In Tech Help
Wed April 8, 6-7pm
Fri April 24, 10:30-11:30am
Technology Training Class
Sat April 25, 12-1:30pm - Defeat the File Chaos! Getting Organized with Windows
Do you know where your important files are - your documents, photos, or files downloaded from email? Many people struggle to keep their computers organized, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to create folders, organize your files, find things quickly, and move or delete files when you no longer need them. We’ll also talk about simple ways to back up your important information so it stays safe. If your computer files feel messy or hard to find, this class will help you get organized and feel more confident using Windows.
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Library of Things
The library has so many things you can borrow--like board games to play before you buy them as gifts! Plus, the library has Spanish language-learning games, too. Check it out!
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Hoopla Flex and Instant Borrows!
NMPL offers both Hoopla Instant and Hoopla Flex titles to patrons. What's the difference?
Flex Titles vs. Instant Borrows on Hoopla
Flex titles are digital items your library has purchased, often including newer releases and bestsellers. These may require placing a hold if they’re currently in use, and you can even suggest titles for the library to add.
Instant borrows come from Hoopla’s own collection and are always available with no waiting. Keep in mind that even if you’ve used all your Instant Borrows for the month, you may still have Flex Titles available. To save time, try using Advanced Search to quickly find what you need.
A recent addition to the BingePass offering, SeasonPass extends this access to select full TV seasons with a single borrow. Patrons can explore new series or revisit a favorite, all with no waiting.
SeasonPass includes a wide range of TV content from BBC Studios, PBS Distribution, and other partners, with genres such as thrilling crime and mystery series, docuseries, dramas, period pieces, comedies, and educational shows—with more on the way in the coming months.
Explore these BingePass releases:
- Hoopla Magazines BingePass
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Need to do some research? Through the CT State Library, NMPL has comprehensive and easy accessible databases, like EBSCO. Here is a link.
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Sign Up for Wowbrary!
NMPL buys many new books, movies, and CDs each week. Wowbrary is a weekly email alert that shows you the newest books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks that we purchased that week. So, you'll see the many exciting bestsellers, movies, music, and recorded books almost the very moment they arrive at the library.
To get started and see what the emails look like, visit www.wowbrary.org.
Or sign up directly through this link: https://wowbrary.org/signup.aspx?l=2312
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Be sure to check out the APRIL Calendar.
Our monthly programs are going strong--Genealogy Club once a month, plus Friday Films, too. We also have Sit & Stitch every Tuesday from 3:30-5:00. Join us! For more info, call 860-355-1191 ext. 4216.
Click on the pictures below to register for these APRIL Adult programs.
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What Is Story Time?
It’s time to register for Fall Story Times. Some people think that Story Time is just someone reading books to children. But there is a lot more that goes into our programming. At NMPL, we keep our groups separated by age. This way, we can offer the best program for your child’s social and emotional needs. The stories and activities are developmentally correct for your child. Depending on the age of the children, we use books, flannel board stories, puppets, music, arts and crafts that will enhance the session. So, it is important that the children are in the correct age group.
We keep the children with the other kids that they will potentially go to school with by being strict about the age of the child. Connecticut Public Schools are now requiring children to be five years old by September 1st of the school year in order to register for kindergarten. We back that up by having our registration for Story Time use the same cut-off dates.
- Little Ones Mondays (10:00 AM or 11:00 AM) Child must be 1 by Sept. 1, 2025
- Terrific Twos Thursdays (10:00 AM or 11:00 AM) Child must be 2 by Sept. 1, 2025
- 3, 4, 5- Year-Old Story Time Wed. (10:00 AM or 11:00 AM) Child must be 3, 4 or 5 by Sept. 1, 2025
We want to give your children the best start to a love of reading and using the library.
| | Check out these NMPL April Teen Programs. See the calendar on our website for more super programs. | | | | |
