SPL celebrates National Library Card Sign-Up Month! During September, if you sign-up for a new library card, renew an expired one, help a friend to sign-up, or even if you just use a library card that’s been inactive for a while, you’ll get one entry into our drawing for an exciting gift bag!

September Book Discussion: The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck. 
NOTE: EARLIER TIME TO EASE PARKING ONCE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
Led by Denise Stankovics
Written by a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature and the U.S. Medal of Freedom, The Winter of Our Discontent tells the story of Ethan Allen Hawley, a clerk in a Long Island grocery story once owned by his family. No longer members of the upper class, his wife is restless and his teenage son wish for material comforts that the family can no longer afford. In a moment of moral crisis, Ethan sets aside his scrupulous standards as a the novel explores the line between private and public honesty and offers a penetrating insight into the American condition. Copies will be available at the library. Call 860-763-3501 to register. 

Teen Games Night!  Wednesday, September 29 at 5pm. Join us for an evening of table-top games. We have tons of great games available, including Catan, Monopoly, RISK, Clue, and many others. You're also encouraged to bring your favorites! 

Saturday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m. Teen Advisory Board Meeting. The Teen Advisory Board is an opportunity for teens to help plan and set up library programs, provide invaluable teen perspective on library policies and procedures, and it looks great on a college application! Anyone in grades 6 - 12 is encouraged to participate. 

Registration for our fall storytime session will begin Monday, October 4 for residents and Tuesday, October 5 for non-residents. Registration is required for all storytimes. Masks will be required for everyone ages 2 & up. Programs will be held in the Blake Room and space is limited.

Children ages 12-24 months will meet on Mondays at 10:30am beginning October 25.
Children ages 24-36 months will meet on Wednesdays at 10:30am beginning October 20.
Children 3-5 years will meet on Thursdays at 1:30pm beginning October 21 or Fridays at 10:30am beginning October 22. 

Monday Matinee: Tesla (PG13 - 102 minutes)
Monday, October 4 at 1pm. Biography. Visionary inventor Nikola Tesla fights an uphill battle to bring his revolutionary electrical system to fruition, then faces thornier challenges with his new system for worldwide wireless energy.

Tuesday, October 5th, afterschool. Teen Crafternoon is back! Prior to the pandemic, our teen "crafternoons" were well-attended and popular, weekly programs in which attendees would be provided with supplies to make a craft in the hours immediately afterschool when there was plenty of activity in the teem room. It's been a while, but we're happy to announce that teen crafternoon is back! We will start small, with a paint craft on October 5 and see how things go for future crafternoons. Registration is not required. Just stop by afternoon on Tuesday the 5th and we'll set you up with a fun, creative, (and easy!) project. Reminder: masks are required in the library at all times. 

Wednesday, October 13th at 1:30 p.m. - Non-fiction Book Club: In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. In person. 
(NOTE: Earlier time to avoid school parking congestion.) 
Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature breaks out (i.e. A Walk in the Woods). In a Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in Australia. Australia has the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet. The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiosity. Bryson takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. Austrailia has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide. 
Multiple copies are available at the library, ready for pickup! 

Wednesday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m. - Family Trivia Night. Join us on ZOOM for an exciting evening of trivia. We'll be answering trivia questions through the Kahoot! app. Family are encouraged for compete together as a team. If you have any questions or wish to sign up, please contact Brooke at 860-763-3501 or email som-teen@biblio.org. 

Monday Matinee: City of Lies (Rated R - 102 minutes)
Monday, October 18 at 1pm. Police Drama. Los Angeles Police Department detective Russell Poole has spent years trying to solve his biggest case -- the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur -- but after two decades, the investigation remains open. Jack Jackson, a reporter desperate to save his reputation and career, is determined to find out why. In search of the truth, the two team up and unravel a growing web of institutional corruption and lies

Monday, October 18th at 6:30 p.m. Beyond the Breed: Exploring Dog DNA. This adult program presented by the CT Humane Society will test your knowledge of different dog breeds and teach attendees how genetics contribute to pet health. Have a dog, or thinking about adding one to your family in the future? Find out more about different types of dogs with us! To register, call the library at 860-763-3501. 

Wednesday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m. - Teen Movie: Hocus Pocus (1993 PG 96 minutes) Join us for a Halloween classic! After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.