Calendar

Nothing is as precious as a card handmade by a child. Help your kids spread a little cheer and make holiday cards and gift tags for all those special people in your life. Supplies needed from home are a glue stick and crayons or markers.

All Ages | Available while supplies last

Kits are available in the Children's Room on a first come, first served basis beginning Monday, November 30th. Also beginning November 30th, Wallingford residents may reserve kits to be picked up through Park 'n Pick Up by calling 203-284-6436.

What goes together better than wine and a book? Wine and books chosen by the EXPERTS of course! This December, Brenda Robideau of Dragonfly Wine Shop and Cindy Haiken, Reader’s Advisory Librarian, are joining forces to take wine and book lovers on a literary and flavorful journey. Cindy will introduce you to great books featuring wine while Brenda discusses each wine, even providing specific recommendations!

No need to buy the recommended wines prior to the program, but all participants will receive a discount on cases at Dragonfly Wine Shop to purchase the wines of their choosing! To find out what’s on the wine list, call Dragonfly at (203)626-5298.

Registration required. Prior to the program you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting.

Nemesis by Jo Nesbo

Captured on closed-circuit television: A man walks into an Oslo bank, puts a gun to a cashier's head, and tells her to count to twenty-five. When he doesn't get his money fast enough, he pulls the trigger. The young woman dies—and two million Norwegian kroner disappear without a trace.

After a drunken evening with former girlfriend Anna Bethsen, Police Detective Harry Hole wakes up at home with a headache, no cell phone, and no memory of the past twelve hours. The same day, Anna is found shot dead in her bedroom, making Hole a prime suspect in the investigation led by his hated adversary, Tom Waaler. Meanwhile, the bank robberies continue with unparalleled savagery, sending rogue detective Hole from the streets of Oslo to steaming Brazil in a race to close two cases and clear his name. But Waaler isn't finished with his longtime nemesis quite yet.

Moderated by Carole Shmurak, author of 11 books and Professor Emerita at Central Connecticut State University. To participate, contact Carole at cshmurak@gmail.com.

Be prepared for what comes your way this winter! The Grounded Goodwife will cover 3 natural, effective DIY remedies to dropkick a winter bug before it takes hold (or at least shorten its duration):

• Chemical-Free Hand Sanitizer
• Plague-Be-Gone Roll-on
• Nix the Vicks Herbal Vapor Rub 

Since time began, plant medicine—the science of using herbs and natural remedies—has been the world’s primary form of promoting health and treating illness. You can stay healthy when everyone around you gets sick! Antiviral herbs/ingredients, along with a strong immune system, can make all the difference. Build your wellness herbal apothecary breeze through winter, and be ready to enjoy spring!

Registration required. Prior to the program you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting.

Bread and butter. So basic, yet so delicious and a great opportunity for STEAM. Kits will include materials for three activities, book checked out on your card (related to cooking or baking), and a link to the activity instructions and a story time. Supplies needed from home are flour, sugar, oil good for baking, heavy cream (not light cream), and an oven. One kit per family. 

Ages 3+ | Registration required

During registration, you will be asked to select a date for pick up. Kits will be waiting for you on the Park 'n Pick Up kit table on the date you select from 10am-6pm.

We are happy to announce a take home kit version of this popular annual Collaboratory program.  Build your own wooden snowman using our laser cut parts. There is lots of room for customization in this project, every snowman looks a little different!

Please note that if you would like to paint your snowman, paint is not included in this kit.

Please select your pickup date on the registration form. Your kit will be available for you on the Supply Kits table outside the rear entrance from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm if you choose a weekday or from 10:00 am to noon if you choose a Saturday.

Assemble laser cut wood TIE Fighter and X-Wing ornaments. Each kit will include the pieces to create your own miniature ornament models of both ships. All materials for assembly are provided, but you may provide your own paint. 

Please select your pickup date on the registration form. Your kit will be available for you on the Supply Kits table outside the rear entrance from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm if you choose a weekday or from 10:00 am to noon if you choose a Saturday.

Learn about and meet birds of prey with Christine Peyreigne, founder of Christine’s Critters, Inc.  Christine’s foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of birds of prey and reptiles.

Christine’s Critters takes in injured and/or orphaned hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles and after rehabilitation, whenever possible, returns them to the wild for a second chance at life.  For those birds of prey that are unable to return to the wild due to their injuries, Christine finds them permanent homes at nature centers to become educational ambassadors.

Join us virtually to meet some of our amazing animal ambassadors and learn their stories!  If we all work together, we can help prevent some of the most common injuries we see in our raptors, and give them a better chance of survival out in the wild.

Registration is required in order to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.  Open to all in grades K-12.

The death of George Floyd on May 25 of this year reignited protests and discussion around police brutality, white supremacy, and systemic racism. Join us for an open and empathetic conversation about race, community, and opportunities for change and healing. We will be joined by local leaders, educators, and citizens. This and future conversations will begin by focusing on a book, movie, or other piece of media that addresses race and inequality.

This month we will be discussing microaggressions, including what is a microaggression, how to address them, and our own experiences with them. CLICK HERE for our recommended "reading," which including videos, articles, and even a game. 

All are welcome.

Sharon Rabera and Leah Farrell will facilitate this conversation.

Registration required. Prior to the program you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting.

Join retired kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stowe, to find hidden pages from a book along a trail through the woods and learn about nature along the way!  Meet under the pavilion at Marcus Cooke Park in Wallingford. 

Ages 3-5 | Marcus Cooke Park | Registration required

All participants ages 2 and up will be required to wear face masks.

Join retired kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stowe, to find hidden pages from a book along a trail through the woods and learn about nature along the way!  Meet under the pavilion at Marcus Cooke Park in Wallingford. 

Ages 3-5 | Marcus Cooke Park | Registration required

All participants ages 2 and up will be required to wear face masks.

Listen to the Christmas story of The Nutcracker and make Nutcracker ballerina puppets at home. Supplies needed from home are a scissors, glue stick, crayons or markers. 

Ages 3+ | Registration required.

During registration, you will be asked to select a date for pick up. Kits will be waiting for you on the Park 'n Pick Up kit table on the date you select from 10am-6pm. A Zoom link will be emailed the day of the program.

Join librarian Cindy Haiken on Zoom to watch and discuss a popular TED talk. Once registered, you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting via email on the day of the event. In December, we will watch and discuss Robert Waldinger's "What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness."

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.

Make a Rice Krispie treat reindeer at home! You'll need a microwave and adult supervision. We will provide all of the other ingredients and a link to a video so you can cook along with Miss Allison.

Ages 5+ | Registration required

During registration, you will be asked to select a date for pick up. Kits will be waiting for you on the Park 'n Pick Up kit table on the date you select from 10am-6pm.

Construct a lovely winter scene using wooden laser cut parts.  This picturesque mountain range makes a great winter decoration. Pieces can be glued into the base to permanently stick them together or left unglued for easy storage.

 Please note that if you would like to paint your winter scene, paint is not included in this kit.

Please select your pickup date on the registration form. Your kit will be available for you on the Supply Kits table outside the rear entrance from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm if you choose a weekday or from 10:00 am to noon if you choose a Saturday.

Learn how to arm knit and create a simple oversized cowl (infinity scarf) with a video lesson from the library’s service, Creativebug! Participants will need to provide their own scissors, all other materials are provided. The kit will include instructions for accessing Creativebug using your Wallingford Public Library card and a link to the video instruction. Please note: Creativebug is only available to Wallingford residents.

Please select your pickup date on the registration form. Your kit will be available for you on the Supply Kits table outside the rear entrance from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm if you choose a weekday or from 10:00 am to noon if you choose a Saturday.

Masonicare’s popular “Lunch & Learn” education series has gone virtual!

Join Carl Anderson, Vice President of Masonicare, to learn how to avoid online scams and keep your information safe and private.

Registration required. Prior to the program you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting.

Team up with family and friends or play alone!

Registration required. We will be accepting 15 teams, but individuals are welcome to play as their own team! Only one registration per team. Prior to the program you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting along with instructions on how to play.

For a limited time Ancestry: Library Edition is available for home access with your Wallingford Public Library card! Join this class to learn some tips and tricks on how to best search Ancestry.com so you can utilize this valuable genealogy tool from the comfort of your own home. Learn how to search Census, military, birth and death records, and more.

Once registered, you will receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting on the morning of the program.

Join the children's librarians for a Zoom story time to celebrate the holiday season with songs and stories. A link to a PDF with the song lyrics will be sent to the registered families before the program.

All Ages | Registration required

Join Deb Jaffe on Zoom from the comfort of your own home to create an adorable seasonal teddy bear ornament. Learn to create and customize your ornament in a fun, cooperative class.  Deb will walk you through step-by-step as you create your unique ornament.  A kit will be available for contactless pickup containing most of the items you will need and a supply list will be sent with materials you should find around your house.   Registration is requried.  Open to all in grades 6-12.

The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

While in the first-class cabin of an airplane heading to Finland for a literary-award ceremony, Joan Castleman, the wife of a famous American novelist scheduled to win the prestigious Helsinki Prize, decides that it's time to leave her husband. Meg Wolitzer's 2003 novel is the story of a long and stormy marriage, of the sacrifices that Joan makes for the sake of her husband's career and of the secret that she and he have kept for decades.

To participate, contact Cindy Haiken at chaiken@wallingfordlibrary.org.

Join the Wallingford Writers Community and discover how the fellowship of other writers can help you pursue your writing goals! All meetings include dedicated writing time, craft techniques for fiction and literary nonfiction, and the opportunity to share work in a supportive, creative forum.

Meets virtually via Zoom. Interested in participating? Contact Leah Farrell, lfarrell@wallingfordlibrary.org.

Join us on the Winter Solstice for a virtual paint night featuring Pam’s Picassos.  Paint a stunning winter scene with step-by-step instructions by Pam Halligan on Zoom.  The Winter Solstice is the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of daylight. Regardless of what the weather is doing outside your window, the solstice marks the official start of winter.  Registration is required and participants will need to pick up a kit at the library with all of the supplies.  Registration is required in order to schedule a pick up and receive a Zoom invitation. Open to all in grades 6-12.

Hovercrafts move around, yet don't touch the ground! Make a simple hovercraft and learn how they work. You'll need duct or masking tape from home.

Ages 8+ (5+ with adult assistance) | Available while supplies last

Kits are available in the Children's Room on a first come, first served basis beginning Monday, December 28th. Also beginning December 28th, Wallingford residents may reserve kits to be picked up through Park 'n Pick Up by calling 203-284-6436.

Count down the New Year without staying up to midnight! We'll read a story about New Year's Eve, sing some songs, and make a craft. You will need a glue stick and crayons from home.

Ages 3+ | Zoom | Registration required

During registration, you will be asked to select a date for pick up. Kits will be waiting for you on the Park 'n Pick Up kit table on the date you select from 10am-6pm.