Welcome Week Open Houses | September 16-23
Meet our new director, Maria Bernhey,
sign up for a free library card,
and participate in special programming!

View our webpage for more info!

Featured Children's Events

Click HERE to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!

Ping Pong Challenge

Wednesday, September 6, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
Join us for a Makerspace challenge: using only certain supplies, build a machine that can transport a ping pong ball over the finish line. We’re all engineers here.

STEAM Explorers!
Wednesdays, 4-5 pm | Ives
STEAM Explorers is a space for science and technology exploration for kids! Let's explore science with fun, hands-on activities.

September 6: LEGOs
September 13: Flight
September 20: Science with The Three Billy Goats Gruff
September 27: Sea Turtles

Stay 'N' Play - In-person Story Time! 

Thursdays, 10:30-11:15 am | Wilson

Stay and Play is now at all five NHFPL locations. Join us at the Wilson branch every Thursday for stories, songs, and play! This program is geared toward ages 0-5 with caregiver.

Wonderful Books and Where to Find Them

Saturday, September 9, 11-11:30 am | Ives

The New Haven Free Public Library, in partnership with the Yale Affinity Groups, is excited to bring you this book club for families focusing on topics of social importance! This month we focus on National Hispanic Heritage Month and read Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez. Read the story of a young girl learning about her heritage through her grandfather, then decorate a paper guitar. Families, caregivers, and children are welcome to attend!

Yale Peabody Museum Dinosaur Days

Saturday, September 16, 10 am-3 pm | Fair Haven

Tuesday, September 19, after-school | Fair Haven

Saturday, September 23, 10 am-3 pm | Fair Haven

Love dinosaurs? Join us at the Fair Haven Library for free family friendly activities featuring artifacts and crafts from the Yale Peabody Museum!

NHFPL Mitchell Branch Art Reception: Meet Our New Director!

Saturday, September 16, 2-4 pm | Mitchell

Meet our new Director and City Librarian, Maria Bernhey. Stay for an art reception featuring the work of Linda Dempsey, receive information about the Westville businesses, and enjoy free snacks.

New Haven Pride Week: Drag Queen Story Time
Wednesday, September 20, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Come celebrate Pride with the rest of New Haven with an especially FABULOUS story time. In partnership with the New Haven Pride Center.

Kidz Kook
Saturday, September 23, 2-3 pm | Ives

Let's make storytime deliciously fun! Hear a read-aloud and make a nutritious food art snack with Tennille Murphy from Kidz Kook.

Welcome Back Chase Taylor

Saturday, September 23, 3:15-4:15 pm | Stetson

Chase Taylor will read from his Letter Critter series and teach participants how to illustrate.

Homeschool Meet-up
Wednesday, September 27, 11 am-1 pm | Mitchell
Are you a family who homeschools? Join us for an informational meeting to share ideas and connections. Activities for kids will be provided!

Children's Authors and Illustrators Series: Author Tangular Irby

Saturday, September 30, 11 am-12 pm | Ives

Our Children’s Authors and Illustrators series returns!  Join local author Tangular Irby as she discusses her book Pearl and her Gee's Bend Quilt, an engaging story about family, art, and adventure.  Event will take place in the Children's Room (2nd floor) and is offered in partnership with Yale's Affinity Groups.

Exploring Artism at Wilson Library 

Saturday, September 30, 11 am-12 pm | Wilson

Explore works of art, practice social skills, and make a no-fail art project with educators from the Yale Center for British Art! This is a free program for children on the autism spectrum (5–12 years old) and their parent(s) or caregiver(s), sibling(s), and other relatives. A quiet area will be available with sensory toys and blankets. Please preregister by emailing [email protected] or calling 203-432-2858.

Click HERE to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!

Featured Teen and Tween Programs

Students for Educational Justice Interest Event
Thursday, September 7, 4-5:30 pm | Ives
Join the Students for Educational Justice to find out more about the organization and how to join.

Queer Youth Game Space

Saturday, September 9, 1-3 pm | Ives

Come join Q+ and NHFPL Teens on the first Saturday of every month for two hours of board game fun in a respectful and inclusive environment. Pizza and snacks will be provided! Open to all teens.

Making Comics + Zines with the Yale Center for British Art

Wednesday, September 20 & 27, 3-5 pm | Ives

Explore comic and zine making with educator/artist James Vanderberg in the NHFPL Teen Center! Create diary comics and zines using fun and easy prompts. All materials provided; no previous experience nor skills necessary.

CT Kid Governor Ellie Mendez at Ives Main Library
Saturday, September 23, 11 am-12 pm | Ives

Connecticut's Kid Governor Ellie Mendez presents her Express and Address Your Feelings platform about mental health. Learn about her term as Kid Governor and take part in an interactive activity. Cabinet Member Liliana Magazine will also talk about her own literacy platform. This event is presented by The Connecticut Democracy Center.

Milkweed Harvest and Craft Night 

Tuesday, September 26, 5:30-6:30 pm | Wilson

Help promote pollinators, food security , and climate resilience! Harvest seeds from Swamp Milkweed plants growing at the Wilson Branch pollinator garden. Learn how to pick and process seeds for Asclepias tuberosa. Light snacks and pollinator-themed crafts will be available for attendees.

Library Updates

Library Holiday Closures:

Ives Main Library will have a delayed opening Friday, September 1 at 12 pm for training. All New Haven Free Public Library locations will be closed for Labor Day on Saturday, September 2 and Monday, September 4.

For all our 2023 holiday hours, please refer to our Holiday Closings.