Happy September!

We will be closed Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, for the last of our summer hours. In observance of Labor Day, we will also be closed Monday, September 4. We look forward to seeing you all the other days this month! Beginning Tuesday, September 5, we are returning to our regular hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4pm, and Sundays 12pm to 5pm.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month! In addition to over 100,000 physical materials at the Southbury Public Library, your Southbury library card provides access to museum passes and digital downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, movies, television shows, and more through Hoopla, Libby, and Kanopy. If you are a Southbury resident who does not have a library card, or whose card is expired, stop by to apply for a card, or update your expired card, today! To get a library card, please bring proof of Southbury residency (such as a driver’s license with your current address or a piece of mail). For children, a parent or guardian’s proof of residency can be used; children must be age five or older to get a library card.

Born September 15, 1890, Agatha Christie, over her 85 years, became the most famous mystery writer in the world. Christie's novels have sold roughly 2 billion copies, and the Guinness Book of World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time. Who was this remarkable woman? How did she come to write her indelible works? Why is she still such a popular literary figure? Join us Thursday, September 14, for Agatha Christie: The Queen of Mystery, as Dr. Bill Thierfelder explores these and other questions along with a real life mystery about Christie’s dramatic disappearance in 1926 that remains substantially unsolved to this day.

What is it like to be a trans teen in 2023? Find out from transgender teens themselves in a panel discussion facilitated by Jillian Celentano on Tuesday, September 19 from 6:30-8pm; this event is open to adults and Grades 6-12 and is aimed at parents, neighbors, educators, friends, and anyone eager to learn.

Grades 1-5, we still have space in a craft program with Katie: join us for a Journal Decorating Craft on Saturday, September 9 from 2-3pm!

To find out more about all our exciting events in September, see below!

If you know of friends or relatives who have trouble receiving this newsletter even though they signed up for it, information is available on our website here about how to make sure it goes through. Anyone with questions is also always welcome to contact us at 203-262-0626 ext. 130 for more information.

Best wishes,
The Staff of the Southbury Public Library

Table of Contents

- Adult Events

- Wednesday and Evening at the Movies
- Adult Book Clubs
- Technology Help

Children and Teen Events

- Children's Events
- Teen Events

- The Friends of the Southbury Public Library: Lobby Book Sale and Library Coffee Station
- Brinker Fireplace Room Display: The Southbury Playhouse
- Artist of the Month: Georgia Sheron Commemorative Exhibit

Adult Events

Information and Registration: Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130

All programs require registration unless otherwise noted. The majority of programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget. For all virtual adult programs requiring registration, registrants will receive an email with the Zoom links the morning of the program.

Write it, Polish it, Publish It - A Writing Group
Saturday, September 9, 10am-1pm, Brown Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Come join Southbury Poet Laureate Faith Vicinanza as she leads a writing workshop as part of a year-long series. Explore the writing process through writing prompts and sharing your work. Any time is the perfect time to work on a new skill, or spend time with an old friend, your writing, whether you write poetry or prose, short fiction, non-fiction, or a blog. To register, click here.

Blind/Low Vision Directory Program
Tuesday, September 12, 2-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Join Michelle Puzzo of UR Community Cares as she discusses resources available to those that are blind or low vision. The UCC created a directory, a resource guide for low vision and blind residents. The directory will equip individuals with the latest technology, which includes a wide range of resources outside of CT such as technology tools and devices. To register, click here.

Agatha Christie: The Queen of Mystery
Thursday, September 14, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Born on September 15, 1890, Agatha Christie became over her 85 years the most famous mystery writer in the world. Join us as we explore her works and the mysteries of her life. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.

Transgender & Gender Diverse Teen Panel Discussion
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Join Jillian Celentano and a panel of transgender and gender-diverse teens who will discuss what it’s like to be a transgender/gender-diverse teen in 2023. Hear personal stories about their gender journeys and learn about trans healthcare, the importance of an emotional support system, and allyship. This program is for parents, neighbors, educators, friends, and anyone eager to learn. Find out more and register on our website here.

Berkshire Jazz Orchestra Concert
Thursday, September 21, 7-8:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Join us for the return of the Berkshire Jazz Orchestra! This fall concert features vocalist Jan Maki with selections from the American Song Book. To register, click here.

Seaside Escapes: The Art & Architecture of the New England Coast
Friday, September 22, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required

From artist colonies to robber baron “summer cottages,” the New England shoreline has inspired countless creative works. Join us as we explore seascapes by beloved American artists including Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper as well as the over-the-top elegance of Newport, RI summer homes designed for the titans of industry in the nineteenth century. Gloucester's eccentric summer retreat Beauport is also featured. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.

From Poverty Farm to Heritage Village
Saturday, September 23, 1-2:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

To many it’s a refuge and bucolic setting. But how did it come to be and what was its hidden origin? Historian John Dwyer tells of its evolution from family farm to antiquarian enterprise, from gentleman farm to celebrity industry, and of the political intrigue that was needed to create a cluster housing mecca. To register, click here.

Coloring Club
Monday, September 25, 2-3:30pm, Brown Room, Registration Requested

Welcome to the Adult Coloring Club! Join us for a relaxing hour of therapeutic coloring in the Brown Room. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Registration is requested. To register, click here.

Authors and Books Trivia
Tuesday, September 26, 2-3:30pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Think you know books and authors? Well come find out! We think you’re going to love this Trivia Program. Are you up for the Challenge? Join us for Authors, Books and Characters Trivia. So put on your thinking caps and come enjoy some original, interesting book trivia. To register, click here.

Memory Tips
Thursday, September 28, 2-3:30pm, Online and in the Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Did you know that a recent study from Stanford University suggests that the techniques used by memory athletes can be taught, learned, and create changes in the brain that enhance memory skill? Come learn about the tips and techniques used by memory athletes. For Zoom Program, register here. For Kingsley Room, register here.

The Bobcat - Connecticut's Secretive Cat
Saturday, September 30, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required

Learn about the bobcat, how it almost disappeared from our state, and how the population is now recovering. Join us to learn more about “Connecticut’s Secretive Cat”. To register, click here.

Wednesday at the Movies

Big George Foreman (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, September 13, 1-3:15pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

The miraculous story of the once and future heavyweight champion of the world: George Foreman. This movie follows his path from boxing to finding faith and back. Register here.

Love Again (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, September 20, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

A young woman tries to ease the pain of her fiancé's death by sending romantic texts to his old cell phone number, and forms a connection with the man the number has been reassigned to. Register here.

Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023) PG-13
Wednesday, September 27, 1-3pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Follows the new journey of four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. Register here.

Evening at the Movies

Spinning Gold (2023) R
Thursday, September 14, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

A biopic of 1970s record producer Neil Bogart, co-founder of Casablanca Records. Neil Bogart produced Donna Summer, Parliament, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers, The Village People, Bill Withers and KISS. Register here.

Mafia Mamma (2023) R
Thursday, September 28, 6-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

An American mom inherits her grandfather's mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm's consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone's expectations as the new head of the family business. Register here.

Adult Book Clubs

The Southbury Public Library offers three book clubs: Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club, Nonfiction Book Club and Mystery Book Club. Join us for a discussion about this month’s books. Print copies are available at the Circulation Desk, there's no registration required and new members are always welcome!

Mystery Book Club
Monday, September 11, 3-4pm, Kingsley Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing Arsenic and Adobo, by Mia P. Manansala. For more information, click here.

Nonfiction Book Club
Wednesday, September 13, 10-11am, Brown Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship, and Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age, by Amy Sohn. For more information, click here.

Tuesday Night Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, September 26, 6:30-7:30pm, Brown Room, No Registration Required

This month we'll be discussing The Maid: A Novel, by Nita Prose. For more information, click here.

Technology Help

Technology Help with James Chapin
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1pm, Reference Area, No Registration Required

Do you have technology questions or are you having issues with a device? Come by for help with local tech expert James Chapin. Feel free to ask your questions to our Reference Staff as well. Please note, there will be no Technology Help on Thursday, September 7, and Thursday, September 14. For more information, click here.

Reference Technology Assistance

Did you know that the Reference Department offers assistance with mobile devices, downloading our e-resources, and more? If you have a simple question, stop by the Reference Desk more than an hour before we close and we can assist you. Like other Reference Questions, you may have to wait for a Reference Librarian to be available. If your question is more in-depth or you're not sure how long it will take, call the Reference Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 130 to inquire about making an appointment. Most of our assistance is related to answering questions about how to use a device, app, or website. We cannot touch your device directly, but instead we teach you how to do what you are looking for help with. If you have a hardware question or very technical question, we recommend visiting James Chapin during his Technology Help on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm.

Children and Teen Events

Information and Registration: Children/Teen Department at 203-262-0626 ext. 3

See below for information about our upcoming Children's and Teen Programming! All of our Children's and Teen Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Library programs are not funded by the town fiscal budget.

Children's Storytimes:

Drop-In Storytime (All Ages)
Monday, September 11, 28, & 25, 10-10:30am and 11-11:30am, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Join Miss Jen for stories, rhymes, and a small craft every Monday except Labor Day. All ages are welcome. Find out more on our website here.

Saturday Family Storytime (All Ages)
Saturday, September 16, 11-11:30am, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Join Miss Jen for a special family storytime! We will share some stories and songs together. Parents and older siblings are encouraged to join in for this family event. All ages are welcome. Find out more on our website here.

Special Events for Children:

Open House Make or Take Craft (All Ages)
Saturday, September 9, 16, 23, & 30, All Day, Upstairs, No Registration Required

Stop by the Youth Services department Saturdays to make a thematic craft. Make it here or bring it home. Crayons and glue sticks are available in the library. Available while supplies last. Find out more on our website here.

Journal Decorating Craft (Grades 1-5)
Saturday, September 9, 2-3pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Start the school year off by designing your own journal cover! Use one of ours or bring your favorite notebook to decorate. Miss Katie will also share a book for back to school inspiration while we craft. Find out more and register on our website here.

Tiny Food Explorers (Ages 2-5 & Caregivers)
Thursday, September 14, 11am-12pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited (Waitlist Only)

Join Tiny Food Explorers for some fun with food! Come and explore new flavors and textures while playing games all about food and MyPlate! You’ll make a hands-on healthy snack that even the pickiest of eaters will be keen to try. All snack ingredients will be nut free but may contain dairy. Find out more and register on our website here.

Storytime at the Farmers’ Market (All Ages)
Thursday, September 14 & 28, 3:30-5:30pm, Southbury Town Hall Green, No Registration Required

Stop by the Southbury Farmers' Market and visit the librarians, browse books, and listen to stories! Find out more on our website here.

Food Explorers: Pumpkin Lasagna (Ages 6 & Up)
Tuesday, September 19, 4-5pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join Food Explorers for a delicious fall dessert program! You’ll be making Pumpkin Lasagna by layering graham cracker crumbles, pumpkin pudding and homemade whipped cream. This recipe is nut free but will contain dairy and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.

ARTuesday (Ages 7 & Up)
Tuesday, September 19, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Do you love art? Join us for a playful, messy, and expressive art experience where there is no right or wrong. Come play and experiment with a variety of art mediums and themes. Smocks recommended. Please wear something you don't mind getting messy. Find out more on our website here.

Lego to the Library! (Ages 5-10)
Wednesday, September 20, 4-5pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required

Join us for an afternoon of LEGO fun! We’ll provide the LEGO bricks, and you bring the creativity! You can free build, or work off of instructions. Find out more and register on our website here.

Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, September 22, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.

Food Explorers: 2 Hours of Baking (Ages 6 & Up)
Tuesday, September 26, 4-6pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join Food Explorers for a two hour baking workshop! You’ll be making Mini Maple Pear Donuts and Puff Pastry Apple Rings. These recipes are nut free but will contain dairy, eggs and gluten. Find out more and register on our website here.

ARTuesday (Ages 3-6)
Tuesday, September 26, 5-6pm, Storytime Room, No Registration Required

Stop by for a playful, messy, and expressive art experience where there is no right or wrong. Come play and experiment with a variety of art mediums and themes. Smocks recommended. Find out more on our website here.

Build Your Own Sticker Book: Latino Americans (Ages 6-12)
Thursday, September 28, 4-5pm, Brown Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Come experience this interactive "test-your-knowledge" program, fun for all ages, where you'll learn as you "Build Your Own History Book". The Latino Americans Sticker Book is a way to celebrate diversity by taking a meaningful dive into Latino and Hispanic heritage and learning about real difference-makers, like Cesar Chavez, Antonia Novello, Roberto Clemente, Sandra Cisneros and Lin-Manuel Miranda among many others. This is a wonderful program to enjoy as a family. Recommended for ages 6-12 and their families. Find out more and register on our website here.

Make a Mario Piranha Plant Craft (Grades 1-5)
Saturday, September 30, 1-2pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Chomp, Chomp! Join Miss Katie to create your own Mario-themed piranha plant! Find out more and register on our website here.

Special Events for Teens:

Teen Monthly Mini Reading Challenge (Grades 6-12)
September 1-30, Online on Beanstack

Starting this September, join us on Beanstack for our first Mini Monthly Reading Challenge! Every month, we'll have a different Mini Reading Challenge. Complete the challenge within the month, and get a SurPRIZE! The SurPRIZE could be a fancy bookmark, notecard set, cool pens, or something else entirely! We'll have something different every month. Our September theme is Back to School. Find more and sign up on our Beanstack page here.

Transgender & Gender Diverse Teen Panel Discussion (Grades 6-12 & Adults)
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Requested

Join Jillian Celentano and a panel of transgender and gender-diverse teens who will discuss what it’s like to be a transgender/gender-diverse teen in 2023. Hear personal stories about their gender journeys and learn about trans healthcare, the importance of an emotional support system, and allyship. This program is for friends, parents, neighbors, educators, and anyone eager to learn. Find out more and register on our website here.

Family Trivia Night (All Ages)
Friday, September 22, 6:30-8pm, Kingsley Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Join us for another Family Trivia night! Work together as a family team to answer our trivia questions! We'll have a variety of topics, including kid-centric knowledge, general information, and questions aimed at parents, too. The family who answers the most questions correctly will win a $100 gift card to Riverview Cinemas! Find out more and register on our website here.

Mad Science Monday: Batteries (Grades 6-12)
Monday, September 25, 4-5pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

Get charged up and explore the science of batteries! We'll build batteries out of pennies, lemons, and more, and learn about how chemical reactions can create electricity. Find out more and register on our website here.

Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, September 26, 6-7pm, Tutor Corner

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) members can directly influence our teen book and AV collections, teen programming and events, and other teen services. Each monthly meeting opens with a discussion about ideas for programs, materials, and more and closes out with some special volunteer projects. If you are interested in becoming a TAB member, fill out the application form on our website and we will contact you.

Marshmallow Madness (Grades 6-12)
Thursday, September 28, 6-7pm, Storytime Room, Registration Required - Space Limited

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and... Marshmallows? Join us for confectionary construction as we build marshmallow structures and a marshmallow catapult. Then, use your catapult to try to knock down your competitors' structures! Find out more and register on our website here.

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library: Lobby Book Sale and Library Coffee Station

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library sponsor almost all of our fun virtual and in-person programs found on the calendar page of our website. For more information about the Friends, click here.

Lobby Book Sale
Year-Round, Open During Library Hours, Lobby

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library's Lobby Book Sale continues year-round! Located in the lobby of the Southbury Public Library, this sale features a wide selection of books for all ages, including Children’s, Cooking, Boutique, History, Biography, Fiction, Nonfiction, Special Interest and so much more. Open during library hours and refreshed regularly with new books, there's something for everyone at the Lobby Book Sale!

Library Coffee Station
Year-Round, Open During Library Hours, Lobby

The Friends of the Southbury Public Library's Coffee Station is up and running! Located in the lobby of the Southbury Public Library, just $1.00 gets you a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea! All proceeds go to the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Brinker Fireplace Room Display: The Southbury Playhouse

The Southbury Historical Society's display remembers the history of the Southbury Playhouse. Included in the Brinker Fireplace Room display are photographs and memorabilia.

Artist of the Month: Georgia Sheron Commemorative Exhibit

The Gloria Cachion Gallery at the Southbury Public Library will showcase the photography of the late Georgia Sheron from Tuesday, September 5, 2023 through Thursday, September 28, 2023. This exhibit is part of a year-long series of special events to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023) of Southbury.

The display will be a retrospective of photographs that Georgia had taken of John Ludorf also known as “Uncle John”. He was a farmer who had a farm in the Purchase section of Southbury which was about 126 acres. Over many years Georgia would interview and take several photographs of her neighbor, Uncle John. He plowed with horses and milked cows by hand well into his 90’s. Georgia completed a book called “Uncle John: Portraits of a True Yankee Farmer”.

Georgia Sheron was a member of Professional Photographers of America and holds their certificate as a Master Photographic Craftsman. She was a five-time winner of the Kodak Award of Excellence and the Fuji Masterpiece Award and was twice the recipient of Master Photographer of the Year. Her work graced the cover of Professional Photographer magazine as well as many book covers for Random House and CD covers for musician.

Ms. Sheron also had fine honed her photography skills and had other photographs from traveling to Italy, St. Croix, and Monhegan Island, Maine as well. Georgia passed away in late January 2019 and was greatly respected by her peers and the public. We’d like to celebrate and honor her for all she has done for the Southbury community.

The exhibit will be open during regular library hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4:00pm (after Labor Day) and Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm (after Labor Day). The exhibit will also be online as a virtual gallery here. Please visit our website to learn more.