West Hartford
Connecticut
West Hartford Public Library Happenings Newsletter - December 20, 2023
Schools and Libraries
December 21, 2023
From: Noah Webster Library2023 Staff Picks
The West Hartford Public Library's staff has chosen their favorite books and movies of 2023. Click here to view them!
Author Talk: Darrell Hartman's Battle of Ink and Ice
A frank portrayal of Arctic explorers, Americans Robert Peary and Frederick Cook, who both claimed to have discovered the North Pole; brave men who both inspired and deceived the public. It also sketches a vivid portrait of two powerful New York City newspapers—the storied Herald and the ascendant Times, that funded, promoted, narrated, and often distorted their exploits. It recounts a sixty-year saga of frostbite and fake news, one that culminates with an unjustly overlooked chapter in the origin story of the modern New York Times. Thursday, 12/28 at 6:30PM.
Author Talk: Academy Award-Nominated Jena Friedman
Growing up, Jena Friedman didn’t care about being likable. And she never wanted to be a comedian, either. A child of the 90s, she wouldn’t discover her knack for the funny business until research for her college thesis led her to take an improv class in Chicago. Friedman’s debut collection, Not Funny, takes on the third rails of modern life in Jena’s bold and subversive style, with essays that explore cancel culture, sexism, work, and celebrity worship. Thursday, 1/4 at 6:30PM.
Building Connections: A Book Club for Immigrants
The Building Connections Book Club is for West Hartford Advanced English learners who want to develop their English reading and communication skills in a diverse, inspiring and encouraging environment. Participants will be given reading material each week and then meet in a group to ask questions and discuss the text. Next class is Tuesday, 1/2 at 10AM.
Teen Art & Movie Matinee: Barbie!
Teens 13+: Join Teen Advisory Board on Saturday, 1/6 at 10:30AM for a showing of one of the most popular films of Summer 2023: Barbie! Enjoy some movie-related crafts, too. Registration required.
Dance Party with DJ Red Supreme
Ages 6-10. Come learn new dances & rock out with a DJ on Thursday, 12/28 at 2:30PM to celebrate the New Year! Children will attend by themselves. Adults must remain on children's floor. Registration required.
Children's Storytime Calendar: Winter 2024
Ages newborn-5. Brrr ... winter is right around the corner! Stay warm & cozy while enjoying some Tinkering Tuesdays, Babytime, Mother Goose on the Loose, and so much more at our libraries. Download the preschool calendar today! Registration begins on Monday, 1/8 at 10AM.
Can You Spare a Puzzle?
The Noah Webster Library Children's Department has a Children's Puzzle Exchange. Puzzles help children with memory skills, solving problems, and testing ideas, ... and are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon! Bring a puzzle you no longer need and feel free to take a puzzle in the exchange. Puzzles must be complete and are available for take-home use only.
Did You Miss the Program: Your Home is a Habitat?
We recorded the program from last month called Your Home is a Habitat. It's about an hour and a half and it's really good!
Library Closed for Christmas
Please note that the West Hartford Public Library will be closed Monday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday. Our website is always available 24/7 at westhartfordlibrary.org to browse our eLibrary.
Upcoming Adult Programs
- Winter Reading Challenge For Adults - Through February 29
- New Yorker Discussion Group - Friday, 12/22 at 11AM
- Author Talk: Darrell Hartman's Battle of Ink and Ice - Thursday, 12/29 at 6:30PM
- Building Connections: A Book Club For Immigrants - Tuesday, 1/2 at 10AM
- Night Owls Book Group - Tuesday, 1/2 at 7PM
- Virtual Author Talk with Academy Award Nominated Jena Friedman - Thursday, 1/4 at 6:30PM
- Practice English at Faxon - Friday, 1/5 at 10AM
- A Beginner's Guide to Podcasting at Studio 20 - Saturday, 1/6 at 11AM
- Cookbook Club - Monday, 1/8 at 6:15PM
- Fiber Arts Book Club - Tuesday, 1/9 at 1PM
- Adult Crafternoons: Pom Pom Coasters - Thursday, 1/11 at 2PM
- West Hartford Fiction Writers - Thursday, 1/11 at 7PM
- Stand Up To Antisemitism and Hate: What It Is and What We Can Do About It Together - Tuesday, 1/16 at 6:30PM
- Atlantic Magazine Discussion Group - Tuesday, 1/16 at 6:30PM
- West Hartford Tabletop Game Club - Tuesday, 1/23 at 5:30PM
Upcoming Teen Programs
- Teen Art & Movie: Barbie! - Saturday, 1/6 at 10:30AM
Upcoming Children Programs
- Dance Party with DJ Red Supreme - Thursday, 12/28 at 2:30PM
- Lego Club - Registration opens Tuesday, 1/2 at 10AM
- Storytime Calendar Winter 2024 - Registration opens Monday, 1/8 at 10AM
- Faxon Tween Den - Wednesdays, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 & 2/7 at 3PM
Booklists
eBooks and eAudiobooks
Use your West Hartford library card to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks to your computer or device through Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby. Click HERE for access.
Streaming Services
You can stream hundreds of movies and TV shows with your library card through Hoopla, Kanopy, and Overdrive/Libby. Click HERE for access.
Online Classes
West Hartford Public Library partners with Universal Class, Learning Express, Transparent Language, and Great Courses to offer thousands of classes on a variety of subjects. Click HERE to start learning from the comfort of your own home.
Follow Us!
To keep up-to-date with what's going on at the library, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and GoodReads, where we share staff reviews and recommendations.