Visit the Collaboratory throughout the month of November to create a luminary, then come see everyone's luminaries on display in the library's front garden during the Holiday Stroll on Friday, Dec 1st from 4-9pm

We’ve made it to the embers of the year—November and December, that is! Help us light up the darkest months with some library luminaries! Luminaries, or paper lanterns, have convergent histories from across many cultures.

The Wallingford Public Library is delighted to support local published adult and children’s book authors by connecting them with book lovers in our area. Come to the local authors showcase to meet and chat with local authors, discuss their writing process and how they got their books published, and share a love of writing and reading. This is a great opportunity to discover a new-to-you author and get some wonderful, personally autographed books to give as gifts this holiday season.

Quinnetukut: 
Our Homeland, Our History

Tuesday, Nov 21st

6:30-8pm
Community Room & Zoom

Register

Much of what we know about Connecticut’s past comes from documents written from a colonized perspective. This history has almost completely left out the voices of Indigenous people who have called this land home for over 12,000 years. The ways in which knowledge about the past is preserved and passed down by different cultures affect the way that history is perceived. In this presentation, led by Darlene Kascak of the Institute for American Indian Studies, participants will learn about the past from the oral tradition of storytelling and art of the Indigenous people themselves.

The Children of Abraham:

A History of Conflict in the 
Middle East and the Current Crisis

Tuesday, Nov 28th
7-8pm

Community Room
Registration preferred

Register

A recent addition to our November program line-up:

It seems that the only task harder than keeping track of the violence in the Middle East is explaining it. To the outside observer, the region’s politics and perpetual unrest are confounding and complex. Yet, viewed within the context of history, the reasons behind these troubles are less difficult to grasp. This presentation will shed light on the roots of the conflict in the Middle East and provide a basic understanding of how it reached the crises it faces today. Hosted by Tom Verde (M.A., Islamic Studies), an independent scholar and journalist who has lived in and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East to report on its culture and history.

Wallingford Center Inc.'s Holiday Stroll

Friday, Dec 1st

4-8:30pm 
Front Garden & Book Nook
No registration required

Visit downtown Wallingford’s shops and businesses during Wallingford Center Inc.’s Annual Holiday Stroll for discounts and specials. Fill out a ballot at each participating location (including the Wallingford Public Library) to enter into a drawing for a chance to win one of three gift cards worth $1,000, $600, and $400.

Stop by the Wallingford Public Library during the Holiday Stroll to see Choate Robotics Club’s “snowball-throwing” robot in the library’s Book Nook. The front garden will be lit up with glowing Library Luminaries created by library visitors. We’ll have a variety of hot cocoa K-cups (while supplies last!) as well as other surprise giveaways and drawing prizes. We can’t wait to see everyone at this festive annual event!

Dear IT: Computer Maintenance 

Saturday, Dec 2nd

2-3:30pm

Board Room

Register

Learn basic device cleaning as well as the how and why of keeping your computer up to date with Elijah.

One-on-One Career Counseling

Sign up today to schedule your virtual appointment with our career specialist Sarah Eiseman!

Get personalized help with crafting a resume or cover letter or preparing for your big interview. 
Visit to get started or contact Sarah Eiseman at [email protected]. You will be contacted shortly to schedule your Zoom appointment.

Register

Library Gatherings

Spanish Conversation Group

Thursdays| 4:30-5:30pm

Improve your Spanish in a friendly and non-judgmental space! Some knowledge of Spanish recommended. Just drop-in!

French Conversation Group

Mondays | 4:30-5:30pm

Improve your French in a friendly and non-judgmental space! Some knowledge of French recommended. Just drop-in!

Knit @ WPL
First and Third Monday of Each Month

Monday, Dec 4th & 18th

6-7:30pm

Board Room

No registration required

Knit @ WPL is a place where knitters and crocheters can practice their work in the company of others. Newcomers are welcome to join, but knitting experience is required.

WPL Play Readers

First Wednesday of Each Month

Wednesday, Dec 6th

6:30-8:30pm

Collins Room

No registration required

The Wallingford Public Library Play Readers bring and share poetry, prose, famous speeches and documents, monologues, as well as original material! Come check us out. All are welcome to read and/or listen.

Open Sew

First Tuesday of Each Month

Tuesday, Dec 5th

5:30-8:30pm

Adults & Teens in Grades 9+

Drop-in

Collaboratory

Do you like to sew? Join people who enjoy quilting and sewing at a casual “drop in” program. Bring your unfinished projects, either hand sewing or machine. There are 4 portable sewing machines (or bring your own) and lots of sewing supplies and tools provided by the library for your use. Due to the one-on-one nature of this program, masks will be required for all participants.

Saturday Mornings with Poetry

Second and Fourth Saturday of Each Month

Saturday, Dec 9th & 23rd

9:45am-12noon

Collins Room

No registration required

A meeting of people who love reading and writing poetry. SMwP provides poetic opportunities for anyone to share their poetry, discuss the literary works of poets known and unknown, and expand skills in writing and editing poems in the shared camaraderie of comfortable, supportive members.