Crocheting

Ages 9 (adults and teens welcome). Learn basic crochet stitches like single and double chain or bring questions about your current project. Materials provided.

Children's Program Room

Workshop: PLAY THE UKULELE!

Special for "Make Music Day"!Want to try an instrument that is fun and relatively easy to play? Learn the fundamentals of ukulele playing. No experience necessary. Ukuleles provided or bring your own.40 ukuleles available - register now!

Library Courtyard

Music Time

It’s time to sing and move! Join us for some of our favorite children's songs. We will dance, use some instruments, and have fun! No registration required.Ages 0-2

Children's Program Room

Youth Money Management Presents: Financial Awareness Workshop

Meet DeMarko Avant, a remarkable 15-year-old sophomore at Bunnell High School in Stratford, CT! He’s the author of "The Teenage Boss: How to Save, Budget, and Invest as a Teen" and the newly appointed Vice President of Youth Money Management, a nonprofit dedicated to em......More

Meet DeMarko Avant, a remarkable 15-year-old sophomore at Bunnell High School in Stratford, CT! He’s the author of "The Teenage Boss: How to Save, Budget, and Invest as a Teen" and the newly appointed Vice President of Youth Money Management, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people through financial literacy.DeMarko’s mission is to help teens avoid the pitfalls of adult debt by teaching them essential skills in saving, budgeting, and investing. His impactful work is already making waves in schools, juvenile detention centers, and community organizations across Connecticut!Open to teens and parents. Financial bundles will be provided while supplies last. (Made possible by the Stratford Rotary Club)

Lovell Room

Kids Lego Robotics Club

Thanks to a grant from the Stratford Rotary Club, the library now has LEGO Spike Essential kits which combines building LEGOs with coding fun. Sign up to be one of the first kids to participate in this fun program! Ages 7 to 12. The program meets in the Children's Pro......More

Thanks to a grant from the Stratford Rotary Club, the library now has LEGO Spike Essential kits which combines building LEGOs with coding fun. Sign up to be one of the first kids to participate in this fun program! Ages 7 to 12. The program meets in the Children's Program Room.

Children's Program Room

Preschool Storytime

Ages 3 to 5. Enjoy stories, rhymes, and a craft. No registration required. Just drop in.

Children's Program Room

Living Connecticut History: A Child of the Amistad with Tammy Denease

Grades 3 (ages 9 ). Sarah Margu, a child enslaved aboard the schooner Amistad, is brought to life by performing artist and storyteller Tammy Denease. Through her vivid living history portrayal, learn more about Margu’s life before, during, and after her enslavement. Th......More

Grades 3 (ages 9 ). Sarah Margu, a child enslaved aboard the schooner Amistad, is brought to life by performing artist and storyteller Tammy Denease. Through her vivid living history portrayal, learn more about Margu’s life before, during, and after her enslavement. This program is presented and sponsored by Discovering Amistad & Connecticut Humanities. Registration is not required to attend. However, please register if you'd like your child to receive a free copy of “Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad” by Monica Edinger.

Lovell Room

Teen Tuesday: Sensational Smoothies

Join ShopRite Dietitian Siddhi Sheth on Tuesday June 24th, at 3 pm for a fun session on making the perfect smoothie. Siddhi will discuss ways to add more nutrition, and how each ingredient contributes to that perfect smoothie we all love. Please share any allergies or r......More

Join ShopRite Dietitian Siddhi Sheth on Tuesday June 24th, at 3 pm for a fun session on making the perfect smoothie. Siddhi will discuss ways to add more nutrition, and how each ingredient contributes to that perfect smoothie we all love. Please share any allergies or restrictions upon registration. Siddhi is a Registered Dietitian and currently the In-Store Dietitian at the ShopRite of Shelton. At ShopRite she provides free nutrition services in store and to the community, including nutrition consultations, virtual and in-person classes, grocery store tours, in-store events, and much more. Grades 7-13 Lovell Room. Registration Required.

Lovell Room

Superhero Portrait Painting

Be a real superhero! Use your artistic powers to pair up with a member of the Baldwin Senior Center and paint them as a superhero! Portraits will then be displayed at our Teen MiniCon event on August 5th. There will be two sessions. Attendance at both are mandatory. *Th......More

Be a real superhero! Use your artistic powers to pair up with a member of the Baldwin Senior Center and paint them as a superhero! Portraits will then be displayed at our Teen MiniCon event on August 5th. There will be two sessions. Attendance at both are mandatory. *This event is for serious artists/art students only* Registration is required. Grades 8-12. Location: Baldwin Center (We will meet in the Teen Department at the library, then walk to Baldwin Center as a group).

Teen Department

Books Over Coffee: GIOVANNI'S ROOM by James Baldwin

Special for "Gay Pride Month"!From one of the most brilliant and provocative literary figures of the past century comes a groundbreaking novel set among the bohemian bars and nightclubs of 1950s Paris, about love and the fear of love—“a book that belongs in the top rank......More

Special for "Gay Pride Month"!From one of the most brilliant and provocative literary figures of the past century comes a groundbreaking novel set among the bohemian bars and nightclubs of 1950s Paris, about love and the fear of love—“a book that belongs in the top rank of fiction” (The Atlantic).One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 YearsIn the 1950s Paris of American expatriates, liaisons, and violence, a young man finds himself caught between desire and conventional morality. David is a young American expatriate who has just proposed marriage to his girlfriend, Hella. While she is away on a trip, David meets a bartender named Giovanni to whom he is drawn in spite of himself. Soon the two are spending the night in Giovanni’s curtainless room, which he keeps dark to protect their privacy. But Hella’s return to Paris brings the affair to a crisis, one that rapidly spirals into tragedy.David struggles for self-knowledge during one long, dark night—“the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life.” With a sharp, probing imagination, James Baldwin's now-classic narrative delves into the mystery of loving and creates a deeply moving story of death and passion that reveals the unspoken complexities of the human heart.

Lovell Room

Wizards and Witches Crafts

Whether you love Merlin, Dumbledore, or Gandalf, come to our all ages craft-a-ganza and create some wizards and witches themed items to take home while chatting about favorite magical books and movies. Costumes highly encouraged.

Lovell Room

Knit Wits

Join the library’s drop-in knitting program – and crochet too! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects. New to knitting and want to give it a try? We have needles and yarn for you to test out. Basic knitting and crochet help is avai......More

Join the library’s drop-in knitting program – and crochet too! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects. New to knitting and want to give it a try? We have needles and yarn for you to test out. Basic knitting and crochet help is available upon request. Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.

Lovell Room

Baby Lapsit

For families with babies that are still lapsitters. Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, books, and sharing time! No registration required.

Children's Program Room

Kindness Club

Ages 6-11. Kindness Club will meet during the summer to work on projects with a community benefit. Be a part of our kindness club to spread joy and support a spirit of community! Registration required.

Children's Program Room

Propagation Station - Houseplant Swap

Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It's a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers, fro......More

Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It's a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers, from beginners to experts are welcome!Indoor plants act as natural air purifiers, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, creating a healthier living space. Caring for plants can be a rewarding hobby that reduces stress, enhances mood, and promotes mindfulness. Lets cultivate a greener future, one plant at a time! Registration is required

Lobby

Readers Theatre Showcase 2025: THE WHITE CHIP

Annual festival of live, staged readings of new plays produced in conjunction with the Square One Theatre Company!THE WHITE CHIP is Sean Daniels’ surprisingly funny and dramatic journey with a young man addicted to alcohol.

Lovell Room

Alphabet Parade - B

Ages: 18 months - 5 yearsSign up to receive a grab ‘n’ go craft on a letter of the Alphabet and a related book to check out.Pick up between 6/27 - 711.

Gardening for Kids

Kids can learn the benefits of and tips about gardening with this fun presentation from the Stratford Health Department.

Children's Program Room

Workshop: Craft Short Creative Writing That Gets Published!

You’ll come away from the class with at least one publishable piece of flash work, and knowledge of the literary magazine landscape: where to publish and how. We’ll be reading examples of contemporary flash, across genres, as a basis of exploring and developing your own......More

You’ll come away from the class with at least one publishable piece of flash work, and knowledge of the literary magazine landscape: where to publish and how. We’ll be reading examples of contemporary flash, across genres, as a basis of exploring and developing your own 750 word-or-less piece that shines. What is flash writing and how do I do it?We’ll explore the creative process through writing prompts and free-writing, selected readings in flash, and a lively discussion on craft, to use in your ongoing writing practice. How do I edit my writing and why is that important? How do we know when a piece is finished or when it needs more work? What role does outside feedback play? In these sessions we’ll develop a toolkit of editorial tools you can use on your own or in a workshop setting to move from inspiration to final edit. How do I get published and where? There are so many options! Where do I send my work? What should the cover letter say? How do I increase my chances? We’ll show examples of the varied and exciting landscape of literary publications, both online and in print, and discuss finding journals that are a good fit for your work, develop a “submissions tracker,” and think about our role as writers-in-community to deliver support, encouragement, and mutual-assistance. Special guests including local authors, editors and publishers may join some sessions. Resources/Reading List: BendingGenres, Best Microfiction, Bluets by Maggie Nelson, Brevity Magazine, Complete Sentence Lit, The Crying Book by Heather Chrystle HAD Magazine, Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe, Short Talks by Anne Carson, (and others). CLASS LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS ONLY REGISTER TODAY FOR ALL THREE CLASSES.

Lovell Room

Preschool Art

Ages 3-7. Join us in some masterpiece-making, messy, beautiful fun! We will be learning and using "process art" to express ourselves and create both individual and collaborative work. This type of art prioritizes the creative journey over the final product and meets you......More

Ages 3-7. Join us in some masterpiece-making, messy, beautiful fun! We will be learning and using "process art" to express ourselves and create both individual and collaborative work. This type of art prioritizes the creative journey over the final product and meets your preschooler's developmental needs as sensory explorers. Make sure to wear clothing that you and your child won't mind getting a little dirty!

Children's Program Room

Meet the Author: Nikkya Hargrove

SPECIAL FOR "GAY PRIDE MONTH"!Stratford author and owner of local bookstore called Obodo Serendipity Books Nikkya Hargrove will discuss her book.Author of MAMA: A Queer, Black Woman's Story of a Family Lost and FoundPurchase the book through my publisher Algonquin/Hache......More

SPECIAL FOR "GAY PRIDE MONTH"!Stratford author and owner of local bookstore called Obodo Serendipity Books Nikkya Hargrove will discuss her book.Author of MAMA: A Queer, Black Woman's Story of a Family Lost and FoundPurchase the book through my publisher Algonquin/HachettePurchase the book at Bookshop.org and support my bookstore!Purchase the audiobook on Libro.fm!

Lovell Room

Music Time

It’s time to sing and move! Join us for some of our favorite children's songs. We will dance, use some instruments, and have fun! No registration required. Ages 0-2

Children's Program Room

Monday Matinees: ANORA

Best Picture 2025!!

Lovell Room

Kids Lego Club

Ages 5 to 12. The program meets in the Children's Program Room.Are you a LEGO enthusiast? Build your own creations, and make friends who enjoy LEGOs as much as you do. Children can build anything their imagination designs.

Children's Program Room

Preschool Storytime

Ages 3 to 5. Enjoy stories, rhymes, and a craft. No registration required. Just drop in.

Children's Program Room

Teen Tuesday: Karaoke and Chill

Let’s Level Up our summer with some Karaoke and Chill time with friends. Get ready for tasty snacks, board games and some much needed fun. Grades 7-13. Location: Lovell Room. 2-4 pm.

Lovell Room

Summer Art: Floral Arranging

Ages 7-12. Create a red, white, and blue floral arrangement to take home.Registration required - space is limited.

Children's Program Room