Yearly Archives: 2025

The Bethany Land Trust:
Its Volunteers & Inhabitants

Local artist Carol Vinick will have her works on display in the Library’s Community Room and display cabinets throughout the months of August and September.

Carol uses fabric collage to tell stories. Included in her body of work are stories of the struggle for social justice, her family history, and the wonders of nature. She has exhibited throughout Connecticut, and has had work in juried exhibitions traveling both nationally and internationally. Her work has also been featured in books, museums, galleries, and private collections. She was co-president of Connecticut Women Artists from 2021 to 2023, and is currently co-chair of the Studio Art Quilt Associates Connecticut regional traveling show for 2026.

There will be an artist reception on Saturday, September 6 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Library’s Community Room.

We’re extending the Quilt Raffle that ran during the Annual Art Exhibit through August 31! Enter for a chance to win “Inverted Stars”, a 60 x 75 inch handmade quilt created by one of our local artists, Wendy Frieden. Tickets cost $5.00, and can be paid for either with cash or via PayPal. Just write your name and contact information on the back of each ticket and add them to the basket in the Friends of the Library nook at the bottom of the main staircase. The quilt itself is on display in the same location, if you’d like to see it up close!

With our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit around the corner, we’ve filled our book displays with stories that involve art in some way. Whether it be the biography of an artist, a mystery revolving around a famous painting or statue, or even a story told entirely through images – this is the perfect chance to see how visual art and writing interact and intersect. Pick up a story, do some Artful Reading, and get inspired!

Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library invite you to join us
August 3rd from 1:00-5:00 PM for our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit:

“Spellbound: Art, Poetry, and the Enchantment of Reading”

This “plein air” experience is in the tradition of our famous Connecticut art colonies; engage with local artists while enjoying fresh air, activities, and live music. Witness countless styles of visual art, from sculpture to painting to needlework – and this year, for the first time, the artistry of our local poets and writers as well!

This event is our gift to the community and is free to all participants – artists, would-be artists, and those who are simply looking to enjoy, renew, and refresh on a beautiful summer afternoon.

Parking will be available at the Bethany Historical Society (512 Amity Road) and Bethany First Church of Christ Congregational (511 Amity Road).

Mark your calendars – we hope to see you there!

A reminder to all of our young patrons (and their parents):
Whether you’re reading on your own, as part of a book club or reading challenge, or even for an assignment, make sure to check out the Library’s Summer Reading resources! We have 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Book Bags available in the Children’s Room, New Books and 2026 Nutmeg Book Award Nominees displays upstairs, and curated booklists – including Nutmeg nominees and the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge – on our apps, Hoopla, Libby, and Palace. Happy reading!

Come get spellbound with Fractured Fairy Tales!
 
Join us on Thursdays, July 10 – August 14, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, for fun twists on classic fairy tales, along with themed crafts and/or STEM activities. The program is intended for kids ages 2 to 10; each session will feature separate crafts/activities for younger and older participants. Caregivers must remain in the Library while the program is in progress.

Many people take the opportunity to travel during the summer, and in the spirit of summer adventure the Library’s film app, Kanopy, has created a watchlist of Cinematic Journeys for this month! Join in on adventures that transcend language, space, and even time – ranging from simple road trips and historical films to journeys through the realms of sci-fi and fantasy.

You can use your library card to access this collection, as well as hundreds of other classic and indie films, TV shows, and documentaries. New media and watchlists are added on a regular basis! Go directly to the Cinematic Journeys collection here: kanopy.com/category/11043

For a quick walkthrough of how to set up and use a Kanopy account, visit their Getting Started webpage; if you already have an account, just sign in and enjoy.

Amigurumi Workshops

July 1st, July 8th, & July 22nd
2:00 – 3:00 PM
 
Create your own tiny crocheted creature at one of our Amigurumi Workshops this July – no prior experience needed! The workshops are drop-in activities intended for ages 10 and up, but adults are welcome to participate as well! Yarn and other materials, such as stuffing and toy eyes – as well as guidance for those who have not crocheted before – will be provided.
 
Amigurumi is a type of needlecraft that originated in Japan. It focuses on creating 3D knit or crocheted stuffed toys, which are usually cute and small in size. The word itself is simply a combination of the Japanese words for “knit/crocheted” and “stuffed doll”.

We invite Bethany residents to make use of our new outdoor Community Bulletin Board, provided by the Friends of the Library! This enclosed board is located next to the book drop, and can be used to advertise local events, programs, services, and more! Use of the Bulletin Board will not require permission from Library staff, but keep the following guidelines in mind:

Posted documents will be retained until the date of the event they advertise, or for 30 days after they are initially posted if there is no associated date. The Library reserves the right to remove documents that it deems inappropriate, potentially harmful, or otherwise in violation of its policies.

We will continue to provide access to our indoor bulletin board and add events to our Calendar of Events on request – the Community Bulletin Board is intended to supplement these resources, not replace them. If you have any questions, contact the Library at 203-393-2103 or ClarkMain@BethanyLibrary.org.

Need to print something at the Library, but don’t have cash on hand? Use our new Library Services QR Code to make your payment through PayPal or a credit or debit card! This code can be used to make a donation to the Library that covers the cost of printing and copy services, 3D printing services, and purchases from the Friends of the Library Book Sale and Bake Sale. Just point your phone’s camera at the code and click the link that appears, then select the service you’re paying for from the drop-down menu and your payment method. If you haven’t used this service before, you may be prompted to fill in your PayPal or card information – otherwise you should be all set!

Steps: 1. Scan the QR code using your phone's camera 2. Insert the amount of your payment or purchase 3. Select the service your payment will cover 4. Choose whether to cover PayPal's payment fees 5. Select your payment method 6. If necessary, insert your PayPal or card information