Author Archives: Antonio Strumolo

Libraries – more than meets the eye… roll out with a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national campaign to emphasize the importance of library cards to a child’s education and to combat illiteracy. The campaign first started in 1987 as a response to then Secretary of Education, William Bennett, who stated: “Let’s have a campaign … Every child should obtain a library card and use it.” The American Library Association (ALA) teamed up with the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) to start the campaign, and sent a telegram to Secretary Bennett saying, “We accept your challenge.”

If you don’t already have a library card, stop by and fill out an application form! You can also download one from our website to fill out in advance, then bring it in along with a current Bethany address. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll gain access to many free resources at Clark Memorial Library – as well as countless more through the LION consortium and the borrowIT CT library resource sharing program.

An artist reception will be held on August 24th, 3:00 – 4:30 PM for the local artist featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibits for August and September, Kim Ahrens. Her work will be shown in the Community Room and the downstairs display cabinets from Saturday, August 3rd, until Thursday, October 3rd.

Kim is a Bethany resident whose favorite subjects include landscapes, chickens and other animals, and flowers, mostly painted in watercolor or acrylic. She paints almost daily in her studio, and hopes her creativity is an inspiration to all who see her work.
Stop in during Library hours to take a look!

1000 Books Celebration
Wednesday August 14 | 10:30 AM | Ages 0-5

Come celebrate your journey to 1000 books! Take a look at our new themed book bags, collect reward stickers for each 100 books you complete – and get ready to read, read, read in the upcoming year.

Not signed up for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program yet? No problem, sign up and get started at the celebration!

Adventure Begins At Your Library!
Coming Up In August:

Special Events
Balloon Animal Workshop – August 10, 2–3:30 PM (sign-up required)
1000 Books Celebration – August 14, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Kim Ahrens Artist Reception – August 24, 1:00–3:00 PM

Ongoing Programs
Read & Bead – All Month, During Library Hours
Adult Reading Raffle – All Month, During Library Hours
Drop-In Makerspace Activities – All Month, During Library Hours
Silent Book Club – August 13, 2:00–3:30 PM
Wednesday Morning Storytimes – Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 AM
BCS Lego Club – Wednesdays, 2:00–4:00 PM
Warm Up America Community Service Project – Thursdays, 3:00–5:00 PM
Thursday Game Nights – Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 PM

For more information, see our Calendar of Events!

Clark Memorial Library is proud to host the works of the Bethany “Art Gang”, a group of friends who meet each Thursday at the Town Hall to create and experiment with artistic techniques. The “Art Gang” is sponsored by Bethany Senior Services and led by local artist Mary Lou Narowski; it began as a weekly hour-long watercolor class, but soon branched out into a wide variety of techniques and now normally runs for at least two hours. For more information, contact Robin Glowa, Director of Bethany Senior Services, at 203-393-2100 x1124. The Gang’s art is being displayed upstairs, on the table to the left of the checkout desk and the shelves across from it. Be sure to stop by during Library hours to take a look!

Some of the Gang’s work will also be part of our 5th Annual Public Art Exhibit, which will take place on July 28th, 1:00-5:00 PM. Save the date!

The Arts@Clark! Fifth Annual Public Art Exhibit will take place on Sunday, July 28, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM!

Parking will be available at the Bethany Historical Society (512 Amity Road) and the First Church of Christ Congregational Church (511 Amity Road).
 
This event is our gift to the community: it is free to all participants – artists, would-be artists, and those who are simply looking to enjoy, renew, and relax on a beautiful summer afternoon. Twenty-six local artists will have their artwork on display on the library grounds – with a wide variety of styles and mediums, ranging from paintings and drawings to needlework and sculpture! There will be live music provided by local musicians, a bake sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library, a display showcasing our newly expanded collection of art books, and even “plein air” art activities for visitors to try out the creative process for themselves!

In celebration of the upcoming Arts@Clark Fifth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit – which will take place on July 28th, 1:00 to 5:00 PM – our displays for this month will feature books about artists of all kinds, their works, and the process of making art in general. Take the chance to learn about the people who bring so much wonder and color into all of our lives, and make sure to mark the Outdoor Art Exhibit on your calendar so you can meet the artists in our community in person!

Dragon Eye Adventure: July 18th, 3:00-5:00 PM
Sculpt and decorate a two-dimensional clay dragon head, then choose from our special collection of glass dragon eyes to make your sculpture sparkle!
Ages 7 and up. Sign-up required – space is limited! Call the Library at 203-393-2103 for more information or to sign up.