Author Archives: Antonio Strumolo

Our book displays this month feature poetry collections, books written in verse, and the biographies of famous poets, and out on the front lawn our storywalk showcases a selection of spring-themed poems and rhymes!

It’s all in honor of National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry’s important place in our lives and poets’ integral role in our culture. Launched by a nonprofit charitable organization called the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world! This year’s National Poetry Month poster features a line of poetry by a former Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Lucille Clifton, and artwork by children’s author and illustrator Jack Wong.

A reception will be held on April 20th, 2:00 – 4:00 PM for the local artist featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibit for May and April, Daniel Eugene Kaminski.

Eugene is a visual artist, poet, musician, performer and photographer from Bethany. He concerns himself with creative expression as a catalyst for the evolution of human consciousness, exploring how the individual relates to our shared humanity and how this shared humanity exists in relationship to the greater reality of an infinite cosmos.

His work will be on display in the Community Room from Saturday, April 6 to Friday, June 7 as part of an exhibition titled Bethany Photographs that will feature images of the town of Bethany going back to 2016.

On Saturday, April 6, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, the Friends of the Library will be on site to collect new and gently used books for the Library’s ongoing book sale in the entryway. Children’s and adult books in good condition will be considered.

More than 150 libraries in Connecticut will be taking part in the Connecticut Library Association‘s Passport to CT Libraries program this year to celebrate National Library Week! We invite you to take this opportunity to visit as many public libraries as possible; each has its own architecture, vibe, and collection to explore and browse!
The Passport program is open to both children and adults, and we hope that it will encourage residents to explore the amazing diversity of our public libraries.

To participate in the program, visit Clark Memorial Library between April 1 & April 30 to pick up your Passport and have it stamped. Then, take your Passport along as you visit other participating libraries. At each location, be sure to get your Passport stamped; if you visit at least five (5) participating libraries and return your Passport to a participating library by Friday, May 10, you will be entered into a state-wide drawing for a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card for adults (18 and up) and a $200 Visa gift card for children (under 18). This is a state-wide contest where four winners will be selected: one adult and one child from a random drawing of all returned Passports with at least five separate library stamps, and the adult and child who visited the most libraries/received the most stamps total. Get exploring and good luck!

The Library’s March book displays feature stories about collecting clues and navigating mazes, as well as books of wordplay, whodunnits, and hidden object puzzles.
Stop by during your next visit and find something to stump you!

Starting on March 7th, the Library will offer Game Nights on
Thursdays from 3:30 – 6:30 PM in the Teens and Tweens area upstairs.

Learn to play various board games, card games, and other tabletop games,
as well as role-playing games! The activities will be geared towards older children
and young adults, but kids of all ages are welcome to stop in if they are interested.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Beginning Thursday, March 7th, the Library’s hours for Thursdays and Fridays will be changing. We will now be open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Thursdays, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Fridays. Be sure to keep these new hours in mind when planning your visits!

Don’t forget! There will be a reception for the student artists from Amity High School, Bethany Middle School, and Orange Middle School who have contributed to the Library’s February and March Arts@Clark! display on Tuesday, March 5th, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. Stop by to meet the artists – and if you haven’t already, check out their work in the hallway display cabinets and the Community Room!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Take Your Child to the Library Day Celebration and the dedication of the Nancy J. Disbrow Children’s Room during the first week of February! We’d like to share some pictures from both events, featuring a look at the Ribbon Tree, just a few of the amazing Celebration Cupcakes our patrons decorated, and the balloon art of Ali the Balloon Guy, who made a special appearance for the dedication!