Category Archives: Collection

Updates about new books, new shelf displays, and non-book items in the collection (puzzles, games, etc).

“This is the world I want to live in. The shared world.”

It’s National Poetry Month once again! Launched by a nonprofit charitable organization called the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month has since become the largest literary celebration in the world. Check out our April book displays, which feature everything from the collected works of famous poets to simple stories with rhyming text, as well as the stories of poets both real and fictional. Even if you’ve never had an interest in poetry, there’s sure to be something here you’ll love!

The 2025 National Poetry Month poster features an excerpt from the poem “Gate A-4”, by former Young People’s Poet Laureate and Academy Chancellor Naomi Shihab Nye, as well as artwork by New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator Christy Mandin.

Easy Reader Reading Levels

Our Easy Reader collection now features colored star stickers to help find books at the right level for young readers! The collection is on the right when entering the Children’s Room downstairs, on the wall next to the catalog computer; the three levels are Beginning Reader, indicated by a red star, Intermediate Reader, indicated by a yellow star, and Advancing Reader, indicated by a green star. There are dozens of brand new books for all reading levels on display, and hundreds of titles to choose from in total – stop by and pick a few up today!

The Library’s March Mad Science program may be nearly over, but we’re keeping the scientific theme going in other ways! Real-life scientific pioneers and technologies and do-it-yourself STEM projects collide with tales of mad science, robots, and fantastic inventions of all kinds on our Science Fact & Science Fantasy book displays – stop by and pick a story from whichever category suits your tastes.

Waiting on a new book from your favorite author, or reaching the end of a series you enjoyed? Take a look at the new read-alike displays in our Adult Fiction section for suggestions on what to read next!

The Library’s video streaming service, Kanopy, is offering a curated collection of romantic films, heartwarming love stories, and touching documentaries for the Valentine’s weekend! These titles explore the many facets of love, from the joy of new romance to the enduring strength of long-term relationships.

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. 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!

February is Black History Month, and the Library’s video streaming service, Kanopy, is honoring this celebration of the rich cultural heritage and impactful achievements of Black Americans with a selection of powerful films. Kanopy’s curated watchlists offer profound looks into the history, resilience, and progress of the Black community. For more information about the holiday and access to countless other resources and events, you can visit the Black History Month web portal.

You can use your library card to access the Kanopy 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. 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!

Have you seen our Sustainable Bethany display, located just outside of the Teens & Tweens area upstairs? Each of the books on display has been recommended by the Bethany Sustainability Association, the local branch of Sustainable CT.

Sustainable CT is a voluntary certification program that provides opportunities for grant funding to help communities promote economic well-being and enhance equity. Reviews of selected additions are posted on the bulletin board, providing both an overview of each book’s content and the reasoning behind its recommendation. Stop by and take a look!

January is National Hobby Month, a time to celebrate your favorite hobbies and pastimes, and to try out new ones. Our book displays this month showcase all kinds of hobbies, from outdoor activities like swimming or hiking, to artsy projects like painting or knitting, as well as stories about characters having fun following their passions. Take a look – you could pick up a new hobby, or get back into an old one that you haven’t thought about in a while!

Pop some popcorn and set up a movie night with Kanopy’s Most Watched Films of 2024, a new watchlist showcasing the breathtaking landscapes, enchanting creatures, and beloved characters that have captivated audiences the most this year!

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!

November is both National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo) and National Memoir Writing Month. In honor of these celebrations of creative and nonfiction writing, we’ve filled our displays with books about the writing process, authorship, and storytelling in general, as well as the tales of people both real and fictional who either write themselves or are involved in the publishing industry. Learn about a favorite author or discover a new one when you stop by the Library this month!