Category Archives: Collection

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

It’s that time of year! As summer winds down, we’re filling our display shelves with back-to-school reading material for readers of all ages. Young patrons will find plenty of school-prep jitters and classroom chaos to relate to – but there are also stories about students learning magic, superheroics, and other fantastic skills if you’ve had enough of real-life education. We even have scholarly reads for our patrons who are no longer attending school themselves, all linked to teaching or academia in one way or another.
Come take a look next time you’re at the Library!

Have you checked out the Teens & Tweens area upstairs lately? It’s home to our Game Zone, where we provide a wide variety of board games, building sets, and gaming supplies – from Apples to Apples and Ultimate Werewolf to playing cards, dominoes, PlusPlus pieces and Keva Blocks, as well as quick crafts to try out and a display of “crafty” books to spark your imagination.

Next time you’re at the Library, stop by and play an old favorite, learn a new game, or build something cool!

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!

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!

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.

Right now our themed book displays are packed with cats and dogs, competing to see who’s more popular – and often learning that they have more in common than expected along the way. Whether it’s a kitten or puppy tale you’re looking for, we’re sure to have something you’ll enjoy. Stop by and pick up a story featuring your favorite form of furry friend!

The Nutmeg Book Award allows students to choose their favorite books from lists of ten nominated titles in four age divisions (Elementary, Intermediate, Middle School, & High School) and vote for them in April. The Library is adding copies of many of next year’s nominees to its physical collection, but we also offer a curated reading list on the Palace app that includes ebook and audiobook editions of both the nominees and the most recent set of winners!

Whether you’re planning to vote or just looking for a good summer reading book, sign in to Palace and take a look at the list – and if you don’t find what you’re looking for there, you can always check out our other two apps, Libby and Hoopla.

May is Mystery Month – celebrate with a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue! Kanopy is offering a curated collection of films full of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing until the very end – from classic detective stories to modern thrillers.

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! Start your mystery marathon here: kanopy.com/category/15704.

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.

Check Libby & Palace for Mystery Month reads!

Did you know that the Library’s Libby and Palace Project apps both have genre-based reading lists? Libby’s Mystery & Thriller Catalog Guide and Palace’s Mystery Fiction Lane are the perfect places to look for an ebook or audiobook to enjoy during Mystery Month – and each list features several subcategories to help you narrow down your search even further. Looking for a cozy mystery? Libby’s Caught Red-Handed collection has you covered! Want something a bit grittier? Check in Palace’s Hard-Boiled Mystery sublane. Not in the mood for a mystery after all? There are dozens of other reading lists available on both apps, all easily accessible from their homepages.

If you haven’t tried out Libby or Palace yet, you can download either (or both) from your mobile device’s app store for free, and sign in using your library card number!

It’s Mystery Month at the Library! Our themed displays for May feature detective stories, crime dramas, whodunnits and thrillers. Classic literary sleuths like Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew are featured alongside modern equivalents like Alex Cross and Agatha Raisin, as well as the real-life detectives who star in true crime tales. Stop by and track down a new favorite!