Category Archives: Displays

Updates about decorative or temporary displays.

Local artists Liz Orsini & Ann Wiley will have their work on display in the Library’s Community Room and display cabinets throughout October and November.

Liz Orsini’s artistic journey has led her through four decades of diverse life experiences and has included watercolor, pastels, acrylics, and collage study. She is particularly drawn to the interplay of color and contrast. Each piece becomes a meditation on balance – between planning and spontaneity, between the known and the discovered. Her current work focuses on abstract compositions that marry original collage materials with acrylic paint and expressive mark-making.

Ann Wiley‘s creative adventure began with designing homes, both inside and out, like her dad did, and learning about fabrics, patterns, and designs with her mom. Art classes, art teachers, local art shows, museums, and fellow artists have all influenced her; after trying out many mediums, acrylic painting and collage have proven to be both her favorite and most enduring courses of study. The pieces of hers being shared have been created over the course of 15 years.

There will be an artist reception on Saturday, October 25th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Library’s Community Room. Stop by to meet the artists and see their work!

Ever wonder what a Library book might say to a kid walking by? We’ve studded the Children’s Room and Teens & Tweens area shelves with Shelf Shoutouts – cards that let our books “shout out” from the shelves to get patrons’ attention! If you’re looking for something to read but aren’t sure where to start, Shelf Shoutouts can guide you to books you might have overlooked otherwise. Find a new favorite calling out to you the next time you stop by the Library!

Help Rocky Grow!

Help Rocky the Rock Snake, the friendly garden snake created during the Library’s Sixth Annual Public Art Exhibit, grow even longer!

We will be offering patrons the chance to paint their own rocks to add to Rocky’s body on Saturday, September 13, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM. This is a drop-in event for all ages. We hope to see you there – and while you’re at the Library, why not take the opportunity to sign up for a library card if you don’t already have one? September is Library Card Sign-Up Month: the perfect time to get a new library card, or renew your old one if it’s expired. It’s a quick and easy way to get access to countless resources!

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!

Meet Rocky the Rock Snake! Rocky was created by visitors to the Sixth Annual Art Exhibit, and is currently on display in the garden to the left of the Library’s side entrance. Keep an eye on the Library’s Calendar of Events: we will be giving patrons the chance to help Rocky get even longer during September – Library Card Sign-Up Month!

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.

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!

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.

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!