Be sure to look for us at the 2024 Bethany Harvest Festival! The Friends of the Library will be hosting a bake sale, there will be a raffle to win a Halloween gift basket, and if you don’t already have a library card, we’ll have everything you need to sign up for one!
The Festival takes place at the Old Bethany Airport (695 Amity Road) on Sunday, October 6, and lasts from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
As promised, we have collected some of the many photos taken during the 5th Annual Public Art Exhibit into a short video commemorating the event! Thank you again to everyone who helped to make this year’s Public Art Exhibit our biggest success so far. This video will remain available to view on the Library’s YouTube channel as well as the Arts@Clark! page on our website, under Previous Events.
We hope to see you again next year!
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!
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.
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!
The Friends of the Library are very grateful to the Bethany community for all the support they have provided to their various fundraising events.
On Tuesday, February 13, starting at 7:00 PM, the Friends will be sponsoring a special Paint and Sip event. Local artist Zach Chernak will guide participants through painting a special Valentine’s picture; there will be wine, cheese and crackers as refreshments.
The event is free, but space is limited;
please sign up at the Library, or call 203-393-2103.
With the renovation of the Children’s Room at Clark Memorial Library finally complete, we are proud to announce its dedication as the Nancy J. Disbrow Children’s Room,
in honor of Nancy Disbrow, one of our most dedicated longtime supporters.
The dedication ceremony will take place Saturday, February 3rd at 1:30 PM,
as part of our Take Your Child to the Library Day celebration. Please join us in thanking Nancy for her contributions to the Library’s success!
Nancy is a lifelong Bethany resident and a second generation librarian. Her mother served as Head Librarian for Clark Memorial Library in the 1950s and 60s, and Nancy often rode the bus to the Library after school, rather than to her home. She has fond memories of reading near the upstairs fireplace in the original Library structure.
Nancy worked professionally as a public and school librarian in New Haven, and then joined the faculty of Southern Connecticut State University and spent many years training new librarians. She retired in 2013 as an Associate Professor Emeritus.
Her connections to Clark Memorial Library continued throughout her adult life; she served for many years as a BLA board member, and continues to be an active member and officer of the Friends of the Library. She is a founding member of the 1937 Legacy Society, with a substantial contribution to its endowment. Most recently, she has donated her collection of professional children’s literature books to the Library, and been instrumental in fundraising for the Children’s Room renovation.
During December and January, the Library Community Room will be displaying library memorabilia and historical items, with the Friends of the Library Bicentennial Quilt, created in 1976, taking center stage. Featuring local landmarks and nature imagery along with a variety of geometric patterns, the quilt is a real piece of Bethany history. And while you’re visiting, check out the historic WPA mural displayed across from the main desk upstairs as well!
Clark Memorial Library and the Arts@Clark! Arts in the Library Committee’s 4th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit in August was a huge success! We’ve put together a video to commemorate the event, which you can view on the Library’s website or on our YouTube channel. Thank you once again to all the artists who took part, the organizers and staff who helped plan and run the Exhibit, and especially to everyone who attended!
Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library are proud to present the Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit! The event will take place on Sunday, August 6th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and is free to attend; parking will be available at the Bethany First Church of Christ (511 Amity Road) and Bethany Historical Society (512 Amity Road).
This free outdoor exhibit will feature works by local artists in painting, sculpture, drawing, quilts, pottery, site-specific installation and more on the Library grounds in scenic Bethany Connecticut. It is part of Clark Memorial Library’s summer programming and exemplifies its mission to Engage, Connect, and Grow.
This year’s theme of “All Together Now” celebrates how the arts create opportunities to connect and share the unique nature of Bethany in a lively, supportive outdoor experience. Join us as we come together for an afternoon of art exhibits, children’s activities, live music, and baked goods. We hope to see you there!
