Category Archives: Programs

Updates about ongoing programs.


The Library’s chapter of the Silent Book Club will be meeting in the Community Room on Wednesday afternoons, 3:00-4:00 PM going forward. The Silent Book Club is a “bring your own book” activity – no assigned reading and no pressure. Come for light refreshments and an hour of quiet to focus on your latest read. Afterwards you are welcome to chat and share titles, but the hour of reading time is sweet silence.  

Don’t have a book already? Come a bit early to browse our shelves and then dig in! Between our new book, read-alike, and monthly themed book displays, you’re sure to come across something to suit your tastes – or pique your interest.

Poem in Your Pocket Day is a special event that takes place every year on a day in National Poetry Month – this year it’s today, April 10th! Help the Library celebrate by taking a “poem for your pocket” from the display on the the curbside pickup table in the foyer, the Friends of the Library nook at the bottom of the stairs, or the main desk upstairs.. Each paper pocket features either a short poem or an excerpt from a longer poem; you can simply enjoy them as is, use them as inspiration for your own creative work, or share them with friends and family! They will continue to be available through the remainder of the month, so don’t worry if you miss the holiday itself.

Clark Memorial Library is excited to begin offering 3D printing services in 2025!

There will be a trial period in March while we establish policies and procedures – during which we invite patrons to take part in one of our 3D Printer Orientations, where they’ll learn about the Library’s 3D printing resources and how to use the printer and its associated software! Patrons will not be charged for prints made during the trial period.

Space is limited, so please call the Library at (203) 393-2103 or speak to a librarian in person to sign up. There will be an orientation on Tuesday, March 11, 4:30-5:00 PM, and on Saturday, March 15, 11:00-11:30 PM. It’s only necessary to attend one of the orientations; we will be covering the same information in both.

Coming up next month, it’s March Mad Science!
These three STEM activities are for ages 8 and up.
Space is limited, and sign ups are required. Join us for one activity or all three –
call the Library at (203) 393-2103 or ask a librarian to sign up.

Popsicle Stick Catapult – March 1st, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Learn how energy can be stored and transferred in this exciting STEM activity! Build a catapult out of popsicle sticks and see how far you can make a pom-pom fly.

Alkaseltzer Lava Lamp – March 5th, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Experience a chemical reaction right before your eyes! Build a lava lamp using only a few safe household materials and ingredients and see chemistry in action.

Magnetic Slime – March 15th, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Explore the invisible world of magnetism! Come to the Library and mix up your own batch of magnetic slime!

Make a valentine at the Library!
Tuesday, February 4th through Friday, February 14th during Library hours, we will have supplies available in the makerspace for patrons to create their own custom Valentine’s Day cards! All ages welcome!

Nifty Needlers – Thursdays, 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Bring your latest needlework project and enjoy the company of fellow needlers, or pick up a new skill! We have yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks for those who want to learn how to knit or crochet – everyone from needlework novices to experts is welcome. Meetings will take place upstairs, in the Adult Books area to the right of the main desk.

Help us welcome winter by making snowflakes and winter decorations! The Children’s Room will have a crafting area open in the makerspace every day during Library hours from Tuesday, December 3rd through Tuesday, December 31st. Make one decoration for the Library, and one to take home! For all ages.

Celebrate Halloween in the Makerspace!

With Halloween on the horizon, we’re offering a whole assortment of spooky crafts in the Makerspace! Visitors can create a stand-up paper witch, a beaded pipe cleaner pumpkin, a custom Halloween bookmark, or a paper ghost on a stick – or choose from a selection of holiday-themed coloring and activity sheets. There’s something for everyone!

Have you seen our new book displays? To reflect Library Card Sign-Up Month’s Transformers theme, we’re showing off books that prominently feature vehicles of all kinds, from submarines to spaceships – and a few about robots, as well. Stop by to learn about our many modes of transportation, read about characters on road trips and cruises, or get inside the mechanical mind of a machine!

Libraries – more than meets the eye… roll out with a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national campaign to emphasize the importance of library cards to a child’s education and to combat illiteracy. The campaign first started in 1987 as a response to then Secretary of Education, William Bennett, who stated: “Let’s have a campaign … Every child should obtain a library card and use it.” The American Library Association (ALA) teamed up with the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) to start the campaign, and sent a telegram to Secretary Bennett saying, “We accept your challenge.”

If you don’t already have a library card, stop by and fill out an application form! You can also download one from our website to fill out in advance, then bring it in along with a current Bethany address. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll gain access to many free resources at Clark Memorial Library – as well as countless more through the LION consortium and the borrowIT CT library resource sharing program.