Tag Archives: Clark Memorial Library

Let’s Bedazzle!

Join us on October 24, 2:00 – 4:00 PM to create your own literary bling!

We will once again be testing the boundaries of patience and skill with another two-hour bedazzling session – just bring your favorite book, and we will provide colorful gems and glue to decorate the cover with. Please consider that more detailed book cover designs will be more difficult to accent with the gems.

This program is for participants ages 15+ and will take place in the Library’s Community Room. Space is limited – there will be a maximum of 15 participants, and registration is required. Contact the Library at 203-393-2103 or clarkmain@bethanylibrary.org to register; if you register but cannot attend, please let us know as far in advance as possible so that your spot can be opened back up.

 This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Local artist Yan Jennifer Zhang will have her works on display in the Library’s Community Room and display cabinets throughout the months of October and November.

Yan Jennifer is a Wallingford-based animal artist who captures the soul and character of wildlife and pets. Working primarily in acrylics and oil, she combines vibrant colors, meticulous detail and confident brushstrokes to bring domestic animals, exotic wildlife and local birds to life.

Yan has always been fascinated with animals. She loves their quirks, head tilts, little paws, and soulful eyes, and she strives to convey the spirit she sees in animals and give a glimpse into their character: sometimes sweet, sometimes funny, sometimes peaceful. Her art has been featured in local exhibitions, collected internationally, and recognized by local libraries, galleries, flower and coffee shops. Through her expressive portraits, Yan’s ultimate goal is to bring a smile to the viewer, raise awareness for animal welfare, and highlight the fragile beauty of nature.

Artist Statement: “My art is a celebration of the raw energy and untamed personalities of the animal kingdom. By breaking away from realistic color palettes, I aim to capture the invisible essence, playfulness, and hidden emotions of my subjects. Through vibrant hues and expressive brushstrokes, I invite viewers to pause and experience a sense of childlike wonder. My goal is not just to paint an animal, but to translate its unique spirit onto the canvas, turning every piece into a colorful dialogue of life, joy, and connection.”

Clark Memorial Library will have a table at the 2026 Bethany Senior Health Fair & Flu Clinic! This event will take place at Town Hall on Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Chat with a Library staff member and renew your library card while you’re visiting the Health Fair – or get a new one.
We hope to see you there!

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Throughout October, we invite our young patrons to pick up Autumn Scavenger Hunt forms in the Children’s Room. Track down a variety of local wildlife and signs of the changing seasons to complete the form – then return it by November 7 to enter a raffle with a chance to win one of two Nature Explorers Backpacks! Each backpack includes an outdoor exploration kit, binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a compass. Good luck!

Join the Bethany Sustainability Committee, our local branch of Sustainable CT, on Thursday, October 8 for a presentation and Q&A about balcony solar panels. The presentation starts at 6:30 PM and will take place in the Library’s Community Room.

As of October 1, Connecticut allows homeowners and renters to set up personal solar panels to reduce monthly electricity bills. This empowers individuals to use solar power without the complexities and costs associated with traditional rooftop installments. Attend the presentation to learn more about the ins and outs of this technology, and see whether it’s right for you – and check out our Sustainable Bethany display outside the Teens & Tweens area upstairs while you’re here!

Clark Memorial Library and the Friends of the Library will be at the
2026 Bethany Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 4!

Stop by to grab a tasty treat from the Friends of the Library Bake Sale, enter a FREE raffle to win a seasonal gift basket, and sign up for a library card if you don’t have one already!

The Harvest Festival takes place at the Old Bethany Airport (696 Amity Road), and runs from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We hope to see you there!

Ahoy! Did ye know that this Saturday be Talk Like a Pirate Day?
This celebration of scalawags and buccaneers takes place every year on September 19! Add some swagger to your everyday conversation with pirate lingo, and stop by the Library any time this week to check out our piratical pop-up book display in the Children’s Room.

Arts@Clark Presents:
Sew Curious: Open Studio Sewing

Are you Sew Curious? Join us on select Saturday afternoons this fall for a series of Open Studio Sewing sessions, a chance to work on your latest needlework project – quilting, sewing, or mending! These drop-in sessions are a fun gathering for weekend sewing – to enjoy shared interests and camaraderie. You may bring your own equipment, or the Library has invested in some beautiful sewing tools (two sewing machines, rotary cutters, quilt rulers, pressing mats and irons) for participants to use (special thanks to the Friends of the Library)! We welcome everyone with an interest in sewing, from beginners to experts, to join us in the Community Room – the timing is meant to accommodate all schedules, regardless of your work, family, or other commitments. Drop in for an hour or all afternoon! We hope to see you there!

Once a month on Saturdays, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
September 19, October 17, November 14, December 12,
January 23, February 20, March 20, April 17, & May 22

Thank You for Participating in Summer Reading 2026!

To all the patrons of Clark Memorial Library, THANK YOU to every single one of you who took part in any of this year’s Summer Reading Programs – and a huge CONGRATULATIONS to all of our raffle winners! Each year, we look forward to seeing how the Summer Reading theme will transform the Library… and between the Summer Reading Flowers downstairs and the Summer Reading Tree upstairs, you did not disappoint! We saw record numbers of participants, hours read, beads distributed, and flowers created, and a great turnout for the new Summer Reading Challenge, a program specially tailored to our Teens & Tweens, which was offered for the first time this year. We hope everyone enjoyed participating, and found a new favorite book, author, or genre along the way.

We look forward to summer of next year, and hope you do as well!

Tuesday through Friday | August 18 – August 28 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM | All Ages

During the last two weeks of August, we will be hosting Reading Sprints from 3:00 – 4:00 PM in the Teens & Tweens area upstairs to help everyone reach their Summer Reading goals. Bring in a book (or pick one up at the Library), focus in on finishing your reading, and get a treat for each 20 minute “Sprint” you complete!