Tag Archives: Event

Join us on January 7 for Clark Memorial Library’s Take Your Child to the Library Day Celebration! Take Your Child to the Library Day is an event celebrating libraries’ role in their communities and encourages library visits; it originated right here in Connecticut, but thousands of libraries across the world now participate every year.

We will be celebrating with a special Storytime with Willow Tree Montessori from 10:30 – 11:30 AM, a marionette rendition of “The Snow Queen” from 2:00 – 2:45 PM, and a “What Can You Make With A Dot?” makerspace craft that will be offered all day (and throughout the rest of February)! You can also get a library card if you don’t have one already (they’re free!), meet your local librarians, and explore all the services that the Library has to offer on a daily basis. And be sure to stop in again soon – because every day is a great day to take your child to the library!

In anticipation of Take Your Child to the Library Day, we’ve filled our display shelves with “books about books” – stories that take place in libraries and bookstores, about characters who either enjoy reading from the start or learn to through their adventures, and (of course) featuring lots of books! Next time you’re here, grab a book from these displays to celebrate books, reading, libraries, and their places in our lives – and don’t forget to stop by on February 7 for our official Take Your Child to the Library Day Celebration, featuring a special storytime, marionette show, and craft. Check the Calendar of Events for more details!

What can you do with just a dot?

Join us in the Makerspace during Library hours in February for a special craft inspired by The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds – a book that encourages children to “make their mark” artistically, even if it’s with just a dot to start. We will provide plenty of art supplies for participants to decorate custom “dots” however they want!

This craft is part of our celebration of Take Your Child to the Library Day, a national event that celebrates libraries’ role in their communities and encourages library visits! Be sure to get a library card while you’re here if you don’t have one already, and join us on February 7 at 2:00 PM for a marionette production of “The Snow Queen” by local artist and puppeteer Robin McCahill!

Our workshop series with local artist Susan Taddei is back!

The second run of the Library Quilt Bee will take place over 5 sessions on January 24, 2:00 – 4:00 PM; February 5, 4:30 – 6:30 PM; and February 21, March 7, & March 21, 2:00 – 4:00 PM. No prior experience is necessary! Susan will be teaching participants fabric preparation and ironing, rotary cutting, strip piecing, easy triangles, layer tying, and edge binding. The result will be a 9″ x 9″ square sampler.

You must attend all 5 sessions to complete the sampler. We supply all materials – come free your inner quilter in a relaxed afternoon atmosphere! Space is limited; call the Library to register at 203-393-2103.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Saturdays, January 10, 17, & 24 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Join local artist and comic maker James Vanderberg in January for a three-part workshop exploring cartoon drawing, narrative storytelling, and autobiographical comic making. Participants will work with simple tools and no-fail prompts to ignite their creativity, help them create their own characters and tell their own stories.

No previous artistic experience needed! All supplies are provided. Whether you love reading graphic novels, making comics, or simply reading the Sunday funnies, you’re sure to find this program fun and engaging!

This program is intended for ages 10 and up. The workshops are drop in events, but space is limited!

Clark Memorial Library and Willow Tree Montessori invite families with young children (ages 0-3) to join a representative from Willow Tree at the Library for a special Montessori Morning storytime on Saturday, December 13! This is a drop-in event that will start at 10:30 AM.

Willow Tree hopes to share the love of language with rich vocabulary through stories, songs, and poems. For more information about Willow Tree Montessori, visit their website at wtm.earth.

Snowman Palooza is Back!

Help us welcome winter with snowman and snowflake crafts! The Children’s Room will have new crafts set up in the Makerspace each week from Tuesday, December 2, through Saturday, January 10. This is a drop-in program that will take place during Library hours; all ages are welcome!

Click here to download the 2025-26 Annual Drive Pledge Form

Each year, the Bethany Library Association raises funds to support Clark Memorial Library in the Annual Drive. Download an Annual Drive Pledge Form to make a donation via check; or contribute via PayPal, debit, or credit card using the Donate button below. Names provided on Pledge Forms will appear in the Library’s gratitude report unless otherwise noted.


Pledge Form Transcript:

Thank You for Helping Our Library Grow with Every Gift

Bethany’s Clark Memorial Library has always been more than bookshelves and quiet spaces—it’s where children discover the joy of reading, where students find a safe space to learn, and where neighbors come together to share ideas, stories and experiences.

We are asking for your help to write our next chapter. How can you contribute?

  • Your gift of $50.00 will provide makerspace materials for daily children’s room activities for two months.
  • Your gift of $10.00 per month as a Sustaining patron (available automatically through Paypal or a credit card) will provide two adult audiobook downloads each month, 6 new children’s books in a year, or 2-3 months of materials for adult and children’s programs.
  • Your annual gift in any amount allows us to continue to grow and develop to meet changing community needs.

We are a non-profit organization, not a municipal department – all of the funding for keeping our building open, supporting staff and providing high quality reading materials and programs comes from donations. We are fortunate to receive grant funding from the Town of Bethany, the Friends of the Library and local organizations. We also appreciate how our patrons recognize our value and generously support our efforts to maintain a robust and relevant public library for Bethany residents. We have provided hundreds of library cards to new residents in the past two years – and are welcoming new patrons of all ages almost every day.

Together we can ensure our library continues to inspire, educate and connect our community for generations to come. THANK YOU for believing in the power of stories and the importance of a strong library community. The library is a better place because of you! Please donate today.

Clark Memorial Library is recognized as a non-profit 501(C)(3) and donors may deduct gifts and bequests to the Bethany Library Association as directed by the tax code.

Santa Claus is Coming to Your Town Library!

Save the date: you don’t want to miss this extra special holiday event.
From 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 4, join Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as Library staff and members of the Bethany Lions Club, in the Library’s Community Room downstairs for holiday crafts and a Christmas cookie – and don’t forget to get a picture with the Clauses!