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!
You can support Clark Memorial Library by taking part in the Friends of the Library Raffle & Silent Auction, which will be running through July 31! Stop by the table at the bottom of the main staircase to purchase raffle tickets. To the left of the table is a set of shelves where you can participate in the auction: just write your name and bid(s) on the yellow form paired with the item(s) you want.
All proceeds from both the raffle and the auction will support the Library’s
Pre-K – 12th Grade Summer Reading Program and Early Literacy Projects.
There are four special activities taking place this summer at Clark Memorial Library: the Friends of the Library’s Croquet Our Way event on June 17th, our Teddy Bear Tea children’s event on June 22nd, the All Together Now! House-Building Project in July, and the Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit on August 6th.
Make sure to keep them all in mind as the summer continues, and check the Calendar of Events for ongoing programs and other local events, too!
Croquet Our Way
Saturday, June 17, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join the Friends of the Library for croquet, snacks,
and a silent auction! $5 per individual – $15.00 per family
Teddy Bear Tea
Thursday, June 22, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
A tea party for children and their favorite stuffed animals!
Sign-ups required – space is limited.
All Together Now! House-Building Project
July 19-22 & 26-29
A special Makerspace program –
build a dream house and watch it become part of “Clarkville”!
Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
A free community event celebrating the Bethany community
and local artists. This year’s theme is “All Together Now”
Croquet Our Way: a Bethany Event at Clark Memorial Library
538 Amity Road, Bethany, CT
Join the Friends of the Library and our local organization and business sponsors for a morning of fun, food, and fierce croquet competition in the Library garden.
Bid on items in our Silent Auction!
Saturday, June 17, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Children and Families – Croquet, snacks & juice
$5 per individual – $15.00 per family
Croquet attire encouraged, summer hats welcome!
Rain Date: Saturday, June 24
Proceeds earned through Croquet Our Way will support the Library’s Pre-K – 12th Grade Summer Reading Program and Early Literacy Projects.
The Friends of the Library have added a historical photo of Amity Road as it appeared in 1908 to the wall of the nook that will hold their resources once the Library’s renovations are complete. The road is made of dirt and there are fewer trees, but the hill leading up towards Christ Episcopal Church and the First Church of Christ is still recognizable; the building that now houses Clark Memorial Library (sans extension) was constructed in the open area on the left from 1936 into 1937.
Feel free to stop by and see the photo in person – and take the opportunity to grab a Friends of the Library membership application!
