Tag Archives: Teens&Tweens

It’s that time of year! As summer winds down, we’re filling our display shelves with back-to-school reading material for readers of all ages. Young patrons will find plenty of school-prep jitters and classroom chaos to relate to – but there are also stories about students learning magic, superheroics, and other fantastic skills if you’ve had enough of real-life education. We even have scholarly reads for our patrons who are no longer attending school themselves, all linked to teaching or academia in one way or another.
Come take a look next time you’re at the Library!

Have you checked out the Teens & Tweens area upstairs lately? It’s home to our Game Zone, where we provide a wide variety of board games, building sets, and gaming supplies – from Apples to Apples and Ultimate Werewolf to playing cards, dominoes, PlusPlus pieces and Keva Blocks, as well as quick crafts to try out and a display of “crafty” books to spark your imagination.

Next time you’re at the Library, stop by and play an old favorite, learn a new game, or build something cool!

Meet Rocky the Rock Snake! Rocky was created by visitors to the Sixth Annual Art Exhibit, and is currently on display in the garden to the left of the Library’s side entrance. Keep an eye on the Library’s Calendar of Events: we will be giving patrons the chance to help Rocky get even longer during September – Library Card Sign-Up Month!

With our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit around the corner, we’ve filled our book displays with stories that involve art in some way. Whether it be the biography of an artist, a mystery revolving around a famous painting or statue, or even a story told entirely through images – this is the perfect chance to see how visual art and writing interact and intersect. Pick up a story, do some Artful Reading, and get inspired!

A reminder to all of our young patrons (and their parents):
Whether you’re reading on your own, as part of a book club or reading challenge, or even for an assignment, make sure to check out the Library’s Summer Reading resources! We have 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Book Bags available in the Children’s Room, New Books and 2026 Nutmeg Book Award Nominees displays upstairs, and curated booklists – including Nutmeg nominees and the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge – on our apps, Hoopla, Libby, and Palace. Happy reading!

Amigurumi Workshops

July 1st, July 8th, & July 22nd
2:00 – 3:00 PM
 
Create your own tiny crocheted creature at one of our Amigurumi Workshops this July – no prior experience needed! The workshops are drop-in activities intended for ages 10 and up, but adults are welcome to participate as well! Yarn and other materials, such as stuffing and toy eyes – as well as guidance for those who have not crocheted before – will be provided.
 
Amigurumi is a type of needlecraft that originated in Japan. It focuses on creating 3D knit or crocheted stuffed toys, which are usually cute and small in size. The word itself is simply a combination of the Japanese words for “knit/crocheted” and “stuffed doll”.

Read by yourself / Read with each other
Read one good book / Then read another

Our new summer storywalk features excerpts from Artful Reading, by Bob Raczka. Take a walk around the Library’s front lawn and you’ll see all kinds of works of art, ranging in time from the 1400’s to the 1960’s, and in style from realism to cubism! But no matter the era or the style, each and every painting tells a story about a reader. Both art lovers and book lovers will enjoy this celebration of “the fine art of reading”.

Right now our themed book displays are packed with cats and dogs, competing to see who’s more popular – and often learning that they have more in common than expected along the way. Whether it’s a kitten or puppy tale you’re looking for, we’re sure to have something you’ll enjoy. Stop by and pick up a story featuring your favorite form of furry friend!

The Nutmeg Book Award allows students to choose their favorite books from lists of ten nominated titles in four age divisions (Elementary, Intermediate, Middle School, & High School) and vote for them in April. The Library is adding copies of many of next year’s nominees to its physical collection, but we also offer a curated reading list on the Palace app that includes ebook and audiobook editions of both the nominees and the most recent set of winners!

Whether you’re planning to vote or just looking for a good summer reading book, sign in to Palace and take a look at the list – and if you don’t find what you’re looking for there, you can always check out our other two apps, Libby and Hoopla.

It’s Mystery Month at the Library! Our themed displays for May feature detective stories, crime dramas, whodunnits and thrillers. Classic literary sleuths like Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew are featured alongside modern equivalents like Alex Cross and Agatha Raisin, as well as the real-life detectives who star in true crime tales. Stop by and track down a new favorite!