Activity

Program for families with kids ages 4 and up. Ring in the New Year early with a celebration just for kids! Join us for a fun-filled Noon Year’s Eve Party where we’ll countdown to 12:00…noon! Enjoy crafts, games, music, and plenty of festive fun to kick off the new year in style. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited.Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=544517&PK=

The Essex Library will welcome Dr. Olena Lennon of the University of New Haven on Thursday, January 9 at 6:30 PM to talk about the geopolitical climate in Europe. As Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues and regional wars in the Middle East have been escalating, Europe, among other global regions, has felt many destabilizing reverberations. Dr. Lennon will provide a 45-minute lecture on the topic followed by a 15-minute Q and A. This program is FREE and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex Library. About Dr. Olena Lennon Olena Lennon, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor of National Security at the University of New Haven, where she teaches such courses as the U.S. Foreign & Defense Policy and International Relations. Formerly a Fulbright scholar from Ukraine, and most recently a scholar at Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., she has dedicated her research to the study of conflict management and identity politics in eastern Europe, focused on domestic and foreign policy of Ukraine. An eastern Ukraine native, Dr. Lennon has been a regular participant in scholarly and media forums related to issues in Ukraine, facilitating a more informed and objective analysis of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. She also […]

Program for kids ages 2-5. A groovy Pete the Cat-themed story time, filled with fun tales, sing-alongs, and colorful adventures that little ones will love! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546040&PK=

Program for kids ages 5-12. Join us for an exciting hands-on science adventure where kids will design, build, and race their very own balloon-powered cars! Young engineers will explore basic concepts of physics like motion, thrust, and friction while using recycled materials to create their vehicles. Participants will test their designs, make improvements, and learn through trial and error—all while having a blast! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Materials are limited, registration is required. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546041&PK=

Registration required, begins Dec 11. A graduate of the New York Academy of Cake, Barbara Gaudio will be at the Essex Library to provide a cake piping demonstration. Various piping skills and the application to a cake will be demonstrated. Attendees will enjoy learning tips and tricks over the 1.5 hour class, and tasting the final result. This class is for beginners, and is not hands on. The program is FREE and open to the public. Supplies are limited, so registration is required. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.  

Come have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune as he chats about his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on his newest in the series, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.” Registration is required for this virtual program. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.  

Author Betsy Lerner will delve into her debut novel, Shred Sisters, an intimate and bittersweet story exploring the fierce complexities of sisterhood, mental health, loss and love on January 16 at 6:30 PM. This online author talk is being co-hosted by the Essex Library, Darien Library and Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. It is FREE and open to the public. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.  

Program for kids ages 2-5. Join us for a frosty and fun-filled Snowman Storytime, featuring enchanting tales, songs, and crafts perfect for winter magic! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546042&PK=  

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library! For more information, including the movie title, call the Library at 860-767-1560 or visit the events calendar section of the Library’s website, www.youressexlibrary.org.

Program for kids ages 8-12, kiddos 5-7 welcome with parent attendance. Note: Due to state statute, kids under the age of 12 must have a parent present inside the building for the duration of the program. It’s a day off from school – come spend it at the library! Level up your afternoon at our Video Game Day! Join us for two hours of gaming fun with four Nintendo Switch systems, an Xbox Series One, and a Meta Quest VR headset, featuring a variety of age-appropriate games. When you’re ready to take a break from the screen, dive into cool gaming-themed crafts. Whether you’re a gaming pro or just looking to hang out, there’s something for everyone. Bring your friends and get ready to play, create, and have a blast! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546043&PK=

Visit the Essex Library this month to play a new adult board game and meet new people! Games will include Ticket to Ride, where players compete to claim railway routes and connect cities by playing matching train cards, or Wingspan, where players compete to score the most points by playing various bird cards, collecting eggs and gathering food, among other selections. All meetings will take place in the Library’s conference room. This program is FREE and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. No registration is necessary, drop-in!

Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, “The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality.” In a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Join us at Essex Library for a talk with Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado on why cats play and how interactive play can give your cat an outlet for one of their instincts, hunting! She’ll address cats who might be more challenging to play with, including “lazy cats,” senior cats, and cats in multi-cat homes. Learn about some of her favorite toys and tools for playtime and get ready to have more fun with your cat! This virtual program is FREE and available to the public. Register at youressexlibrar.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Step into a world of enchantment with our Fairy Tale Storytime, featuring magical stories, whimsical songs, and imaginative fun! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546044&PK=

Program for kids ages 4-8 & teens ages 13-18. Spend an hour with a Teen Buddy! Build fluency, confidence, and social skills with a teen buddy here at the Essex Library. Each teen volunteer mentor (ages 13-18) is paired with a younger buddy (ages 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required to ensure that each buddy is matched with a mentor. Note: Due to state statute, kids under the age of 12 must have a parent present inside the building for the duration of the program. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546045&PK=

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library! For more information, including the movie title, call the Library at 860-767-1560 or visit the events calendar section of the Library’s website, www.youressexlibrary.org.

You’re writing a book (or thinking about it), but what happens next? Join us for an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process with Seth Fishman, Vice President and Literary Agent at The Gernert Company.Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Groundhog Day is coming up on Sunday! Join us for a fun-filled Groundhog Storytime, where we’ll enjoy lively tales and activities to celebrate the curious little creature and the excitement of predicting spring! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546046&PK=

Program for kids in grades 4-6. Nutmeg Book Club, a group celebrating Connecticut’s own kid’s book award for kids in grades 4-6, is BACK! Books are available for pickup starting January 2 with a special Nutmeg Book Club Kit that includes activities, stickers, bookmarks, and other goodies related to the book! This month we are reading The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling. Read the book on your own and then join us at the library for a fun discussion and related activity. Our meeting is on January 31 from 4-5 PM. About the Book: Hatchet meets Long Way Down in this heartfelt and gripping novel in verse about a young girl’s struggle for survival after a climbing trip with her father goes terribly wrong. One year after a random shooting changed their family forever, Nora and her father are exploring a slot canyon deep in the Arizona desert, hoping it will help them find peace. Nora longs for things to go back to normal, like they were when her mother was still alive, while her father keeps them isolated in fear of other people. But when they reach the bottom of the canyon, the unthinkable happens: A flash flood rips […]

Program for families with kids of all ages who enjoy stories & songs! Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day with a special all-ages family story time! Enjoy engaging stories, lively songs, and interactive fun that’s perfect for kids and grown-ups alike. This joyful event is a wonderful way to spend quality time together and discover the magic of your local library. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required, drop in!

Program recommended for families with kids ages 0-7 who enjoy music and movement! Join Miss Cheryl for her Fabulous Favorites program, which features timeless, traditional favorites with something for everyone! Miss Cheryl’s fun and engaging music and movement programs include at least one picture book and integrate literacy with the use of fingerplays, sing-alongs, instrument play, puppets, scarves, dancing, and movement. Designed to foster learning through play, these programs encourage imaginative participation and exploration for children and their adults! Miss Cheryl has a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Western CT State University. She began her music and movement journey by training as a Kindermusik educator. Cheryl then went on to create her own music curriculum for early learning centers by utilizing traditional American and multicultural songs and has been teaching fun and engaging music and movement classes in the CT area for over 19 years! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546049&PK=

Program for kids ages 5-12 Slime-making has been the favorite STEAM activity at our library over the years! Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day with Miss Nicole during this special STEAM Saturdays session! Kids will create 'Icee' slime, a one-of-a-kind slime featuring a cool, textured feel thanks to the addition of fake snow. Its crispy, scrunchy, and slightly quirky texture makes it a fun and unique experience! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, materials are limited. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546050&PK=

In this informative and fun program, Jim Lenn will explore the history of the Ovation guitar including the role it played in the singer and songwriter movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. Lenn will discuss which famous artists used the Ovation guitar to propel their careers forward and will perform certain pieces of music by Glen Gampbell, Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, John Denver, and others of the time period. This program is FREE and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Registration is not required, but preferred. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560. About Jim Lenn: Jim Lenn grew up in southern California during the 1960s. He always knew music would play a big part in his life. After relocating to the East Coast in 1998, he was a founding member of the popular folk/gospel group East of Nashville. He also held down the drummer’s chair with the popular country group The Truckstop Troubadours. He now plays solo acoustic shows and leads the Kinetic Ukes ukulele ensemble.

Program for kids ages 5-12. Get creative and bring a sock to life! In this hands-on workshop, we'll transform ordinary socks into adorable no-sew sock pets. Choose from five fun options: a wiggly octopus, a slithery snake, a playful puppy, a cute caterpillar, or a charming elephant. Using simple materials like stuffing, rubber bands, felt, and markers, you'll design and customize your very own cuddly friend. No sewing skills are needed—just bring your imagination and get ready to have fun! All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any singleton socks with fun patterns to personalize your creation! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, materials are limited. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=546051&PK=

Program for kids ages 5-12. Get ready for some creative fun as kids design and build their very own DIY tabletop foosball game! This hands-on program combines crafting and play, letting participants create a unique game they can take home and enjoy with family and friends. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, materials are limited. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=1314&BranchID=1000003139&Branch=All%20Locations&EventID=551556&PK=

Enjoy a Valentine's Day themed movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library! For more information, including the movie title, call the Library at 860-767-1560 or visit the events calendar section of the Library’s website, www.youressexlibrary.org. Drop in!

Program for kids ages 2-5. Fly into adventure with captivating tales of feathered friends and soaring imagination during our bird-themed story time! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=1314&BranchID=1000003139&Branch=Essex%20Library%20Association%20&EventID=549168&PK=

Spend an hour with a teen buddy! Build social skills, fluency, and confidence with a teen buddy here at the Essex Library. Each teen volunteer (ages 13-18) is paired with a younger reader (ages 4-8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required to ensure that each reader is matched with a mentor. Parents are asked to remain in the building for the duration of the program. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=1314&BranchID=1000003139&Branch=All%20Locations&EventID=549169&PK=

Program for kids ages 2-5. Embark on a wild adventure with roaring tales and animal antics during our zoo-themed story time! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Register: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=1314&BranchID=1000003139&Branch=Essex%20Library%20Association%20&EventID=549170&PK=

Join us for Nutmeg Book Club, a group celebrating Connecticut’s own kid’s book award, for kids in grades 4-6! Books are available for pickup starting February 4 with a special Nutmeg Book Club Kit that includes activities, stickers, bookmarks, and other goodies related to the book! This month we are reading Wayward Creatures by Dayna Lorentz. Read the book on your own and then join us at the library for a fun discussion and related activity. Our meeting is on February 28 from 4-5 PM. Nutmeg nominees are chosen by a committee of school media specialists, public librarians, and reading teachers, as well as a small selection of student representatives in the appropriate age range for that reading material. Each spring, students are allowed to cast their votes for the nominee they think should win the Nutmeg Award. Criteria includes the age of the book, and require that the books be well-written, with strong characterization, vivid setting, striking language, a well-constructed plot, and plausible conclusion. Nutmeg nominees may cover sensitive topics. For more information about how nutmeg books are selected, please see https://www.nutmegaward.org/about/faqs About the Book: Twelve-year-old Gabe doesn’t know where he belongs anymore. His family is caught up in […]