Activity

Program for kids ages 8-12. Join Children’s Librarian Miss Nicole and Teen Librarian Miss Jessica for a fun, behind-the-scenes look at life as a librarian. Across four exciting sessions from January to April, Junior Librarians will explore everything from keeping the library organized, and creating eye-catching displays, to planning programs and learning the skills real librarians use every day. Get ready to discover what it really takes to run a library and have fun doing it. Session 2, February 19, 4 PM: Books, Books, and More Books! How do librarians select books for the collection? How much can they spend? How do librarians decide when it is time for a book to retire? All of these questions, and more, will be answered! Session 3, March 26, 4 PM: Show Off the Shelves: Creating Eye-Catching Displays Session 4, April 30, 4 PM: Plan the Fun: Programs & Events! May 21, 4 PM: Junior Librarian Graduation & Celebration! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Who doesn’t love learning about a priceless painting found in an attic? Or a sculpture sitting for decades in a public garden, only to be found out as an Italian treasure? After finding herself in the middle of her own art history discovery when she uncovered the provenance of a Rodin sculpture sitting in Madison, NJ’s town hall, Mallory Mortillaro learned just how many times this has happened before. Her lecture explores the stories of several different important and valuable works of art that have been rediscovered in unexpected places, reviewing how they came to be “lost and found”. All programs of the Essex Library are free and open to the public. Registration is required for this virtual program. Register HERE or by calling the library at 860767-1560. About Mallory Mortillaro Mallory Mortillaro serves as the Curator of Collections for the Hartley Dodge Foundation in Madison, NJ and is an art historian and educator. She has ten years of teaching experience, and has worked on various art research projects for museums and organizations in the New York metropolitan area. She has a bachelor’s degree in Art History and English from Drew University and is a graduate of the University’s Caspersen School of Graduate […]

Program for kids ages 2-5. Join us for a tooth-rific story time celebrating National Family Dental Health Day with fun stories, songs, smiles, special guest readers from Essex Dentist, and goodies to take home! 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. Click here to register.

Have we had enough snow this winter? Let’s make some of our own! Kids are invited to bring the magic indoors by conducting an experiment to make your very own fake snow that even feels cold! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble. REGISTER HERE. Follow the fascinating growth and development of the world's largest museum and research complex during its first 60 years. Told in rich detail, Smithson's Gamble reveals how, as it defined a role rooted in curiosity and exploration, the Smithsonian helped to shape the nation's developing identity. The Smithsonian evolved from a small, narrowly focused organization into an institution leading the way in fields from astrophysics to zoology. Smithsonian researchers, and the hundreds of citizen scientists who they recruited, created a collection that documented the natural and human history of a continent. The American conservation movement and a national weather service are rooted at the Smithsonian. Smithson's Gamble is filled with fascinating characters, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and tragedy, complete with political machinations, a bit of backstabbing, accusations of murder, and the occasional scandal. Register now to take part in the conversation and learn about the trials, errors, and incredible legacy of the Smithsonian’s foundation. About the Author: Tom Crouch joined the Smithsonian in 1974 and has served both the National Air and Space Museum […]

Program for kids ages 2-5. Vroom, beep, and honk! Celebrate all of the ‘things that go’ at our story time full of books, songs, and fun for little vehicle enthusiasts! 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. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 8-12. Join us on Pokémon Day with a party celebrating all things Pokémon! Complete a Pokémon-themed scavenger hunt, play BINGO, test your Pokémon trivia, and create a fun Pokémon craft. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Join award-winning novelist Catherine Con Morse for a creative writing workshop followed by a Q&A and book-signing! In this class, you'll learn how to write compelling characters and fresh descriptions through a variety of fun writing exercises. Catherine is the author of The Notes and The Summer I Remembered Everything (shortlisted for All CT Reads 2026.) Ages 12 - 18, Grades 6+. Registration is required. https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1314&EventID=578767&PK=

From Cosmos to Compost: Our Place in the Universe explores how science connects the vast history of the universe to the everyday processes that sustain life on Earth. Bringing together astronomy and biology, the talk traces the story from stars and galaxies to the biological processes that recycle matter through ecosystems. Together, the talks show how fundamental scientific processes link the cosmos, life, and our daily actions. Speakers: Shashank Dattathri, PhD student, Department of Astronomy & Kriza Sy, MD-PhD student working in Cell Biology Yale Science in the News is a student-driven initiative where Yale graduate students and postdoctoral researchers present complex and exciting science topics to the general public. The talk is coordinated by Tos Chan, a PhD student in Computational Biology. This program is FREE and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT.

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library! For the movie title, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit the Events Calendar at youressexlibrary.org.

Middlesex Hospital Paramedic Brad Fowler will discuss the signs and symptoms of stroke in the Buel Room of Essex Library on Wednesday, March 4 at 4 p.m. Fowler will address: How often strokes occur and their impact; Who is at greatest risk of suffering a stroke; Causes and types of strokes; How to recognize stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of recognizing them early; Available treatments to reverse the side effects of stroke. The program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT.  Register on the Events Calendar at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560.

A trained Naturalist and President of the Connecticut Horticultural Society, Jim Sirch will be at Essex Library to provide a lecture on how to create a healthy eco-system in the landscape that functions well for people and wildlife. Sirch will discuss how species interact in the landscape as well as offer tips related to which plantings help create synergy. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Register online HERE or by calling the library at 860-767-1560.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Join us for a special Read Across America Day story time with favorite stories and early literacy activities that highlight the magic of reading together! 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. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 5-12. Step into the “kitchen” with Miss Nicole and learn how to make no-bake monster cookie balls! This super delicious recipe is full of oats, peanut butter, and of course, chocolate! Allergens: recipe contains oats, peanuts, honey, vanilla extract, chocolate, & M&M Candy. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Essex Library will welcome former Connecticut State Troubadour Pierce Campbell and Banjoist Paul Neri for an unforgettable and lively performance filled with Irish and Celtic folk music. The repertoire is sure to get feet tapping and hands clapping, creating a spirited and energetic atmosphere. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, Ct. Space is limited. Registration is required. Register HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560.

Swing by the Connecticut River Museum for stories take-home craft activities that engage kids with the Connecticut River’s stunning wildlife and rich history! Perfect for young learners 4+ and their caregivers. Check in at the front desk upon arrival. It’s prime eagle-spotting season along the Connecticut River and Winter Wildlife cruises are in full swing! Soar on over to the Connecticut River Museum to learn all about eagle behavior and the important role they play in the ecosystem. A program just for kids 4+ and their caregivers, River Tales includes a story, a craft activity, and an opportunity to explore the Connecticut River Museum’s exhibits through a scavenger hunt. In March, we’ll read On Eagle Cove by Jane Yolen, a book following a child and her mother after they spot a pair of eagles mating and go on a journey to find eagle chicks. All River Tales reservations include Museum admission for one adult and one child and must be purchased in advance. Children MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian during this event. Questions? Email lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org