Events

Do you want to better to understand Iran’s Nuclear Program? Hear from Dr. Rick Lawrence in this virtual program presented by Essex Library as he explains the science, history and policy behind one of the world’s most complex issues of today. Dr. Lawrence will break down some complicated topics – nuclear fission, uranium enrichment and nuclear weapon design – and then examine the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, the consequences of the U.S.’s 2018 withdrawal and Iran’s nuclear activities since the withdrawal. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required for all virtual programs. REGISTER HERE.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Tomorrow is National Family PJ Day, celebrate a day early at the library with cozy songs, stories, and plenty of fun! Wear your PJ’s, of course! 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. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

Program for families with kids ages 6-12. Celebrate DINOvember AND a half-day from school at the library! Join Miss Nicole to create a beautiful dinosaur sunset painting, perfect to decorate the room of any dinosaur lover! All supplies will be provided, and smocks/aprons will be available, but please wear clothes you don’t mind (possibly) getting dirty! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited. Click here to register.

Program for families with kids ages 6-12. Celebrate DINOvember and Join Miss Nicole to create a beautiful dinosaur sunset painting, perfect to decorate the room of any dinosaur lover! All supplies will be provided, and smocks/aprons will be available, but please wear clothes you don’t mind (possibly) getting dirty! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 3-6. Join dancers from Eastern Connecticut Ballet for an interactive creative movement class with a Nutcracker theme. This presentation will be led by Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s teacher educators and will feature dancers from their upcoming Nutcracker performance. Eastern Connecticut Ballet was founded in 1992 to serve students in the shoreline area and beyond. As a nonprofit organization, Eastern Connecticut Ballet recognizes their responsibility to the broader community. Through their educational outreach programs, they raise awareness of the beauty and power of dance. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Space is limited, registration is required. Click here to register.

Program designed around The Food Group book series by Jory John, written for an audience age 4-8. Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to join, and for safety reasons, kids ages 4-8 must have an adult participate alongside! This summer’s popular Food Group program is BACK for the release of Jory John’s newest Food Group book, The Toast of the Town! Meet Toast. He knows everybody, and everybody knows him. He pops up wherever help is needed—shoveling sidewalks, welcoming newcomers, checking in on neighbors—just because. But Toast wasn't always so warm and toasty. In his younger days, he kept to himself, loafed around, and mostly just felt a little . . . stale. It took one life-changing moment to help him rise to the occasion. Can one ordinary piece of toast transform an entire community? And can helping others turn out to be the best thing since sliced bread? What to expect: Cook, read, and explore with us in this deliciously fun program inspired by Jory John’s Food Group series. This program will combine stories with simple snack-making. We’ll kick things off by washing hands and learning a few basic food safety tips, because every great chef starts with good habits. […]

Essex Library is honored to host Gordon Giffin, the United States Ambassador to Canada under the Clinton Administration, for its second annual Fulford History Lecture. His talk, “American Diplomacy, the Canada - US Relationship and Why It Matters,” will take place on November 14 at 4 p.m. in The Cube at Centerbrook Architects. Giffin, born in Massachusetts, moved in 1950 to Montreal, Canada at age 3 months. Ultimately graduating from High School in Toronto, in 1967 he returned south to obtain a BA at Duke University and a JD at Emory University School of Law. After graduation he moved to Washington DC in January 1975 to become Chief Counsel and Legislative Director to US Senator Sam Nunn. He served as outside General Counsel to the 1988 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions. In 1992 Giffin became Chair of the Clinton presidential campaign in Georgia and southeastern coordinator. Following the election, he declined opportunities to move back to Washington to join the Administration to continue to grow his law practice. In 1996 he served as Chair of the Site Selection Committee and Vice Chair for the Democratic National Convention and Chair of the Southern Region Campaign. Following the election, in June 1997 […]

Program for families with kids of all ages. Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register for the 5:15 time slot. Click here to register for the 5:30 time slot. Click here to register for the 5:45 time slot.

Program for children ages birth – 2 and their caregivers. Music is one of the earliest ways babies learn about the world! In Baby Band, caregivers and little ones will sing, dance, bounce, clap, and explore child-safe instruments in a playful, engaging environment. Along the way, babies strengthen early literacy, communication, motor, and social-emotional skills while caregivers discover fun ways to continue the music at home. No pressure to sit still, wiggles, giggles, and movement are all part of the fun! What to Expect: We’ll start by singing some familiar songs to get the party started. Then, we’ll explore rhythm with scarves, shakers, drums, or other child-safe instruments. Before we end, we’ll sing a goodbye song! After baby band, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough supplies are available. Click here to register.

Incorporating healthy indoor plants in a home or office can really add a sense of calm and beauty to a space. A big part of growing houseplants successfully comes from choosing the right plant for your space. We’ll talk about light conditions, temperature, watering requirements and how to consider these factors when it comes to plant selection. Stories of houseplant failures, unexpected triumphs and new favorites will be covered. This talk will be presented by Felicia Millett, a plant scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Register online at youresseslibrary.org or call the Library at 860-767-1560.

Step into a sprawling world of celestial magic, political intrigue, and ancient prophecies with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse as we dive deep into her acclaimed Between Earth and Sky trilogy. Black Sun, Fevered Star, and Mirrored Heavens are inspired by the rich and diverse cultures of the pre-Columbian Americas, reshaping modern speculative fiction with unmissable worldbuilding. This program 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. Flannel Boards are fun, interactive ways to tell stories, or sing songs! Today, every song we sing and every book we read will have interactive flannel puppets to go along with them! To get in the spirit, wear your favorite flannel shirt! 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. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested […]

Program for kids ages 8-12. Come to the library and get crafty with model magic and markers to make awesome dinosaur (or dragon) eye sculptures! All supplies will be provided, and tweens will be led step-by-step to make their creations! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 5-12. Travel back in time and build your own miniature dinosaur habitat. Join us at the library to create a miniature dinosaur terrarium in a jar. When you’re done, take home a fun decoration that brings a little piece of the prehistoric world to your space! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Space is limited, registration is required. Click here to register.

Kids and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in giving thanks by creating crafts all around Thanksgiving!

REGISTER HERE Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience, nor is it a linear journey. Join us online for a comforting and deeply practical conversation with grief guide and author Shelby Forsythia as we explore her book, "Your Grief, Your Way: A Year of Practical Guidance and Comfort After Loss." Everyone experiences grief differently after the loss of a loved one. Some people find solace in comforting quotes and warm words, while others feel a need to take action—to do something to memorialize their loss. And some benefit from both approaches. Here's a path forward for you, no matter how you process your grief. Your Grief, Your Way features: Multiple ways to process grief: Find relief through short meditations, mindful reframings, journaling prompts, concrete actions, and more. A year of daily messages of comfort: Each page includes a quote and a short paragraph about grief along with a practical tip--something you can do to tend to your grief. Comfort and practicality in short spurts: Discover strength and support in these bite-size nuggets, since grief reduces the ability to focus. Quotes from a wide range of grievers: Tend to your grief with thoughtful words of people who have been in your shoes. […]

REGISTER HERE Join us virtually for a downright intoxicating conversation with bestselling fantasy author Helen Scheuerer as we delve into her thrilling new novel, "Kiss of the Black Flame." Some bargains are sealed with blood. Others with fire. The deadliest are sealed with a kiss... Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal—even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, she’s learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other people’s treasures while trying not to fall apart herself. But when the man she owes decides her rare talent is worth more than her payments, Saige is traded to the Azkari—an immortal race forged by the gods for war—and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold. Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her—cursed, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return, Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book. But the book is made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil—or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous—both in the realm and within her. […]

Kids and Families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Slime Day with our own DIY Slime. We will make our own colors and walk away with playful slime!

REGISTER HERE What happens when the country you love forces you out, leaving you just 48 hours to abandon everything you’ve ever known? Join us online for an extraordinary online conversation with author and essayist Ana Hebra Flaster as we discuss her sweeping yet deeply intimate memoir Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town. Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government’s repressive tactics, they fled to the US. The permanent losses they suffered—of home, country, and loved ones, all within forty-eight hours—haunted her multigenerational family as they reclaimed their lives and freedom in 1967 New Hampshire. There, they fed each other stories of their scrappy barrio—some of which Hebra Flaster has shared on All Things Considered—to resurrect their lost world and fortify themselves for a daunting task: building a new life in a foreign land. Weaving pivotal events in Cuba–US history with her viejos’—elders’—stories of surviving political upheaval, impossible choices, and “refugeedom,” Property of the Revolution celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the […]

Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560. Join us at Essex Library when Geoffrey Paul presents his book Faith and Fortune: Henry and Amelia Champlin and America’s Maritime Ascendancy. In Faith and Fortune, Paul and co-author Steven Ujifusa, weave an intimate family narrative into larger historical events and the forces of economic change, illuminating a largely forgotten chapter of American history. Faith and Fortune is both a compelling personal story and a vivid account of the family ties, beliefs and community traditions that helped connect a young nation to an expanding world of commerce and opportunity. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Light refreshments provided. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. About Geoffrey Paul Geoffrey Paul is a native of Essex, Connecticut, whose lifelong passion for local history has inspired decades of research into the people, places, and events that shaped the Connecticut River Valley. His discoveries of long-forgotten archives and historically significant artifacts have expanded the understanding of Connecticut’s maritime past, with pieces from his collection now housed in leading museums. Geoffrey lives in the former home of Captain Henry and Amelia Champlin, where […]

Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560. Cooking authentic Korean food at home doesn't have to be intimidating or complicated—in fact, it can be as fun and engaging as reading your favorite graphic novel! Join us for a virtual conversation with artist and author Robin Ha as we explore her New York Times bestselling book, Cook Korean!: A Comic Book Cookbook. Fun to look at and easy to use, this unique combination of cookbook and graphic novel is the ideal introduction to cooking Korean cuisine at home. Robin Ha’s colorful and humorous one-to three-page comics fully illustrate the steps and ingredients needed to bring more than sixty traditional (and some not-so-traditional) dishes to life. In these playful but exact recipes, you’ll learn how to create everything from easy kimchi (mak kimchi) and soy garlic beef over rice (bulgogi dupbap) to seaweed rice rolls (gimbap) and beyond. Friendly and inviting, Cook Korean! is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Each chapter includes personal anecdotes and cultural insights from Ha, providing an intimate entry point for those looking to try their hand at this cuisine. Register today to discover how easy, approachable, and fun authentic Korean cooking can be! About […]

Kids and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in welcoming winter with cozy crafts to brighten the darkest day in the year. From tissue paper jars to snowflake art, we will celebrate the seasons changing with fun crafts!

Kids and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in an early New Year’s Eve Party. We will celebrate the new year coming in... without having to stay up til Midnight!