Events

A talk at Essex Library about the so-called Gilded Age from the 1870s to the 1910s, when New London and Groton became playgrounds of the wealthy. New London's Pequot Colony and Groton's Eastern Point attracted the wealthy and influential including U.S. presidents, celebrities, artists, Supreme Court justices and families such as the Plants and Harknesses. In turn, the region also benefited from the philanthropy of these people of power and privilege.  Learn about the people and places of the Connecticut shoreline during this era of excess with Gail B. MacDonald.

Program for kids ages 2-5. We’re heading to the pumpkin patch for a story time full of fall 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. 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.

Kids, teens, and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Book Month with bedazzling books! We will decorate book covers to be uniquely ours, and enjoy all things books!

Program for tweens ages 8-12. Celebrate National Noodle Day at the library by trying different ramen noodle cup flavors from around the world, and right here at home! We’ll start by learning about Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Food Products (one of the most popular ramen brands), test different cups of noodles, vote on our favorites, and crown the ultimate noodle champion! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

Enjoy some feel good music from the 70s to the 20s.

Program for families with children of all ages. The libraries and Land Trust are joining the Pumpkin Festival this year! Join Essex Library, Ivoryton Library, and Essex Land Trust for a family hike through The Millrace Preserve! Kids and families are invited to solve silly Halloween riddles as they walk along a festive path, enjoy a treat afterward courtesy of ELT, and take home a fun craft kit, courtesy of the libraries! This is a 15-20 min self-guided hike, come any time during the scheduled time frame! This program is free and open to the public. This program will be held at The Millrace, Ivory St, Ivoryton. In the event of rain, this program will not be held. No registration is required, drop in!

Program designed for tweens and teens ages 8-18! It’s spooky season! Celebrate by making festive candles with cool, spooky temporary tattoos! All supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Join EHS Director, Melissa Josefiak as she guides a tour of historic River View Cemetery, which dates back over 300 years! Located on the shores of the Connecticut River, River View Cemetery testifies to the early history of “Potapaug,” as Essex was once known, with the oldest gravestones dating from the early 1700s.  Come hear the stories of the cemetery’s ‘residents’ including: the influence of the town’s first pastor: a traitorous sea captain; an enterprising mother/daughter team; and many other engaging and touching tales.  Learn about changes in gravestone art – from grimacing “death’s heads” to ornate obelisks.  Enjoy the cemetery’s beautiful grounds as we trace its history from a simple burial yard to the park-like setting of today, especially during this twilight tour starting at 4pm.   The tour lasts about an hour over uneven, sloped, grassy terrain for about half a mile.  Walkers should wear proper footwear and possibly bring a flashlight for the twilight tours.  While this tour is based on historical facts and is not intended to be ‘haunted’, historical details about death and disease may disturb young walkers. Register Each tour is $10 per person; free to EHS members.   Limited parking is available in […]

Program designed for caregivers and their child, age birth – 2. Sharing in playtime is an excellent way to help children build social skills, promote learning, and discover that the library is a destination for fun! Children will have the opportunity to practice skills such as following directions, socializing with others, using language, and using small and large muscles. Come meet new friends, bond with your little one, and explore the many resources your neighborhood library has to offer! What to Expect: The Essex Library children’s room already has amazing toys for all ages, such as our train table, our sensory book collection, and our many puzzles! During baby playtime, caregivers are encouraged to explore the library’s existing toy collection, and extra items will be set up around the room that support fine and gross motor play – specifically for our youngest little ones! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Be transported to colonial New York through the words of Washington Irving’s spine-tingling tale. Follow Connecticut school teacher Ichabod Crane as he becomes the target of a ghostly apparition: the famed Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. As the night darkens, and hoof beats approach, feel the suspense build as fear and folktale blend in this perennial Halloween favorite. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited. Registration is required. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or call the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Join the Essex Library’s Children’s Librarian for a story time celebrating all things spooky, featuring themed books, songs, and a spooky craft! Children are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes. 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 kids of all ages. Come to the library in costume, say the magic words, and get a special treat (one per kiddo, please!) Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required, drop in!

Join us at Essex Library for a 2-part Hatha yoga series, led by Lisa Sanders. Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that uses physical techniques such as breathwork and mindful yoga movements for balance, strength and stability. Lisa also incorporates yoga philosophy, singing bowls and mindfulness into each session. This drop-in program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited to 15 participants. The library has a limited supply of yoga mats; we suggest bringing your own.

In a fast-paced world that often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, true healing does not come from looking outward—it begins within. Join us for a transformative virtual conversation with Indigenous Medicine Woman Asha Frost as she explores her groundbreaking book, You Are the Medicine: 13 Indigenous Teachings to Connect to Your Inner Wisdom, Reclaim Your Power, and Heal. Call the Library to register: 860-767-1560 or you may register online: REGISTER HERE.

The second day of the Essex FilmFest, hosted by Essex Library, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. A producing masterclass starts at 9:30 AM with Guest Filmmaker Scott Macaulay. This is a one-hour workshop for filmmakers, writers and anyone curious about the art, craft and business of producing independent films. A line-up of films will be shown on Saturday as well, with a Q&A period for each. The films include Raising Victor Vargas, The Assistant and Gummo. For more information, visit essexfilmfest.com.

Join us at Essex Library for a 2-part Hatha yoga series, led by Lisa Sanders. Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that uses physical techniques such as breathwork and mindful yoga movements for balance, strength and stability. Lisa also incorporates yoga philosophy, singing bowls and mindfulness into each session. This drop-in program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited to 15 participants. The library has a limited supply of yoga mats; we suggest bringing your own.

Join Essex Library for an afternoon program with Ginny Apple, Master Wildlife Conservationist with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Learn what happens after the sun sets and nocturnal creatures emerge from their hiding places to forage, hunt, and play! From opossums and porcupines to great horned owls, this talk explores their habits, homes and howls. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Registration is suggested. Register online or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Kids and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Vanilla Cupcake Day by decorating your own! We will provide the food, but need you to show off your creativity!

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.

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 […]

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.