Essex Library

In this 30-minute illustrated talk, Essex Library’s March Artist of the Month, Theresa Marchant-Shapiro, will delve into her artistic process as a collage quilter and highlight notable artists that used similar forms of art for political expression. Marchant-Shapiro’s creative use of textiles takes quilting to a new level from practical craft to stunning visual works. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Register HERE or by calling the library at 860-767-1560. ABOUT THERESA MARCHANT-SHAPIRO Theresa Marchant—Shapiro is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University. She teaches courses in leadership and mass political behavior. ARTISTS’ STATEMENT As an educator, knowledge is central to my identity and my interaction with the world. When I teach, I feel like I create a tapestry using the threads of my students' lives to color my planned design. My hope is that the knowledge I share allows my students to surmount the mountains that can form barriers, but can also unveil beautiful vistas.

Join us for a special conversation between award-winning journalist Shoshana Walter and bestselling and award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver as they chat about Walter’s book Rehab: An American Scandal, presented by Essex Library Association. In this work, Walter, a Pulitzer finalist, exposes the country’s failed response to the opioid crisis, and the malfeasance, corruption, and snake oil which blight the drug rehabilitation industry. For more information, call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560. Register HERE. 

Join us for a relaxed, playful story time that helps kids notice how the seasons change. We’ll explore the shift from winter to spring with bold, energetic stories and soft, cozy tales that highlight nature’s changing moods. 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.

Join educators from the Amphibian Reptile Center for their All About Axolotls presentation, filled with engaging education, hands-on fun, and fascinating facts to remember and share with friends and family. Participants will learn about axolotls’ origins in Aztec culture, the scientist whose laboratory discoveries have helped shape modern research, the responsibilities of caring for one as a pet, the three ways axolotls breathe, and how some can even glow! The Amphibian Reptile Center’s mission is to help change the world for people and animals who need it most. Serving as a voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves, the Center promotes proper care, health, and responsible ownership as top priorities. Through educational programs for all ages, the Amphibian Reptile Center aims to inspire individuals to be the change they wish to see and to work toward a more responsible and compassionate future for the reptile and amphibian community. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Are you looking for a casual way to meet new people and socialize in a fun way? Visit the Essex Library this month to play a low-stress, engaging adult board game! Participants can choose from a variety of games including Parcheesi, Scrabble or Checkers, among other options. This program is FREE and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. No registration is necessary, drop-in!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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=

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Celebrate friendship and love at our Valentine’s story time with books, songs, and activities for little ones! 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 age 5-12. Kids age 5-8 must have an adult participate alongside. It’s a half-day, spend it at the library! Join us for a sweet and cozy treat-making experience! Participants will learn how to make classic s’mores (no campfire required)! Roast marshmallows, layer them with chocolate and graham crackers, and enjoy your delicious creation. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

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 5:15 time slot. Click here to register for 5:30 time slot. Click here to register for 5:45 time slot.

Program for families with kids of all ages. Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day with us! Explore a fun sensory walk in the children’s room, get creative with open art activities in the program room, and enjoy a caricature artist from 1:00–2:00, and a face painter from 2:00-3:00 for a day full of family memories! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration, drop in!

Program for kids ages 2-5. February is National Library Lover's Month, so let’s celebrate with a library-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. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 8-12. This month is all about Warrior Cats! Love Graphic Novels? Come be a part of Comic Crew! Each month kids can learn about a different comic book/graphic novel from our children’s collection and participate in special activities based on the book or series! Fans of the series and new graphic novel readers are welcome to attend! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Program for kids age 5-12. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by creating a small heart-shaped pillow, no sewing required! Participants will cut, tie, and stuff their pillows to take home as a sweet keepsake or gift for someone special. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.